DIEP 2014

I am a uni mastectomy with delayed DIEP reconstruction. My breast surgeon at an NCI hospital recommended just a uni & I am happy to have one natural breast with feeling since it was healthy. My PS shaped my DIEP flap to match my natural breast which he reduced & lifted. The girls match & are perky. I'm confident I made the best decision for myself. It is definitely a individual decision based on your own medical circumstances. 

Iowa, I would gather to say that almost everybody here probably wonder's the same thing. All new foobs around here.  I would ask your PS, if he has been doing these for a while I would assume he has seen some diep flaps that are several years old, and can tell you how they hold up.  

I do have a question for the uni girls, though.  Is one breast heavier that the other?  

Iowa, I'm assuming natural gravity will work the same on both my DIEP flap & natural lifted natural breast as time goes by.  Just like it would on a non-breast cancer woman.  

Goldie, my flap & natural breast feel the same. 

Kelley... I agree that you should not be sweeping. No cleaning, bending, lifting etc. Just rest. And walk. And then rest. And no probing your new breasts. If you feel a lump or edge of the flap, then you are touching them. Don't do that. Just leave the flap alone and let it heal. Whatever you are feeling will go away or be resolved at stage II. But if you touch it, you run the risk of doing harm. You are so very fresh out of surgery. And there was a lot of trauma to your body. So if you have bruising around your incision, do not fret about it. This was a major surgery, and you need to be patient and heal. And again, no sweeping, cooking, cleaning, vacuuming, lifting, lifting, lifting.... Get someone to come help you. I hired a cleaning lady, had my son help with groceries, had friends bring meals. Pamper yourself. Better to take a month now and stay calm than to risk a complication.

Jmb and Bluewillow - there are some threads on this issue on the board.  One is entitled "Sentinel node biopsy - need advice". There is at least one more that I will try to find and bump to the first page of active threads.  

I was trying to make this decision and in the process had a biopsy that confirmed DCIS in the other side, so that confirmed I would have an SNB on that side.  

Doing an SNB does create a risk of lymphedema.

Before confirming the DCIS, I had talked to my surgeon about the Angelina Jolie technique, where they used the dye to mark the sentinel node for later removal should any invasive cancer be found.  Could mean another surgery, should cancer be found.  

Take care,

Ridley

Jmb and Bluewillow - I bumped another thread on the SNB question "should I have a sentinel node biopsy on the preventive side"

Jmb - I wear extended wear contacts.  I didn't put them back in until about a week after I was discharged.  I was napping so much that I figured they might get too dry.  I had no trouble putting them in once I decided to start wearing them again.  I feel better in my contacts, so I was glad to be able to start wearing them again.

And key items I used in the hospital - Chapstick, biotene mouth spray, ear plugs, glasses, housecoat and slippers, iPad with earphones for music, phone, shampoo and conditioner (nurse washed my hair on day 4), toothbrush and toothpaste, and some facial wipes and other wipes.  I brought more stuff, but can't remember using anything else.

Ridley

jmb-I can't offer you much advice on the SNB.  I had ALND on the right.   That was 2 years ago and I still have numbness and burning nerve pain.   I do have to be careful with that side, but so far all is good.  I have had pokes in that arm, just have to avoid if possible.  They can take blood pressure in your leg.   I forget, so probably should get one of those medical alert bracelets!

You won't need much in the hospital.  The only thing I had was my phone (on day 2), Chapstick and face lotion.  Shampoo would not be a bad idea.  I would also recommend something called Ayr that keeps your nostrils moist while you have the oxygen in.  I forgot all about this.   Good luck with the surgery!

yep jmb, it is a life long thing 

oops, skin lesion, not legion, ha!

I would also recommend seeing a LE therapist after surgery.  They can give you exercises to do and set you up with a compression sleeve and tell you when it's advisable to wear to prevent LE.

Kat-ski... I made my own plane reservations, but had them research prices at hotels and they booked it for me with the doctor discount... They also arranged all limo rides for me for airport and appointments. They pay for the limo so that makes sense.

Good luck to all of you flappers left to go this week.  It looks like a few of you are in areas affected by the frigid weather.  Stay safe!

For those of you still contemplating uni- or bilateral , I wish you peace of mind.i

donna.....do WHATEVER works for you, because you are the only one who is having "your" surgery.....positive vibes going out to you!

kat-ski....I'm a bit confused as to what kind of "help" you are asking of your fellow flappers? Are you considering relocating your surgery?? You mention that you trust your surgeon, and that is one of the most important factors, imo. You now have all the pieces in place, right??? Do you think it might be the understandable "pre-surgery" fears????  I'm so sorry you are stressing over "arrangements"....maybe take some deep breaths, and go over your reasons for choosing the surgeon and location that you are going with. I'm sure the travel/limo/etc. support from NOLA is helpful and reassuring, taking some of the "logistics" off the to do list for their patients and families. For ladies who travel to unfamiliar locations, it must be wonderful! However, in the "big picture", would having someone else book your flights, etc., affect your surgeon's skills, personal financial availability (health insurance coverage) or extended access to family post surgery? Those were your reasons for choosing your location weren't they??? Hope you find some peaceful moments going forward.

jmb...the "what to pack" question was an on-going theme on the 2013 thread. Maybe when you are over your own surgery, you might find it helpful to include a brief list in the header for this thread....just a suggestion.

Welcome home jenjen!  Glad the recovery is going well!