DIEP 2014

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  • jmb5
    jmb5 Member Posts: 532
    edited January 2014

    Donna, my surgery is tomorrow too and I haven't packed much of anything. I have to leave my house for Cleveland at 3:45 am to be there by 5:00. Surgery around 7:30. I plan to wear pajama pants, a cami and my Columbia fleece to the hospital, and I am wearing the same thing home. Lol! I did pack my cute new Target robe in case I want to wear it over the gown, but I kind of doubt I will. It won't look so cute over the gown I'm sure.

    Wind chills here in Ohio are 20 below, and we are under a winter storm watch that is supposed to hit Friday night into Saturday. Then even colder temps the first of the week. Good time to stay in the hospital I guess.

    Glad you're home jenjen. Your upbeat post gives me hope. :)

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  • Donna2012
    Donna2012 Member Posts: 201
    edited January 2014

    jmb5 - we'll have to definitely stay in touch!  I have to leave my house at 5:00 to arrive at 6:00.  I think surgery will be 7:30.   I am wearing a regular outfit there - when I change, it will be put in a bag, which my dh will take out to the car.  In the car I have my duffle bag with everything I think I will need, including clothes to come home on tues.  He'll bring that to my room, once surgery is over.  I plan on being discharged tues - when did they tell you? 

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  • kelleyb
    kelleyb Member Posts: 94
    edited January 2014

    On packing--remember your weight and lifting restrictions!  even my laptop was too heavy after surgery,  you will need room for lots of bandages and such when you're released too.  Good luck!

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  • sweetpickle
    sweetpickle Member Posts: 749
    edited January 2014

    Glad to hear you are home JenJen!  Rest well :)

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  • Kat-ski
    Kat-ski Member Posts: 212
    edited January 2014

    PRMA is being a bit more helpful now that I called and had a deep conversation with them.  Any ladies have any ideas besides cutting up a man's t-shirt to fit under the binder and bra?  

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  • kelleyb
    kelleyb Member Posts: 94
    edited January 2014

    Just spoke with Erin at NOLA.  Dr. Sullivan looked at my photos I sent today and wants me back there early next week to revise and close abdomen and look at my large breast.  Unfortunately it does mean going under anesthesia.  I had a feeling before I flew home that this would happen.  Thet are paying for my travel and hotel.  I think I'd like a fancier hotel this time, maybe in the Quarter.

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  • sweetpickle
    sweetpickle Member Posts: 749
    edited January 2014

    Hey gals, did anyone else have more pain from where the drains were than from surgery itself? I have been doing pretty good this time around but one of my drain sites burns like crazy when I bend over or stretch my right arm to reach for something.  I called my PS today and nurse said that it was normal. Just looking for pain relief ideas other than pain meds. Thanks!

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  • Beebop
    Beebop Member Posts: 206
    edited January 2014

    yeah sweet, I had pain from the drains.   I hardly moved the whole time I had them in because they were so uncomfortable.   I was so glad when they came out!

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  • Beebop
    Beebop Member Posts: 206
    edited January 2014

    kat-ski - the PS gave me a stretch cami that came from Target.  It is tight enough not to ride up, but not too tight that it is uncomfortable.  No Bra for me though.

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  • bdavis
    bdavis Member Posts: 6,201
    edited January 2014

    Kelley... When I was flown back and they paid for my flight, hotel etc, they were going to put me up at the Hope Lodge, but I asked for the Homewood Suites... they were fine with that. But they probably wouldn't pay for a fancy Quarter hotel. I think its super generous of them to pay for the hotel and plane in the first place. Of course, that is why people will fly there, because they know there is a Plan B.

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  • Curlylocks
    Curlylocks Member Posts: 1,060
    edited January 2014

    Sweet - I took two extra strength tylenol (over the counter) every four hours for the first two weeks post op.  Keep up with the constipation aids as it will constipate you.

    Kellyb - Sorry that you are having to go through this bump in the road, hope all goes well for you!  It sounds like necrosis of some of the abdominal tissue, they will probably cut this out and it will allow it to heal better.

    Michele

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  • Comet08
    Comet08 Member Posts: 13
    edited January 2014

    Well I just got the financial low down from NOLA today as I was planning on having a unilateral DIEP procedure there. Thinking I'll stay in Boston as my insurance will not cover all the costs at New Orleans. Disappointing but the logistics would have been difficult since I'd need to have someone holding down the fort at home. Seems like Dr. Tobias is the surgeon with the most experience with this procedure in the Boston area. I feel that this is critical with this type of operation where so much can go wrong, especially cosmetically. Can anyone offer some advice about physicians who do DIEP in Boston? Thanks for your help, I feel like I've been on an emotional rollercoaster for about a month. Still wondering if I should play it safe and get implants instead.

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  • jmb5
    jmb5 Member Posts: 532
    edited January 2014

    Anyone know if I can put moisturizer on my face in the morning before my surgery? I have to use the surgical wash tonight and in the morning and the instructions say no lotion, etc. Does that include my face?

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  • sweetpickle
    sweetpickle Member Posts: 749
    edited January 2014

    Beebop- mine did hurt a lot more when they were in but I got them out this past Monday. Just this right side is hurting still.

    Curly- Thanks, Im taking colace twice a day and two oxycodone a day. So far have been able to go like normal.

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  • goldie4040
    goldie4040 Member Posts: 2,280
    edited January 2014

    Yeah, Jenjen.  You sound great.  Glad you are home so fast!!!!

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  • nihahi
    nihahi Member Posts: 3,841
    edited January 2014

    kelley....sorry to hear of the complications...but it sounds like you're being looked after. Eat healthy in the meantime, including lots of lean protein, and stay positive. There have been a few others with ab incisions that needed to be re-excised in the early days, in order to get proper healing. Most PS's will revise things to try to get primary healing in those instances, as opposed to waiting it out.

    jmb....I used a touch of facial moisturizer the morning of surgery. The skin on my face would have cracked and fallen off during the car ride if I didn't use something, and my face was not part of the surgical field anyway!

    sweet...drain pain...so sorry....no suggestions other than try to keep the area around it from dealing with excess movement. Good reason to lay low I guess?

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  • jmb5
    jmb5 Member Posts: 532
    edited January 2014

    nihahi, that's what I was thinking. My face is SO dry right now anyway. I just don't want to get in trouble tomorrow. I'll just use a little in the morning.

    Donna, they said a 4-5 day hospital stay, which would put me around Tuesday also. I sure hope so! Good luck! I'm heading to bed. Have to get up at 3:00!

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  • sweetpickle
    sweetpickle Member Posts: 749
    edited January 2014

    nihahi- Thats what the nurse said, just lay low for the next week or so. So hard to do though!

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  • Moviemaniac
    Moviemaniac Member Posts: 949
    edited January 2014

    Comet.....I just happened to be speed reading and saw your post......a couple of women who had DIEP done in 2013 had them in Boston.....check out the DIEP 2013 list.  They were faith729 and Gini 23, I think......you could PM them, and hopefully they would respond.  Good luck!

    Safe surgeries and peaceful healing to Donna and jmb.......

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  • Rosebud14
    Rosebud14 Member Posts: 18
    edited January 2014

    Thanks for starting this forum, Nihahi. I am meeting with a plastic surgeon tomorrow to see if I am a good canditate for DIEP surgery. The posts have been very helpful. Any suggestions of questions I should be asking?

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  • nihahi
    nihahi Member Posts: 3,841
    edited January 2014

    Hi Roco.....the forum is a group thing, I'm just one of many on here.....this 2014 version already has a great group of ladies having surgeries this year. From your info, it looks like you are starting the process of gathering info and such. Where are you having your consult??? You might find someone on this list or the 2013 list that has the same location/PS as you, and that would be a great connection for you. Besides asking the questions of how much microvascular experience/breast recon experience your PS has, and how long has he been doing flaps at this first meeting, I'd also suggest asking things like what kind of follow-up revisions he does and what criteria he has for doing them. You want someone who will work to reach a final result, until YOU are happy. Some women like to see photos of his previous work. You could ask if you could speak/meet any previous patients of his, also. I think it's important to not just ask the questions, but also to make sure your PS understands what YOUR expectations are, as far as size, appearance, follow-up care, etc. A good surgeon will discuss your expectations vs. his "assessment of what he can do for you" so you can both be on the same page. If you can have someone you trust and are comfortable with accompany you, that will be a great help. I am very familiar with surgical "lingo", and had done a lot of research, and was very calm and collected at my first appt., or so I thought....amazing how many things my hubby had to remind me about afterward, that was discussed but I didn't remember, or remembered incorrectly. Getting long winded here.....I'll let others chime in. I'm sure you'll get lots of support from everyone.

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  • goldie4040
    goldie4040 Member Posts: 2,280
    edited January 2014

    jmb, I asked why no lotion, or creams.  They told me because tape doesn't stick to it, and while you are visiting Wilbur they have things taped to your face and body.  Personally, I put a little moisturizer on anyway, because just like you I would be a cracked dry mess. 

    Best of luck tomorrow.  You are ready, and prepared.  It's all going to go very well.  Sending good wishes and prayers your way.

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  • Jeannie57
    Jeannie57 Member Posts: 2,144
    edited January 2014

    Nihahi, I wish I had that advice long ago before my DIEP! Excellent.

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  • Comet08
    Comet08 Member Posts: 13
    edited January 2014

    I will check out that forum, thanks so much for this advice. Good luck to the ladies going now for DIEP, I'll be checking for your Post Op posts.

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  • jenjenl
    jenjenl Member Posts: 948
    edited January 2014

    Slept real well last night and was pretty close to flat.   DH woke me up to g to the bathroom at 1 am and took 2 Tylenols since  I can't take pain medicine on an empty stomach,.  I am worried about my right radiated breast.  The upper part of the flap  is red.  Hoping the antibiotics wil work. I would be so upset. About to shower and transition to downstairs relaxing. 

    Rest up ladies.  You heal twice as fast when you sleep.  So sleep and walks are key.  Xo

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  • BellaMomma
    BellaMomma Member Posts: 77
    edited January 2014



    BC Sisters,

    Thank you so
    much for reaching out to me concerning my recent post regarding unsolicited calls from caring and loving
    friends that wanted me to know that having a unilateral mastectomy for breast
    cancer, in their opinion, was not my best option.

    I now feel
    more empowered and enlightened from spending a few days doing research in
    reputable evidence based journals. Have I made up my mind? No, but I will be
    traveling on Sunday to meet with my surgical team again and will have questions
    addressed that I had not even thought of before.

    I just want
    to share with you that reaching out to me and sharing your stories was so kind,
    and because of your caring support I feel better equipped to handle this
    decision.

    Donna2012-Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers today!
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  • LucyV
    LucyV Member Posts: 177
    edited January 2014

    Kelleyb- sorry you are having this set back. Best of luck.

    Sweet- the best thing I did to avoid the drain pain was not move too much! Hope you get some relief.

    Jenjen1- when I was worried about a spot I would take a daily picture ( try to get the same lighting) to compare. I also sent many picture to my Dr just so I didn't have to worry about it anymore. Hope the redness goes down.

    Jmb5- and Donna- thinking of you ladies and sending you lots of healing vibes. May Wilbur be good to you! 

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  • LucyV
    LucyV Member Posts: 177
    edited January 2014

    comet08- check out the blog breastcancermom.blogspot.com I believe she went to the Dr you mentioned in the Boston area. Maybe you can try to contact her. Best of luck.

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  • sweetpickle
    sweetpickle Member Posts: 749
    edited January 2014

    Lucy- yep, as long as I sit still Im awesome!  I just hate all the dust bunnies mocking me from their corners because I cant vaccuum! LOL

    JenJen- I had a spot like that on ine of my flaps but it cleared up no problem after a few weeks.

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  • kelleyb
    kelleyb Member Posts: 94
    edited January 2014

    I washed and treated my face/neck as normal the morning of surgery.  Even snuck in some eyebrow pencil  :)

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