DIEP 2013

Hi Ladies, forgive me if I'm double posting this. I'm pretty sure I posted on the "DIEP 2014" thread last time. I'm looking to get some input about plastic surgeons in the Boston area for DIEP surgery. I've heard Dr. Tobias is one of the best but I'm at Brigham and Womens and Dr. Caterson is affiliated with this hospital. If you've had this surgery in the Boston area, I've really appreciate any advice.

Thanks for all the great advice!  I will be having this procedure at Siteman Cancer Center in St. Louis (Washington University). The surgeon is Terry MyKatyn who has a very good reputation here.  Also, his offices are nearby and I work here on the Med School campus (I help process breast tumors for research). I know that he works together with my breast surgeon often. I don't think they will be taking any more lymph nodes but I will definitely be asking. Also, I don't know if I would be getting the entire procedure or if I would get spacers(?) first.

Since I didn't have clean margins after my first 2 lumpectomies, I am a little concerned that the pathologists report will indicate that I require radiation.  I am not sure when this would be done...but it seems that some of the long term studies are showing a higher 10 survival rate after radiation...but I think I fall into the grey area for risk/benefit.

Feel free to send me any more suggestions, I appreciate your input.

Thanks.

oh no Lahela! I hope it is nothing but probably best to tell your PS then if needed she can refer you to a general surgeon.  Keeping my fingers and toes crossed for you that it isn't a hernia.

Lahela, for a long time after my hysterectomy I would have pain around the main incision if I coughed to hard, or did a Yoga stretch too aggressively. Usually, if I rested it would pass.   Of course, calling your doc is always a good idea.  Sorry.  You need a break. Your son sounds sweet!!!!  You are lucky.

lahela....crap....just crap.....!!!! I definitely think one of your docs needs to know about this "new issue".....I think the one you should tell is the one you can get in to see the quickest. Let THEM figure out who needs to be in charge of sorting it out. So sorry.....{{{X}}}.

fyi....your son sounds like a real sweetheart.

christina.....hope the "viewing" goes well! I'm so happy for you.

Lahela - definitely talk to your PS, if pain persists, he should prescribe a CT scan to determine if it is a hernia. My PS thought my pain was a hernia and it turned out I had inflammation and an infection.  

Speaking of which, I am 2 months out from my emergency surgery and 1 month since my cellulitis and was finally starting to heal.  However, as of 3 days ago i have a NEW dark red spot that is painful.  Same spot as before, the size of a half dollar.  I see an Occupational Therapist for back and shoulder pain and she thinks it is either an irritated or ruptured vein.  I'm back to my PS next Tues to see what he says. This is SO frustrating.  I feel so fragile.  

bailey- So glad to "see" you!  Im sorry you had to hear that, especially from your boss. I have to give you big props in handling that with such grace!

Is there anything to look for when it comes to surgical infections? This one drain site looks like its healing well but its getting more painful to touch. I should be fine though with no other signs of infectin right?

Bailey-double aarrgghh. How come fat doesn't melt away in places we want it to melt away! 

Sweet- any fever? When is your follow up?

Zoemom-triple aaarrrggghhh for you. You must be beyond frustrated by now! 

Swelling after stage2. My dog ear revision left me with a badly bruised and swollen right side. I feel like grew onehard love handle in the matter of a few days. PS says to wear binder, but the swelling actually got worse 2 days after the surgery. Its been a week and 3 days, and I decided to try ice. Anyone have any thoughts?

Lucy- nope, just hot flashes. My temp is running between 97-99 which is normal. I see PS this thursday but will call if it gets worse at all.

Zoemom- Thats what I was thinking too. Swelling and pain are my only symptoms and I had a fair bit of lipo done to that side so the swelling seems normal for that.

Krissy- I started putting ice packs on my swollen side last night and it helped a lot with the pain. I think we are suppose to ne careful with ice or heat though because its hard to feel yoir skin sometimes after surgery and you can damage it. I plan to do th twenty minutes on/off thing today to see how much of a difference it makes with my pain.

Bailey, I'm AAAAARRGGHHing for you too!

Deb, the very, very best of luck with your consult on Monday! You deserve to be happy with your body, not just resigned to it. You'll find the right doctor and the right path, hopefully sooner rather than later.

I don't know whether this is a hernia because the pain seems really localised around the 1" round bit of scar where I had my stubborn little opening - I wonder if it's the "me" tissue tearing away from the scar tissue under tension with coughing - that's sort of what it feels like and I guess they are very different tissues. My PS did say hernias were a high risk after DIEP, though, so either way I'll call the nurse on Monday and see what she says. I have to crouch down doubled over on the floor to cough so it hurts less - it's kind of awkward, especially in public!

deblyn..... I'm happy to hear that you have some 2nd opinions scheduled.  You deserve a good outcome so keep at it.  I'm so sorry you've been disappointed.  That doctor sounds very cautious which forces you to be patient, but remember he is looking out for you.  My doc made me wait months after rads ended to get TE fills, then when that was done, I had to wait 6 more months before he would replace the TE.  He says I have to wait a year to fix my ab scar. I am not very patient but I'm learning yo be with this process.  My MX was 3 years ago in May and I'm still waiting to buy the new bra for my new boobs.  

I'm with you girls on have one spot where fat grafting seems to have gone away.  I will see if he thinks it is worth another try in 2 weeks.  I do the know that the implant I got won't go away and I'm kinda liking that!

The little shelf above my ab scar is going away.  I have been massaging a lot and walking a lot.  I walked 8 miles today!

Posted here and on 2014 thread - I will be having revision surgery this Thursday in NOLA. We get in Wednesday evening and fly home Saturday morning, if all goes well.  Dr. Sullivan is going to re-do my tummy incision and look at my right breast. It's still very big 2-3x the size of my left breast and there's a lot of swelling under my arm, which is making it hard for me to put my arm down.  

Is anyone familiar with having the tummy line revised?  Not worried about these revisions, just curious how it affected your recovery.  

kelley- I had my tummy scar revised and it is much thinner now and they removed a lot of fat necrosis, dog ears. I had no pain at all with my tummy.

Oh, sorry I misunderstood, Deb. There is this new pen laser they are using in PS and derm offices. 

I like the bio oil best for massaging.  Not sure if it helps scars.  Sharon is having IPL on her diep scar and she is having some nice results.  IPL stands for Intense Pulse Light and has been used for years to treat skin lesions, red vessels in the skin, and to help rejuvenate skin.  Since her scar was fairly red it seems the  IPL is fading it nicely.  If anybody is interested ask you PS.  She is having it done right there in her PS office.