DIEP 2013

Katski, my hospital had me sitting in a chair first morning after surgery. Doesn't sound hard but when you have a 12 hour surgery that gone done at midnight, moving to a chair at 8 am is like climbing Mt. Everest. But pain meds and moving slowly works. Then by day two I had to start walking. Luckily they had tall walkers that you could just lean on and push yourself around. Day three I was doing laps around the hospital floor. As Pat said, luckily it's not timed. And on at least one occasion due to the stupid hospital gown I'm sure my big behind was probably flapping in the wind.

Thanks ladies for all of your words of encouragement!!  And your candid experiences are deeply appreciated because they give me the strength to do this!!

I hope I am more productive today.  AMC had 1939 Oscar Movie Day yesterday.  I should never had put on the TV.  At 1am I was watching the end of Gone with the Wind, still praying it would end differently than it always does.  Sniff!

Katski, you are going to do fine.  You have done all the right things, done all your research, it's all good.  I can't imagine anything daring to go wrong.  You have everything covered. 

Bluebird, you gave me a visual with your last post that I am sure is way off base, but you had me giggling.

Jenjen, You shouldn't be having the same ROM problems as mx.  Just looked at your history.  You had two separate mx's. So, you had ROM on one side, or the other at a time, which helps a lot in that you didn't have both arms restricted at one time.  Even though you shouldn't be having as drastic ROM issues as when you had mx, with both sides being effected at the same time you might feel a little bit more restricted this time, but it shouldn't last as long, or be as painful.  Did your surgeon tell you what to expect, and when you were allowed to do certain things?

Goldie - Thanks for the feedback.   I remember at discharge he said do everything normal (I.e. Wash hair).  I thought my range of motion was okay 1 week post op however at 2 weeks post op I am realizing that it may be hindered especially at the point where there is scar tissue.  my next appointment is next Tuesday and will discuss what I need to do.   Until then I will begin the exercises I did before.   

jenjen...when you are sitting, your hip flexion helps you "cheat" when raising your arms. When you are standing, after recently having the flap surgery, you are already "challenging" your core muscles and back muscles, so your ability to fully raise your arms is going to suffer for awhile.  If you have any pre-existing shoulder issues going into surgery, you may find you take a step or two backwards, due to the extended length of time your shoulders are positioned in the "operative position". It can be very frustrating to have worked so hard to get ROM back, to then "lose it again" due to the surgery. I know, personally, how that is hard to accept. But, you will get back the ROM you had prior to the flap surgery, and if you had certain types of pre-flap issues like scarring, contractures, etc., you may find your ROM gets even better than what you had, if your PS spent time releasing that restrictive tissue

katski....as "positive" as many of us veterans are now, believe me, we had our meltdown moments pre-surgery too. Sending you hugs....you will get through this....and...we DO understand.

sorry jenjen....I have no experience with incisions and glue....I'm sure someone who has had that will get back to you soon.

jenjen, I had glue, and was told not to peel it.  Just let it flake off naturally.  It takes a while, but by the time it came off, my incisions were nicely healed.  Patience, grasshopper.

The glue usually peels off eventually.  I remember when I had my hysterectomy I had it over the 3 holes they made.  Weeks after my surgery I went for a follow up and my gyno said, "aren't you tired of looking at this crap?" And, she yanked it off.  I wish all my scars would heal like those.  You can't find them.  Maybe leaving the glue on a really long time helps healing?  Hmmm...wish.

So, anybody else so bored during that Super Bowl it sent you straight to cyber shopping?  I found NWT items on Ebay for 1/4 of what I paid for them in the store the other day.  Guess that stuff is going back.

Meltdown, not me...lmaoooooo.  Daily. And, I have a long time to go.  By choice, I admit, but a long way to go. 

I'm sad today because my stage two was suppose to be tomorrow but I postponed it as I wait to see what insurance is doing about stage one.....I check everyday and it is still pending. My PS had the biggest job and is the only one that didn't get a dime yet....not right.

I'm a happy flapper today - bone scan was clear so now I can focus on getting this journey over and done with!

great news Lahela!

is there anything you can do to alleviate scar tissue?

Kat-Ski, I had both a PT and an OT clear me to go home from the hospital by having me do movements I would have to do at home--getting up from bed, even wiping my butt! (Of course, I was wickedly constipated so didn't need that tip). I don't know if that was normal, though. It is normal to wonder if you are making the right decision re:DIEP. It is a big surgery and you are going to an unfamiliar place. I hope you feel better after your appt. on the 18th. In the end, trust your gut. When I first had my bmx, I wasn't sure I wanted recon. I'm so glad I did it.

Oh, and the Super Bowl was anything but boring for me!!!! We're going to Wednesday's parade!!!