DIEP 2014

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  • jenjenl
    jenjenl Member Posts: 948
    edited February 2014

    Great pic jeannie....love life is right!  Enjoy the beautiful day, its 71 in Charlotte,  NC!  I wiwish I had more energy to take the kids out after school but I need to save my energy to get dinner, homework and bed done.   

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  • maggie85
    maggie85 Member Posts: 53
    edited February 2014

    Hellllo, ladies  :) ... just wondering ... when will my new breasts not feel like two giant pieces of clay were wired to my chest?  I still don't have complete healing of the incisions, but I don't feel like I get the support I need by wearing these sport type stretchy bras.  I am still pretty swollen on the side that I had the SNB (they only took two), and they are very sore on the underside.  Is this what you ladies experienced?  

    I started back to work half days last week, and I will go back full time this Wednesday.  I have been out of my mind with boredom!  We got 7 inches of snow yesterday, so I didn't take a chance and go in today.  

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  • Ashira
    Ashira Member Posts: 161
    edited February 2014

    Thanks Betsy and Lahela. I did PM her and will become more active from here on out. I did speak with pink heart and she shared all good things about the docs in Charleston. For now my concern is about what to expect in terms of size. Despite my best efforts, I continue to lose weight through my chemo tx. I never thought I'd complain about that!!! I'm a full DD though, and want to be sure that my hopes are realistic and to adjust my expectations if necessary. 

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  • Morningsun1
    Morningsun1 Member Posts: 649
    edited February 2014

    ...and next up, jeannie gets fipples.

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

    I am more than ready!!

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  • sweetpickle
    sweetpickle Member Posts: 749
    edited February 2014

    just checking in to say hello, wishing everyone going this week a speedy recovery!  I am coming up on three weeks post stage two and everything is healing nicely. There is still a super sore spot on my right side but I bought a genie bra today along with a small heart shaped pillow from Target to put under that arm and thecompression feels like its helping to alleviate the pain.  It not a constrant pain but more like when you get a splinter and catch it on something, sharp stabby/burny.

    I am also surprised to see my stamina dropped down again. I was doing so well before surgery and now a few hours of running around does me in. I was hoping to start back to exercising today but the walking I did at the stores tuckered me out so Im going to count that as my exercise today!

    Hugs gals, Im reading the boards, just not posting much.

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  • jmb5
    jmb5 Member Posts: 532
    edited February 2014

    Welcome, Ashire! 

    Jeannie, I love your picture. You look beautiful. 

    Tomorrow is 11 days post surgery and my first checkup. I am so excited to get some drains out. Showering is such a drag with the drains. I'm still fighting a low grade fever. It was 100 today and I just sat here sweating which made me feel gross and smelly. That's another thing I'm anxious to do... Shave my armpits and wear deodorant. Lol. I'm slowly getting more energy and feeling better but haven't been able to go without pain meds. 

    Thanks for all the informative and encouraging posts. I feel like this board keeps me sane. 

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  • Ashira
    Ashira Member Posts: 161
    edited February 2014

    Thanks for the welcome JMB. It's good to be here. May your fever break and your armpits be fragrant soon :-)

    Sweet pickle, what 's a Genie bra?

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

    Jeannie, great pic!!!  I have been having the issue with pics I upload from my phone to my computer showing sideways, and then they are straight when I put them in an email, or a post.  Weird. 

    Ashire, Welcome.  Hang around.  Talk to us for a while.  Nowheregirl will give you access eventually.  In the meantime there are plenty of pics to see on the internet and youtube. 

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

    Jmb,, I hope you get some drains out tomorrow, and they figure out the cause of your fever.  As far as feeling stinky and sticky.  I just kept using those Olay facial wipes, and personal wipes everywhere else.  It helped. Plus, I changed my clothes twice a day.  My poor husband. I had about 3 "uniforms" I worse constantly, and he kept having to wash an dry them so they were ready for my next whim to change clothes.  Nothing like the Mossimo wife beater tanks from Target. They have them in the women's department from small through xlarge.  I have a lot of those which I wear under almost everything else.  I feel like they are white and clean.  I can wash them in hot hot water, and sanitize them. I also used that dry shampoo, but it wasn't very effective.  It was so exhausting to shower after my bmx that I would try to keep it to every other day, or I even went 3 once. 

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  • SouthernGirl1974
    SouthernGirl1974 Member Posts: 86
    edited February 2014

    Hello all,

    Bilateral with DIEP done on 1/30 released home today did not open my overnight bag not once while I was there I have more pain in my butt and back then my tummy and breast lol sitting and sleeping in a recliner can take a toll I am walking about 5min every 2hrs surgeon said surgery was 14hrs and went great everyone was pleased on how well I was fking and looking I was like I feel like I been hit by a bug truck and the truck backed yo and went over 2-3 times lol. Let's not talk about drains they are definitely a pain the gave me 4 bras that have a hook to latch them on but these from my tummy I just pinned.. Ok ladies good luck to y'all as I sit here in Houston with our crazy weather 

    Ladies thanks for all the support

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

    hehehehe......oh Wilbur....BUG TRUCK???........southerngirl....you sound like a genuine brand new flapper. Glad things went well for you and that you are home. Rest, walk, rest, walk, hydrate, hydrate, walk, rest!

    hugs going out to the recent newbies....you have found a wonderful place to connect with some incredible ladies.

    jmb...hang in there...things really do get better.

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  • jmb5
    jmb5 Member Posts: 532
    edited February 2014

    Had my first check up. I got all 4 drains out. I am so happy! They were only going to do 3, but PS said it was okay to do all 4 since they were ready. I also got a bra which made the car ride home much more comfortable. My boobs were really hurting on the ride there. Since I've been fighting a fever, PS had me go to the lab and do a urine test and a CBC. Hopefully it's nothing. Also got a binder. They just said wear it as much as I can. Oh, and whoever said those drains don't hurt coming out lied to me. I cussed, and I never cuss. Lol. 

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  • Beebop
    Beebop Member Posts: 206
    edited February 2014

    sorry jmb, I swear I didn't even feel mine coming out.   So happy you were able to get them all out.  What a relief!   Hope lab work turns out okay.

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

    Me either, Jmb. Never felt a thing.  That is weird.  Was it your tummy one that hurt, or all of them?

    Glad you got them out.  When will they have your lab results back?

    Southern, glad you are home.  Rest up, but keep moving...lol.  It's  double edged sword.  Really, rest as much as you can, and if you have an appetite, eat protein first for healing.  

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  • jmb5
    jmb5 Member Posts: 532
    edited February 2014

    Beebop, that's great! You must have had better tubes or something. It was awful. And when the right ab one came out, I felt this weird cramp up in my ribs. I pushed on it and blood squirted out the hole down in my pubic area. Lol. I had no idea the drain weaved all the way up there. The PA  was like "oops!" It was kinda funny. 

    I talked to a lady in the waiting area who had her 4th surgery on an implant. She said she hates it and wishes she had the DIEP but she is too skinny. I felt bad for her. She said it hurts all the time. I am feeling very fortunate today that everything has worked out the way it has for me. Even discovering the Paget's Disease on the healthy breast with no invasive cancer. If that was let go, things could have turned out very differently. And the redness, swelling and hardness of the left breast, my PS thinks it's because that is the radiated breast and it had some damage. She thinks it will be fine though. 

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  • Donna2012
    Donna2012 Member Posts: 201
    edited February 2014

    last 2 drains out - feels wonderful!!!

    Now it is time to go bra shopping!!  What type of bras are best immediately after diep?  I have looked online at coobie & genie.  Anyone have any experience with them?  Also, what stores carry them?  I would rather not buy online - I would like to try them on.  Does Victoria secret sell any that anyone has worn??  

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  • Beebop
    Beebop Member Posts: 206
    edited February 2014

    Donna - I just bought a Bali #3488 and I really like it, it is so comfortable.

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  • jmb5
    jmb5 Member Posts: 532
    edited February 2014

    Donna, my PS gave me a cotton bra that hooks in the front today. I think I won't buy anything until I'm all done with surgeries. And congrats on getting your drains out. Mine are all out too. What a great feeling! Are you still needing pain meds? I sure do. I even wake up in the night hurting, and have to take one. 

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  • jenjenl
    jenjenl Member Posts: 948
    edited February 2014

    What great news for you ladies! 

    Had a great lunch date with DH.  Im trying to change our food so we did some investigative work today at trader joes.  My DH has been a big road block in this last hurdle. I have finally convinced him to a 90 day trial period.   He said ok as long as I do the shopping - which I hate to do and don't do today but if I want the change looks like im gonna start.  This has been about a 6 month disagreement.   

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  • Donna2012
    Donna2012 Member Posts: 201
    edited February 2014

    jmb5,

    I actually never took pain meds - just extra strength Tylenol for the first 2 days.  I don't have pain - just extreme tightness.  I had all of my questions answered by my ps today.  I was thinking that I could walk on the treadmill at the gym soon - but she said "not until 6 weeks post op".  The reason for this is they do not want your heart rate to be elevated at all for 6 weeks.  I have a sheet of exercises that I can start this Thursday - basic arm, breathing and range of motion excercises.  Also, I cannot sleep on my side for awhile, but she did show me a way that I can lay, a little on my side, propped with a pillow which may be more comfortable.  Just so happy to have the drains out - they are the worst!!

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  • jmb5
    jmb5 Member Posts: 532
    edited February 2014

    Donna, you must have a high pain tolerance. Or I'm a wimp. Haha! Mine was all one surgery though so that probably makes it worse. So glad you feel good and want to start walking. I keep dreaming of warmer spring weather and long walks in the fresh air. 

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  • SouthernGirl1974
    SouthernGirl1974 Member Posts: 86
    edited February 2014

    lol as I go back and read my post uhm what the heck was I talking about lol you ladies are right Wilbur wills weak up on you and get you lol. Quick question has anyone had the reconstruction then did radiation? That is my plan. 

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  • Zenful
    Zenful Member Posts: 599
    edited February 2014

    Yay jmb and Donna!  Happy for you to be rid of the drains.  The drains are the worst.  Now you can wear those compression garments more comfortably.

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  • Ridley
    Ridley Member Posts: 634
    edited February 2014

    Congrats on the drain removals!  Feels great, doesn't it.  As for pain, two of mine hurt and two didn't.  I had one abdo drain for almost 4 weeks and it was pulled by a surgical fellow at my PS's office.  Because the other abdo hurt coming out, I was anticipating pain.  I was just about to ask him about opening the drain before pulling it (which my home care nurses did), and it was already out!  No pain!  Our bodies are a weird and wonderful contraption sometimes.

    My PS just told me to wear a comfortable bra with no underwires.  I tried the BALI that someone else posted about, and that I know many ladies on here love, but it doesn't work for me - not enough shaping support for me (although it's really comfy). I'm back to wearing my sports bras and other bras from before surgery (never wore underwires as I never found them comfortable).  Best of luck finding something that works for you.

    Ridley 

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  • Sunone
    Sunone Member Posts: 151
    edited February 2014

    Hi Ladies.

    I am making an appearance on this site again. I really appreciate being able to come here for advice and support. I am considering Diep surgery, but haven't met with the breast surgeon or PS yet. I had a lumpectomy, for DCIS, on my left breast followed by radiation in 2009 and lumpectomy for DCIS on my right breast in 2011. I did research this somewhat in 2011, but decided to go with a lumpectomy at that time. Recent mammogram found more calcifications in my right breast, had a biopsy and it came back as DCIS.Then I was told there is another area they found that they would also like to biopsy. I'm waiting to get fit into the schedule of my BS to talk about options. Lumpectomy is an option again, but I'm thinking since this is the third time this has happened I would be better off with Diep, and not worrying about this again in the future. Hoping to make this decision before the next scheduled biopsy because if I decide to have Diep I won't have to have the second biopsy, had real issues getting the bleeding to stop after my most recent one, they had to keep compressing me for about an hour, not fun!

    I have been reading through some of the 2013 Diep pages and have read this 2014 thread. Really helpful information.


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  • jmb5
    jmb5 Member Posts: 532
    edited February 2014

    Today at my check up I got a bra and an abdominal binder. When I asked how long to wear the binder, the PS said, "As much as possible." Should I wear the bra and binder overnight? And is the binder supposed to be really uncomfortable? I put it on for the first time and I'm not quite sure how laying on the couch (which is about all I do all day) works with a binder. It makes my back hurt and is super uncomfortable. 

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  • Moviemaniac
    Moviemaniac Member Posts: 949
    edited February 2014

    I did, jmb......so yes on both counts.......

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  • Moviemaniac
    Moviemaniac Member Posts: 949
    edited February 2014

    Try to move a bit more each day......it will help, and you can move the binder down a bit to sit more on your hips.......

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  • jenjenl
    jenjenl Member Posts: 948
    edited February 2014

    What did your Dr's say about driving?  I drove today bc I dont have option for my kids care.   my gfriend who did a preventative mx looked at me like I had 3 heads and said your not supposed to drive for 6 wks.  Huh?

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