DIEP 2014

Nihahi - thanks for your concern, all is well, it was about 6:30 am (get up for work time on a work day) so I was awake, but still snuggled down in bed reading lol! I did fall back asleep for an hour or so. Lots to do today!

Jmb, that spot in your cleavage area is likely where they made the new vein connection between the diep vein in your flap and one of the veins in your chest. Many of us had a bit of rib shaved away in order to access that vein in the chest. I still feel a lump there (will address it with PS next time I see her) and it's tender if I push on it (but it's "in" radiated tissue, so I suspect the tenderness there is mostly from rads). I am glad you are seeing small improvements  (although I wish they were big ones!) And that you don't think it's cellulitis.

Can you feel a hard lump at the top on your armpit or is it more of a hard area without a definite edge?

Happy Sunday, everyone!

Prayers for this week's flapper girls!

Well, I'll tell you what ps and b.s. and OT told me.....they couldn't be sure BUT they felt very confident it was either scar tissue or fat necrosis. All of them placed bets on fat necrosis. At stage II  they took them out and they were classic fat necrosis....and a long ridge of scar tissue in the mammary fold.

So I am betting on fat necrosis. Fat necrosis happens when the blood supply to an area is compromised.....which often happens in the breast from radiation or surgery. It doesn't mean your flap is in danger at this point....it just means that one area has a mass of dead cells in it because it didn't get good blood flow after surgery. Those dead cells release fat and form a sac around themselves. That sac is filled with oily fat...and it feels hard. Mine biggest one was the size and shape of an old flip phone. You could manipulate it a bit (but I didn't a lot for fear it would break open....ps said they did break open as soon as she took them out....SORRY SO ICKY). Imo they happen over in the armpit area because that's the furthest from the new vein connection.....but my theory is just mine....I have nothing to back that up.

I waited 7 months between stage I and stage II and the med professionals (not PS)  got a little antsy about it when I went in for my check up in September or so. They put an ultrasound on it and said fat necrosis.

I actually have some new ones after stage II but they are much smaller. I am sure ps will take them out next time.

JMB, I had issues with one of mine - fat necrosis and a big abscess, but they were eventually surgically resolved. Don't worry - if the noob is *generally* soft and warm, they can fix the problem areas.

Jmb, take heart.....and drink a big can of patience lol.....stage I is about the interior stuff.... for moving the tissue and making it live in it's new home on your chest. That mission was accomplished. Now you have to heal.

Stage II and beyond are usually more about the exterior stuff....removing the lumps and revising the scars and adjusting placement....and nipples!

I know how hard it can be in between.....my flap was not beautiful after stage I.....but it was alive. You are doing well. You'll get your beautiful boobs. hugs!

Happy Sunday ladies, so happy to hear everyone is doing well after flapping. I'm also happy to hear I'm not the only one with the sweats, chills, and still taking pain meds. I too was scared of becoming hooked so at first I didn't take them that often. But taking them allows me to rest better during the day naps and has caused my healing to progress better. Saw my PS on Friday and he encouraged me that things were healing fine. Said my incision opening was due to my weight. I'm not a "little girl" so I understood. The nurse suggested I wear the compression girdle,  but omg how long will I have to wear this thing? Its not the most comfortable thing.

Oh Zen, such good news! I am so happy for you! I hope you enjoy a really great breakfast in NOLA and get your drain pulled, too! 

Shantab - it's been our experience that the requirement to wear binders and various other post surgical garments varies wildly as well. I wore mine for several weeks after the flap surgery. I was more uncomfortable without it than with it. I'm glad you are taking your pain meds and getting rest.

I have been off Rx pain meds since one week post op (Thursday) I have a lot of people questioning why my answer I have no pain so why keep taking them everybody is different and everyone heal differently. I see my BS and PS tomorrow hopefully I get these drains out I have found that these designs are one of worst things for me. 

Shantab, do you have relatives you can stay with in NOLA? 

Southern, no reason to take unnecessary meds if you don't need them. I hope all goes well with your appt tomorrow and drains are gone!!!!

sweet....yep, dissolving sutures should be renamed, imo!!!! The kind that look like dental floss..just fester and get "spit out" in me. My PS has been using the kind that look like clear fishing line for me, and although they haven't done that, the ones that are near the surface, and have "ends" sticking out....still there. I see my PS tomorrow, and will ask him what kind of timeline I should expect for them to disappear. I'll let you know what he says.

Sweetpickle,

From my mastectomy and re-excisions those internal/external disolvables stayed awhile  and some came through the incisions and stuck out. Some were white like dental floss and others clear. They eventually just fell off and the incision stayed closed around them after several weeks. I did not do anything to them.   I still have a pinpoint hole along the areola border next to my downard incision. Nothing to do with sutures, it just opened up after last reexcision when TE was taken out 11/4. That is a pain in having to keep it clean,dry and covered. I had a NSSBMX so the skin just sunk into the area where the TE had been.  It still leaks lymph and serous fluid. I'm told it should close a few weeks after I finish chemo.  I am tired of it and it's limitations.

Vivian

Surgery tomorrow, got into Rochester, MN last night. Trying to be brave. :-)

bellamomma - You'll do great!  I was so nervous before my surgery and it was really not that bad.  They did a really good job of pain control in the hospital.  Before you know it you'll be on the other side.  Good luck!

I am just curious about the ladies who traveled out of town for surgery (Nola, TX, etc).   Do you have to cover the cost of transportation and lodging?   My insurance only covered 70% of my PS bill and he is in my town.  Can't imagine if I had tried to go to another state!   Just wondering how that all works.

Hi, I am new to these forums and so glad to have found this one on DIEP reconstruction. So many great posts and words of encouragement. A treasure of input here on these forums and so appreciated! I have had chemo, R mastectomy, and am now doing radiation. I have decided to go with the stacked DIEP with Dr. Buescher, KUMED Center in Kansas. I am excited and nervous. I was told by the first PS I saw (who doesn't do DIEP surgery) that I was too thin to have DIEP surgery. Dr. Buescher was the 2nd PS I saw and she was confident I was a great candidate for a stacked DIEP.  I lost 20 lbs during chemo, most of which I attribute to diet changes. My current wt is 120 lbs. and I am 5'7. Has anyone out there had this particular type of surgery with similar ht/wt? Also anyone out there had Dr. Buescher as a surgeon. She came highly recommended. Would love to hear if anyone out there has had experience with her? Thanks! 

Georgie -  I am 5'  8 1/2" & weigh about 145.  I had a uni diep done 2 1/2 weeks ago.  I was able to get a small C cup with my belly fat.  There other side was a full C and was reduced only slightly.  I am pulled super, super tight & still cannot stand up straight.  The advantage of being thinner is - I will have a really flat stomach.  It is flat now, but I am still in loose sweatpants because of the swelling & bloating.  Also, any pressure on the abdominal incision would not be comfortable yet.