DIEP 2014

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  • Donna2012
    Donna2012 Member Posts: 201
    edited February 2014

    So happy with my flat stomach 2 1/2 weeks post-op!!  Wanted to give others some encouragement!  I still have lots of bloating & swelling, but I am thrilled with the results so far!!!

    Maybe I will try and figure out how to post in the picture forum and post some revealing ones there!  My new belly button still needs to heal - but I am extremely happy with everything.  

    image

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  • jmb5
    jmb5 Member Posts: 532
    edited February 2014

    Good luck tomorrow, Bellamomma! I am about 2 1/2 weeks out from a BMX/DIEP and I survived!  You can do this!! 

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  • TBerg
    TBerg Member Posts: 27
    edited February 2014

    I  wish you  well Bellamomma. I had mine two weeks ago today and I'm doing pretty well...

    Thè thing I remember most after surgery was how thirsty I was for days. I wanted ice water so much  that my new tight tummy was full and I didn't want  to eat anything! It was very weird.

     I  still have a drain in. It worried me because it started putting out a cloudy pink substance, but I saw the PS and she said that it is draining fat necrosis now...I hope it slows down soon, though, because it's sore where it goes in. I'm still taking ibuprofen, and can get around some, but I get tired quickly, and have a hard time sitting on hard surfaces...I know, I'm weird!

    I'm waiting for that big improvement that is  supposed to happe this week!!


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

    Donna, your belly is gorgeous!!!!  Congrats.  Will you have dogs ears to be fixed?

    Good luck, Bellamomma.  I hope it all goes well for you.

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  • sweetpickle
    sweetpickle Member Posts: 749
    edited February 2014

    Donna- wow you dont look swollen, you look fantastic!

    Bellamomma- Good luck!

    Thanks for the feedback on the stitches, hoping they fall out soon. It got me thinking that the deeper internal ones may not have absorbed yeteither which is why it feels all barby/pokey on my right side where he made the fold under my foob.

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  • iowagirl1
    iowagirl1 Member Posts: 130
    edited February 2014

    Good luck to our ladies going this week.  Hope things go great!

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  • GwennyMD
    GwennyMD Member Posts: 147
    edited February 2014

    Hello flappers

    I've been MIA for about a month.  I am having Stage 2 one Friday so I will try to catch up while I am home recuperating.

    Donna- your stomach looks fantastic.  Mine has not looked like that in 40 years. (My daughter is almost 39)

    Georgia - I think there were several women in the 2013 thread who are slim and had the stacked DIEP.  However gaining weight is very easy. I do it all the time.

    Nihahi and Zenful - I hope to follow in your recovery footsteps. 

    Hugs and prayers for all.

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  • jenjenl
    jenjenl Member Posts: 948
    edited February 2014

    donna - your results look great!!  post before and after to the picture forum. 

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  • Donna2012
    Donna2012 Member Posts: 201
    edited February 2014

    Goldie - no dog ears!  I know I will have a stage 2, but right now I can honestly say there is nothing to fix - except to add a nipple.  My PS said that things can change after they settle in the next 3 mos, so there may need to be revisions.  My incision is low enough so that I can wear just about anything & I would not wear anything lower than what I have on in the pic anyway.  Soooo pleased!!!

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

    donna....you look absolutely fabulous!!! You SHOULD be thrilled with your tummy!!!! It sounds like you're very happy with your new breast too, which is the whole point of this, right!!! So happy for you.! Remember to let yourself heal on the inside, as it takes longer than you think for that to happen. 

    Your surgeon  obviously has the skills to do what is needed to have an amazing result.

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  • sbelizabeth
    sbelizabeth Member Posts: 2,889
    edited February 2014

    Donna, you really do look great.  The belly button heals slowly, but it sort of doesn't matter what shape it heals into--belly buttons are meant to look weirdly unique. 

    I don't get the whole nipple recon thing.  My PS whipped me up a nipple with origami, using skin from the breast that he just cut into shape and sutured together.  No grafting from another area, no special dressings, no nothing.  I asked if wearing a bra would squash it, and he said no, go ahead.  That was two months ago, and now it has shrunk into a cute, sticky-outey little nipple. 

    Nihahi, there is a nipple in your future.  Anticipation just makes it happier when it arrives. 

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  • Zenful
    Zenful Member Posts: 599
    edited February 2014

    Gwenny, you will do great.  Stage 2 is so much easier.  Good luck to you.  

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

    Sitting in the chemo chair getting my first infusion of 4 treatments of TC.   Received the best NEWS today. .scan results all came out clear. .ni evidence of metastatic disease. ..I am over the moon with joy!   This makes me believe I will kick cancer's ass the curb!!!

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  • GeorgieGirlKC
    GeorgieGirlKC Member Posts: 132
    edited February 2014

    Zoe, Gwinny, and Donna thank you for your feedback! I feel very encouraged. I was a c cup but would be willing to have slight reduction if needed on the unaffected side to make them match! I changed my diet to vegan and cut out the processed sugar when I got my cancer diagnosis so feel the weight loss has some to do with chemo but more to do with dietary changes. Still eat like a horse but just a whole lot more plant based foods. Donna you look amazing! Thanks for posting your pic! :) Love this forum. What a lovely group of people you are! 

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  • GeorgieGirlKC
    GeorgieGirlKC Member Posts: 132
    edited February 2014

    Awesome news Curlylocks! :) 

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

    Curlylocks, I am doing a happy dance for you! You WILL kick cancer's ass to the curb and beyond! Thanks for letting us know.

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  • jmb5
    jmb5 Member Posts: 532
    edited February 2014

    Curlylocks, great news! Hope you're feeling okay after chemo this week. Hugs! 

    Saw PS today. Angry boob is looking much better and she said the hardness is just swelling. Not fat necrosis. She encouraged me to massage it more. I'm standing up a little straighter now. I did lose a small piece of muscle because my blood vessels were very small on one side. I guess she put mesh in my tummy. Can someone explain why they take a piece of ribs? or cartilage? Something about using it to reattach the vessels in the chest? 

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  • brendarj
    brendarj Member Posts: 72
    edited February 2014

    hoping for some information I saw Dr. Hofer in Toronto  July 2013 was excepted as candidate for bilateral diep reconstruction after bilateral mastectomy (stage 3  - chemo - radiation ) in 2010/11 Had abdominal cat scan august 2013 and then nothing. Getting frustrated with the wait Are my expectations to high and this is just normal wait time

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  • Donna2012
    Donna2012 Member Posts: 201
    edited February 2014

    Georgie,  I really feel that eating well makes a huge difference - at least it is something I can control.  I lost 40 lbs in the 6 mos leading up to diep.  I am in such good health that recovery has not been that difficult.  I don't follow a "diet" - doing the following works for me:

    • Cut out all sugar & artificial sweetener - instead sweeten with honey & pure maple syrup
    • Eat lots of seeds & nuts - they are nutrient dense 
    • Limit dairy
    • No white flour 
    • Lots of fresh veggies & fruits - these should be most of your diet (frozen is ok too, just not canned)
    • Eat whole grains - wheat, brown rice, farro, quinoa, oats, etc...
    • I limit chicken & fish to about 3x per week
    • Very limited or no red meat at all (I am treating myself to a steak on valentines day!)
    • Never be hungry - eat until satisfied!  
    Right now, since I am recovering from diep, I have changed my eating a bit.  I am eating much more protein - big bowls of non-fat plain Greek yogurt and chicken & salmon daily.  I drink either plain water with lemon or plain green tea with lemon.  
    For girls heading into diep soon - I realize you may not have time to make all of these changes and lose a significant amount of weight.  Making a few small changes and even dropping 5-10 lbs will help with your recovery.  
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  • GeorgieGirlKC
    GeorgieGirlKC Member Posts: 132
    edited February 2014

    Donna, thank you for sharing! I feel the same way about eating well and it being something that is within my control. That is awesome you lost 40 lbs! Your regimen sounds very similar to mine, minus the dairy and meat.  I do a lot of smoothies with frozen organic fruits and spinach or kale for breakfast. Beans, salads, some grains, nuts. I hear ya about the protein, and know I will need more when surgery time rolls around. I too feel pretty good with the dietary changes. Still pretty tired from chemo, mastectomy and now rads but know that my body has to be in better shape cutting out the processed foods and sugar I was eating before I got cancer. My cholesterol dropped below 200 and I was able to go off my statin!! That was a big encouragement to me. One less pill….That said, moderation right? Your steak sounds lovely on Valentines day! My treat may be sorely missed chocolate something or another! Keep us posted on your recovery progress! :) 

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  • sbelizabeth
    sbelizabeth Member Posts: 2,889
    edited February 2014

    Curlylocks, GREAT NEWS!  Now we can all let out the long breath we were holding for you!  HAPPY DANCE!!!

    JMB, they usually need to remove a small piece of rib directly over the internal mammary vessels used to provide the flap's new blood supply.  It's just anatomically in the way a bit.  I have two small hard lumps on either side of my sternum where this process took place--they don't bother me, it just reminds me of the miracle of my new breasts. 

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

    Brenda - Dr. Hofner is an amazing Plastic Surgeon.  Wait times in Ontario unfortunately are quite lengthy so dont give up, will be well worth the wait!  I had my prophy mast with DIEP on Dec 16/13.  I had it at Hamilton General with Dr. Hodgson (Breast Surgeon) and Dr. Avram (Plastic Surgeon).  His wait times for consult are normally 18 months and then 2 years afterwards for surgery.  He does amazing work.

    Stay where you are because you have one of the best Plastic Surgeon's in Ontario.  Hang in there....

    I am feeling a little exhausted right now, I think its nap time.  No allergic reactions to Taxotere which is wonderful.  Neulesta injection tomorrow...hopefully I dont suffer to much bone pain with it.

    Talk to you ladies soon.

    Michele

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  • brendarj
    brendarj Member Posts: 72
    edited February 2014

    Curlylocks Thanks for the info When I went for consultation with Dr. Hofer was told surgery in 3 to 4 months Maybe that's just their standard answer and I need to be more patient I have heard that he is an amazing PS and worth the wait


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  • sbelizabeth
    sbelizabeth Member Posts: 2,889
    edited February 2014

    Curlylocks, do you take Claritin and Benadryl for your Neulasta bone pain?  It's amazing how helpful it is, and not all MOs are aware of it.  

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

    Sbelizabeth - yes oncologist told me to buy 24 hour Claritin which I have.

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

    Brenda - when did you last followup with the office to see what the anticipated time frame is fir surgery.  The problem with DIEP is it requires ALOT of time in OR and a large coordination of many medical personnel.  Active cancer patients take priority as well.

    Michele

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  • TBerg
    TBerg Member Posts: 27
    edited February 2014

    Congratulations, Curly! I am so happy to hear your news. And, like sbeliz said, the claritin was a huge help to me...I had almost no pain from the Neulasta shots when I was taking it too. If you're not already taking it, chech with your doc...

    I hope you do kick cancer's ass to the curb!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2014

    Curly- oh!! So happy for your good, good news! Teary eyed here. Good job getting #1 done! You go kick it, sister!

    Unfortunately, I didn't know about the Clariten at the time I had Neulasta shots, but I hear it's most helpful.

    Welcome, Georgie! 

    Donna you look mah-velous!

    Nihahi-prayers for a quick rescheduled appointment!

    How are you doing Zen?

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

    curly....honestly....you have MADE MY DAY!!!!!! Such wonderful news.....you are most definitely on the kick it, stomp it, crush it, annihilate it path!

    bailey...thanks....actually am now rebooked for next Tuesday, and I got the ok to skip out on the volunteer time to get it done. Fingers crossed.

    jmb....I had a bit of muscle taken too....made no diff to my recovery at all, and didn't have any mesh put in. 

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  • brendarj
    brendarj Member Posts: 72
    edited February 2014

    Curlylocks Last checked in with office end of November and was told December surgery list was not available Almost like don't call us we'll call you. Would it be a good idea to follow up again Really appreciate all the help and advice

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