DIEP 2014

does anyone know how to get to the photo site? I am starting to get anxious about surgery!

goldlining, I'm glad you were able to have your surgeries and are doing well. You have a great attitude.

Janet, wouldn't dog ears involve a scalpel? I don't remember my incisions even hurting, but they were under that darn compression garment.

Goldie, I forgot to say that the fitter did quickly measure my rib cage---34. I like my boobs, don't get me wrong. I would like to fluff them up on top but surgery is too big a risk to my vision at this point.

Dvygirl, you have to pm a particular person to get added to the list. She used to be Timtam but uses a different name now? Someone will chime in and let you know. This old brain.......

Goldie - A sore point - yes. You're kind to remember. But in the greater scheme of things, it's just the tiniest little blip. I have absolutely no reasons to keep whining.

Bailey - Love your experience, love your attitude. Mine was a bit different. I eased slowly back into reality and didn't look at my scars for a while. But when I woke up I was so happy. Firstly, I love morphine. And secondly, the relief at being on the other side overshadowed everything.  I was so friggin' happy to be done, that I just enjoyed having a calm mind for the first time in months. The anxiety was worse for me than my body image. When I saw my scars a few weeks there was a period of adjustment, but I know that was coming. I adjusted - and everything is pretty great. 

My pants are on the ground all the time....my girlfriend at work will catch me bending over  without a belt (good gravy I am supposed to remember to wear a BELT every day too!!!) And she'll whisper, "Ahem......crack kills".

 I have a very nice crack....what's wrong with showing it off at work? LMAO....human resources administrator OF THE YEAR....right here.....sign me up.

Ay yi yi...I'm a hot mess lol.

LMAO Bailey!

Up and down day today - Tamoxifen and/or Femara have given me cataracts    But as I was walking to the ophthalmologist's office dressed for the afternoon temperature, not the morning (curse you, spring!) it occurred to me that I don't go high beam in the cold any more! LOL!

Lahela, sorry about the cataracts. My almost-88year old dad just had cataract surgery and is doing great, if that helps. Even with sizable new nipples, I don't really have much of a high beam problem like I thought I would. They don't have any erectile tissue in them, obviously, and my clothes just squish them. They bounce back when I take off my clothes. So far, anyway. It's been five weeks and I would say they have only shrunk a little so far. 

My pants have a generous booty to hold them up!

dvy, I missed my jeans for several weeks after surgery. They do sit right on my hip scars which is annoying even now at times. Yoga pants, sweatpants, Target lounge pants, dresses are some of the options.

I was afraid of that. I get dirty at work so will need some type of jean/dungaree type pant. I do have some fairly stretchy jeans tucked away somewhere. I am taking 6 weeks off then back at it. Hope my swelling is down by then.

Laughed out loud about  crack killing and the "saggy" pant stories.

Lahela, my ophthalmologist also said my cataracts are ready. I decided to let my husband go first. That way he will have good eyes to see my new boobs better! 

My trainer said I'd be ready for DIEP and today he said I have full ROM and I get to work out one more time! Physically I'm ready, otherwise, not sure.

I have had a very good experience with diep.  My results are great after stage 1 & the recovery has not been as bad as I anticipated.  However, I am a planner and researcher with everything, so I think I really knew exactly what to expect - and to my surprise, it was a little easier.  I even watched many youtube videos of the surgery being done, before my surgery.  I feel better knowing EVERYTHING!  My family members were horrified that I could watch it!  I was never drugged up and did not have much pain - just Tylenol when I was home.  I had stronger painkillers if needed, on hand.  I was on my ipad and texting family members just a couple hours afterwards.  I know I am lucky and my experience may be better than average, but I wanted to tell the people heading in for surgery what my experience was.  Here are a few things that I did NOT expect that happened to me:

1.  The skin on the flap had a weird "plastic" look and when I first saw it - I thought it was a covering, and not the actual skin itself.

2.  On day 2 - I had the catheter removed and than sat in a chair.  After a few hours, when I stood up, urine streamed down my legs with absolutely no control.  This never happened again, just right after the catheter was removed.

3.  I was allowed no liquids or food for 48 hours after (even ice chips were not allowed).  This was just in case I needed to go back to the OR quickly, even though everything looked good.

4.  I only stayed in the hospital for 3 nights, instead of the usual 4.  I begged them to let me leave!

5.  I was hunched over for 6 full weeks!  Not fun.  

6.  I did fine sleeping in my own bed, even though I had a recliner ready.

7.  I found the surgery and recovery an absolute relief from cancer treatment.  This was the last step of my journey - already did chemo, rads & mastectomy.  So for me it was great to just think about this medical procedure as "restorative" and not cancer related.  (Even though it was, but it made me feel better not focusing on the cancer part).

8.  Can't say I looked great immediately after - swelling, bruising & incisions.  However, I was not surprised - I guess all of my youtube watching prepared me well! 

Dyvgrl- send a private message to nowheregirl to get into the photos.

My pants fall down because I have no junk in my trunk.....flat butted....and no waist....just straight....but not at all willowy lol....more spongebobby...with boobs lol

I'm just amazed to hear of all of us who've experienced gravity issues with our trousers.  I thought it was just me.  I really hate it when my pants, that seem to fit just fine when I put them on, gradually slide down my hips and make me feel like I've got Plumber's Butt.  I think it's because my torso is shaped differently after my DIEP, but it's very disconcerting to feel the crotch of my pants heading south.

My DIEP experience was fairly uneventful too, thanks be to the Lord.  I wanted to look as soon as I could pry my eyes open, but when I did, my brain had trouble taking in the sight.  It's not that it was so terrible--it wasn't bad at all--but I'd been flat on one side for a year, and suddenly there was a flesh-colored hamburger bun that seemed to have been installed right under my chin, a little to the left.  Between the unfamiliar territory and the morphine, it took a bit to take it all in.

What I wasn't expecting was to be swathed in a heating blanket for 24 hours.  Not every PS orders this, but it's not uncommon.  The goal is to keep the newly-connected vessels relaxed and flowing, and warmth helps, so I sweated it out and just resolved to be hot for a cause. 

For me, it was SO worth it.  I got back a sense of wholeness and recovery--even beauty.

A heating blanket doesn't sound bad because I woke up freezing previously. Don't know if Wilbur will be with me because I can't take morphine. Guess there are other meds that will bring a visit from him.

Donna, I totally relate the catheter thing.  I get sleepy bladder from the anesthesia from every surgery I have ever had, and I was really scared after my bmx.  Like you, just once incident. I had to go home with a catheter in after my hysterectomy.

Lahela, I can't believe cataracts now!!!!  Geez.  Do they really believe it was the meds? Well, take heart. I have a friend who is 50 who had them, and she had a fairly easy surgery, and she is back in business.  I just hate for you to go through any more s..t!!!!