DIEP 2014

I got my last drain out today!  Amazing what a difference it makes to be drain free.  

Teacher , glad you r on the other side. Rest and recover.

Auburn girl - Only you can decide what is right for you, and it is not an easy choice.  I did a ton of research and agonized over the decision as I am sure we all have done.  In the end, you have to pick the option that is best for you.  For me, that choice was DIEP.  If you choose DIEP, I think the key is finding a very experienced PS that you r comfortable with.  I am l less than two weeks post- op, but so far the recovery has been ok for me.   I spent 3.5 days in the hospital after surgery.   The pain was very manageable but there is not a lot of rest the first few days because they checked me every 1-2 hours.   Since I have been home, I have been sleeping well propped up on the couch or in a recliner.  There are major restrictions and I am not really allowed to do anything yet, but my husband has been a trooper and taken great care of me and our boys.   We are also lucky to have a great network of friends and family who have helped with meals and child care through all of this.  If you decide to go DIEP, just remember what the smart women on here say, it is a marathon, not a sprint. But I think it will be worth it in the long run. 

bp bottomed out. Dehydrated til got to drink water. Only patient in ICU great care. Best decision. Looks good, swollen but I'm no grim looking.  

Teacher - You did it!  Congratulations. Rest well and Happy Healing.

jbdayton -Oh, you're last post made my blood boil. Why would your PS defer to you husband on the way out the door? This isn't a friggin' parent/teacher meeting!  I'm so glad you're healing, and your husband sounds lovely, but you are driving this bus and unless you're unconscious - all ideas and potential treatments should be presented to you. Grrrr.

good job and continued healing to those just on this side.....hopefully the sun is shining where you are, makes every day a bit better !

Hello

Teacher congrats hope you are getting some rest and feeling better today.

Melissa congrats on getting rid of your drain!

I realized today I don't own a button down shirt, not even one. Any advice on the best type of top to wear upon coming home?

Thanks so much

lemon... I am in the same boat.  I went to Target yesterday and found a couple of Mossimo button down shirts fairly cheap.  They are 100% cotton but feel very soft not like the ones that feel starchy or stiff.  Good luck to you.

Jeannine... I am sorry you are having to worry about the "what next" conversation... just concentrate on healing for now. And have faith that there are indeed other flaps out there that you can do for the other side. It may not be with your current surgeon though. Very few surgeons have adequate experience in a variety of flaps, but you do have a few to choose from: GAP, PAP, TUG...  its also true that a lat flap (which takes muscle) is not a stand alone flap. But is supplemented with an implant. I had a tdap flap (which is no muscle), but is similar to the lat flap. My tdap was used to supplement my left breast where I had some necrotic tissue removed. So I am a walking example of someone with many flaps. My left breast is GAP (buttock) and then later supplemented with the Tdap. And my right breast is a stacked DIEP.  All of my scars are under a bikini, and not very obvious when naked as well.

I think its fabulous your husband is so supportive and is glad to just have YOU... but do try to think how you'll feel down the road, after the feeling of gratitude wears off. Don't rush any decisions, and try to think outside the box - and realize you may need to travel to a bigger known surgeon to get a lesser used flap.

Wynne...I don't think any of your "thoughts" are about vanity, I think it's trying to hold on to or figure out how to maintain "normal", in the face of something that feels so HUGE and ABNORMAL and UNKNOWN. Try to remember that the "issues" of things like dealing with your hair are truly pretty short-lived, and if you are like me....became a non-issue for the first week or so anyway. If makeup helps you feel better...take it with you...you can choose to use it (or not), later...you don't have to make that decision now.  Do you have some anti-anxiety med like Ativan?? If so....take it....if not.....try to get some. It helps those final days of fears and tears....ALOT. You're going to be ok, and we all "get" those feelings you're dealing with. XXOO

want to mention something to those about to have surgery or have just done...  I didn't realize the full effect of the steri strips on the appearance of the incisions.  Earlier this week I saw my PS and she took the steri strips off and cleaned off a bunch of glue and it looks soooo much better!  I feel kinda dumb that I didn't know about this and thought my incisions were much wider and darker than they actually were.  So don't believe everything you see.

Wow, I stay away a day and I miss a lot. 

Teacher, you sound good.  Glad to hear that.  Keep up the good work.  Glad they got that BP under control.

Lemon, after my BMX which was in the Spring, and it's warm in Texas, I bought some button up soft cotton nightgowns from Kohls.  I will use them again for my diep since they will not hurt my tummy.  Also, I think pulling up a light nightie to go potty, instead of pulling down a pair of pants might be easier in the beginning.  If you have your mx with your diep it makes it hard to raise your arms.  I am not anticipating an a big issue with that this time around, or so I have been told.

Lahela, glad you are changing docs. 

Hair is an issue if are use to blow drying and styling.  But, guess what?  You won't care the first couple of weeks, and when you do, you will be able to do it again.  As a matter of fact, I contribute my ROM coming back fairly quickly to blowing out my layered bob. That's a good 10 minute routine!!! 

Toilet paper issue.  I started using the personal wipes you can buy by the gross at Costco.  They keep you cleaner, since who wants to shower everyday when you aren't up to it, and you can keep them right where you want them.  They are so nice and gentle I used them for quick fresh me ups on all areas of my body, except face and neck. This way, you can keep your shower's down to every other day, or so until you feel up to taking them more often. I can't live without those wipes now.  Toilet paper just isn't enough anymore...lol.

finally got to look at the photos on the forum. Oy! Not sure I'm up for this now. Just looks downright painful and has me questioning maybe just getting implants. The fear of necrosis and scarring (I don't heal real well) has me freaked out.... Anyone else have 2nd thoughts??

Dyvgrl, I, for one, and there are plenty of others, had no necrosis issues and my scars are healing. Like Annajo said, plenty of people have had issues with implants, too. You have to find an experienced doctor you trust and jump, whichever way you decide. I am still happy with my decision. 

I get it. I miss the sensation. (Don't miss fbc, though!)

Goldie, you're adorable.