DIEP 2014

nihahi, I think you are right about my skin being hypersensitive. Just taking a deep breath would set it off. When I apply creme or oil the nerve pain subsides somewhat.   I found that taking a warm shower also helped to calm things down. Thanks for the advice about Vit E oil, I wasn't aware that it is contraindicated.

For those of you who have not had your surgery yet, I will mention my 10 inch wedge cushion I bought on Amazon was perfect for elevating me for sleeping. After spending most of the day in a recliner it was nice to be able sleep in bed.

For post-surgery....I had a couple down shirts and bought one shirt on-line to hold the drains. A lifesaver those first couple of weeks now I am back into my soft T-shirts. I wore elastic PJs bottoms at first and now yoga capris with a soft-waistband over the incision. Taking a shower daily has been wonderful- well worth the effort. The weird sensations are already getting better- the first couple weeks my new boobs would tingle all the time. Its been a long 3 1/2 weeks but I am so glad I made this decision. As my PS told me....the autologous breasts will keep looker better with time, the day post-op is the best implants will ever look! 

Okay, does everybody have to wear a binder on their tummy after surgery, or is that up to your surgeon, and will I be okay in just nighties, or will I feel better having something snug around my tummy, like the top of Yoga pants?  I realized today that I am about a month out, and now I am going into panic mode.  Got to get everything ready. I now after my bmx I lived in the two hospital gowns the nurse, and my husband squirreled away in my bag before we left the hospital, for about a week, or so. I preferred making pins holes for the drains in something I was going to through away, then my own clothing.   Then I switched to some button up nighties when they gave me my drain belt, but I had no tummy stuff to worry about.

I have a giant wedge pillow, but I am much more comfortable in my recliner.  I wish somebody close by could use this wedge.  I would give it to them.

Goldie, I was given an ab binder at my one week post-op visit. Some women are more comfortable in them and they do help with swelling. My ab incision really wasn't bothered by it, it was so numb. I guess I had my hip drains out by then. You will do fine. If you want to wear hospital gowns again you should do it. I wore loose Jammie's for a couple weeks, moving to yoga pants after that. You will figure it out! I wish I could take away your anxiety but it's almost a rite of passage with this surgery, I think. 

donna....your PS has ok'd this...right? That is uber important. Yes, I had physio after stage 1. They worked on some cording issues, and also worked on pre-existing shoulder issues. Posture improved as the shoulder issues improved, and I had some exercises that worked the shoulder and core together. Do your home exercises as they prescribe, but be careful not to "overdo" things too. Can't force certain things to get better faster. fyi....I have never "craved" the chance to do sit ups, but I can do them now just as well as before surgery. I'm sure you'll be doing all the sit ups you want in the near future.

goldie....yep, sounds like you're entering the "twilight zone". It feels overwhelming, but is totally understandable, and you will get through it. Time on the 2013 thread and this one has taught you that every doc is different. Can you connect with kuka??? I'm sure she would be glad to help answer your questions, and would have THE best info regarding your shared PS. By the time you care about what you're wearing, you'll likely have a good idea if you want support or no contact on the tummy area, if your PS gives you the choice. Since recovery from BMX is different from flap surgery...I suggest hanging on to that wedge pillow, "just in case", and if you end up not needing it, maybe your cancer centre might be somewhere to donate it to?? 

Goldie - I didn't have binders either. I was sent home with just individual pieces of guaze on each breast, and some light bandages across my tummy. Like Donna's PS - that is just the way they roll. I healed very well, albeit slowly, with just one dog ear that needs a bit of attention.

And like you - I always get a pedicure before surgery. I love looking at my toes - they make me happy. Also, my chemo nurses taught me a lesson. They suggested that we dress up a bit for  treatments. No ball gowns or tiaras, but just a clean sweater and a bit of lipstick. The nurses put a lot of effort into looking nice and greeted us as though we were guests of honour at luncheon rather than patients at a hospital. 

It reminds me of when i was a kid in the 60's, and we used to put on our good clothes before boarding a plane. It became such an event. Last time I flew I sat beside a guy in a sweaty sleeveless sweatshirt, and it wasn't nearly as fun. So it's a pedicure, root touch-up, and clean shave for me. Might as well dress for a celebration.

Did someone mention wedge pillows and linen blouses? Both were invaluable for me. My post DIEP outfit (for at least six weeks) was a white cotton cami that I could step into, and a linen shirt with  buttons in the front. The cami held everything in place, and the shirt hid it all. 

Wedge pillows are the best! I didn't have a recliner, so pillows became my friends, and the wedge was my best friend ever. After about six weeks, I used it to elevate my feet while I napped. With decreased exercise it helped the circulation in my legs. 

Jeannie's right - anxiety is a right of passage.  I was a supreme overplanner. I bought bags of clothes at target in various sizes. After surgery I had almost no swelling and could wear my regular size - albeit loose. Jim (bless his heart) returned almost everything except for one pair of yoga pants,  a stretchy skirt, and my camis. He also returned the shower chair, my second wedge pillow, and the tool I bought to help grab things. 

Everybody is so different Just do what you need to do to feel comfortable, and let yourself have fun. 

Teach, you sound so upbeat!  Happy for you!

I actually slept on my side on my third night in the hospital.  I just couldn't take it any more and the nurse told me to do what I needed to do.  My hip drain must have been just far enough over that I wasn't lying on it directly and I lined the bed with pillows and fell asleep instantly.  Bliss!  The PS and her PA came at 6 am, as they like to do, and she said, surprised, "oh, you're sleeping on your side!"  And then she said, that's just fine.  So I slept that way for the next day and felt so much better for it.

ok here's a silly question.  When you are in the hospital and they are checking you every hour or so for blood flow do they open up the surgical bra and tummy compression thing to do that.  Or can they do that through the garments.  I have a niece coming to help my husband with hospital duty and it just hitme "is she going to see me naked. "    I raised her for several years and we are very close but still. Or is is like when you have a baby and all modesty flys out the window? 

Wynne, try to not worry.  As you said, it's a lot like childbirth and your modesty filter adjusts a bit.  They check the circulation in the new flaps on the bare skin, but there's no need to be 100% nekkid for that.  I just pulled up my hospital gown and kept the blankets covering my nether bits.  When they check the dressings on the abdomen, your lady bits are still covered by the blankets.  

It was probably the drugs along with my natural lack of filter, but everyone who came in my room was cheerfully offered a look at the new girls!

Goldie- you going into this mode is making me think I better be going into it too, since we are doing this a day apart! My mind is racing and I have been shopping. I have a list a page long of questions when I go for Pre-op on 4/21. I don't want to flip the calendar to April but then again I do! Might be a bit crazy now cant imagine what I will be like the week before. I am hoping calm and have my friend Ms. Xanax to make sure.

Wynne- I had the same question as you. I have 2 teenage boys that will be there and I am sure seeing their mom's goods would not be ideal to them or me. I figured I would have my DH come in and check to make sure I am covered before they come in each time. I could really scar them! LOL My older one doesn't want to hear about it, he gets too nervous and worries so much. My younger one (14) wants all the info and tells me how brave I am. I have hated to have to have all this happen, it really affects the whole household. Breaks my heart that they have had to worry so much this past year, dang cancer!

Teacher- you sound GREAT! Are you home now or still there?

forgot...lemon68...I'm home 

sunone,

I haven't had my DIEP yet so I'm only guessing, but after my MX I was back at work after 3 weeks full time. After my hyster / ooph I was back full time after a week and a half. Having said that, DIEP is more invasive and you need more recovery time plus each person is different. If it were me, I'd get my surgery as planned and find a way to work in your clients 3 weeks out. You need time to heal, but let's face it, finances play a huge role for a lot of us. Do what you have to, but I would never push back anything that will affect your health or battle with cancer. You can finagle everything else.

my flap checks were every hour and probably lasted less than 60 seconds.  They would just listen with the Doppler, look at coloring & press on the skin in a few areas - that's it.  If you had someone in your room, you could easily ask them to turn around for this minute.  I, however, did not want any visitors after this surgery - besides my husband ( who came daily) and my teenage kids (who each visited once).  I did not know what it would be like and did not want the "stress" worrying about people coming to see me and how I would look and feel, etc...  Would I be vomiting?  In extreme pain? Half naked?  Drugged up? Would they see my breasts?  Urine catheter? etc....  So, a few weeks prior, once I told everyone "no visitors, please", I actually was a lot less stressed about the whole thing!  Best decision ever.  This may not work for everyone, but it worked for me.  I was not bored in the least and communicated with many people via phone & ipad.  Between all of the medical people visiting me and my husband, I had enough to keep my occupied.  

Sunone... We are indeed all different. I was driving at two weeks post op and off pain meds after one week. At two weeks post op, I could certainly have worked from home, with my feet up. But any activity is exhausting. So I would plan properly and definitely tell your clients what's up. I had drains for almost 9 weeks because I had a GAP flap and then DIEP back to back. The drains didn't keep me in at all. I just learned how to dress for them. The one thing you can't plan for though is if you have a complication. I had one, which led to the GAP then DIEP. It happens. And your health comes first, so you'd need to put your clients on the back burner. If it were me, I would meet with the new clients prior to the surgery if possible.

Teacher - Really need a like button. So love your sense of humor. Only hope when my turn comes that I can be as positive