DIEP 2014

Yesterday was a challenge. Today has been so much better because I am finally thinking clearly. A week ago, seems forever, I slept through the day while the surgical team did their work. Wow! A week!!

Wynne, today and tomorrow will be a long days of anticipation, but go in Thursday knowing your are in good hands, getting a good rest, and will wake up a new you, just as those of us who have been through this the last week. The medical folk will help you immensely, allow them. I wondered how someone so young (because they all looked like babies!) could be so capable, but they were and will be for you, too. They kept the ice chips coming, put Chapstick on my lips, and made sure I was not in pain. They only thing better would have been chocolate ice cream.

Comet, the sentinel node and node removal left me with a sore, numb, and divided pit that is still divided and numb but not sore. Get someone to stretch and work with when your dr approves.

Dvygril and nihahi, I so identified with the caught drain, drop to the knees so my eyes were really in the back of my head! That happened once in all the weeks of drains. Dvygril, I LOVED drain "balls." I will post a picture of what I made for drains for bmx in December and DIEP last week. Because there was a drain leak, I had to use a lanyard this morning. When I pulled my lounge dress over my head (yep I did) and stood up as much as my bent-over-granny walk allows, I nearly lost it because the nether region drains gave me a certain look I'd never had in my life. I had to sit down and immediately bite the inside of my mouth to keep from laughing at the profile I'd presented. Commercial says if it lasts more than four hours to call a doctor so I must get the belt and pockets washed and dried ASAP.

Stopped pain drug Sunday night because it and the anesthesia made dreams so bizarre. And the constipation has resolved, relief. 

In a week, I know I've come a long way. Discomfort when I get too tired. Peroxide, antibiotic ointment and the tiniest bits of tape to hold bandages have solved issues.

Forgot, when I called dr about drain question. One drain doesn't hold suction and is like one that came out the day I came home, the nurse asked if I'd put the drain back in!I told her it had come out of my body and was hanging down and I don't have MD behind my name! It leaked two days and stopped. 

I will figure out how to post picture of my belt and pockets when the dog stops snoring while sleeping on my legs.

teacher....it's fluid.....fluid......fluid! Don't fret, it'll start to resolve the more mobile you get. Make sure that when you do eat, it's "good for you" stuff, in smaller portion sizes than you likely normally ate. Too much food at once, made me uncomfortable for quite awhile, cause of a tight tummy. It's a good "learning curve" for the future, too.

These are the drain pouches I made. Top was for December surgery because I LOVE Christmas. There were four because the pouches were a bit smaller than the ones I made for last week's DIEP which had to be spring looking. They have served me well, except for the leakage issue last night but everything is. Ottos and washable. I used a strip of fabric about 9" by 20", folded it over and stitched on three sides with about 1/4 seam and pulled it through. Then i sewed wide seam tape that I had doubled on the back to hold the belt loop. Next I folded over the raw end and stitched up the sides leaving a flap to fold over. I stitched small pieces of Velcro on the flaps and threaded them through the belting I'd put d rings on. Something that held the drains out of sight and looked nice to me.

jmb5, do you want all those areas lipo'd? Remember that it is your decision on what to get done. I hate compression so I told my PS to just do my sides. Many ladies here wanted to do more. It's your choice.

I'm having Stage II next week.  I'm curious to know how much compression is needed for liposuction ... that is, how firm it needs to be.  I am NOT a fan of the dominatrix outfit.  I think its called a Veronique?  They gave me one when I left NOLA after stage one, and I hated that thing.  Its too loose on the leg/thigh part, and I tried it on the other day, and its pretty loose all over.  I like the Spanx much better, and its more firm, in my opinion.  I feel much better in it.   I'm going to ask Dr Trahan if I can use it instead. 

I think I'll need some fat grafting, as there are areas in both breasts that look funny ... I don't really know, but I think that must be where some fat died.  I am still very uncomfortable in my tummy area.  The area above my scar is puffed out, and it just looks unnatural.  The area below the scar is a bit, too ... I must have gained a few pounds.  I still swell by the end of the day, though, because in the morning, those areas are smaller.  

I'll be so glad when stage II is over and I can move on  

teacher, I have some "divots" that they will need to fill in with fat that they lipo from elsewhere.  The areas above and to the sides of my new breast are a little concave.  I think this is common.

Maggie85,

I came out of stage 2 at NOLA in the Veronique.  

This time is was even larger than the last one! (No weight gain by me, so I imagine it must have been because of swelling with the lipo?). I tell you this, if you speak with NOLA , and they approve Spanx, ask if you should go larger? 

I was in the Veronique exactly 2 weeks, as told.  First days without I would  feel "different. In lipo areas when I walked, almost made me go back to compression.  I adjusted quickly. I did feel "different" when I did a light jog across the street , to avoid a car, and this was 3 1/2 weeks out of stage 2.    Bruising is almost non-existent (small area, one breast).  

Still getting "swelly belly" but don't know if it is from stage 1 or stage 2.

Areas below my scar line were addressed at stage 2, "lipo of pubic" and they addressed some necrosis that was below my scar (felt like little hard spots under the scar). Also addressed the dog ears.

Told the doc to "go at it" for lipo and he took out that sharpie and went to town.  Glad I did.  He added more volume to my breats, though I do think one is a bit noticeably larger than the other.  Will figure that out at a later time.  My doc was Sullivan.

Pat

Hey, thanks for replying, Patti ... do you have any areas of saggy skin, like Nihahi referenced?  I wouldn't mind having the lipo in the inner thighs .. but I'm afraid it will look wrinkly and yuk after lipo there.  

My tummy scar is pretty hard ... and in a couple small areas below it.  Didn't realize it could be necrosis.  I hope after stage two it isn't so rigid there.  Still have numbness on the belly button.  I don't like that area, either - if I lean up against a counter or anything, it feels very sensitive and sore.  I hope Dr Trahan can do something about it, too

I had a follow-up with the doctor and it seems I have some fluid build up in my right breast. He drained some of it in the office (that was unpleasant!), but feels it is best to surgically drain and clean it out to avoid an infection. So I am going in for a short outpatient procedure Thursday morning to have that done. Not thrilled about the small set back, but happy we caught it before it got infected. I am the first person on his schedule that morning, so I should be done by mid-morning and home in the afternoon. 

Everything else is healing well. I am up and moving around ok, and we have been eating great because our wonderful family and friends keep delivering delicious meals and treats! 


Thought for the day

“The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.”

~Dolly Parton~

Wynne- All the best to you. Will be thinking of you. You will do great!

JMB- so good to see you. What is a Q ball pain pump? I haven't heard of that. If you do Stage 2 in May at the main campus I will be there from the 5th until I don't know, they said 5-7 days. If your there the same time I would love for you to come see me!

I did a search recently for lipo thighs before and after- lots of pics online. Some of them are beautiful, some not so much. As much as I would love to get mine done I am scared of that flabby skin look staying behind. Some of them look lumpy and wrinkly. The skin there seems  thin at least on my thighs. The fat under the bum cheeks  looks good and seems to bounce back nicer than the inner thigh.

Maggie - Dr. M did the inner thighs last August and I wore the dom for 3+ months.  That is where I am noticing the saggy skin.  She only did the flanks the first time and they are great.  Some outer thigh the 3rd time and they are fine.  When I see her for nips in August, I am going to ask her to lipo anything that is lipo-able - upper abdomen, etc.  This is her last chance and I could use a bit more in my Bio boobs.

I am sure you will awaken in a Dom.  They sure are a pain, but worth it.  The fit will change radically over the first few days after Stage 2 and you will need smaller - just ask the Center.  I also purchased a couple without zippers to wear after the first couple of weeks.  Although they are a challenge to get into, they sure do take you down a dress size or two.

Thanks Ridley, Goldie, annajo, JMB, teacher and everyone else for the input regarding armpit pain after sentinel node biopsy. Glad to know I'm not the only one, my surgeon didn't have too much to say about it. I am surprised I've not gotten any recommendations for Physical therapy from the Dr. as it does feel like a divided armpit, as if my anatomy has changed. Trying to stretch as much as possible and using baby powder. The new left breast feels swollen and huge and about 2 feet higher on my chest than the right side. I'm hoping to be able to wear a bra soon to even things out. I feel very self conscious going out bra less and completely lopsided. It's two weeks out, I guess I need to be patient.

Comet08, after getting fills in expanders, I told my ps that I could rest my head on them because they were so high and hard. With just a week of "me" boobs, I've noticed shape and softness is much more natural. 

I've read all the info about lipo. Before this journey began I'd worked for a couple of years to lose a significant amount of weight and get in shape. When I saw my ps for the first time, I still had jiggle but was told not to lose any weight. I still have crepey skin on arms and inner thighs but had enough belly fat for DIEP. What donor sites can be used besides legs if I need lipo? It's not to early to start my stage 2 question list.

Goldie-

I'm so sorry for your encounter with that loser. Unfortunately there are a lot of callous and careless people in health care and have zero business working anywhere near patients of any kind. BC patients need extra care and consideration and should be reserved for those with big hearts. Don't let people like that take up any space in your brain, they aren't worth it and don't deserve ANY attention. Easier said than done, I know but your emotional energy is best spent elsewhere. Big hugs girl!!