DIEP 2014

Quick question for gals who did the DIEP with tummy tuck incision - jeans - every pair I own slides right off down onto my hips. Any suggestions (beyond a belt, hate those things) on styles or materials that you've found work best with our new or interim shapes?

It's nice to be smaller below the belly button, but my torso is off balance as I have a good bit of fat over the belly button area (I call it my rib meat). It looks like I was hollowed out down below.

Hi everyone,

I am new here, have been reading all around this site and this thread which has been really helpful. I am a 45 year old mom of three ages 12, 15, 15 (twins). I have been diagnosed ( after 3 pathology opinions) with mulitfocal DCIS and extensive Atypia after 3 core and 2 surgical biopsies. I have seen several different doctors so far and am pretty sure I will have a bilateral mx with DIEP. I am thankful to have a very supportive husband, workplace, and family, as I understand the recovery process can be pretty lengthy. I think I saw mention of a photo site where members post before and after images, is that correct? If so, how can I access the site? Thanks so much for any guidance!

bdacvis - I literally laughed out loud at your post!  

Seems as if NOLA will be busy on the 9th.  Even more excited knowing I will have you all there.  See you all in a few days. 

Terri

Welcome Jerseymom!!

I am packing up my car in the rain this morning, but I couldn't be more
excited. I am going to watch the weather and drive over tonight or in
the am. NOLA is 2 hours from Mobile, AL. I don't have my first appointment until noon Monday. I had
another phone call last night from the amazing Dr. Marga Massey; just
checking in before the flurry of activity starts. She is so warm and
kind and encouraging and funny. I feel very blessed to have her work on me.

goldie - I think so many of us rushed into treatment because it was all so overwhelming and we were, most likely, being led by one physician. I do hope I can be a resource to women in my area. I want to encourage everyone to seek out all of the available options before choosing what is best for them. Those first decisions affect so much! I have made it to the right place in a little longer of a journey, but the important part is that I made it here.

Welcome Jersey! I am a 48 y/o mom of 2, but they are a little older (college). You will be an inspiration to them. I know my daughter is learning all she will need to know if her future brings her or another loved one down this path. My son . . . not so much, but he loves me like crazy and supports me in his own way (from afar) haha.

KooKoo, bdavis, and Dayle - so happy to have company! I hope to see you all soon.

dim, I had surgery the week before you and am still not in regular slacks. The way the binder fits down low keeps anything from looking or feeling normal in the crotch. 

The area around my new belly button is rock hard. Is that scar tissue? And the only time I didn't put a bandage on it, the binder rubbed it raw in no time. I'm still having to clean it with peroxide and use ointment on it. Normal? Should I call dr office?

BlueFox, so glad you are with us. You seem much more coherent than I was. You don't need to think ahead right now. Just be in the moment.

teacher....rock hard around the belly button is pretty common. We have fondly coined the phrase "iron plate" to describe it. For most of us, that hard zone gradually disappeared by shrinking in diameter. I realized a month or so ago, that all iron plate feeling is now gone, and I have surface sensation above and below my tummy incision, with no more dead zones...Not normal sensation, but it's there all the same. Probably about 2/3rds of my flap now has some kind of surface sensation too.

You need to pm nowheregirl to gain access to the photosite. There is a thread on BCO that explains the process.

http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topic/805466?page=1#post_3572090

Blossom, welcome. I am scheduled in a few weeks for a Diep at the center for natural breast restoration in charleston, SC. I learned about them through this board and have been pleased so far with the level of individual attention that I've received from both the doctor and the staff. They're not too far from you and have a great reputation, so you may like to give them a call.  

Know I'm not supposed to...but enjoying a half glass of wine to celebrate 37th anniversary with dinner this evening. DH is a keeper and besides, I don't have the patience to train a new one!

thanks for the replies. I for have a binder. My dr doesn't use one. I have that iron plate feeling around the belly button. Glad to hear it gets better.  I will give regular pants and jeans another couple of weeks before I try them. I need to figure something out by 5/19/14 when I go back to work.   I work in a law firm and yoga pants aren't going to work. 

Good luck to you ladies with surgery coming up soon. I was pretty lucky. Recovery wasn't as bad as I anticipated. 

Hello gals!!

I don't post very often....but check in daily! 

I am 5 1/2 weeks after my surgery. I had 6 drains plus doppler stitched in bilaterally and lost final drain at 3 weeks. It seemed that each day was better until a  week ago. I think I keep pushing it and then spend 2 days making up for it....walked 4 miles y'day and still paying the price! I think its because my surgeon had to pull really tight on my abdomen--- I didn't have a lot of fat to give the boobs.....but they are bigger than what I started with! 

For Tamoxifen!!! My MO had me stopped in 10 days prior because of risk of clots adn I DON'T have to restart......since I have no natural breast tissue left. ALSO...no mammograms or MRIs!!! 

4 days and ALL restrictions are off....I can lift whatever I want, exercise!

For those of you on the waiting side.....its AMAZING how fast you heel the first weeks. I wish I had a wedge pillow during initial period but lots of pillows worked. I didn't have a recliner either....well I have an old one upstairs in the rec room but couldn't make it upstairs! 

I head back to work for 1/2 days on Friday. I am a little worried.....I have quite an active job (physician)! 

Love the support girls....

Thank you for the warm welcome. This site has been a godsend. Today I was able to spend time with someone who had a successful BMX with immediate DIEP reconstruction about 6 weeks ago. She is doing really well and it gave me a lot of hope and confidence. I know no two people have the same experience but it was very comforting all the same and reinforced the reasons I have for choosing this procedure. Best wishes to all!

Blossom - PM jenjenl - she had surgery with a Dr. Robinson in Charlotte.

I should clarify why MO and I decided that no more tamoxifen was OK for me. I had DCIS (a blessing!). Although I had a pretty good case- 8.5cm tumor, grade 3- it was DCIS. I had XRT following uni-BMX with negative SNL. MRIs on contralateral side have been negative. Since DCIS instead of IDC and due to XRT course....we felt that the tamoxifen for my pre-menopausal state wasn't needed. It took WEEKS for those hot flashes to go away!