DIEP 2014
Comments
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this is an upbeat post!! My hubby decided he just had to test drive a 2005 T-bird 50th edition today. Guess what is parked at our house now!! We had a 1986 T-Bird Coupe with white leather when all the girls were under 6 years old!! I couldn't say no because this 2005 is a convertible so now I can have the wind in my face as soon as it warms up!! And we have to buy a new doggie seat so Snickers can go too!!
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Sunone, I will be thinking of you tomorrow.
Optimi, I wasn't sure whether I would need radiation, but if I had, my PS was going to place temporary implants under the skin to get me through radiation, and then do the DIEP reconstruction following the radiation. It turned out I didn't need radiation so it wasn't an issue. I also did not have enough stomach fat for two breasts, so they stacked DIEP flaps with hip flaps. There are a few places that can do it, and as jbdayton suggested, NOLA and PRMA are two. There are others. Many of is traveled for our surgeries. It would be worth checking into.
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Ladyoh your post made my day! I am glad to know that you are pleased with your results. Iowagirl, will you be staying in the area for awhile after you are released from the hospital? Dr. SC wants me to stay for at least four days.
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Thank you everyone, I'm excited to go get this done. Had my pre-op appt on Monday and went this afternoon to have the SNB injection. Check-in time is 6:30 am tomorrow, although I was told it will be closer to 9:30 when the actual surgery starts. Every time someones mentions Wilbur I think of a cat we used to have (brothers, Wilbur and Orville) Wilbur was a big, chubby, extremely friendly black cat, so I picture him curled up on the hospital bed purring away.
I hope everyone is healing well. I'll let you all know how it goes, hopefully I will have encouraging news to report : )
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Sunone, good luck tomorrow. Thinking about you. Prayer and hugs.
Kat ski, sorry about your kitty. We had a wonder cat name Katie, too. She lived almost 20 years. She brought us such joy, just like your Katie did.
I am going into panic mode now. Hey, Lemon and Georgie, you still with me? How you guys doing?
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Ann, I won't be staying in Rochester after my release from the hospital. It takes 75 minutes for me to get home.
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Goldie, try not to go into panic mode. Remember all you have to do is show up!! That's it and as simple as it gets. We are all in your pockets!! Kat
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Hi there - I've been dong a few weeks worth of reading on this thread. Don't know if it's me - or if it's springtime, but it sounds like there are a few of you out there who are excited about your surgery (Anne, SBE). That's so great. It really is a pretty amazing process. And for those of your who are nervous... there are hands and hearts all over the place just waiting to take care of you.
Goldie - panic mode is pretty normal. Especially since your road to this place has been a long windy one. It's okay to be scared, and I wouldn't even try to fight it, just add some faith. Faith in your doctors, faith in your decision, and faith in your body which has an amazing ability to heal with or without all the mental hoops we make ourself jump through. As they say, 'just keep your eye on the prize'. Feeling whole, and being healthy.
I have a memory of lying in bed the day after surgery and listening to the doppler, and the blood flowing through my reattached arteries. It was amazing. I was nervous too, the week before, but the day after was just pure relief and euphoria. It's been nine months for me - preceded by an extremely difficult decision making process - but I have absolutely no regrets.
Because it's spring I've been purging a lot of my clothes from last summer/fall when I was recovering (BMX/DIEP). And I just wanted to pass along some fashion advise for those heading into their own recovery.
Button down shirts! Anything that goes over your head may be too difficult for limited arm movements. So try to find stuff that does up the front, or, that you can step into. I lived in cotton cammies I could step into, and big button down shirts to put over it. Cammies were also great for attaching the drains. I also got a stretchy slip on skirt for Target that I could step into.
Wide waisted jeans! By the time I was back in my pants - (approx six weeks) I found that the back of the grommet dug into my belly button. So I channeled my inner 18 yr old, and bought a bunch of stretchy jeans from American Eagle Outfitters. They had a really wide waistband and it sat well below my scar. Plus they were cute, and cheap. Also the store had a great return policy so I did a lot of overbuying, and returned everything I didn't use when I was back on my feet.
Teacher - I'm of the camp that a bit of wine is okay too. (And you have lots of reason to celebrate) My DH (Jim) served me my wine in a tiny little wine glass, so I could pretend that I was having an regular serving.
Janet
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Called dr about belly pain, left side only, throbbing to stabbing, not constant and been without pain for week.
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Dayle... I stopped by to see Teri and Terri on Thursday but you had already left... I too am here in Nola til Sunday. Where are you staying? You may have told me, but I can't remember.
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Sunone- Hope you had a easy day and your recovering comfortably tonight.
Goldie- I am still with you.. 3 weeks and 2 days, the countdown has begun! I saw my PS today, I love him. He makes me feel beautiful and calm. Since I am doing nipple sparring he told me today he is going to "bank" some skin under them just in case they die. If they live within 3 days back to the OR to remove the skin. He said if he is 100% sure they will live he wont back. He said " I can just make you some nipples I do it all the time, you will love them".. as if he was baking cookies.. He said Stage 2 if needed is lipo of the hips and upper belly as needed. The dog ears he said he will contour to get rid of if I have them. I told him it is Cinco De Mayo, he laughed and said he will bring the Salsa and chips, I asked for a Margarita in the IV and he said he will give me something to feel like I had a margarita, I told him none for him! So YES Goldie I am freaking out.
So, I do have to say I had to go to the photographer today for my naked pics. I was surprised it looked like a photography studio. I am self conscious so for me it was humiliating to stand there and be photographed. As I left I had to erase it from my mind, to me this was the worst thing thus far. Funny in person it doesn't bother me a bit but to stand there today, I felt so exposed.. yeah I was. But it will be good to see the before and after.
Janet- thanks for all the tips, keep them coming. I still don't have button down shirts, I will be doing more shopping soon. I have a lot of elastic waist pants and jammies I plan on wearing. I meant to ask about a binder, bra etc today and didn't do it. I even had a list of questions but for some reason I just didn't ask them all. My mind is going a mile a minute!
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Lemon, a photographer?? Mercy, I would have hated that. My PS took photos in his office and I've been taking them at home. I really have to get those boobie shots off my cell phone!!!
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Goldie, lemon and Sunone just wanted to say good luck with your DIEPs, I felt so much better once I got to the other side of that long awaited day. Several physicians recommended a high protein diet afterwards to promote healing and I do believe that made a big difference in my case as I recovered very quickly. I have heard the same from others who have been through different types of surgery. I didn't eat much in the hospital since the painkillers pretty much shut down my digestive system. Miralax solved that issue. Also, if they give you stool softeners you need to drink lots of water or they will end up binding you up.
A friend co-ordinated meals for me and my family and that was a huge help. Lots of beef stew and chicken and lasagna and other high protein dishes that we could all eat.
I think the drain pockets that Teacher posted look like a fabulous idea, I would have used those for sure. I lived in the little soft jacket with inside pockets for the drains that the hospital gave me. And the painkillers kept me in a sleepy, mellow state for the first week which was nice after all that angst. Good luck to you all!
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Sunone, I hope everything went well for you! Can't wait to hear how you are doing?
Goldie, hang in there! I am two months out from the procedure and I am already getting very nervous so I completely understand how you are feeling. But just like others mentioned, you will go in there, fall asleep and when you wake up everything will be over and you will be a new you
This is going to be my for surgery and general anesthesia ever so I have started thinking about the process every day a little to hopefully get more comfortable with it. My goal is to go into the operation room with a smile on my face to ensure my mom and husband who worry about the long surgery it is going to be. Let's see how that plan is going to work out lol.Zenful, I had a second opinion last Friday with a lady PS and she made me feel more at ease. After looking at me she was of the opinion that I had sufficient abdominal fat to get full B cup or even C cup breasts lol. I have to admit I have put on a bit of weight recently which can only do me good for this procedure I guess. She mentioned that she would do the DIEP on both sides before radiation. She would account for shrinkage on the affected side by making it 10-15% bigger. I see your surgery was last year. How are you doing now? Are you happy with the outcome?
Janet, thank you so much for the very useful tips on clothing! I need to go shopping soon.
Good luck to you too, lemon! Keeping you all in my prayers for a great outcome!
Comet, so happy things went well for you! And thanks on the diet tips!
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Friends, I'm on the road to Charleston for surgery Thursday. Going it on my own. Lots of fear. I feel as if you've been here for me many months, as I've lurked while going through chemo. Any well wishes, encouragement or prayers would be most appreciated.
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Ashira,
you are definitely going to be in my prayers! Just like Janet mentioned, keep your faith in your decision, in a successful surgery without any complications and a fast recovery! You are not alone, God will be with you by your side throughout the procedure. Be well and please keep us posted.
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Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!! LOL. I am so scared, but I am so blessed to have your strong ladies taking the journey with me. Lemon, interesting approach you PS is taking to saving your nipples. I hope it works, but he also sounds very confident that it will be no big deal if he has to make you some, too. I see my surgeon Tuesday. I hope I walk out as confident as you about how thing will work out.
Everybody sending positive thoughts, thank you so much. You all are my inspiration, and I have learned so much here. I prepared research wise, now I just have to wrap my mind around it.
Janet, as always, you are always such a comfort to me. I feel like I know you. I love your blog. I always get excited when there is a new entry.
Ashira, holding you in my thoughts for next week. You are in good hands. Please try to keep us posted as soon as you feel up to it.
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Thank you Optimi. I wonder why it is that god feels so far away when we're taken over by fear. It is always good to be reminded that I'm not alone.
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Optimi - Your goal to enter the operating room with a smile, for the sake of your family, is so kind. Here is something else you can tell them (I'm pretty sure I'm repeating myself here but it's worth it). The DIEP surgery is not an insult to our body. No major organs or muscles will be touched, so although we are put under, we are not heavily under. It's a long, slow, steady, safe marathon. In fact, my anaesthesiologist told me it was 'boring' for him. Jim laughed when he said that - and it made us both feel so much better.
Ashira - You are not alone. You couldn't be alone even if you wanted to be. Those by your side, your medical team, care about you and will keep you safe. Those who are not by your side will have you in their hearts.
Before my surgery I was beyond nervous and turned to Guided Meditation, which I downloaded onto an ipod. It was a total game changer for me but one of the things that she said really gave me comfort. Here's the short version. Picture yourself on the operating table, smiling. Then fill the room with everyone you have ever known or ever loved, or who has ever loved you. Take your time doing this. Now find someone you love the most and catch their eye, and picture them nodding their approval.
Goldie - Here's your quote for the day. 'Feel the Fear and add some Courage!'
PS Thanks for reading my blog. I love writing it - it makes me feel braver than I actually am.
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Good luck to Ashira and Chinabound next week. Sending loving thoughts and healing energy your way. Eat lots of protein!
Optimi, if I had to make the decision again, I wouldn't do anything differently. I am very pleased with my results. Following Stage 1, things look good, but not great. After the swelling goes down and things start to settle in a bit, you will likely notice things that bother you a little. You just need to be patient, as Stage 2 makes a big difference. I always felt good in clothes, though. I am in awe every time I undress. It still amazes me that this procedure is even possible.
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After church today, I was told I looked fabulous!!! That made my day for sure.
My PS has a photo room, like a studio. The first time before the bmx was a shock. Before DIEP I knew what to expect. I know those pics must be a delight with markings all over my body. They definitely won't be on the Christmas card!!
Ashira, you may be headed to Charleston on your own, but know you have everyone here with you. We support you.
Goldie, don't fret. All will be fine.
Zenful, I agree. Since some of the stage 1 swelling has gone down, I not only feel better, but look better. When I shower in the morning, I'm still so surprised how much better I look since DIEP. Yes, there are things that need to be improved, but they are minor compared to where I was just 4 weeks.
Chinabound, stage 2. Can't wait to hear about it.
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Thank you, Janet and Zenful for your very encouraging words! Makes me so much more at ease thinking about his procedure. I hope you feel the same way, Ashira! So good to be in this group!
I have seen few before and after photos but those must have been Stage 1 early pics since they didn't look all that 'good' which of course made me more concerned. So happy to hear that you ladies are happy with the outcome.
How long was it before you had Stage 2 surgery? My PS told me that after radiation it would be at least 6mos before they could do another surgery.
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I had my Stage 2 four months following Stage 1, but I believe no earlier than six months following radiation is pretty standard.
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Hello, ladies! Terri here and I've survived 4 days! For you who have surgery coming up, you can do this! It is no walk in the park, but is extremely doable
I made the trip from NOLA home yesterday, about 4 hours. Was nothing like I thought it would be. Took pain med before I left and 1along the way and did fine with walking every hour or so. I really don't have pain, it's soreness. The binder has helped me, however I have read where others don't like it. Remember, everyone is different.
I talked with Teri before I left...she was bright-eyed and bushy-tailed! We agreed that NOLA was a pretty awesome place and we made a great decision going there.
If any of you have any questions, feel free to ask. My energy is pretty much zapped, but I feel good! I will talk with you all again soon.
KooKoo
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Koo Koo... it was great meeting you, and glad to hear you made it home safely and relatively pain free.
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Ashira- Safe travels to Charleston. I will be thinking of you and sending prayer.
Goldie- where is the time going? I am trying to remain calm but having my moments. I have pre-op on the 21st from there on I am going to be really anxious!
Teacher- I am so glad you are so happy, I have no doubt you look fabulous. Your posts since your surgery have been so positive I love reading them. I told my DH today about the pockets you made, I am not so crafty but wish I was.
KooKoo- so glad to hear you are doing well.
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Lemon, pm me with your address.
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boo hoo Sorry I missed you. Just returned home to Vermont. I have a binder this time which is a bit tricky. Also nipple protectors which really stick out!! Tired but overall well. Looking forward to seeing the final results as the swelling recedes. Those Stage 1 Terry's were amazing. DK
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DK... I flew out at 8am this morning... Sorry we couldn't connect. Where in VT are you? We have a place in Manchester.
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You ladies are awesome. I really do feel your love and support. That you so much for the prayers and well wishes.
Goldie, like you, I've been watching the weeks go by. I share your fear. Hang in there, we can do this....
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