DIEP 2014

jmb5 · May 2014

lemon, Showers were the worst for me. I will sometimes be in the shower now and flash back to those days. The most encouraging thing I can tell you is that the sucky part doesn't last long. I had all 4 drains pulled at 11 days, and that made showering a lot better. It probably wasn't until I could lift my arms and wash my own hair and shave my legs that I stopped dreading showers. It was just a lot of energy (and painful) to take them in those first few weeks. I had my niece, who owns a hair salon, wash my hair twice a week, so I didn't have to deal with washing and drying my hair myself.

Teacher64 · May 2014

Lemon, so glad to hear from you. The first week is a challenge and you are past it! Stay on top of the pain so would will feel like moving more and that promotes healing. An after shower nap is wonderful so enjoy. Is Tuesday day surgery? Let us know how you are. Keep healing.

Ridley · May 2014

Lemon and Goldie -- welcome to the other side. Sorry to hear you guys are having more pain than you expected. Hopefully it will subside soon. I agree that showers sort of suck during the few couple of weeks -- especially with dressings and drains. I remember early on I forgot to rinse the conditioner out of my hair -- couldn't stand the thought of getting back in there!! Don't lose heart though, showers regained their appeal for me, especially after I didn't have to safety pin drains to a lanyard anymore.

One day at a time -- it does get better.

Edited to add -- and Dyvgrl too!!!

Ridley

Dyvgrl · May 2014

hi ladies. Doing okay recovering. Getting up to pee a lot but still no BM. Taking Dulcosate and senna. Ate some prunes and staying hydrated. Hoping to go soon. Have a weird red splotchy area on my left arm where there was am arterial line. Really weird. Also running 100.4 temp. Has this happened to anyone?

lemon68 · May 2014

dyvgrl glad to hear your doing well. I have been having a low grade fever at night. I don't know if it's normal. Good luck in the BM, I just added miralax to my tea!

I have what looks like a blister forming on my left side. Does hurt and not near flap but it's got a red circle around it. Odd?

Teacher my surgery is at 6 am on Tuesday. He said I can have a local or stay awake as I won't feel it. I'm just glad I get to see him Tuesday I think thats been reassuring as I'm starting to have questions and I'll get them answered.

I hope I do lose the breast drains I will celebrate!

By the way I was in a abdominal binder in hospital and still am. I don't have to wear if sleeping. I complain but it does feel good having everything held together. Feels even better to take it off at night.

Thanks everyone. XO

JerseyMomOf3 · May 2014

lemon, Goldie, and dyvgrl, congratulations on your successful surgeries ! Thanks for sharing your experiences. Thanks to all the experiences and words of encouragement on this thread I feel as prepared as possible for my Diep Day this Wed. I'm nervous but determined!

k79miller · May 2014

Dyvgrl...I don't know if the fever is normal or not but it probably is. I ran a low grade fever & my blood pressure would go pretty low at night. I did both of those for a several days. I know that several other women on here had the low grade fever too. Glad to hear you're doing ok. Just take it easy & let your body heal now.

Teacher64 · May 2014

8 weeks and I slept really well. Guess I'm getting used to sleeping on my back.

Lemon, I miralaxed me tea, too. It was a miracle! I also had blisters that hurt like crazy. Mine were due to tape. My cardio had never used tape on my chest, so I had no idea I was so sensitive, but I now know.

Dvygrl, is your arm bruising? The arterial line bruised my left arm from elbow to wrist. It was a rainbow for a month,

I had to wear the binder 24-7 for a four weeks and then only at night for two weeks. Taking it off, my abdomen got puffer. My PS said it was normal, so I'm not worried about it.

Goldie, I hope you get rain today, not hail. We live in Melissa and are hoping it pours here instead of just going around us. Taking a nap while it rains is always soothing. Enjoy.

Teacher64 · May 2014

Six months ago I was on my way to the dentist for routine cleaning when the dr called and told me I had cancer (Do you have any questions? Duh!) I threw my dentist's schedule off because he had me talk to his mother/office manager, who is a 20 year survivor. He's been my dentist for 30+ years and I taught his daughter two years. He wasn't concerned about his schedule and wanted me to feel better.

There are so many compassionate people ready to assist. For those just beginning this journey, reach out and there will be someone to hold your hand.

It's pouring and the sun is shining so there's a rainbow somewhere. Guess I will look for it as I drive to the dentist. If the phone rings, I'm not answering it.

jmb5 · May 2014

dvygrl and lemon, I had a slight temperature for awhile during the second week. That was when I felt the worst. Right at 14 days I gradually started feeling better.

cindy, my PS said I can start exercising again, which I've been doing the past couple weeks. My tummy is still smaller than it was. I don't have the muffin top like I did, but I feel like I'm pregnant with this tight puffy belly. The PA told me I shouldn't have swelling anymore though. Good luck on your weight loss journey. It's so easy to put it on and so hard to take it off, especially as we get older. My 47 year old sister has been doing weight watchers for about 2 months and has lost a little over 20 pounds. She's really changed her eating.

teacher, let it ring!!

annajo · May 2014

jmb, my tummy is puffier than a few weeks ago also. I think it is partly things settling after being in compression for so long. I notice it seems bigger at times when I might have been bloated anyway (monthly cycle, eating too much, etc) although I have also put on a couple of pounds since surgery. When I was diagnosed at the end of January, I lost 8 pounds in 2 weeks from stress, so I am trying to look at it as a sign that I am getting back to normal!

nihahi · May 2014

I have to politely disagree with the PA re: "shouldn't have swelling anymore". She's correct in that post-surgery swelling from being over hydrated should be resolved by now. However, from my experience, tissue "trauma" and healing creates swelling, that can take weeks or even months to resolve. Then, there is the famous "swelly belly" of post tummy flap. It seems to appear around the same time that many ladies start to be more active. It is something that seems to become worse as the day goes on, then seems better in the morning. Most of us veterans seem to feel it is fluid related, and that it seems to resolve in time.....A LOT OF TIME....MONTHS OF TIME. My PS feels it is a normal body reaction to fluid pathways being messed with, tissue reaction to being messed with and also connected to the lack of normal "nerve" feedback. He told me when I asked about it, that as my sensation returned, my tummy scar softened, my activity levelled off to "normal" as opposed to "start up" mode, my core muscles got re-engaged, and if I was responsible about massage, healthy eating and staying at a good weight, it would resolve. In my case....he was spot on. But....it truly took months.

Morningsun1 · May 2014

In my case, it took one full year doing all nihahi's ps mentioned for the swelly belly to go away. The complication of my tummy scar revision in Feb brought sweelly belly back, but not as bad as the original one. A LOT OF TIME....

lahela · May 2014

My PT agrees with Nihahi - everything is under so much stress in there and a combination of fluid build up, muscle stress and tissue inflammation just by going about our day leads to swelly belly. I'd strongly recommend PT as soon as your PS allows it.

Lemon, Goldie, GeorgieGirl, dyvgrl - I hope you are all resting and healing. Sending you, mistral and JerseyMom all my best.

optimi · May 2014

MsW2012: I am currently waiting on an appt date with Dr. Horton, hopefully for the end of June. I have also only heard good things about her so I am very much hoping for a smooth surgery and recovery. I am sorry for what you have been through but stay positive and all shall be fine

To all you other girls who are in the recovery phase...prayers for an uneventful healing and recovery! I have to admit that some of the things you have posted do freak me a out a bit (crushing the ribs during surgery sounds horrible!!!!!).

On a positive note: I am currently sitting through my last chemo session. Wohoo!!! So excited to be finally done!

brendarj · May 2014

Good Day all of you wonderful DIEP ladies. I'm living proof that the squeaky wheel gets the grease.

Yep got my surgery date JUNE 3rd. I am so excited, scared will find me later I'm sure

Speedy and gentle healing to all

lemon68 · May 2014

woohoo Brenda, that is great news and SOON!

Regarding the swelling, I just was reading today the book given to me while in hospital. It states that the swelling in abdomen can take up to a year to finally stop. That on any given day it can look different but not to panic to be patient for the end result.

I had rhinoplasty 8 years ago, my nose can still look swollen some days. I am the only one that notices but it will always be that way.

Teacher hope you found that rainbow this morning. The tea and miralax was successful

Cindy- congrats on your weight loss to date. Share your success as I will need some motivation soon, we can help each other. I don't have the energy yet but look forward to my walks.

I am 1 week post op today. Did I mention I feel GOOD today?? I do, I feel GOOD!!! All is not right and there are hurts all over but I feel GOOD anyway

Teacher64 · May 2014

Yeah for feeling good.

Nihahi, my PS said the same thing about new pathways to move fluid through the belly area. He said it would be months to a year. I also notice that mornings are better and evenings I'm more swollen.

I did not see a rainbow but I had an uneventful teeth cleaning. What a difference six months makes. My dentist said he was sorry his mom wasn't in the office today but he would tell her I look marvelous.

I'm still waiting for the storm and promised rain. The 12 drops on the windshield don't count.

Pants with a zipper didn't stay on when I got home. Someday they will be comfortable.

Zenful · May 2014

Brenda, congrats on the surgery date. It will be here before you know it.

Optimi, YAYYYY for being done with chemo. You did it! So good to be done, huh? Don't worry about the ribs, they don't crush them, but they do shave a bit of rib and cartilage to get to the needed vessels. It's sore for a while, but not awful.

Teacher, I received my diagnosis on the way to work just after seeing my dentist. Seeing a connection here. I agree, maybe we should stay away from dentists!

goldie4040 · May 2014

dvygirl, my nurse in the hospital told me if I ran a temp higher than 100.5 I should call the doctor, otherwise take some Tylenol and hydrate. I finally had some luck in the #2 department today. 4 times!!!!! That is one thing off my mind.

I went to the PS today to have my tummy incision looked at. They are keeping an eye on it. I was pulled extremely tight, and there is one area that is concerning them already. I came right out and asked him if he thought I was going to be a wound vac person. He said, no. He said my foobs look okay. There is one hard area on right side that is bruised, and he thinks that will resolve itself.

Jerseymom, Good luck Wednesday. I know you are as ready as you will ever be, and we got your back. Touch base as soon as you can. We will be waiting to hear from you.

goldie4040 · May 2014

I was in the middle of posting when our power went out (storming here) and when it came back on I finished my post. Then realized in the meantime several of you posted in the meantime.

Lemon, Glad you are feeling better today. I am slightly improved, but not "GOOD" like you. Keep that up. I need to inspiration.

Teacher, I think patience with the tummy thing is a necessary evil. I had swelly belly for almost a year after my hysterectomy. Ugh.

jmb5 · May 2014

Thanks all for the belly comments. It makes me feel better. It also doesn't help that it's still so numb. I've been doing a lot of gardening this week, and I'll lift something and lean it on my belly or hip, and quickly have to move it because it feels numb and uncomfortable. Some day that should be better. I guess my BS was right when she said it will be a full year until I'm feeling mostly back to normal. I bet I'll look good in a bathing suit... next summer.

k79miller · May 2014

I got my date for stage 2 today. I'll be headed to San Antonio on July 23 for surgery on the 24th. I didn't have any kind of rib shaving done during my surgery so once again, I guess it depends on the PS. Thursday I'll be 8 weeks post-op so I can shed the girdle that I've had to wear during the day. Where has the time gone? It seems like just yesterday that I had the surgery.

Teacher64 · May 2014

mistral1960 and Jerseymom, it's a busy week for you. We are here for you.

iowagirl1 · May 2014

Day 19 and I still have 2 drains. The breast drain is gushing 60 ml per day plus overflow that comes out the tube incision site. The lower one is ready to go and PS said I could take care of them at home. I called our local satellite clinic from Mercy Hosp. 20 miles away. She said we don't do that. You need to go back to whoever did your surgery. I said that was a 150 mile round trip. She said sorry. That's our policy.

Really? Anybody had luck getting them out at home.

MartyJ · May 2014

Iowagirl - my DH did many of mine. You will find that most of Dr. Marga's patients and most of the NOLA gals pull their own or have a family member do it. Because I had surgery out of town, I had enlisted my gyn to be a helper doctor. She took out the breast drains (they were ready first) and showed DH how. It is just a matter of snipping a stitch and pulling. Doesn't hurt. I had my breast drains from 12 days and hip drains for 21 so you are doing well, just juicy. If you can't handle it yourself, call your GYN or family practitioner or go to an urgent care clinic. What do they say - no guts, no glory! Pull it baby!

Anonymous · May 2014

I've had a couple of drains pulled by "others".....including my obgyn .....they just call the ps office for permission and done!

iowagirl1 · May 2014

Marty. Thanks for the advice. I went to urgent care sat nite when the breast drain was leaking around the incision. Sat there for 1/2 hour and the receptionist came and told me that they couldn't help me and I'd have to go to the ER. Asked at the ER if they would take the lower drain out when they looked at the leaky one and they said no. The Dr. came in and looked at at the leaky one and said it is beyond the scope of what we can do here. You need to go back to Rochester for that. Sigh.

nihahi · May 2014

Pulling a drain is usually not rocket science. Sounds like the ER just didn't want to be accommodating to someone who went elsewhere for surgery....soooo not what "the practice of medicine" should be like. My PS's nurse pulled the one that I went home with. If you are a "self-puller"....just make sure the bulb isn't sealed....you don't want to be pulling a closed drain, as the suction might be uncomfortable.

Zenful · May 2014

Iowagirl, I was a big sissy when it came to pulling drains. My local breast surgeon wouldn't do it because it wasn't his case, but my family doctor was happy to help when I told him my situation. He said he hadn't done it since he was a resident (many years ago), but did a wonderful job. Never felt them come out.

DIEP 2014

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