DIEP 2013

RHG, good to hear from you!  I didn't experience anything like that.  If you haven't already, you probably want to post on DIEP 2014.  A lot of activity over there and maybe someone will know more about it.  Take care. ...Julie

Hello ladies!  It is a blast from the past.  Am doing well, although an entirely numb torso is interesting, to say the least!

I went to the doctor for tummy pain, I have never been the same since the DIEP.  They did a sonogram and now want me to come in and discuss the results.  It is funny how quickly you can spiral downwards in the thinking.  One chiropractor said that I had a hernia, in my mind I was already terminal and giving away my clothes - LOL!  My mind is a dangerous place, don't go in there alone!  

For those contemplating DIEP, the results are amazing.  I now have a Hollywood body, but have to eat small meals or my stomach complains.  

MartyJ - so glad you are still posting!  You were such a comfort to me.

Gentle cyber hugs to all.

I like the sound of that, heavenschild Hollywood body! Has the tummy pain been there for a while or just started? If it just started, with your torso still numb, it might be nerves trying to regenerate. Glad you found us on the other thread!

Bailey when you find that motivation, send a cup my way!

Hello all so it has been a year since my Diep surgery. I have not had had any other revisions because insurance will not cover it?anyone else go through this? On top of it ihave a huge bulge in my stomach onone side not a hernia had it checked out- Dr. Thinks it may be svar tissue but would liketo look at it and of course insurance isn't allowing it. Any advice would be great just so depressed lately

kad22: I had my Stage I DIEP May 24 (I think) last year.  I am finally having Stage II June 9th.  I too have a large bulge, which I thought was lymphedema, then water retention, all kinds of things.  PS says it's "tissue", which I take to mean "fat".  Anyway, he's going to address it in Stage II.

heaven:  you inspire me.  I'm so disappointed in Stage I, I'm counting on Stage II to make the difference.  Scar revision, lift, dog ear removal.  Hmmmph.  Here's hoping.  I, too, have the abdominal issues.  Mainly It just feels swollen all the time, pressure an sometimes like a muscle cramp starting.  It has been a year!

I was going to post photos, but not sure anyone wants to see that here, especially since I'm not done.  I took photos this morning, one year post Stage I, pending Stage II next week.  Hope to post before and after story in a few months.

Hello ladies,

You need to reserve judgement until after stage II and possibly II-b.  Stage II was minor fat grafting and some adjusting the flaps in November 2013.  I was much happier after that.  On May 23, 2014, a year following my BMX on May 23, 2013, I had some significant lipo, fat grafting, skin graft areolas and nipples.  They really look much more like breasts than before.  I definitely had the hamburger buns look going on.  Hoping the fat grafting stays around as much as possible.  I'm going to post some pics on the picture forum one of these days just so others know you can be happy with your DIEP even when everything isn't perfect.  My first set wasn't perfect.  Please give yourself some more time!

kad22, there must be someone that can help you with this.  Maybe you should post on the 2014 DIEP or look for another thread regarding insurance.  The cosmetic excuse could apply to breast reconstruction as a whole and they don't get away with denying that.  You need a more active thread than this one.  We have to find someone that can point you in the right direction.  ...Julie

I am glad to find that you guys are still hanging out on this thread.  the 2014 is full of newbies.

It has been 7 1.2 months since DIEP and I still cannot sit straight up in bed without pulling with my airms.  I also feel sudden itching or pains in middle of breast or stomach which makes no sense because these areas are numb.  

Is this normal?

Lahela

Thanks for the suggestion.  I will have to add a PT to my list of docs to see during the next few weeks.  Prior to dx, I was extremely healthy and tried to remember to get physical once a year.  Now in addition or OCF, I have a MO, BS, PS, Cardiologist, and need to see a Dermatologist for hands and feet and now a PT.  This is getting exhausting. 

I'm glad to see there is still activity on this thread. I had my DIEP last August. I had a revision in October to get rid of necrotic tissue and a little rearranging of the foobs to make sure they still matched. On May 1 I had second revision for nipples and lipo to get rid of the abdominal wings. Also a little fat grafting to build up a small area that was a little depressed. Seems to have worked. In about 3 months I'll get tattooing. Overall a year long process.

I am very happy with my results. They might be a little hamburger bun like but not totally and I am happy.  Main thing is that I feel better about myself, feel more comfortable in my body, and look better in clothes. These are definitely less saggy than the originals and actually more comfortable. For me, I think the only thing that would have made me really perky would have been implants but that wasn't an option. 

For those of you still thinking about DIEP I would definitely recommend it. All my revisions are covered by our provincial health plan so I never had to deal with any insurance issues. 

Jenjen, I haven't had any mesh, so I can't contribute.  

hrf, good to hear from you!  Sounds like we have traveled similar surgery paths.  I'm losing some of the skin grafting of the right areola, but PS's nurse said they can't really do anything.  Even with all the 4x4s I guess there was too much pressure on the top part.  If the nipple survives, that is the main thing.  I really doubt it will make much difference when the tattoos are done.  I agree whole heartedly that this reconstruction is all I hoped it could be.  

I must have done something else I shouldn't have because I'm guessing it is a hematoma on my left love handle area.  It is like a large hard bruise.  It doesn't really hurt and it is flat.  Wearing my binder 24x7 except for showering.  It will go away.  I have an appointment next Tuesday, so we will see what my PS has to say.  Gwenny, it is so true that we have a raft of doctors that I had never even heard of before fbc.  

Have a good one, ladies!  ...Julie

Congrats, SheChirple!  They just keep getting better.  ...Julie

Hello long lost DIEP sisters!!! I am on summer break from school- it has been glorious!! LOL!  

Updated on me:  I had my official stage 2 in December, but had a reaction to the stitches which caused some major healing issues.  I got a fipple then that also ended up falling apart because of the reaction.  I am scheduled for another surgery July 11.  He will reduce the DIEP side again because it is still a good amount bigger than my real side.  Then he will make a nipple using alloderm to help with projection.  I am excited about that because currently I have 1 headlight on and one headlight off.  It really really annoys me as depending on the shirt I am wearing- it can be quite noticable!

Hope you all are well!

rgh - congrats on finishing treatment. You look great.  This thread hasn't been very active, but there is a 2014 one that a lot of us have been posting on so you might want to pop on there as well,  good luck with phase 2.  

Looks like I'm not moving on. The two lumps are invasive ductal carcinoma. Same as before and in almost the same spot. I have these beautiful breasts and now it looks like they are going to get cut up, radiated and chemo'd. Anyone have any idea what the affects of all that will be on my DIEP breasts? Maybe there is already a thread for that so I'll go look. I really thought that by doing the BMX I wouldn't have to do this again. But I also chose not to take the tamoxifen. Now I see how foolish that was. Aaarrrggghhh.