DIEP 2014

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  • lemon68
    lemon68 Member Posts: 684
    edited July 2014

    Aff, glad he got that out for you, I am sure its going to feel better now. I have a hole also, I thought I might have torn it, maybe I will be lucky like you, I see PS tomorrow. Glad you are tolerating your rads and so is the flap. My right side that had rads looks so sad compared to my left, smaller and just taking its time healing. It has softened on top but underneath is still hard. I am waiting for the flesh on the bottom to let loose!

    My PS told me to make a list of everything I want done in Stage 2 for him. I am excited for my appt tomorrow. I have 8 things on my list so I hope he is ready. He mentioned lipo of thighs but I am not crazy about that. I am afraid that skin wont bounce back well at 45. I am shooting for upper stomach and hips. I also have lost the pigment on my left nipple, it is the same color as my skin. This is not the radiated side. Has anyone else had this happen? I know I could probably get it tattooed but its disappointing. I was so happy it lived but it slowly has lost its pigment.

    Trish, every once in a while at 12 weeks I have twinges of pain in my upper abs. My left side last night was sore. I think its just the nerves coming back to life or the pulling due to being so tight.

    Hoping to see an update from JMB, praying for your family. xo

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  • Kb33
    Kb33 Member Posts: 88
    edited July 2014

    my question of the day.... Seems I have a new one each day.  Sigh ;-).  For anyone that just had one breast with the diep.   Did you have range of motion limitations for both arms or just the one on the surgical side?    Trying to figure out how much I can actually accomplish with my three Tweens at home after surgery.   Can I drive quicker if only one side?   Wash my own hair?   Or most important thought today..... Can I put my contacts back in after surgery.   Can't stand wearing my glasses.  Have worn contacts for over 20 years.   Funny the little things you start focusing on while trying to prep

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  • Sweetie1972
    Sweetie1972 Member Posts: 84
    edited July 2014

    ct scan scheduled for 31st. Making a list of things that need done around the house before surgery. Is a shower seat necessary?

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  • debiann
    debiann Member Posts: 1,200
    edited July 2014

    kb33,  I'm preparing for surgery too, although I'm doing both.  Your list made me think about all the things I won't be able to do.  I read "wash hair" and my first reaction was, "OMG I won't be able to wash my own hair" then I realized I'll still be bald from chemo, no hair to wash, lol.

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  • aff
    aff Member Posts: 279
    edited July 2014

    kb33 - I am a uni. I had full range of motion with my right arm so I was able to wash my hair (once the drains came out. My PS would not let me shower with drains, they are all different), reach for things that were not close to me, grab light objects, etc. You should be able to put your contacts in. That being said, DIEP is a major surgery and you will be sore for some time, whether you have use of one arm or 2. The ROM in the arm comes back long before the abdomen bounces back. You will not be able to lift anything more than 10 lbs for weeks. I am 7 weeks out and still have that restriction for another week. My PS told me to stick to nothing heavier than a gallon of milk on a regular basis and that 10 lbs should be the absolute max. You will not be able to use your abdominal muscles for at least 8 weeks. You will be up and around when you get home from the hospital but you may only have enough energy to get in and out of bed and back and forth to the bathroom. That will seem like a huge accomplishment the first week. 3 weeks seems to be a turning point as far as having more energy and 5 or 6 weeks seems to be the turning point for returning to some normal activities. I don't think having surgery to one side or both has anything to do with how quickly you will be able to drive. You need to be off pain meds and you need to have good reaction time in case you need to brake quickly. The majority seem to drive at 3 or 4 weeks but you should be cleared by your PS. I know it seems like a long time to be sidelined but somehow the time flies by. I have a 12 year old and a 10 year old and I have been able to keep up with them while taking it easy when needed. I was able to go to my daughter's softball tournament 2 weeks after surgery but it wiped me out. My kids have actually been a huge help. The one thing I have done since I got home from the hospital is walk every day. It started with a couple laps around my house, then a few houses down the street, then all the way down the street and so on.

    Sweetie - A shower bench was a huge help for me the first two weeks. Also, I bought a wedge pillow for my bed. Some use extra pillows. Some use, buy or rent a recliner. Whatever you choose, you will need a way to sleep propped up until you feel comfortable or your PS says you can sleep flat on your back.

    lemon - I hope you have a great appt tomorrow and that you get everything on your wish list :)

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  • enjoyevrymoment
    enjoyevrymoment Member Posts: 334
    edited July 2014

    Debiann, I was fine with my B :)

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  • Andrea623
    Andrea623 Member Posts: 959
    edited July 2014

    How do you shower with drains or when the incision is still healing? I can't figure out how it can be done. 

    So my poor arm that was stuck so many times for the CT scan is still sore and bruised. The nurse hit a nerve when trying for a vein and my arm aches and hurts so much, especially when I'm in bed, that it's hard to sleep. Has anyone else experienced something like this?

    Lemon, I love that your PS told you to make a list of things you'd like done at Stage 2. What a great doctor! What will you put on your list?

    One more question, does anyone have a flap on one side and an implant on the other? I don't have enough tummy for both sides, and my PS says my right side will be smaller than my left. I actually like being small, so if I can't have a bilateral diep, I hope at stage 2 my left side can be made smaller.

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  • debiann
    debiann Member Posts: 1,200
    edited July 2014

    Regarding showering, the nurse at my PS office said I will be showering at the hospital before I leave.  She showed me how to make a bag to hold the drains while showering.  She uses mesh bags (about 6 X 8 inches) that she purchases at the dollar store.  She uses new sneakers laces tied to the bags to make a strap for around the neck.  I will have 4 drains, so she told me to make two bags and bring them to the hospital with me.

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  • aff
    aff Member Posts: 279
    edited July 2014

    Andrea - The incisions will be covered with steri strips or whatever your PS uses and can get wet. You will need to ask your PS if you can shower with your drains. My PS was a definite no so I was very happy that my drains came out relatively quickly. For those that can shower with drains most use some type of lanyard to pin the drains to while in the shower. There are shower pockets out there that are available for purchase but the lanyard works well. I used one so I didn't have to keep pinning and unpinning the lanyards to my clothes. My PS told me he didn't think I would have enough fat to match my right breast. He said he may need to reduce my right at Stage 2. In the end, not only was he able to match my right, but my foob (flap boob) is larger than my natural breast as he was trying to account for any shrinking caused by radiation. I hope your arm feels better soon.

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  • Teacher64
    Teacher64 Member Posts: 840
    edited July 2014

    Trisha - I'm 4 1/2 months out and still get upper ab twinges. My PS said its normal.

    Andrea - I used a lanyard to clip my drains on.

    Lemon - I went in with a list Monday...excess side breast skin left over from bmx, ridges and divots in both breasts and smaller left breast. Dog ear on right belly scar and mons area (lopsided since DIEP) and ab scar revision. He's going to do it all. He said he'd lipo my flank and maybe outer thighs. I told him he could lipo all he needs to make my breasts look more normal. Oh, he's doing nips, too. He said it would be 3 1/2 -4 hours. I asked him if I was being too picky and he said "absolutely not." That made me feel better about my long list. When are you having stage 2?

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  • goldie4040
    goldie4040 Member Posts: 2,280
    edited July 2014

    Lemon, I have my stage 2 pre-op next week too.  It's the Cinco girls stage 2!!!!  It seems like so long ago we have stage 1 and then it also seems just like yesterday. Haven't seen Georgie again in a while.  Hope all is well with her.  

    On the hair washing.  I could wash my hair, but blow drying and styling was a different story. I had no arm strength or energy for that.  To tell you the truth I didn't care at all for the first couple of weeks as long as I was clean.  

    I did use my shower chair a lot the first couple of weeks, along with a hand held shower head.

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  • Andrea623
    Andrea623 Member Posts: 959
    edited July 2014

    Thank you for explaining showers after the surgery. It's amazing how different the instructions seem to be from each PS. I don't see mine again until August 29, and I appreciate all the information I'm getting here.

    aff, that's wonderful that your PS was able to give you a large size than he thought. Will it still shrink from the rads? I've had radiation too and am wondering how lopsided I'll look afterward. Do all surgeons do stage 2 and beyond?

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  • gila4936
    gila4936 Member Posts: 62
    edited July 2014

    It is funny how different the instructions are that we all get. I was allowed to shower with drains and I used a lanyard. In fact, I wore a lanyard at all times for the drains so I didn't have to pin and unpin them from my clothes. I didn't use a shower seat. I had good enough range of motion that I was able to wash my hair the first time I showered.

    I had a day this week in which I definitely overdid it. Hard to believe after seven weeks how sore I can still get.

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  • goldie4040
    goldie4040 Member Posts: 2,280
    edited July 2014

    Teacher, and Lemon.  I don't think we are being picky at all.  After all we have been through it would be nice to have the best possible outcome.  We are never going to have our beautiful natural bodies back, the least the PS can do is the best he can to make you happy.  It would seem that would be the most important aspect of stage 2.  I understand that stage 1 is to make that flap survive, etc.  But, stage 2 is all cosmetic and that's where their talent should really shine.

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  • aff
    aff Member Posts: 279
    edited July 2014

    Andrea - I had UMX w/immediate DIEP so my surgery was before rads. I am in the middle of rads now. He made the new foob larger to compensate for my upcoming rads. The question is...did he make it large enough or too large? I guess that's what stage 2 is for. I will have to wait at least 6 months post rads for any revision so unfortunately that means more surgery for me in 2015. When this nightmare began last November I would never have imagined treatment and recovery would span years. Oh to be that clueless, naive, uniformed lady again...

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  • Ally2345
    Ally2345 Member Posts: 320
    edited July 2014

    thimbleberry-  You might want to private message AZ85048 and whippetmom to see if either of them has a recommendation for plastic surgeons in your area.  They are both very responsive and a wealth of information.  Good luck!

    Ally

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  • Evegibb
    Evegibb Member Posts: 20
    edited July 2014

    Hi everyone,

    Thanks to everyone for sharing their stories, it helps so much to have other woman who have gone through this surgery.  I'm awaiting my DEIP flap surgery date.  I'm a little anxious, but reading the posts on here and knowing I can come on here anytime and ask a question does help a lot.  I've been living with one breast for over two years and I'm ready to move on to the next level and have this surgery to feel whole again, but I'm worried that once I have the surgery I will still feel "unwomanly" with the results.  Any thoughts on this.   

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  • Ally2345
    Ally2345 Member Posts: 320
    edited July 2014

    Evegibb-  glad you posted.  I am sure that others have felt what you are feeling.  It is such a shame that so many of us are impacted by this disease but, the bright note, is that through this Board we can help each other.  You have been on a long journey.  I have not had your procedure but there are many that are really happy with the DIEP procedure.  You are a beautiful, strong woman but I can get how these major changes can change how we think of ourselves.  Hopefully, this procedure will help you feel good about yourself and how you have handled all the things that you have had to deal with.  As some ladies posted after their procedures, they start to go entire days without thinking about their breast(s).  I believe you can get there too!!  Congratulations on taking that next step! 

    All the best!

    Ally

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  • Janet_M
    Janet_M Member Posts: 1,068
    edited July 2014

    Ally2345 - I have never gone an entire day without thinking about my breasts! Not even a few hours. I can barely stop touching them. I'm a year out and I think about them all the time. But when I think about them I think about them with enormous contentment and gratitude. And sometimes glee. 

    At first I thought about them as a foreign thing, and I was so aware of imperfections. But now they are mine. And even though I loved the old ones with all my heart, I love the new ones too.

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  • Evegibb
    Evegibb Member Posts: 20
    edited July 2014

    Thanks again ladies for your encouragement and positive messages.  I'm so glad I found this forum to discuss these issues.  Also, I'm looking forward to providing insight to others once I've had the surgery.  Janet, thanks for your feedback, and although I'm nervous about surgery and the outcome, I am soooo excited to move on and get past the recovery so I can learn to love my new body!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited July 2014

    I love you, Janet. You always make me smile out loud.

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  • k79miller
    k79miller Member Posts: 101
    edited July 2014

    Haven't been on here in a while.  It sounds like everyone is doing good.  I had my stage 2 yesterday.  I'm a little sore on my flanks where he removed the dog ears & did the liposuction.  Other than that I feel pretty good.  It's amazing how much more whole I feel with the nipples.  My nipples are a lot bigger than the ones I was born with but I' m sure part of it is swelling


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  • aff
    aff Member Posts: 279
    edited July 2014

    evegibb- welcome! my UMX w/immediate DIEP did not leave me without for any length of time but I can tell you that even at just 7 weeks post surgery I am so happy I had this surgery. My new breast and my natural breast are so similar. I love having 2 soft, warm breasts. There is still some work to be done in later stages but I wouldn't have it any other way.

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  • Ally2345
    Ally2345 Member Posts: 320
    edited July 2014

    Kim-  Congrats on stage 2!!  So glad you are feeling well!

    Janet_M -  Well said!  

    Ally

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  • trish01254
    trish01254 Member Posts: 128
    edited July 2014

    I agree with Janet and Aff.  I would do this again in a heartbeat.  Very happy with my new boob.  PS did a fantastic job with matching size.  I think only having one done made the recovery period relatively easier for me.  I was able to do many things with my left arm while babying the right.  I took shower, washed hair and put hair up in ponytail a few days after surgery while still in the hospital.  I would do this again in a flash if needed for the left (although would need to flap from somewhere else).

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  • Evegibb
    Evegibb Member Posts: 20
    edited July 2014

    Hi everyone,

    I'm hearing the term "dog ears"...... what is that exactly? and does it happen for everyone? And is liposuction always used to remedy this? Also, I'm hearing about "stage 2" is this the stage when nipple reconstruction takes place? Does stage two also involve "fixing" any issues of balance or symitry? If so, what does that involve?  

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  • Ridley
    Ridley Member Posts: 634
    edited July 2014

    Eve -- I think of dog ears as ends of the incision that don't lay flat.  I have a little bump at one end of my abdo incision.  My surgeon (same one as yours that you mentioned on the other thread -- who is awesome) will fix that.  I don't know that lipo is always used to fix dog ears -- might depend on what needs to be done to fix it.  My surgeon will use lipo to fill in the top of one breast that is flatter than the other -- to look a bit more balanced.  After that, I'll do nipple recon (which I believe can be done as an office procedure).  If I didn't want to try the lipofilling, I would just do nipple recon and be done, as my tiny dog ear is no big deal.  Based on my reading here, it seems that in the US, most surgeons have an approach that plans for a stage 2, whereas in Canada, stage 2 is done on an as-needed basis.

    Do you have a date yet?

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  • Teacher64
    Teacher64 Member Posts: 840
    edited July 2014

    Evegibb - I have a dog ear at the right side belly incision. It's a little flap of skin and will be gone after my stage 2 next Wednesday. Stage 2 is usually when imperfections are taken care of and we get nipples. The lipo is to fill in places where symmetry and size are off. I have some divots and ridges that will be filled in with the fat taken from my flanks. We look forward to stage 2 as progress that we are moving on and will soon be able to just live life without thinking of surgery dates.

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  • DeeW29
    DeeW29 Member Posts: 22
    edited July 2014

    How long did you guys wait to exercise after DIEP surgery? I feel like I need to be burning calories and sweating.

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  • GeorgieGirlKC
    GeorgieGirlKC Member Posts: 132
    edited July 2014

    Hi all, I have just spent a few hours catching up on the board. I intended to stay in better touch with everyone and participate more in the posts as this place has been an incredible source of strength, wisdom, and smiles. I love that everyone is so open to share their experiences and feelings. Right after my last post my brother in law sustained a serious brain injury so I have been trying to help my sister, brother in law, and nephew during this very difficult time. Bro-in-law is finally out of the hospital now and we have more help in town for next week so I am slowly catching up on things. This whole experience with my sister and her family has left me feeling emotionally all over the map. Lots of funky days in the last few weeks…Anyway, glad to be caught up with the reading and what has been going on with everyone. I am scheduled for stage 2 in 3 weeks in San Antonio. Cinco girls, dates for you two yet?? :)

    Kim, Rose 111, Sammyjokkk, and Lahela, hope all went well this week.

    Andrea 623 regarding not having enough belly for both breasts.  I had one breast affected by cancer and it was suggested I consider having both breasts done. I was told I wouldn’t have enough tummy fat to have both done but could have both done if I considered other donor sites on my body. If this is something you would like to explore (if you haven’t already), maybe you could get some other opinions. PRMA and NOLA among many who do different kinds of flaps. Just wanted to throw that out there. I ended up doing the uni.  Regarding rads- I had my DIEP surgery 90 days after my last rads treatment at PRMA in San Antonio Tx. with Dr. Pisano. I have had no problems at all with healing with the rads.

    Loveallmyboys-your post about your front smiling back at you has me traveling to the mirror this morning to see if mine looks that way too! I hope you are able to get back into your own bed soon. I didn’t have a recliner. I'd try to start in bed but then ended up doing a lot of laying on the couch propped up for the first 2-3 weeks. Purses-i switched to a much smaller purse after my mastectomy. It was tough as I was a big bag girl but wanted to protect my shoulder and possible implications for lymphedema. Plus having a big purse and chemo brain was crazy making when I'd go to find something in that dang thing! 

    Goldie I am sorry you continue to deal with the wound healing issue. That just sucks. You have been a trooper and such a faithful and inspirational member of this community of strong women! Such a gift to read everyone's story and share. Re-ROM- The door stretches are great and I also do the wall climbs, and lay on my back and stretch my affected arm out in abduction as far as it will go up and then reach and hold for 5 minutes. It is a technique my PT showed me. She called it telescoping. I am now able to get to almost full shoulder range without pain but still tight. Continued prayers for Lily and your family. NoNo Pro-LMAO!! I do oil pulling and use coconut in my homemade personal products. Goldie have you tried the oil pulling yet? It makes your mouth feel really clean after and think it is good for the overall heath of your mouth. Coconut oil rocks in my book! I have converted all my skin products to natural homemade and gone the “no-poo” method for hair. Some people in my family think I am a little crazy but after my dx. I really starting paying attention to what i put on and in my body. I know I didn’t do anything to cause my cancer but sure want to take measures to preserve my health in anyway that I can! Loved the Kohl’s dress! You look beautiful! I am sorry you have had the grouchies. I think I’d be grouchy too with everything you’ve been dealing with lately. Sounds like many of us have been suffering with the ups and downs that cancer and impact that it brings…on top of everything else we have going on in our lives. Thank goodness for this place to share!

    Brenda so happy for you! :)

    Lemon I am sorry for the loss of your friend. Your post made me tearful for your loss and the loss of so many wonderful people in our lives who have passed on from this horrible disease. I hate it that you are struggle with lymphedema. Are you using any compression at all? I saw your picture of your divot you posted and then the update about what it is. I hope you are hanging in there. I have a divot under my arm that I sent pics of to P.S. last month. They think it is from my mastectomy surgery and axillary dissection but I don’t remember it being there before…I am hoping when I go back in August for phase 2 he can do something about it. Sending you love and light my friend.

    PZercher I am sorry about the delay with your surgery but glad you had a surgeon who wanted to make sure that you got a viable flap. That is a tough one, all that mental prepping only to be rescheduled. It’s like our lives go on hold through this whole process… 

    Jersey sorry about the seroma. Sounds like quite a few women get those. :(

    Aff/teacher cording complications. I hope that PT can help resolve. I had it after mastectomy and DIEP. Can be very restrictive and painful. 

    Heiditoo your summer sounds awesome! :)

    KB33 I love my new DIEP breast and I haven’t even had stage 2 yet! It feels like the rest of me and I feel much more confident in my clothes and out of them (sort of)!. I think after stage 2 I will be more confident in my birthday suit again!  I had delayed Diep so about 5 months without a right breast. The feeling is amazing to have both again. No regrets here either.

    Vivian glad you got a good report and sounds like lots to process. My prayers are with you as you decide what is next.

    Shine14 congrats on your date, how did your biopsy go?

    Trish awesomeness for your news!

    Jen how are you doing post surgery?

    JMB5 so sorry about your daughters friend. Prayers for the little girl and family and for your family too. Heartbreaking.

    CRS629 welcome! You will find a lot of great information and resources out here. I echo Ally’s advise. And we are all here for you! I got 3 opinions. Knew I had the right surgeon after much research and many questions. Also felt a good repore with him. Pain well controlled post surgery. I am 9 weeks out and feel physically good, able to do (most) everything I was doing prior to surgery. My strength is still a work in progress but endurance has increased substantially! Walking 3-4 miles a day and doing cardio circuit at gym 2-3 times a week. No lymphedema/full axillary dissection. Yes, PT for shoulder range of motion issues.

    Annie, I agree with Lahela’s thoughts. There are surgeons out there who can do amazing things. I think it is completely normal to wrestle with what the right answer is for surgery. Glad you are here on the forum and pray for discernment and encouragement in your journey to find what is right for you.

    Lovemyboysandlabs-I went to PRMA and worked with Dr. Pisano. Great experience.

    Enjoyeverymoment-beautiful picture!

    Teacher inspiring post on 6/16 and a good reminder to recognize and expect there will be the ups and downs of this process. I hate the weary days but always try to remind myself there are good days sprinkled in there too.

    Eve, I had 1 breast for 5 months and while everyone is different I felt my femininity restored on many levels. I know psychologically I am every bit as feminine as before my cancer but when I looked in the mirror I didn’t “feel” it. Dressing for one breast (no prosthesis due to ongoing radiation during some of that time) limited my wardrobe selection. 2 months post DIEP phase one I feel good in my clothes and am not limited to what I chose to wear.

    Kim, good to hear your stage two went well!!

    Hope everyone has a blessed weekend.

    Georgie

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