DIEP 2014

Lemon - if you have a 2b, ask about getting rid of the Ken doll look. We all have moments of tears. I've decided they are healthy cleansing for my eyes and face and blowing my nose clears my sinuses. It's a win-win! You will breeze through the trip. I will be thinking of you.

Goldie - I couldn't do pain med after stage 2 and still do Benadryl due to the allergic reaction. The discomfort was from the itchiness and also the bruising, so I guess it was good to sleep most of the time anyway. I was 100% surprised about the size of the nipples. They would have looked normal on my adult film star post DIEP breasts! Now that some of the stitches are out, they look so much better. Thursday just the stitches around the areola were removed. I can see how everything will look so much more clearly and I like what I see.

Sweetie - life is better at home. Take it easy. Don't do too much. Eat protein. Drink lots of water.

I didn't have to wear a bra after DIEP and had a compression binder that wrapped around my abdomen so potty breaks were easy to handle. After stage 2 I wore the same compression and because of the bulge get to wear compression for 24/7 for 2 more weeks and then at night only for 2 weeks. I did get permission to wear spanx though. They aren't as bulky as the binder. I have a short torso and the binder would end up pushing on my breasts. When I told my PS, he said I could switch because the girls don't need anything pushing into them because of scar revisions. I do have to wear a bra 24/7. I came home in a stretchy bra and got a couple Fruit of the Loom front closing stretchy bras at Walmart so I didn't feel bad about cutting holes out for the nipples. I have to wear a cami. The bandages around the nipples and the strategically cut holes in the bra are an interesting vision and seem to show through everything. It will be so liberating to throw these bras and the binders away. I guess it will be like old women's lib days when women burned their bras. There's probably too much synthetic fiber in them now to burn without adding noxious chemicals to the air. Don't think I'd want to explain that result to any fire personnel who might need to be called for such a bonfire!

Due to the massive blood clot in my right chest and lung, Surgery for 2a in October has been cancelled and the PS is not at all sure when it will be done. (hmmmn)    I have the gut feeling I am back to square one because PS doesn't know how to handle the new blood thinners with surgery. 

First of all Lemon, so sorry to hear of the timing of this trip and your 2-a surgery.  I think we all just want to get things resolved and put it behind us but our bodies just seem to have a different plan in responding to surgery not to mention we are dependent on the PS as well.  You are a beautiful person and I have no doubt you will rock the left breast no matter what.   People will be so busy looking at your beautiful face and who you are!  

Katski, another road bump and my heart is cheering you on for resolution of this clot and some good news soon!  I know virtual hugs do not erase how you feel but please know you are loved and supported!  

Goldie. My nipples are a bit smaller now and it will be two weeks this Wed.  One is bigger than the other but i am glad no signs of infection.   Teacher, I am out of wearing dressings on the chest i am surprised you are wearing dressings inone  way but once again, surgeons are so different.   Glad you are slowly but surely getting better!!!

Sweetie hang in there, I suspect you will be one happy lady once things calm down.   

Jbdayton i have noticed I cant go as long waiting to get to the bathroom but have attributed that to the Femara.  I am expecting plaques to be placed in every restroom in America--"Cindy peed here".  

About to go to the beach.   Will post pictures if I capture anything fun.  

Kat, I know it must be very hard to have 2a cancelled.  Really disappointing.  I feel certain that your surgeon's primary concern is for your safety and the potential risks caused by the clot (with any type of thinner).  Sure don't want it breaking loose.  Maybe with a little more time the issue will resolve for you and the clot will disintegrate.

Thank you Goldie! Luckily, I live alone! LOL

Goldie: Thanks so much for the suggestions! I will be sure to remember them when the day arrives! Another thing to add to my list!  

I have a question, I'm not sure who might be best to address it to, but thought I'd just throw it out there.

I have saggy, post breast feeding (3) kids, for.a combined 4-5 yrs., breasts. They are DD's, and I ABHOR wearing a bra. I told the PS I want to go small, like a B cup, and he looked pretty surprised and I just don't know what size to ask for, because I just want to not be required to wear.a bra, but not look completely flat. It's a dilemma for me, I won't get  to spare my nipples because they are way too low. So I figure they can put the new ones wherever they look best.  And I'm not thin (as you all know!) and maybe smaller would look strange on me. Help! What suggestions do the wonderful ladies here have for me?

PS: I have lost 13 lbs. now, in 10 days. (Lo-carb) yeah!!

Ask for the most appropriate size for your body (the PS will have a good idea), then if they are too big they can be reduced at Stage 2.  But they can't be made bigger without adding another flap (or implant).  Just give yourself options.  I think it is really hard to conceptualize what a b would look like after living with DD+.  I went from DD to C for my original surgery years ago, but I was 15 pounds lighter (and 29 years younger).  I loved the way clothes fit and my boobs were no longer the center of attention.  For my flap surgery - I asked for appropriate for my size.

I'm running around like a chicken with its head off.  I was trying to get on here earlier to get an idea of what I need to take to the hospital with my tomorrow morning.  It was a crazy busy day and now I believe you are all sleeping.  I'm wishing you a most comfortable night.  If anyone is awake I'd love to hear what you took and what you wish you had taken to the hospital with you.

Sweet dreams and healing hugs!

Jackie

Jackie......here are some suggestions for you.

Chapstick, facial wipes, toothbrush/paste, hairband, glasses, hand lotion, comb/brush, slippers that have a non-slip bottom. Loose/front fastening clothes, sandals to come home in. Many ladies use the hospital gowns/robes so no need to bring those. Other things like laptop, ipod, cellphone are handy, but my hospital discouraged having those "kept" in your room, due to liability. You may also want to bring a book to read after the first couple days. 

Marty: thanks for the suggestion. That's probably why when I said B, he said well, probably B/C, I think he was very nicely letting me know C was probably a better fit.

Jackie I'm thinking of you! A neck pillow was a must-have for me! Earplugs also. 

Jackie - last minute surge. You get to relax from for a few days now. Let everyone take care of you.

Good Luck Juicy...It sounds like we always pack more than we need, so hopefully you have everything.

Andrea, I have extenders in still, and they SUCK !!!! I can't wait to get them out, I am at the point that I don't care if I have enough belly for a -A...I just want them gone..and to think I still have 5 months to go..

The1toC...you say you have an 8 hour drive. I will also be 9 hours away, I am thinking about flying, and just staying down at Mayo for a couple weeks. Is that a dumb idea? When you get out of the hospital how long before you have to go back..This really stinks being so far from home..

Am thinking about all of your recuperating, and hopefully you are all doing as great as can be expected.

Great news Cristina on the results! You will be in my thoughts and prayers on Thursday!

Aff - Congrats on finishing rads! Just because we may be through active treatments, we still need time to heal on the inside.....and that will take time.

Annie, I would plan on being close to Mayo for a few weeks post-surgery. My surgery was a 2 hour drive, and that was a long drive for my body after surgery.

Sending healing and positive thoughts to Jackie 

I am still too tired to focus and work...it has been a long 2 years.....

LiLi

Cristina - wonderful news. As you said, you've shown up before, so this will be another step. Thinking of you.

Alf - congrats and wonderful news from your front (no pun intended)!

On my way to another ultrasound. Such discomfort on side that I couldn't sleep. I guess this is payback for thinking this roller coaster ride was nearly over for me.