DIEP 2014

Ladies - Am i suppose to be putting anything on the scars to help lighten?  The PS didnt tell me to do anything with massage or creams or anything.  the belly scar is awfully wide and bright pink. 

Does seem like this has been a positive week for most.  Let's keep that going.

Here ya go ladies....come along with me on the beach....Carriage Drive on Beach

The Bubble Pond video is in Acadia, Maine. We head back there in three weeks.

The bra was actually Amoena, the Lara Satin and the Lara are the ones that fit me well, gosh people are probably all shaped different but I kept trying bras that had a pointier tip that dented in if I pushed it, even with the new nips.  These bras fit the base of your breast comfortably (mine are pretty wide at the base but normal) and then don't squish my nipples yet there is not enough space in there to pack my lunch money any more

I started PT probably 3 1/2 months after surgery, I could have done it sooner but just put it off.  Was so helpful .

Teacher, I do not miss my larger breasts because they were bigger and they certainly were not as perky as these newer models but I would still not mind going back to the old me and having no cancer.  It is behind us as much as possible but yeah, it sure changes you a bit....  I LOVE fitting a medium top and not having to pin shirts any more and I LOVE getting more eye contact from men lol.  I am praying all of us can get to that happy place where we can breathe deep and get past the acute phase and stay healthy!

Hi everyone else! 

wish I could relate to having breast that were too big.  Never had that issue, but now they are a bit too small.  I might be discussing small implant under flap.  PS already suggested it.  I do notice though, that I have gone from a medium to a small top not because my breasts are that much smaller, but also because I am not trying to cover up my tummy pooch.  The only great benefit so far.  I am hoping I can add more to the list soon.  Oh, and after the PS took my stitches out yesterday one of my nipples flatten out quite a bit by the end of the day.  It was the same this morning.  I hope the other does the same thing soon.  I wonder what would happen if one stayed bigger than the other.  He did say that women who really want to have "headlights" can get collagen, or filler's put into the nipple so they never flatten.  No thanks.  I really like going braless most of the time.

Vmom....yeah for drain free!!!!!  Now you can take a shower like a normal person. 

Heidi, thank you for the lovely ride.  I wonder if the horses like the feel of the soft sand on their hoofs?  

One more thing I wanted to mention.  Twice this week I have spoken to women who had immediate diep reconstructions and their surgeons are using a new procedure where they spare their nerves and leave their breast sensation intact. One girl is using a Dr. Spiegel in Houston.  It's amazing the advances that are being made all the time.  I wanted to mention this because if anybody comes in looking for info on diep, I think this is an important new factor in who you chose to do you surgery.  Also, if anybody here is on the getting ready to have their's done, they might want to talk to their PS's.  I also read another amazing article about lymph nodes transplants and curing lymphedema.

double mastectomy with diep flap August 20,2014

Goldie - not only have my nips not gotten smaller but they are still on bright!

Niknak - we've all experienced the numbness, swelling, and hardness and it improves gradually but ask your Ps about it

Mandegirl - heal well

vball hurray for no more drains. How liberating!

Niknak yes belly buttonnumbness is normal and swellybelly will be present but then come and go. You may notice that some things aggrevate it.

Stage 2ers hope you are doing well. Now on day after I m ok but feeling bruised and some burning. Have a drain on each side which surprised me as I didn't think there would be any.

I got the spanx that have the crotch opening and figured out the best way for me to use them is:

Put toilet seat up, wipe rim if necessary.

Facing back of toilet(tank) straddle the bowl make sure the opening is open sit and pee. 

Hope that helps.

Plan to make our 8 hour drive home tomorrow with a pillow between me and the seatbelt and of course some drugs on board.

1toC...we cross posted.  I just read your explanation of how to pee with spanx on!!!! Lmaooooooooooo.   Thank you.  I needed a giggle today.  And, I will try that if necessary.  

hi all. I have been catching up on posts all week. My BMX and immediate DIEP was last Thursday. Everything went well. 2 days and moved to a room on Sun. They changed my pain med to oxy and oh boy that did not go well. Sun and Mon I was feeling great. Told PS on Mon that I felt I could go home on Tue. 18 hours after my first dose I felt like I was hit by a truck. My head didn't feel "right". Dizzy. Nausea. No appetite. Looked like shit. My sister was so nervous on Tue nite that she brought her laptop and worked from my room all day on Wed. Took last does of oxy at 9pm Tues and just over 18 hours later I was back to normal. I've been pain med & pain free. Back is achy from so much time laying down so 2 Tylenol twice a day and I've been fine

Ps & Bs are both happy with results. Have a binder but no bra.  2 of 4 drains removed. I came home today and am so happy to be home 

I am not hunched over. Walking almost upright. I had a lot of belly to work with so don't think I'm pulled too tight. I have a LOT of leg & foot swelling. I think it was the pain med and not moving. It is very uncomfortable but hoping it will get better now that I am able to move

Good luck to all with procedures conng up or recovering from recent procedures. I don't post much but I read all the posts. You have answered so many questions I didn't know I had and have been so helpful and supportive to all

I have a follow up with Ps onTue and BS on Thu. 

Gentle hugs and positive healing thoughts to all

thanks Goldie. Now that I can move I will be moving. The frequent trips to the bathroom are helpful plus I walk around my family room each time I get up. Tomorrow if it's not too hot I might walk in the back yard with hubby for a few mins. Would love some fresh air 

Kathy - congrats on being home and getting through a bad med reaction. Enjoy your backyard walk.

Ronna - I was 64 1/2 when I had my DIEP. My PS did not hesitate telling me about it when I asked. I do not have the other issues you have had or been on femora. My PS did tell me not to lose any weight but I still had plenty for both sides. I do not believe age has anything to do with this surgery. It is a long one, but I did fine and I have heart issues and a pacemaker. I think they all say what can happen ( sort of like all side effects listed for meds), but my PS also emphasized the number of successful DIEPs he'd had. I don't know if I'd go to someone who overbooked an initial consult because they expect it to take time. I was told an hour had been allotted for my consult and that's what it took. Age should not be the deciding factor. There are other important things to consider...your skin, veins size, amount of tissue available (have you lost weight since '09?), even the lymph edema. If DIEP is what you want, keep researching and talking to docs. I hope this helps. Again, this surgery isn't about age.

ronqt1......not sure if you'll see this message before you "go out"...but wanted to add encouragement. I was someone with multiple implant issues, painful capsular contracture and lots of scar tissue. I was 63 (close to turning 64) when I had my flap recon. I had a small "menopouch" tummy, but I am 5'6" and weighed somewhere around 125-128 at the time of my surgery. My Tram was a muscle-sparing free Tram, which my PS felt was a wiser choice for me, even though he also does "pure Diep". What type of Tram are you being offered? I agree with teacher.....this surgery is not age related, nor is the recovery. I had no major issues during surgery or during recovery, and returned to a very active lifestyle within a few months of surgery. Best wishes to you.....

TGIF! Hope everyone found a spot of sunshine this week. Sounded like the collective group found some rally. Welcome new friends! 

Mandeegirl and Lipgloss how are you doing?

Goldie what the status on nip #2, did she flatten out too?  thanks for the info on the MFR.  I couldn't agree more with your statements in your post from the 27th and the feedback from others after that one. There needs to be more holistic care for breast cancer patients. It impacts every aspect of our lives. Especially psychologically. pzercher summed it up well. FC.

Topical stuff for scars. My PS said vitamin E oil or cocoa butter in the pure form...my essential oil friend says frankincense is good for healing.

Vball congrats on the drains being out. That is the best feeling to be un-thethered!

Heidi beautiful video footage. I've never been to that area but now that I've seen this, it's on the list. WOW!

Enjoy thanks for the additional post about the bras. Love that there is additional room in there for said lunch money. That make me laugh!

Niknak, glad you are doing well. I am still numb like others have commented. Also have a puffy upper ab from time to time, above the ab scar. Some days it's like I'm a shape shifter down there.

The 1totheC how was the drive home? Thanks for the spanx-bathroom story! LOL! That's awesome. My stage 2 was two weeks ago and I had bought compression a couple of weeks before that and ended up with the hole-less kind thinking my goodness that is not going to fair well. I gotta say pulling those things up and down over lipo thighs has been uncomfortable...not to mention emergency causing at times!!

Kathy so good to hear your update. Scary about the pain meds. I am glad you got that straightened out and are home now. There is no place better to heal.  

Ronq1 welcome to the group and hope you check back and keep us posted on what you decide to do. I would highly recommend seeking multiple opinions and even out of state if needed. There are lots of good places out there who will get you where you want and deserve to be!

Gila, Senor Gato is gorgeous and looks maine coon. Such good natured kitties too. We had one a few years ago named Toonsess. Lost him early to a bizarre liver disorder. He was the best cat!

Hope everyone is settling in for a nice relaxing Labor Day weekend. An unnamed friend dropped some fresh tomatoes on our porch so I am going to make BLT's tonight to kick start the long weekend. 

Appreciate you gals. 

Kathy - Very uplifting to hear you are doing so well after your BMX and DIEP, I have mine in less than 2 weeks, starting to get a little nurvous and frankly scared. Hearing everyones stories has really helped ease some of my fears. My onc said to stay away from essential oils as they can encourage growth in ER+ and PR+ breast cancers, have any of you heard that as well? So many doctors and opinions (I know we are all individuals and every situatuion is different) its nice to have a place to see what others are doing.

Teacher

Is that right?!  Very interesting.  I think you just helped me figure something out.