DIEP 2014

JMB - did you read the article in The Washingtonian on Vinnie. Google it.  It will help you make a decision about who you would like to do your tats.  I had mine done 29 years ago by a doc.  Faded in 6 weeks.  Did them again.  By the time I got to DIEP, they were just circles of ivoryish color - mostly gone.  

jmb5 - I'm waiting for tattoos til my PS sends his med asst for 3D training. Even if it fades, I can go back for touch up.

LiLi they can extract through the new belly button.  

My stone was too big and the actual gallbladder was too thick so he had to cut about a 2" incision using the lower edge of my new belly button.  It looks like a smile.  It has healed nicely.  

Don't worry about the mechanics.  I hope you can manage the pain until your consult and then get a quick surgery date.   I will definitely keep you in my daily prayers.  

Hi ladies,

I've been having many, many problems with my left breast implant (3 years and 5 surgeries later) and just met with a ps to discuss DIEP.  My right breast implant is fine - no problems and is relatively squishy. So the dilemma: take both implants out and have 2 A-cup DIEP breasts OR one DIEP breast that will match my right (c cup with implant)? 

Does anyone have experience with having one of each? If they feel substantially different I guess I would rather have two that felt the same. I'm worried I can't think straight about this because I've been in such pain for so long with my left that I just want to rip it out myself!!

Any ideas, suggestions, etc., would be much appreciated.

For those looking for a good tattoo artist, there is a woman (BC survivor herself) who does awesome 3D nipples.  She is in Florida.  I have seen pics of her work, and one day she will be giving Vinnie some competition.  There are other's out there who can do it, it's just finding them.  Also, it's a very private and sensitive tattoo to get, so it would be nice to get them from somebody who is use to doing them, and makes it a comfortable experience.  I know so many women whose medical tattoo's have faded away in no time. This woman I am talking about in Florida is hitting road blocks.  There are docs that want to use her in their offices, but I guess they are bound to using the medical grade ink, and she feels its a waste of time.

try the Pink Ink Project website.  Lots of tattoo artists who specialize in nips listed on the Links page.  Renee in Florida was trained by Vinnie.  She is in Jacksonville, but travels to Charleston to the medical university and some docs offices.  Most docs are really happy to give up the tats to a true artist.  If they insist that you use their PA I would wonder about the profit centers since they will tell you thei ink doesn't last.

hi ladies.  Finally a moment to check in... World wind few days lately

Today I am 9 days post op stage 1 and feeling good (well as good as I tell myself)

I flew back home to buffalo on Tuesday... All day affair.... And had that terrible constipation under control after a million stool softeners, laxatives, murilax, suppositories, warm prune juice (yuck) and finally an enema (omg).   Took my last drain out last night before my shower.  Easy least that was and so glad it is gone ( interesting celebration dance which had my girls rolling on floor laughing).   I have been walking up to a mile a day and while not sleeping at all (can not get comfortable to do so longer than 1 hour nap)...  Feel good.

My back is killing me though and smelly belly is ridiculous!   Now only looking 3 months pregnant today.  I even took the car out for a test drive this morning to get milk.  Not that I could carry the darn thing and had to have the guy put it in my car.  Sigh.  But felt good to be independent for a moment

All my incisions remain closed and healing... I am wondering when they will begin to open or show sights of infection that you all have talked about... Worried what day things will start to go down hill ;(.  However my armpit on the diep side is swollen and fells like I have razor burn.  Anyone have ideas?

Best news of the day yesterday.... Pathology report came back.  No signs of anything in nodes or nipple (guess I get to keep them) and only dcis was found in breast tissue.  So, I believe this is good news.  Kiddos asked me if that ment I had cancer anymore....  I wanted to say no.... But guess I am cautious to answer their question... And really all I can focus on is healing and getting back to normal life.

Boyfriend making it up this weekend to check on me.... Anxious about what he thinks.. Worried about how he will view the new girl....of course my first question for doc was.. When can we resume "normal activity".  He just laughed at me with no answer.... Ugh

Hope all is well.  Going to try working a few hours today to catch up on email.  Plan to travel in two weeks for a staff meeting.  Will be a slow walk in airport..lol

Kimberly

kb33 - my incisions never opened or had infections. It does not happen to everyone. Some of us are lucky.

Viv good to see your update. Hope you are not having to pack you belly button too much longer. You have been through a lot and are such an inspiration with your positive posts and comments. 

jbdayton congrats on your date on the calendar and so happy to hear the wound vac helped with the healing.

teacher must be a good feeling to be ticking those medical appts off the calendar. My DH had both his eyes done a few years ago and could tell an immediate difference. He was surprised how compromised his vision was until after the cataracts were removed. Here is to "just" a few co pays here and there for next year! Did you and your trainer get a plan together? YAHOO on the full arm stretch!! I am ready to get going again too!! Starting another round of PT. Having shoulder and ROM problems again post stage 2. 

Andrea glad you've checked in. Sounds like your skin is very delicate. Pls. keep us posted when you can and best wishes for healing.

Lilith glad you have found your answer. Check back and let us know how you are doing.

Goldie, how are you doing? How is your healing? I do feel fortunate to have a DIEP PS here in KC that I had already met with earlier in the year and could go to for this nipple issue. 

Lemon are you out there? Been thinking about you sweet cinco friend.

Enjoy, yes feeling better, except for this little chest cold I've got going on, thanks for asking. How are you sleeping these days? Hope you are finding better rest!

LiLi sorry you are battling gallbladder issues. Seems like a long time to wait. Hope that they are providing something for the pain.

DeeMay/Tan glad to hear you are on the road to recover.

JMB5 will you keep us posted on anything you find out about tattooing? Did you do the nipples? I did so don't need that part of the tattoo. I would like something that looks really good after all we didn't go through all of this to have a tattoo that isn't quite right. I hadn't really thought about it fading if it's done at the dr.'s office. Need to do some investigating myself! Anyone out there who has had the tattoo in dr. office and pleased with the results? Any issues? Or tattoo parlor experiences? Marty thanks for the link on tattoo artists! That was helpful! Has anyone used the one in Springfield Missouri?

Blossom that is a good question about the implants + DIEP. I imagine it can be done? Maybe a few calls to some of the bigger reconstruction places?

brendarj any word on your scan? Sorry about the hard swell belly.  Glad to hear you are starting to heal.

Sky good luck on your pre-op appt. Your surgery will be here before you know it and you will be on the other side, healing! The waiting is hard.:)

Danadane sorry to hear about your implant issues. Sounds absolutely miserable. I don't know of anyone who has done one DIEP breast and kept an implant breast but I'm sure it's been done. My question would be, like you mention, would they feel the same? Would they be able to make a good or close match if you do just the one breast. A lot to think about. How do you feel about going down in breast size if you do the both breasts? I do know there are other places they can take tissue so it might be possible to get 2 larger flap breasts, just not all from the tummy.  Best of luck to you as you explore your options.

Vball and LAstar thanks for the feedback on the rub ons. It makes sense there would be something like that out there! Hope your appt. goes well today. I can totally relate to showing up on the wrong day for an appt. More times than I'd like to admit....LOL!

KB glad you are home and untethered. So happy your path report came back good!! Sounds like you have a lot coming up and going on. Make sure to be gentle with yourself and let those around you pamper. Your post about "relations" made me laugh. I'm surprised your doctor didn't address that more directly. 

JMB, glad you called.  If you are waiting til March you can probably schedule with Vinnie, though I hear Trent is very good.  You could have a fab birthday if you fly into BWI.  You can take a train into the city and just rent a car for the drive to Finksburg.  It is in the middle of beautiful rolling hills and farms - lots of horses.  If you fly into Dullas or Regan, it is a drive with crazy traffic.  Waiting is not such a bad idea as everything will be in a well healed place.  

GeorgieGirl You have the most amazing posts I don't know how you manage to respond to everyone by name but it sure makes a difference knowing somebody listens and cares. Still no word on scan. I've done one email and one phone call and all I'd like is a response preferably one that says all is fine just going to take more time. I'm doing more cardio and some toning hoping that might help

GeorgieGirl is that a new profile pic? You look great. I am impressed with the way you remember everything. By the time I finish reading, I can't remember anything.

I've had a crazy week. Pet scan on Monday showed a curious spot in the same area as my largest tumor. Scary. MRI and ultrasound (for biopsy) Wednesday. The medonc and radiologist got together after the MRI, before the biopsy and said they are as sure as they can be that it is an area of trauma from the surgeries. I've had 5. Whew!

I'm headed to NOLA tomorrow for my pre-op with Dr. Massey. I have so many questions this time. Nipples are on list!

sky - I have that show set to record, but haven't watched it. I thought it was just me, but I am always thinking things like that in my head. It's funny, but I am annoyed that the Parenthood woman had hair the next season after her near death cancer experience the year before. I guess it seems to belittle what we've been through. I laugh at myself being so sensitive. Do I really want them to show the true ugliness of it all in a tv show? 

JMB I am very impatient, but am advising patience to you. Do as I say, not as I do. haha You will be so happy in March with the best option, not the quickest option. I know you know that. I, like you, just want this to END. It will be worth the wait.

Constipation problems - When it gets unbearable, I drink a hot tea named Dieter's Green (herbal) brand Triple Leaf Tea. It's decaf and advertised as "helps promote cleansing". Well, let me just say, no prune juice or enemas needed. 

Danadane - I would be curious if another type of flap surgery could get you 2 larger breasts. 

Andrea - Thinking of you. It sounds like your road will be longer, but remember, you will get to a resolution. This may all work out once your skin has time to heal and stretch. If you have to undergo another type of reconstruction, you will know you tried everything else first. You will be confident in your decision.

MartyJ did you ever try nipples again? Dani told me yesterday that Dr. M does tattoos.

KB33, my discharge papers read "You may resume sexual relations 1 week after your last JP drain is removed. Start on the top, in a position of control, and take it easy!!!" Frankly, I waited much longer.

tlbradyful and percher

Good advice.  I think it should be an interesting weekend in my house this week.   They do say laughter brings recovery faster.. Right?