DIEP 2014

Did anyone notice anything odd about their breathing after surgery? When resting I now sometimes have a quick gasp for air, like my body momentarily forgot to breathe. It happens several times a day. I'm wondering if it has something to do with the compression garments. Anyone else experience this?

Debiann I had exactly that experience after my diep for a day or two. Really weird! I think it was the anaesthetic still in my system. Its temporary.

Tan72 what have you hea,rd back from your surgeon? It doesn't sound infected but does sound like the incision is what they call dehissing. I hope not. But if you need surgical intervention I hope there is a ps nearby so you don't have to travel again. Any ps should be able to deal with the tummy tuck incision, doesn't have to bea microvascular surgeon. Thinking of you... keep us posted.

The1toC, my mom took photos right after surgery and last week, she is going to bring them tomorrow so I can compare with what I took today, I want to send my ps the progression so she can see it and give me advise. I am going to go lookup dehissing and see if they have photos. Thanks for the well wishes, I'll keep you posted on what I find out. Fingers crossed all is well.

sollertia,

I can't belive that you were up and able to type on the day of surgery. That is awesome.  Continue resting well. Please keep us posted when you can. I want all of the details. 

So I am a little confused. Tan is your belly incision actually open so much that you can put gauze in there? And doesn't it hurt ? That just seems gross to me..or am I just envisioning it way worse than it is? Are you talking about just a small section?

Debiann--I'm having exactly the same involuntary deep breaths.  I had them after regular mastectomy as well.  I think it's just due to the anesthesia or the need for more oxygenated blood during healing.  I'm almost 3 weeks out and still having them, but they did not start for a few days.  I have been wearing compression, and I think it can encourage shallow breathing -- thus maybe the need for the big involuntary breaths.  I figure it will be a sign that I've recovered when it stops.

absolutely welcome

I'm 19 days out from DIEP n lymphnode transfer kinda a newbie but happy to answer any questions or help any way I can

Congratulations on your date

Deb T

Wintersocks - welcome - I remember the day I got a call with my surgery date, it all seemed a little more real.  I'm 10 months out, and just had a couple of fairly minor revisions last week.  I'm very happy with my decision.  No regrets at all.

Nov 24 seems like a great date - enough time to get what you need to in order before surgery and a month before the holidays to heal.

Wintersocks, glad you have a date and that you are joining us on the forum. Good place for encouragement and sharing. Teacher keep us posted on your friend. I can only imagine how hard it would be to be the one in the waiting room. Blessings to all who are getting ready for surgery or healing post op. 

Thanks Marty I need to increase my protein, might need to get a supplement or drink to help out. Annie about 30-40% of my tummy incision is pulling open, not deep enough to pack, ps just gave me instructions for what to do in case it does open deeper, right now the skin has split and its a yellowish color between the skin she called it wound separation, I put gauze under my pads and it is wicking away the fluids now so it can heal from the inside out at least that what my ps said today. It does hurt somewhat it is very tight and the skin is hard in those areas. Went back to sleeping propped up with pillows under my knees to loosen the tension. Hopeful it will start to heal and will not get any worse. I looked up some photos and based on what I saw mine looks pretty good and minor in comparison. We can do this!

Tan, was neopsorin recommended for you? I had a lumpectomy and port insertion in April, neopsorin was not suggested. After DIEP, neosporin was not on my discharge instructions nor was it mentioned by my PS,  BUT, another doctor in the hospital, in an off hand comment said " you can put neosporin on your incisions if you want to at home." Wow do I thank him for sugessting that! I've used it generously 2-3 times a day since coming home and at 2 weeks out, the healing is much faster with less scarring than with my previous surgery. I had complications during DIEP surgery that left a large bruised area at the breast incision. At discarge, the PS said I might need debridement, but with neosporin its healing nicely on its own.

 Lol, I think I sound like a commercial. Are others using neosporin?

Debiann--i have turned the corner as far as getting so tired that I have to stop and rest.  However, I'm still having to rest periodically because of tightness in the abdominal area which is probably a sign of overdoing it.  I cannot imagine going into this already slightly anemic--you poor thing!  I'm almost 3 years post chemo, and it's hard enough because I lost a lot of blood and had to have 2 units the next day.  This past week or so I have been ravenously hungry.  I've been trying to eat as much protein as I want, and believe me it is a lot.  Every day gets better!

Welcome Wintersocks! I think that now you have the date, you will be able to get things done before the surgery! It will hopefully reduce your anxiety....this is a wonderful thread of ladies who are ready to "catch" us when we fall, and share all happy outcomes too.

Janet: thinking of you today, and sending prayers for a smooth procedure today!

Teacher : Great news about your friend! She is so lucky to have you as a resource and someone to lean on!

I was told by my PS not to use neosporin. He did not encourage the use of anything on ab incision, but to moisturize my breasts.

Sending healing thoughts to all!

Lisa

@Tan72 re: gauze pads (and some other wound care suppliers) are usually covered by your insurance. I used to have them ordered either by ps office or by the home care nurse and they were shipped directly to my home. A few times the supplier over-nighted them. I've also gone to the ps's clinic to pick up a couple of days of supplies once (I work close by).