DIEP 2014

edukes, I will say that shaving on the side they took the lymph nodes out on is a challenge as it's pretty numb. I had that side radiated tho so there isn't much to shave. You bring up a great point and if I do need laser hair removal I might as well have them do that armpit!  As far as the shaving causing lymphedema...I don't know, I wouldn't think that would be a problem, but i don't know for sure. 

edukes, interesting information. I was just told to be careful of anything tight on that side. I might have to ask about these other things to avoid. Thanks for sharing!

Chris . wow, you had those drains in for awhile it sounds like. Happy for you that things are looking up. Take care, and I would like to hear your experience also.

I was told by my PT to use a good sharp razor instead of an electric razor, she said it was less friction. I was also told to wear gloves and be careful for cuts , etc...I listened for awhile then said the hell with it. I am not going to live my life being leary of a little nick or cut.  I do not, however, get my bp checked or have blood drawn on that side. It needs to be the good arm.

Happy Tuesday everyone, you know, these first 5 days after the weekend are always the hardest on me !!

Hi Ladies....Just checking in. 

I had my post-op (gallbladder), and I remain off my feet until 10/31...worried about hernia developing due to the war on my abdomen during the DIEP in June. Nothing is easy! 

Now, I have been without MO since April 2014 as I requested a new one. So no MO has followed my case in 6 months! I have my "initial " meeting next Tuesday. I just hate this whole process!

Thanks for the time to vent!

Underarm shaving....I was initially advised to only use an electric shaver after my lumpectomy and SN removal in 2013. I remember the reason was a possible nick or cut, which may trigger lymphodema. I tried....but now I just carefully shave under that arm...little hair due to radiation.

Mommado:

I chose DMX after lumpectomy etc. in 2013 in right breast and then new cancer in left breast the following year. For me it was the best choice, for the reasons you cite in your post.

I had both the DMX and DIEP at the same time. 11 1/2 hours in surgery.

Your PS will review all your records and discuss whether or not you would be a candidate - this includes a CAT scan of abdomen to check out vessels, which is key. You should check out the new information on this site regarding reconstruction-- it is excellent!

I am here if you have other general questions.

Lisa

Been out of the loop for awhile. Wanted to say hello and hope that each of you are doing well with where ever you are in your process of reconstruction. I am 2 months out from my stage 2 and will be having a stage 2b in January here in Kansas City. I am also on the wait list, hoping to get this done before the end of the year... After everything settled down post stage 2,  I had some additional tweaking that could be done to make the breasts the same size, nipples more even ( I have one further north than the other) and to remove a dog ear on the lifted breast. I had not anticipated another surgery but after going through all of this I sure would like to have the same cup size and for my nipples to be close to symmetrical. It sounds like some/many women have had to go back for another stage 2?? Insurance approved it. Going to wait on the tattoo and maybe see about going to see Vinnie or the guy he trained but that is on the back burner for awhile. Will be anxious to hear of others experience with him! 

I also wanted to chime in on the mammogram discussion post DIEP. I had a new lump in my scar line on the reconstructed side. I mentioned this in a previous post in early Oct.  I went to PRMA in San Antonio for my DIEP and below is a link regarding at least Dr. C's view regarding mammography and imaging post DIEP. It sounds like there isn't a consensus on standards in this area so up to the discretion of the PS you go to...Another gray area. I also spoke with a seasoned mammography technician at one of our local hospitals at a panel I recently attended and they do mammograms on DIEP clients as well. I ended up having a mammogram, sonogram and breast MRI and the results were that the palpable lump is either fat necrosis or scar tissue.The PS is going to remove it when stage 2b is done as it is painful. 

http://prma-enhance.com/breast-reconstruction-blog...

jmb,  I've had oil cysts that were sore sometimes.  They were diagnosed from an mri by the bs that did my MX.  It feels different from the necrosis and scar tissue.  It is common to find these after any breast injury. A lot of women in my flap cohort noticed the same thing about a year after the surgery. Hope you'll get good news soon. 

jmb let us know what you find out from your doc regarding your lump. You are in my prayers. It is such a scary feeling to find a lump. Also, I wanted to add the information I shared regarding the mammograms post DIEP was only intended to be additional information based on what I found out during my own process of finding a lump earlier this month in reconstructed breast scar. It sounds like it is very unlikely for a recurrence in tissue around reconstructed breast but I agree jmb we want to do what is needed to be sure, whatever that looks like based on PS recommendations. 

edukes vinnie is a tattoo artist, see link below. Word is he is pretty awesome!

http://vinniemyers.com/section/105672_Nipple_Areola_Tattooing.html

you need to pay for the tattoo & then vinnie gives you everything you need to submit to insurance.  I mailed everything today - I think I will be reimbursed 100%.  I have met my out of pocket max for the year, so I wanted it done in 2014. 

Hello,

I have a question for the group; looking for some feedback, from those of you that work outside the home, and are getting short term disability.  My PS gave me 6 weeks after a diep on both sides, lymph node transplant and port removal.  I was really hoping for at least 8.  Thoughts?  Seems to me, from the way I feel now, 19 days post-surgery, that 6 weeks isn't going to cut it.

Thank you!

Hello friends! I had my DIEP on Sept.4. Haven't had any more surgeries yet. I'm not really sure when my PS will want to continue. My next appt isn't until Jan 2015. I was really hoping the 2nd stage would be before the end of the year but that's not going to happen. What are your thoughts on nipple recon? I'm 53 and not too sure I want nipples again. What are the pros and cons as far as your experiences? I would really like to make an appt with Vinnie but not sure how far out to try to get one. With the 3D tattoos it sure does look like a nipple. Just not sure it's worth the aggravation of having them reconstructed when they could just be tattooed on. Thanks!!!

Lovesroses....I am going for the 3D tattoos, just because I don't want nips..I like to wear thin t shirts and I hate it when the nips show. I think it is just a personal choice.

and it shouldn't hurt. If you  have had a MX/Diep you won't have much if any feeling in your breasts.

i just got access to the picture forum. I'm going to ask my PS office if I can somehow get digital copies of the before pics they took. Think they'll give them to me? I would think they'd have to! Has any of this group posted photos? 

Debiann, I was wondering about the nipple thing too.  I hate having nipple show thru and was wondering how it worked. Are the 3d nipples or ones that are tattooed flat and just look like they are slightly projected?