1 week post DIEP and just need to vent

Since the picture forum is not run by BCO, there's not much that can be done on that front. 

I recall reading the "hoops" initially (and that was actually after my DIEP) but also found that there are plenty of places online that show pictures of reconstructed breasts and the different procedures used. 

Having to have a certain number of posts over a certain period of time would have limited my access to that forum IF I'd known about it prior to surgery. I joined BCO just a few weeks (if that) before my mastectomy and immediate DIEP. I'd have been denied too.  

It sounds as though you found what you were looking for off-site. Thankful for that for you! Perhaps it would help to have a thread dedicated to many different sites that have photos.

The DIEP threads have been extremely helpful to a number of women on these boards. 

i understand your perspective but equally know that if my new "breasts" were out there in public I would want to know my trust and privacy was protected as much as possible ......its a very difficult balance to manage as sadly images like that do attract pervs and voyeurs. 

stinkiesissie, I too understand. Was able to have access (a year after surgery) to the picture page and practically had to offer up my first born to get it. I've viewed it once - the initial look-see and most likely have been dropped. The one visit was enough. Lily55 is right, it is a difficult balance and as exbrnxgrl pointed out, lilah and nowheregirl offer this as a free service to BCO women.

You know, all the photos, animations and Youtube diep clips I viewed did not fully prepare me for what one really experiences - the reality in recovering and adjusting to life post diep.  I hope you continue to heal and move forward as swiftly as possible without any undue complications.  Also happy that you found excellent online support on Facebook. 

I am glad your surgery went well, and I hope the rest of your recovery goes well! I am also happy you found some photos and support.

I am also sorry you feel this way. But as you understand the picture forum is not part of BCO, I am not sure your intent here? The two admins are volunteers, and women who have been affected by this terrible disease themselves, and keep the picture forum running as a service to others.

My understanding and experience was not that there was a minimum number of posts (I certainly did not have that many...and no where near 100!) but they look more at the substantive nature of the posts you do make. I have a thread there. Frankly, I am not personally too bothered about idea of others finding my photos and have posted them elsewhere too, but many other members there do, understandably, place a high value on the safety and privacy of the forum, in order to feel comfortable sharing their own very intimate photos. It can be a very vulnerable experience - to post those photos. I believe the administrators recognize that and value that. Of course this means it may not be easy to get initial access, but there is good reason for that in my opinion. 

just a vote of support, nowheregirl, for all you do and have done in running the picture forum.

You are so correct.  If anyone thinks they can do it better, let them do it.

And again, thank you for all you do.  I appreciate all the time and effort you voluntarily put into the picture forum, to say nothing of the expense of running it.

I was the one who wrote to you, Stinkiesissie, when you requested membership.  You had JUST joined BCO when you wrote and you had not posted at all.  I encouraged you to start posting and sharing and write to me again.  At no time did I tell you to post 100 times.  In fact what I wrote to you was this, which is what I write to everyone who does not meet our criteria for membership (which exists to protect the privacy of our members):

<<If you decide to start sharing via posts here on BCO -- offering advice and support -- then write to me again when you've built up a presence here through posts on the threads you read.

I hope you will understand that I am not saying "no" -- only wait -- and that you will appreciate this care we take for our members' privacy... especially as someone who, I'm sure, would want the same protection and care.>>

I wish you a healthy recovery.

Edited to add: none of the quotes you wrote are actual quotes of anything that was written to you.  All you had to do on September 27 was start posting and write to me again.  

Nowheregirl and Lilah do an amazing job.  I have posted on the picture forum and I probably wouldn't have if the security measures these women have put in place weren't there.  It's hard to post something so personal but I wanted to in the hope of helping other women who are going through this ordeal.  You two women have been through a lot with other women getting angry at you.  I'm sorry for that but I appreciate everything you do.  You have helped out so many women including myself.  Thank you!

stinksissie my chemo addled mind had similar issues. I read the rules but didn't let the part that my request could be ignored sink in.l also made a few posts but didn't realize, that wouldn't be enough. Truthfully though I like the tight leash. On Facebook there's a reconstruction group...not very active...but it is easy to access and I worry perverts get in. I'm part of one group that is led by a man. He's nice enough, but we talk about our breasts, our sex lives, hormones, etc and it just feels creepy to know a man is reading it. No pics thank goodness. So stink I feel your hurt but I do understand why they are careful. If you need someone to talk to I'm here. I didn't have tram though. I did expander to implant.

I want to point out that patients should have access to their PS's work other than what is posted on their publicsites. We can ask our PS to let us see more work, especially similar procedures and progress photos. I'd be suspicious if a PS had very limited photos to share. My PS was out of state and I know they emailed photos to new patients if requested.

The photo site is run just right!