DIEP 2014

LAstar,. I am a liitle confused. (OK alot confused, but that is a whole other topic!!) anyway, not sure what a GAP flap is, but why did you have one in 2012 and now you are having the DIEP?

I am just a few weeks ahead of you and I can't wait to get these lousy extenders out. I have had them since May of 2013 and they suck !!!!

I am getting excited, nervous and everything else that goes along with this, but with all you ladies here, I feel I am quite prepared to whatever happens.

Salty -- there are not any bikinis in my future either, but I'm going to complete the nipple recon and tattoos -- I've read so many posts about women who weren't sure and then were so happy to have gone ahead with those last procedures.   I want to be able to look in the mirror and see something that "looks" closer to where I started vs. seeing these crop circles forever.

SaltyJack, I was planning to get the 3D nipples and not have nipple recon, but at the last moment I decided to have nipples done in my Stage 2. I opted for "baby prominence" since I was uninterested in headlights. I like them so much that I may never have tattoos. They give the breast a finished look but I can also go braless without an outline or pigment showing through my shirt. I accidentally dried my bra one day and wearing it triggered my LE, so I have experimented with not wearing a bra. I have been having a lot of shooting pains in my breasts for the last couple of years but they have gone away since I stopped wearing a bra. I'm kinda hooked.

Salty Jack, got the call today for an appointment next Tuesday. They wanted a creatinine blood test result, which I happened to have drawn today as my semiannual blood work for my PCP. Since I am allergic to the contrast, I must be premedicated to prevent my airways closing, so I start that the day before. Always something.

jmb5, I'm right there with you. I had BMX 11 years ago with tissue expanders. I had not just a lot of pain, but a lot of really strange nerve pain. Just having the material from a camisole brush across my chest was excruciating. Fortunately, that dissipated after a few weeks, but aside from the nerve pain, I had a lot of plain old pain. One of the muscles had been torn and repaired during the surgery so I imagine that didn't help the pain.

I had free tram flap on 10/31 so I'm about 4 1/2 weeks out. I have had very little pain in my chest area but OMG my abdominal pain has been awful. I would keep reading about folks who were so far ahead of me in terms of recovery and people not needing any pain meds at all and kept thinking - "what the heck is wrong with me?". Today is the first day that I didn't need any pain meds all day. I even went for a walk today and felt really good. During weeks 3 and 4 , I tried to gradually increase my activity by doing things like running small errands like picking up gauze pads at the drugstore or picking up a few groceries, and doing some chores around the house such as loading the dishwasher, doing laundry, etc. But by the end of the day I would be so tired and swollen and in so much pain. Oh and the first 4 weeks I took 2 naps almost every day! I rarely nap so I figured my body was telling me to rest and I listened.

Fortunately my energy level is a lot better now and I seem to have turned a corner with the pain. Hope it lasts because I have to go back to work in 1 1/2 weeks whether I'm ready or not.

The pepperonis are gone! Congratulations, Teacher, on being done, done, done!

Had my post op stage 2 visit yesterday at Hopkins. Physically I am doing well but I surprised him by being emotional...I am just so ready to be done with all this shit. One more revision stage 2 to lift Lefty and I should be all set for nipple recon. Radiated breast is actually the better looking of the two now...which is a change from earlier when I had some necrosis and stitch rejection. Now it is smooth and tight because the radiated skin is less elastic, so the foob is perkier. Who'd a thunk it! Feels good too.

Bottom line for me is that I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel...and it isn't an oncoming train.

salty jack

I also would like to echo that everyone responds differently to their surgery. I was terrified by post I read prior about recliners, buying shower chairs, pain meds, limited activities, etc. mso, I chose to go into surgery believing I would just not have those issues. I don't know if I was lucky, or if the positive attitude did the trick. But I was walking within 12 hours of surgery... Doing laps on the hospital ward.... Showered on my own, no pain meds past day 2. And I just kept saying to myself.. Get up and move.. And start focusing on getting back to normal.

I was fortunate I had no clinical complications and kept myself moving, and focused on a healthy recovery without meds or support aids. I will say I had some sleepless night on my back and chose the couch for a night or two... Took naps for firth two weeks... But other than being a bit slow moving... Was driving at 2 weeks, taking care of my kids, back to work and traveling all by week 2.

Everyone will be different.... But I do think focusing on a positive recovery and not expecting issues or lengthy recovery will help you move forward. You can do this

Just checking in to wish all who have upcoming surgeries a safe and speedy recovery. Also wishing continuing good health and recovery to all who have already had their surgeries. Thanks again for sharing. My surgery is next Wednesday. Getting a bit more nervous as it gets closer. Will be having my pre-op on Tuesday. Will also be going to Nuclear med for the sentinel node injection. What should I expect? Is it painful? Any helpful advise as the date gets nearer? Does the Dr. mark the surgical site in the OR? What is that like? When do you get to speak with the anesthesiologist?

The Dr. did his markings the morning of the surgery. That's also when I spoke with the anesthesiologist. Advice I haven't heard mentioned: Make sure your house is in order and clean. I'm no neatnick but I found myself rather germophobic when I returned from the hospital. Especially when something in the bathroom looked unclean, I would freak.

Good luck to you!

Best wishes to all who are soon to have surgery or recently did, and of course to those of us on the other side. I met with a woman I met prior to her surgery and after hers she had more complications than I did and I just felt badly since my experience seemed to be pretty good so I had said that to her. Interestingly my husband said "don't you remember? you really had a rough time" and you know what? I think it is like childbirth, at least for some of us. The result is worth it and your mind might "forget" the hard parts or at least some of them.

I encourage anyone to get the nipples and the tattoos. I will say to anyone there are so many little emotional potholes along the way and my original surgery being in March, I still am dealing with adjustments emotionally. Added to that is the Femara which I must say, I cannot take stress the way I used to in my line of work. I am suspecting it is the hormonal changes from that. I am not a total mess but definitely cannot take crap... if I can say that. That isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I do find less tolerance for stress....it is a weird process, because in one way after cancer, I do not let stupid things bother me. But my time is also too valuable now to tolerate the utterly ridiculous or unnecessary situations... you know?

Right now my daughter is about to get engaged any time this next two weeks, he is wonderful and I gave him my engagement ring which he had reset. Feeling very grateful to be here for it all, and realizing it is such a gift to be well, alive, and have a healthy body. To those of you in the middle of the hardest parts, hang in there. One step at a time, all you have to worry about is showing up for each step, eating as healthfully as you can, staying as active as you can, and letting your emotions develop as you sift priorities and value what is really important. Now that my surgeries are all over, Lord willing, I can say it was all worth it. Hugs to you all.

enjoyevrymoment: I agree with your thoughts and sentiments. I still have more to go with Stage 2. I too find that after this experience I have little patience for small talk and small issues. You have provided such wonderful guidance throughout my DIEP journey. Thank you. Lis

Reading the posts, and alternating between feeling nervous and encouraged!

I had my preadmission clinic visit yesterday, and afterwards met with my new breast surgeon for the first time. My original surgeon was a young lady .... this one looks like her little sister!!

Anyway, it is all systems go for Jan 6, and although I am at high risk for dvt post-op, the hematologist, internist, plastic surgeon and anesthesiologist have all communicated appropriately, and they seem to be happy with the plan!

I'm havering about renting a powered recliner. We do have ordinary mechanical recliner couches .... its just that I'm having bilateral reconstruction, and I can see myself getting stranded like turtle on its back! Also the other equipment .... like Kb33 above, I'm wondering if I am positive enough I won't need all that stuff!

I know I don't have to think about stage 2 yet, but on the subject of nipples, I wouldn't want the "headlights" look, but I've heard people say they tend to flatten out, so I would worry there's a danger of them disappearing completely if they start out small. Likewise with the tattoos; they fade and have to be redone every couple of years, so they make them too dark to start with .... will I want to be bothered?

Too many thoughts .........