DIEP 2015

Morwenna , you don't think that will work, huh ?? Oh if only...I am so dreading this. I am not second guessing my decision , just dreading it. Will be so happy when January is over. I never liked January anyway, it is to cold and to long and I start getting cabin fever about then.

btw/ I see you are from Canada..I am in ND and we have a Canadian working here and she got us hooked on Crokinole. What a fun game, I had to order it. I am bringing it to Rochester with me..since I will be doing so much sitting might as well have something fun to do.

Thanks for all the good advice ladies. After meeting with Dr. Chang in Baltimore, I decided to go with him for my reconstruction. Overall, both doctors were really pleasant. The next step is meeting with a breast surgeon on Jan 7th - hopefully I can walk away from that appointment with a surgery date! I believe that Dr. Chang tends to be booked up to two months out....so that puts me in March/April. I'll be happy if I can shed 10-15 lbs by then, but I really want to focus on getting these muscles active.

Hi Ladies, not sure if any of you remember the breast MRI, not a fun procedure, my ears still ringing from yesterday!!! So I explained to the tech (guy) before I go in how I can't raise my right arm, he said no worries, they will try to position me comfortably... After I lay face down on the table, one tech was explaining to the other tech my arm can't raised up, then he whisper (I had earplugs in, but still can hear them)  to the other guy that I have no breast in the right side, the other guy then repeated that a few times...at the end, I still had to raise my arm throughout the whole procedure.

but I tell you, I don't second guess myself anymore with the decision to remove the left breast, just sick of the humiliation....

Hi ladies. I had a BMX and DIEP surgery on January 24th, so it's been almost a year. I'm added on your 2015 surgery list because I'm getting tattoos at Vinnie's in April. I was reading through the thread, and thought I'd add my two cents to a couple questions...

study, I couldn't get out of bed on my own for a few weeks. I couldn't use my arms to push myself up or use my abs to sit up. My husband had to help by slowly pulling me up. I slept with tons of pillows to prop me up, under my arms, and under my knees. You just can't lay flat because of the abdominal surgery. I was pulled super tight and it was many weeks before I could lay flat in bed. No side sleeping either. Sleeping was the most frustrating part for me, but like any of this journey, it was worth it. I would do it all over again to get the results I have.

rangerwife, you asked about scars. Of course, the abdominal scar is big, and is always going to be there. I guess the breast scars can be different depending on how the surgeons do it, but I had "crop circles". Both nipples were removed and the surgery was done through those holes. I was left with oval circular scars. I had nipple reconstruction in May and that left me with scars that outlined what was now the areola and nipples. I am hoping that the tattoos will cover those scars, which means there will be no visible scars when this is all over. I had immediate reconstruction though, so this is probably different for those who had to wait for reconstruction.

Morwenna, I didn't buy any equipment before surgery. I already had a built in seat in my shower, which was WONDERFUL. I would definitely recommend getting a shower chair/stool if you don't have one. Showering was tough in the beginning and it was good to sit down since I was so weak. Showering felt great though too, especially the first one after surgery. Remember, you won't be able to raise your arms to shampoo your hair or lift a blowdryer to dry your hair. My dh washed my hair the first time and my niece, who owns a salon, came over and dried and styled it for me. Dh was not the best hair washer though, so after I was about 2-3 weeks post surgery, my niece would take me to her salon twice a week and wash and style my hair. So call your hair dresser if you want a good wash/style. I didn't buy any special recliners either. I used lots of pillows in bed and on the couch. I spent a month sitting on the chaise lounge part of our sectional couch with pillows to help me get comfortable. I did spend money on some lounge clothes before surgery. I lived in Target pajama pants (drawstring), tank tops and zip up hoodies. These were thinner material hoodies that didn't bunch up under the armpits. That's what I pretty much wore every single day. After awhile, I switched to yoga pants. It was many weeks before I could wear jeans. They just weren't comfortable. It's amazing how much you can dress up black yoga pants. Haha.

Hope that helps a little bit. I know the surgery is scary, but it's amazing how quickly this year has gone by. I can honestly, without a doubt, tell you that it was worth it all. My breasts are very natural looking and no one would ever know, unless I told them. They do feel different, as far as the numbness, but I'm amazed at how much feeling has come back. It's pretty incredible really. I think my surgeons are geniuses. Best wishes to all of you, and if you have questions, feel free to message me, or ask here.

I am due to have a DIEP in FEB at Univ of Colorado, Aurora. I was pregnant when I found the lump, but not diagnosed until 3 weeks after delivery. Fast Forward 2 1/2 years and I am ready to put humpy dumpy back together. However, I am concerned about limitations after recon and a MX on the other side. After my left MX,i could barely move my left arm. I have a 5 yo and a 2 1/2 yo, and a military hubby who is never avail. Will I be able to drive and give my kids a bath?

I have really been looking forward to surgery. I hope it is worth it.

Love you all ladies.

Even though my surgery is not until the end of january, I am already feeling the nerve !!!

just wondering for shower, do I have to buy any special tapes/bandages to protect the incision from water ???  I'll probably going to get a shower chair, what else should I get ? 

jmb5: Thanks for sharing your experience, really help me to get a sense of what to expect

Morwenna: thank you for your kindness you make me feel I am not alone!!!!

Rangerwife - you will need a strong support system. The first few (3 - 4) weeks are the most challenging. You DH needs to tell his CO what is happening and arrange to be with you as much as his schedule allows (I am an AF wife and daughter). It will be difficult, but can be done. See what support services are available for you On Post - the chaplains should be able to provide direction. You will not be able to lift more than 5 - 10 pounds for up to 8 weeks (depends on the doc). You won't be able to drive until you are off pain meds. There will be drains involved. Usually the breast drains are removed within the first 10 days and then the hip drains take a bit more time (mine were in about 4 weeks). Usually you will be in the hospital for 4 - 5 nights (5 - 6 days). When you are released, you will not be doing much as you need to heal. I really mean give yourself plenty of time to heal and rest. The first phase of this multistep process is to get the flap to fully establish itself with good blood supply.

PLEASE understand that I am not trying to discourage you at all, but to encourage you to get all systems in place. Think military GF - you can do this!!! But, you are going to need help - this is big surgery (more so than the mx) and involves the abdomen.

Hey ladies,

I notice that a few of you are asking about showering with drains. After my mastectomy, the nurse gave me this saran wrap type covering (forget the name) that I could put my skin where the drain was inserted. It sticks to your skin, but removes easily. I used it to anchor the drain tube so that it wasn't tugging at my stitch. I would imagine that you could use this over the abdomen incision as well (provided you had enough).

Also DIEP update:

So my first choice doc does not have an opening until May, while my second choice doc has availability starting mid-Feb. Other factors that I have to take into account is that the second phase of surgery will be 3-5 month after and my insurance policy renews Oct 1. I'm just not sure what to do at this point. I liked both doctors, but the consultation with Dr. Chang was more "organic". Can I even use that word lol? We just had a better connection. Any advice would be appreciated.

SheriCola, I understand the insurance woes. I was diagnosed last fall and had to pay a $3000 deductible. Then my surgery was in January, and I had a $3500 deductible. Tomorrow my new deductible starts over again, but I don't have anymore surgeries planned, just a few doctor visits over the course of the year. If you have the surgery in May, there is a chance you could have your stage 2 before Oct. 1st. Mine was 4 months after the stage 1. I don't know about everyone else, but for me, it was about a full year of surgeries and appointments. It would be pretty tough to get everything done in one 12 month insurance cycle.

JMB5 - thank you for sharing your story and information. It definitely helps! I read through a lot of the 2014 DIEP boards, but good to read more.

I'm scheduled for surgery March 13th, which I just now realized is Friday the 13th!!! Really...??? Like I haven't had some bad luck this past year? Geez...seriously, right after my needle biopsy in June we were driving home and a black cat ran in front of the car. My DH and I looked at each other and said "no way". We got the bad news the next day!

A couple weeks ago, just a few blocks from home, again a black cat runs in front of the car. I stopped on a dime, turned around in a driveway and went a different way home! I could use a little good luck!

Anyhow, thanks for all your stories and information. As you know it truly helps and makes me feel better knowing what to expect. I know every surgery is different, but to have an understanding of what to come drives the fear away.

Hi Everyone,

I'm fairly new here, I am scheduled for February 13th ( also Friday the 13th!

I second those good wishes, Morwenna and Annieb4! The long wait will be over soon and you can focus on healing.

I fly out for my surgery in 10 days and I'm still in a bit of shock! I'm in major nesting mode, cleaning and organizing and trying to get work done. I go to the hospital in an hour for pre-op tests. All of my travel plans are made and everything is arranged for my aunt in Atlanta to take care of my 7-year old while my husband and I travel on to Charleston for surgery. It's been a lot of work arranging this all while dealing with work deadlines and the holidays! Packing will be easy -- I know the 2nd time around how little I really need to bring. My knees are still knocking though. After 2+ years, I'm looking forward to finally dealing with this necrosis and not having to dread this surgery any longer. Thanks for the nervous vent, ladies!