DIEP 2015

All the best Morwenna and Annieb,

You will do good! 3 weeks post Diep and I am doing fine. Just remember to rest, rest and rest some more!

Rangerwife74, I live in the Denver metro area, too, and was wondering who your surgeon is. I am just now getting consults, planning for next year. This year isn't a great one for me to be out of commission for so much time, and - I don't think I can do anything other than lat flaps or TRAM with my current insurance, so I will have to wait until next year to switch anyway.

Morwenna and annieb:  hope all went well and you are resting as comfortably as possible! 

My surgery is a week from today (Jan 15th) and I'm also getting a big nervous.  And, looking forward to getting this DONE!

re: prep - a friend who has done this told me to get a Backmax Contour pillow. I was able to find one in pristine condition on craigslist from someone else who just had surgery!  I'm going to Goodwill this weekend to buy some big loose button shirts and some loose pants that are ok to get stained.

questions for you ladies that have already been through this:

1.  did you start taking the stool softener before surgery, or just after?  How much?  (they gave me Miralax) If before, when did you start?  I've never taken this (except the strong stuff before a colonoscopy - don't want THAT affect!) and haven't had any surgery this serious or affecting my abdomen before.

2. with unialteral DIEP, can you still use your other arm more normally?  or is the abdomen what governs movement?

3.  any other advice about clothing to have on hand for right after surgery? 

goorhue, I used both Miralax and Colace, but not until after I was home from the hospital. Surprisingly, none of the doctors/nurses ever said anything to me about this, and so I took the advice of the women here on the message boards. There were a few poop experts on the 2014 board, so I listened to them. Lol! I took the Miralax and Colace as prescribed on the bottle and it worked great. I never had any issues. I used it again for my stage 2 surgery. It was the pain meds that made me a little constipated.

Also, I had a bilateral with immediate DIEP, so I'm not sure about the uni, but I would think you would be able to use your other arm better, and hopefully put weight on it when you're getting in and out of bed.

Wallegator, that's good news after the whole black cat fiasco. Have you planned what to pack for the hospital? Wasn't sure if you guys had that discussion on this board yet or not.

Hello WalleGator and goodrhue,

I wish you all the best on your upcoming surgery. You will do great. I had my surgery on a wed. and was home on Sat. The first week was not too bad, the hardest part was managing the drains (I had 5). Pain was managed well with pain meds. More discomfort than pain really. I experienced lower back pain due to walking hunched over. I'm happy to say that has resolved now that I'm 3.5 weeks out.

For the drains I found the easiest thing to do was to pin them to my abdominal binder. I wore a tank top (I got some from target and old navy pretty cheap) under the binder. I wore a lanyard which I pinned the drains to when I showered. I bought a shower chair from bed bath and beyond which made bathing SO much easier. Make sure you follow the suggestions regarding constipation form the other ladies. I suffered really bad constipation which was the worst part of this entire experience. I lived in button front pajamas (COSTCO and target). When I left the house I wore yoga pants and sweat pants( the nicer material ones from MACY's) with button front shirts. I never had any issues with staining. I sleep in a power recliner which made it so much easier to get up from. Although I have to say I miss sleeping in a bed ( I'm a stomach and side sleeper). It has taken me a while but am used to sleeping on my back slightly elevated now. The best thing I would suggest is a spray devise I had attached to the toilet that allows you to rinse (sort of like a bidet). It really made cleaning after using the bathroom so much easier. You can get one from Home Depot or Lowes. Make sure you have help, especially the first week. If I think of anything else or you have a particular question, I will post. The nice thing about all this you really won't remember much about the hospital stay! LOL. Don't spend your time stressing before surgery. It really is so worth it and not as bad as you have yourself fear. Even this early in the process, I am happy with the results. Take time to pamper yourself. Sorry I didn't list the suggestions in a more organized manner but I hope it helps.

Hi,

I will have a double mastectomy and DIEP reconstruction sometime in 2015, after I finish chemo, which I don't know when I will even start yet (but hope to know on Monday when I finally see the Oncologist). I had a really hard time healing from my partial mastectomy (30+ days and my incision still isn't healed), so I am very worried about recovering from this surgery.

I am also a competitive ballroom and latin dancer, so I am a little worried about how this might affect that. I am basically going to write off 2015 for competing, except for one competition next week while I wait to hear about chemo. As soon as I get my surgery date I will let you know.

I already feel a little better seeing the information from ladies already posting on here. I hope chemo goes well and that the surgery will be scheduled sooner rather than later.

I am also a little concerned about the movement limitations in the recovery. I am single and while I have a roommate, we aren't really close. However, I am in the military so they seem to provide good support. I know they have been great so far.

I am worried about gaining weight during chemo. My PS told me it would be good to get closer to my goal weight before the surgery (I have lost 75lbs in the last 2 years), but....

Thanks so much for sharing ladies!!

Morwenna.....congrats, girl.....you're now on the "other side" and officially a flapper! Gentle healing to you......and the rest of this year's group.

spookisgirl - I lost weight during chemo; I just didn't have much appetite and had to be conscious about eating anything that tasted good.  I would feel full really fast so snacked alot.  Weight is the last thing to worry about right now - take care of yourself and do what you need to help your body through this ordeal.  Be glad you aren't having radiation and can have the mast and DIEP together.  You'll be done before you know it.  I'm a yogi and yoga teacher and honestly I probably would never have gotten back my range of motion if I hadn't done a 2-year teacher training.  I am stronger, more flexible and healthier now than I was before BC.  Ask your surgeion about physical therapy - but be prepared to go out looking for someone to guide you safely in getting back to "normal" since my experience was that the surgeion was not very engaged in that aspect of recovery.  Best wishes!

Morwenna,

Welcome home! It is tough at first, but it does rapidly improve, I promise! (4 weeks post diep for me now.)

Glad your hubby is chief hair washer!.

Ws XX

So nice to hear Morweena that you are home and recovering. LAstar is right-it takes time and kindness to your body and soul. We are all here for you. Sending gentle hugs! Lis

Hi, my surgery is in 2 weeks, I don't have a recliner and can't afford one, will lots of pillows work??

I am just worry how to get in and out of bed without help !! Thanks for any suggestion !!! 

I am going in tomorrow ( biting nails, pacing and vacuuming the whole house). So Impressed you get the drains out today!

THAT IS SO GREAT!!!!! Fingers crossed that Mine are out sooner rather than later...wish me luck!