February 2015 surgery

Audryb

Great news! Put on those dancing shoes and dance away

AudreyB- I researched DIEP quite a bit, here and online. I had a consult with a PS about it. She marked me up and let me know I'd end up at half the size I was based on how much fat was there. Since I was going unilateral, I didn't want to go that small as it would increase surgery on the heathy breast. If I needed both done, I definitely would have considered it more. It is a more difficult upfront recovery, but has longer term satisfaction over implants. Women describe loving their "warm, soft" breasts, so I assume their experience with TEs/implants was the opposite. I also think in the end, all recon takes the same overall time (minimum 4 months).

There is a DIEP group here, I keep an eye on that one too. Good luck with your decision

Robin-You are in my thoughts and prayers. I pray that you feel peace, comfort and love. I pray that a peace that surpasses all peace floods you. YOu are going to be fine and well taken care of.

Jean (rzrosenthal) - I'm in the recovery room now.I made it to the other side. I hope you are already at your sister's house and healing well. I am looking forward to hearing your good news. Prayers to you for a speedy recovery. xo

AudreyB- I am so happy for you and your great news! That is fantastic. You have a big choices to make. I know you will make the right decision for you and all of us have been through different things and you are going to get some great information. I was not a good DIEP candidate. I have a demanding job and I would not be able to recover the way i need to. I hope you get a good night sleep.

Roadrash, yes sleep will be very welcomed tonight.

justAJennifer, thanks for the info. I've read and reread. I am doing song research. Dr told me 1-2 months of recover

Jean, I'm glad you being taken care of. God bless you.

Thank you Ladies for the prayers and good wishes.

I'm on my way!

Love Robin

just wanted to mention for those ladies that consider DIEP but were told they didn't have enough stomach fat, I was told by a plastic surgeon at MSK that I didn't have enough stomach fat for him to even create one Breast, let alone 2. Well I didn't like that answer so I got a second opinion, and just had DIEP surgery with him last week and now have 2 size C breasts! So if DIEP is something you want to consider in the future, get a 2nd opinion with a skilled DIEP PS to see if it's possible.

Help surgery sisters. I have questions that I am hoping some of you Who are ahead of me in the surgery process can answer.

1. How long did you have to stay on pain medication for? I am still taking two pills at a time. When I let them wear off I'm in an awful lot of pain due to the tissue expander's. I had my surgery on Tuesday so it has been three days. Is this still normal? My pain medication has almost run out so I would have to call the surgeons office to see if I can get more.

2. How long did it take after surgery to poop? Again I am going on three days and nothing has happened yet. I'm taking a stool softener but I don't know that it's going to do anything.

3. What were your instructions on bathing after surgery. I wasn't given any clear instructions but I was told not to get the dressings wet. I would really like to clean myself up today but I'm not quite sure how to do it. Any suggestions?

For any of you who are going into surgery today I send you my prayers and best wishes. For those of you who are recovering I wish you a smooth and gentle recovery.

Melanie

Melanie-C I think everyone responds to pain differently, but at only 3 days out, that still sounds reasonable. Don't let them run out, call today and ask for a refill, you don't want to get stuck on a weekend. Even if you don't use them, have them there just in case. Don't stay in pain just because you feel like you may be taking more than others. I am 7 days post op and as far as poop, I have only gone once a tiny bit. Still very uncomfortable .What ended up helping me was actually drinking a cup of coffee. Can't comment on the bathing because i had DIEP and don't have bandages.

Hi Melanie-C,

1. As others have said, everybody's pain threshold is different. My husband, a retired surgeon was telling me to stay on top of my pain, i.e. take the meds on a schedule and not wait until I start feeling the pain. Once the pain is there, is tougher to put it under control. When I was in the hospital, I asked for the meds when I knew the time was up. Once I got home, I was taking Norco religiously, until it gave me side effects with which I could not cope (blurry vision and one dilated pupil - this scared me). This happened on a Thursday (my unilateral mastectomy was on Monday), and I quit Norco cold turkey. Ever since then I have been taking Tylenol and Advil. They were helping, but never took my pain away completely. Now I am 2 1/2 weeks from my surgery and I am still sore and achy, getting worse as the day progresses, but never unmanageable. Still taking Tylenol. Definitely make sure you have pain meds ahead of the weekend. I know most of narcotics cannot be called in to the pharmacy anymore, you'd have to go to the doctor's office and pick up the actual prescription.

2. It took me a few days for the bowel movement, I took some Colace (stool softener) but mostly I ate a lot of prunes and it started happening. I believe hydration is important too.

3. I was told by my PS no showers until the drain is out. So I relied on sponge baths, baby wipes. I washed my hair over the kitchen sink a few times (covered myself in a large garbage bag first, poking my "good" had through a hole. I think you had double mastectomy, so you may have to rely on somebody else helping you with this part.

Good luck and I hope you feel better soon.

BB

Jennifer-I'm in Long Island and I used Dr. Korn. It's Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Feingold, Israeli, Korn and Light. They were all skilled micro surgeons that specialize in flaps. If they felt there wasn't enough belly fat, they discuss other areas where they can get it from. I first went to see Dr. Korn and he said he could do 2 breasts no problem. But I felt like since I was in reasonable distance to MSK, I should get an opinion from them too. I also had heard that DIEP isn't what they prefer even though they are doing it more often. So in a way I wasn't surprised when they said I didn't have enough fat for even 1 A cup and swayed me to implants. Ultimately I decided to stay with Dr. Korn and take the risk and was happy I did since there was plenty. I think it just helps because flaps are their love in that practice, and probably see so many per week to know better who's a good candidate.

Audrey-they are all amazing! Good luck! Feel free to ask me any questions.

Good to hear, Jean, and welcome to Arlene.

FWIW, I've been told sponge bath only until the drains are out, then still no shower for 2 days. Well, that's in the first set of instructions I've received from the hospital. The surgeon is likely to give me something just different enough that it raises my alarm.

Hi everyone!  I have an apt with my BS next Tuesday to discuss surgery, and on Wednesday with PS to discuss reconstruction.  I cannot believe that only a month has passed.  It seems like I felt that lump eons ago.  Since my diagnosis my anxiety level has most certainly decreased.  I had my excisional biopsy two weeks ago today, my breasts are still sore and I made the big mistake of wearing a regular bra today.  But GOD does it feel good to be out of that sportsbra for a while. 

Wishing everyone continued peace of mind and good recovery vibes.  All of you give me my strength to get through all these steps.

Audrey

just Jen...lol on Jackson. He had a grip on me and was holiding on strong but am glad to see him gone too. Attachment issues.

I take all bran everyday in my cereal plus colace.

I'm two weeks out and still on meds every once in awhile. I'm very achy especially under one arm