DIEP 2015

So, I have something called "the Ken Doll effect". Has anyone else experienced the same? It's when fluid collects in the pubic area. Think water balloon meets codpiece. I have googled and found some old threads about it online, but no helpful info about how to get rid of it. I'm going to the beach in 3 weeks and don't want to look like I'm wearing an athletic supporter cup under my bathing suit. Does anyone have any advise or experience? Or does anyone perhaps know what the medical terminology for this condition is? It seems pretty common in DIEP and tummy tuck. Thanks for any help...

My Ken Doll went away after a couple of months, thank goodness!

Beccanana, I hope all went well with your daughter's surgery. Keep us posted when you can.

My gosh, GraceB1, I almost cried reading what you had to go through. I sure hope it goes fantastically well for you from here on out.

Thank you, Alberta. I definitely plan to ask my surgeon why I have this lump on the side of my breast and why my breast feels so hard when I am lying on my back.

Clouds, ask your PS about scar tissue necrosis. Sometimes a section of tissue does not get adequate blood supply, although this is rare with DIEP. After my SGAP, I had swelling along the scar line that was firm and responded to light massage but necrosis in another area that felt like a sore plum and did not soften. I eventually had to have it removed. Also, after Stage I the edge around the flap is really obvious and firm. This is taken care of at Stage 2 with fat grafting.

Martie, I was able to raise my arms about half-way and lower my head a bit to wash my own hair. My surgeons always encouraged it. I created a little nest of pillows in my bed that worked for me. I had 3 or 4 behind my back that kept me elevated enough that post-surgical swelling didn't bother me and getting out of bed was easier. I had pillows under each arm and a pillow under my knees. You will probably wake up with the binder on. Tell your sister this isn't exactly a trip to the spa! I'm sure she's just trying to focus on the positive, but breast reconstruction is a lot more complicated than breast augmentation and a little lipo. Are you getting lipo at Stage 1? Usually Stage 1 is all about moving the flaps and Stage 2 is more of the finessing.

One thing my surgeon impressed upon me, which I do keep having to remind myself frequently, is that this is a process, that it will involve two and frequently even more surgeries before we can say, okay, this is it; it's done. It's hard for me to be patient. I had the mastectomy February 4, 2013, and I just want to be finished with all the surgeries and feel I can concentrate on something else, with cancer and medical issues as far back in my mind as I can get them.

Good luck to those getting ready for surgery. I found the shower chair to be very useful, but I only needed it for a short time. Not worth spending a lot of money on if you don't already have access to one, imo. Plan ahead for how you are going to deal with your drains when in the shower. I wore a little pouch around my neck and put the drains in that. Around the house I wore a snap front house coat with large pockets. I wore it inside out and placed the drains in the pockets. Drains suck, no two ways about that. They are a necessary evil. You need to strip the drains throughout the day and track how much fluid comes out. I kept notebook and a jar with a lid near my bed to empty them into and the DH would then empty the jar for me.

I found sleeping in my bed more comfortable than the recliner. I had a bunch of different size pillows to make a nest with and I would re-adjust the pillows to support whatever felt uncomfortable. Sometimes I needed pillows under my knees, other times behind my back to try to shift my weight to side a little. It took a while till I could roll onto my side. The odd part was I found flat on my back with my arms extended straight out to the sides to be the most comfortable. I took up the whole bed and the DH was sent to the spare room for months, lol.

I was given a breast binder and a tummy binder in the hospital. I was allowed to switch to a tight sports bra and spandex tummy garment after my two week checkup. I wasn't told not to raise my arms, but I couldn't do it anyway. The first time my DH left me alone for an hour I felt so helpless I cried. I was so thirsty and couldn't reach up to get a glass or lift the juice from the fridge. If your going to be alone, prepare your house in advance, putting things easily within your reach.

My PS told me to put neosporin on the incisions and I truly believe this helped them heal quickly. I know there is some controversy to this, some are told to only use bactrim and others aren't told to use anything. My scarring was minimal. After the incisions healed I used Mederma too. I went through a couple boxes of large gauze pads too. I'd place them over the incisions to absorb the drainage and scabby stuff. It helped to keep my bra clean.

This certainly is a process. I just had my stage 2 (8 months after stage one because I wanted to finish herceptin first). I was so unprepared for my reaction to the second surgery. I had a lift/reduction to both sides, plus the dog ears fixed and my port removed. It was SO difficult to see my body all cut up again I cried for two days! That was almost three weeks ago. Feeling much better now that everything is healing up again.

Good luck to everyone!

I have 2 questions as I get closer to my BMX and hopeful DIEP on June 29th.

I'm scheduled for a CTA PELVIS (i thought PS said CT scan but my appointment says CTA pelvis). I think it's so he can check out my perforators and find out how many he has to take. And also to see he can do a pure DIEP without taking any muscle. I know he explained it at my last appointment but by the time I left all of his words were mixed up in my poor head!

anyway, did anyone else have to have one of these and know more about what it's for?

And also, he mentioned that because I am overweight and have 'pudge' above my belly button, that I will likely end up with a muffin top where my upper abdominal fat hangs over my tighter lower abdomin and that we might have to fix it later.

Has anyone experienced that?

Thanks so much for any wisdom or just 'words of warning'!

Lynn

mefromcc - Thanks for responding! Is it painful or uncomfortable? Or is it just a cosmetic thing?

I had the CAT scan before the DIEP. It was a painless test, but provided vital information regarding vessels etc. I hope this helps!

Lisa

Scarlett152, I'm going through chemo right now also and finish the end of Aug. stage 2 will be discussed at my last chemo but I think I'd really like to loose the 20 pounds I've put on during chemo ( damn steroids!) before my PS does the reduction and fat grafting. Have you put on weight with chemo? I believe my PS said that I would have to wait at least one month for chemo to exit body as it interferes with healing. For me, I had stage one March and I honestly think I'll wait till March 2016 for stage 2. This would work well for taking a week off of work as well. I think you can judge how well you are feeling post chemo and decide if your strong enough to do this sooner or later. I'm only half way through chemo and it is doing a number on my blood- feeling very exhausted- I need a break!

When did you have your diep? Good luck deciding, I know it's hard but won't it be nice to be done?!

Me: I hope it works out now.

ME - that would put me in a funk also - hope this is your answer and that healing goes quickly from this point forwar

Scarlett I understand needing a break! I'd love to get away in Dec and am thinking Mexico so stage 2 will have to wait! I wish I could keep my weight down. The first time I went through this I put on about 18 pounds. So far I'm now at 20! I know I will loose it after chemo but I just don't have the willpower to deny myself this time. I amsure my attitude stems from this being an aggressive recurrence. Im also a good cup size difference but find that padded bras help quite a bit. Im a D on natural side and maybe a "flattened" C on diep.

I have a question for others who had diep around begin of March, my abdominal incision is nice and flat but still quite red. It doesn't hurt at all but it noticeably redder than breast. I realize that going through chemo now does hinder healing but just curious if this is typical? If your incision has faded can I ask what you were using? Thanks ladies!