DIEP 2015

I'm 5 months out from a uni-DIEP and feeling strong, getting exercise, lifting what I want, and feeling like myself again. Hang in there! There will be lots of numbness and swelling at first, so don't even worry about this stuff yet. Just try to rest and take little walks and you'll be feeling a little better week by week (but it's not necessarily day by day at first). You will get through this! {{{hugs}}}

Cats -- where in Ontario are you?   There are a few of us that have had DIEP in Toronto, so if you have any questions re: surgeon referrals or anything else, ask away.

I'm very pleased with my reconstruction even though I've only had stage one. It's so nice to be able to wear whatever I want and not worry. Planning on stage two either dec or March.

Cats4us, I think Dr. Lipa is the best Dr. I've come in contact with! As soon as she examined me she was able to tell that I didn't have enough abdominal fat to make up my D size left but could probably get a C on the right. I was fine with that knowing that stage 2 would reduce and lift the left. Apparently 10 minutes after being in my hospital room, at my first doppler check (reminded me of pregnancy heartbeat!) I asked for a mirror to see my new baby! I was warned that I just had major surgery, but I didn't care- when I looked for the first time I had tears of joy, I had a breast mound! I felt whole. I was so happy and not once have I missed my natural breast. Dr. Lipa visited me frequently and as I got to know her more I liked her more, she is very down to earth, takes time to listen and answer all questions and did a beautiful job on giving me a cleavage that was very much like I was prior. I can't wait for stage two to tweek things.

Recovery for me was hindered by the fact that sleeping on my back was hell. I just can't do it so I think I was sleep deprived. As soon as I was healed enough to gently lay on my side my recovery really quickened. It was exactly one month and I felt about 75% better.

I found using a shower seat really helped with showering for the first couple of weeks as you can't lift your arm higher than shoulder until your follow up apt. Doing prescribed exercises help with range of motion. I found through someone's suggestion here, that putting masking tape on a door frame and marking how high I could raise my arm showed me progress and kept me motivated. I'd say I'm pretty much back to normal now.

I would definitely do it again in a heartbeat. People can't believe I had a mastectomy when I wear a bathing suit so I'd say it's a success even though I know I'm a cup lopsided! Recovery for me was hard for a month, but it's been worth it to have a breast that is all me, warm and familiar. Best of luck with your decision. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.

Getting a bilateral mastectomy next month and then diep surgery. Any advice?

Be prepared to sleep on your back with both knees and back elevated. Although we have a recliner, I found sleeping in my own bed with lots of pillows much more comfortable. I purchased a long body pillow which initially was used for my back with lots of regular pillows but as I healed I used it to gently start sleeping on my side.

My drains were out by the time I left the hospital so I was very lucky. I purchased an inexpensive bath stool which was used for a couple of weeks- it was amazing how tiring a shower was even sitting down. You won't be able to raise your arm higher than shoulder so you have to bend your head down to shampoo but it's doable. I was surprised that I wasn't able to bend downinitially to pick things up if I dropped something but that improved after about a month. Brushing your hair will be awkward at first because of arm issue.

Bring step into slippers to hospital so you don't have to bend. A long housecoat as they get you walking right away and those hospital gowns leave nothing to the imagination! Lip balm, eye mask (my hubby had to buy me one as they leave the lights on and all I wanted to do was sleep) music (drown out hospital noise) maybe an iPad for when you start to perk up!

Good luck ladies, it will be a tough few weeks but well worth it!

Hi Ladies: I've taken some time away as I'm feeling so much better 3 months out from surgery I took my first non-medical trip since this thing began. Went to visit my husband's family in Pittsburgh and also crossed the Rolling Stones off my bucket list--fantastic show! Yes, there is life after DIEP!

I'll second sly58's excellent advice: You will be pretty out of it in the hospital and won't need much. I had a little fanny pack by my bed with eye shades, ear plugs, Ipod for music, lip gloss, my phone that I used for Facebook and email, and a charger.I didn't get out of bed for the first two days (was in for four days) and I hated to lose the catheter that allowed me to just lay there in a morphine fog.

Can't emphasize enough the need to have ROOMY button down the front clothes in the first weeks to access drains easily (you need lots of extra space to accommodate them) and to avoid over the head moves when changing. I also had a compression belt and bandages for awhile that required roomy clothes. I bought a roomy shirt dress that I kind of lived in for awhile. I also had an elastic waist skirt that I was able to fold down or pull up over the bandages and wear with a roomy button up shirt. I bought some cotton button up pajamas that were handy. I, too, used lots of pillows to prop myself up. I still sleep on my back for the most part, even 3 months out, and I'm getting more used to it, but also starting to sleep on my side. I did not use a shower stool, but I happen to have a wheelchair accessible shower with grab bars that was easy to get into and out of.

Like sly58, I had that moment after surgery when I looked down and saw a breast there and was elated. That made it worth everything. I am attaching a photo to show you what a uni looks like 3 months later--still lots of healing to go, but in clothes (including bathing suit), I look and even feel normal. I go in for phase 2 next month for a little fat grafting and nipple. It is hard to match a uni, and I feel like my "foob" is a little bigger and saggier than the natural one, but I'm not sure how much my surgeon can do with it. Before surgery he said he could lift them both, but after surgery when I asked him about it he asked me if I really wanted an "anchor" scar on my natural side, which is what they would need to do (cut and lift). I'm opting to leave well enough alone.Also, the shape is flat on top without contour, so it looks a little funny, but it's all me (though still and maybe forever kinda numb).

It seemed like a long recovery for me--at least a month before I felt more like myself--and I still feel both numb and tightness across my entire waist and some pain from the sentinel node biopsy scar. However, I am doing yoga, swimming, walking, working out, all the things I did before. I'm just still very aware of the abdominal scar, which will take some time to heal.I am massaging the scar lines every day but not sure how much that helps.

I had zero complications, which is probably true for the vast majority of us who contentedly go on about our lives.So I'm writing all of this to give you hope tempered with the reality that this is major surgery and takes some time to heal from.I would do it again without question.Good luck to you all and keep in touch.

Hi all! Thanks all for all of the helpful info! I've been reading all of your posts like crazy trying to absorb it all by Monday, June 29th (my surgery date). Now that the date is fast approaching, I'm getting a little nervous! I know that it's all worth it in the end but I still have those little nerves jumping around! Thanks Morwena for adding my name to the list! Gentle hugs to all! And to the others that have a surgery coming up..good luck!

Thanks for all your input ladies, Sly & Ridley especially for the info on the Toronto docs... I've made notes. I'm interested to find out who my BS refers too, I respect her very much and I am pleased she was my surgeon for the MX and ALND. TallyLassie, thank you for the photo... you look great. Scarlet, the foam topper looks amazing :-) Must admit the recovery time still scares the bejeebers out of me, and the thought of drains again ugh.. but I'm only 3 months out from MX and as I was dead against more surgery right after, I find that is fading now so who knows. I intend to keep an open mind and keep reading. Thank you so much for sharing your successful surgeries and hints & feelings about doing it. I think you are correct Tallylassie, most people who are happy with their results just go on with their lives.... much like the old adage that if you have a bad experience you are more likely to tell a lot of people but your don't tell so many about good ones. Thank you all, and good luck to those of you with surgeries upcoming. Please come back and tell us your stories, hopefully all good ones.... but if not then we need to hear them too. Take care and good luck. I'll be reading and asking questions until I make my final decision... and I will let you know what that is.

Sorry I don't know about nerve blocks... Just wanna say best wishes to those who are having surgeries tomorrow and the next day. I hope that it goes as smoothly for you all as it did for me. I'll be thinking of you and look forward to hearing how things go once it's all over.