DIEP 2015

I had my first round of fat grafting 5 weeks ago tomorrow. I'm thrilled to say that the fat has stayed (story of my life - my fat has ALWAYS stayed 😒) and the grafting has really improved the shaping of the foobs. I still have a defect from a problem I had in April, so I need an additional fat grafting which is tentatively scheduled for December 9.

I, also have not even looked into nipples. Figure I'll let the pathfinders of our group show me.

West: I don't get that tingling, creepy crawly feeling but after chemo, I have some of it. Are you taking any B vitamins? That may help. I was told to take B6 for prevention of nerve damage with chemo and I also take a multi vitamin with B12, I think. Have you asked your doctor about it?

hi Westphal -- I was getting that skin hypersensitivity and tingling too, and read here that others had found relief with a pill called Gabapentin [which is often for various aspects of nerve issues -- pharmacist had assured me it's a good drug without other problems] Initially I had taken it when side effects of Taxol created finger and toe tingling. I restarted it, and I no longer notice any of that hypersensitivity across chest and upper inner arm skin and it seemed to respond quite quickly.

Lots of scar creams talked about on here.... I waited over 5 weeks to make sure all the dried scabby bits were gone, then have started using a variety of things - surgeon recommended bio oil, but coconut oil too, and I have this rose hip oil with vit c.... so I swap them out with LaRoche Possay Cicaplast [in makeup section]. Rub on gently. My physio also showed me a scar massage technique for abdomen: Before using cream, rub/push gently slowly across skin starting an inch or two above scar, towards and just over scar at 90' with fingertips.... to prevent scar adhesions with underlying tissues. My R breast 'paddle crop circle' is sort of dry and flaky so started coconut oil on that.

Congratulations tmgilbert1071! You made it to the other side! Take it easy. You've been through major surgery so give your body time to heal. Time flies and before you know it you'll be walking upright. It's true, your back will hurt for awhile but time heals all wounds. Rest and take your pain meds. I wish you a successful recovery 

ok ladies, just had my first shower and got to take a peek from a mirrors perspective instead of just looking down. They look good!! Really good! I'm hoping once swelling goes away they will get better and better. I can say where the drains are is where the discomfort is. Padding helps with all of that. And standings up, wow...I read about it but it's hard! Being in my own panties and socks really makes a difference too. I get discharged tomorrow. @trvler I'll tell Jenny If I see her.

Glad to hear Tmgilbert!!! I had that exact same feeling when I first looked in the mirror Every day you will be walking a bit straighter and that will help reduce the strain on those poor back muscles.

That's great news, Tmgilbert! I think it only gets better from here.

For those of you who have had a baby after DIEP, or have considered it......

I began 2015 excited because my husband and I had decided to try for another baby. We have 3 healthy children, (13, 15 and 19) but I have always wanted more. DH finally agreed

I went to my annual exams and had my mammogram where they found calcifications. They were going to just follow up but when I told them I was considering another pregnancy, we decided to do a biopsy. They found DCIS, stage 0 but grade 3. I chose a bilateral mastectomy with immediate DIEP reconstruction because I knew I could not live with the worry and anxiety of recurrence. I saw my breast surgeon a few weeks ago and she said my chance of recurrence is less that 1%.

However, my tumor was very highly estrogen and progesterone positive so I thought that the baby was out of the question. But if my recurrence chance is so low and most of my breast tissue is gone, will my increased hormone levels increase my chance of recurrence? Or is this a safe risk I can take?

I am wondering what others who have had this surgery and then chose to have a baby have felt?

I would be ok if I did not have another baby but the thought of it is a little exciting. I am also 42 years old so I know the other risks I am taking and I am willing to accept the baby I am given, if it even happens. Thanks for listening.

Hi New__me,

I had my BMX with immediate reconstruction with TEs in February. One got infected and had to come out. Its replacement in June also became infected, complicated by sepsis.

A lat flap was recommended as the next course, but moving muscle just didnt sit well with me, so I am now pursuing a DIEP.

I too wondered about the riskiness of the long surgery, so I asked my breast surgeon about it. (He is helping me find a good PS for the DIEP.) He assured me that the length of time under is not really an issue.

They don't have to have you way under because the surgery is relatively superficial. (They don't have to take you deep for your DIEP--hah!)

The main concern for the length of surgery is the risk of blood clots in the deep veins of your legs, much like the risk you get from being on a plane for 15 hours. That is why they put the leg compression devices on and keep them on till you are more active.

As to risking your life for "cosmetics," they don't really get it. I have been wrestling with that myself. Here I am, three months out from the sepsis, and I still feel like crap. I can hardly put in a full day's work once a week, and the thought of more surgery and a long recovery is horrific

But having been flat now for 8 months has confirmed at least one thing for me: I hate being flat. I have never been one to worry about how I look, but no breasts is just killing me. I find myself looking at other women who have a cleavage and desperately wish for even a little bit for myself.

In early September had my first fill on the one side that still has its expander, and I can't tell you how exciting it was to have 100ccs of saline giving me a bit of a mound. It also confirmed that I really don't like the implant under my muscle and confirms more that I want a bilateral DIEP.

Anyway, all that to say that those who haven't had breast cancer cannot adequately counsel you. They have no clue what we really go through. I don't discuss my surgical decisions with anyone but a close circle of friends and my dear husband. Fortunately, they are widely supportive and don't try to give me unsolicited advice; they just support me in my decisions For that I am grateful!

I am also grateful that my original breast surgeon is widely respected, and he has come alongside to help me figure out what is best and to help me navigate the system. That brings me a measure of peace, but I am still struggling with general anxiety.

Btw, GABA great for anxiety. It also helps me sleep at night. When I wake up with racing thoughts, I take another one, and it usually helps me settle. Also, not neglecting my time in God's word is crucial, even when I feel too tired and discouraged to read.

HTH!

Well said BigSister-2015! New_Me. I'm still voting for you to be as "selfish" as you want when it comes to restoring your body to as normal as you can get 👌.

I finally did it....I finished all 39 pages - between work and life getting in the way, and of course endless doctors appointments it took me a couple weeks to finish.

I have to say reading everyone's posts has been such a great support to me. I too have listened to several people saying it was crazy to have such a long surgery and recovery and that my husband should like me as I am now, a uniboobie. Some just don't understand that I am doing it for me and not for him.

I work in a uniform store and I had a customer come in the other day, push up her boobs and say I hate these things, I wish I could get rid of them. I was speechless, almost burst into tears, she has no idea what I've been through but all I could think is that I would love to have a pair again. Well I will soon enough, in 11 more days. My Diep is scheduled for October 21st, I can't wait.

After reading all 39 pages I know some come through with no complications while others have many. But I know like everyone before me I will get through this.

Thanks to all who post, it's given me a lot of encouragement.

Kathy

Kathy: I wish you the best with your surgery!

Hi! I finished 5 months of chemo 4 weeks ago and have a skin sparing bmx and dual diep scheduled 10/19. I am flying far from home for surgery and it's that part that freaks me out the most. I'll be inpatient 3-4 days and then spend a few more days in a hotel with DH, DS11, and MIL before flying home. I fly back a couple weeks later to get drains removed. Ugg! Just thinking of all the logistics stresses me out. I have read most of this thread over the last 5 months and most of the general surgery thread. As of tonight, it's all a jumbled mess in my head. To make matters worse, I had a 'not necessarily cancer, but not benign' spot excised from the ridge if my ear on Thursday. It's really painful. Being in all this pain has me hyper-focused on all the pain still yet to come...

Any calming words of wisdom will be taken to heart and appreciated.

The PS i am seeing on Tues strongly pushes implants. Does not offer diep. I will get teferrals from him.. the Medical College is 20 miles from where i live and they have an outstanding reconstruction program. The problem is they are not in my insurance network. Does anyone know if insurance plans ever approve out of network?

Also i need to get the bmx scheduled. Was putting it off until i could arrange the diep but at this point i think i will go with delayed diep. Is this ok? Will the results be compromised by putting off recon for a month or so? I need more time to find a PS. I already know i want diep.

Dizz - You will be fine. It is going to be tough, but you will be fine, because you are tough. Just focus on yourself and your healing and let your family take care of you. It's going to be worth it.