DIEP 2015

dizzparkmom- Most patients for the DIEP procedure are from out of town unless you are one of the lucky ones who has a center that specializes near you. I live in Florida and we drove to New Orleans for my DIEP surgery last Tuesday. Tomorrow is my post op. The first couple of days you are kinda in and out with the pain pump. I had a catheter in the first day so I never left the bed. The second day they pulled the catheter and switched me to oral meds. My pain is from not being able to stand up all the way. Personally, I've had a ton done. Bmx, nipple sparring. Implant failed, TE placed, implants replaced and now 2 years later I'm doing what I should have done back then. Relax and know you are doing the right thing. None of this is easy but sounds like you have a good support group and October 19th is a good day it's my bday!

Dizz: I am surprised anyone would tell you to fly back for having drains removed. I had 3 of 4 removed one week out by the doctor and my husband removed the other one a few days later. The doctor showed us how to do it. I can't imagine it being necessary to fly back for that. I would ask. If you are staying in a local hotel for a few days, do you have a post op visit scheduled? That sounds like a lot of unnecessary travel to me.

Thanks for the encouragement! I think the last 6 months have left me very impatient. I will have a post-op about 1 week out before we fly home, but the b.s. didn't anticipate all the drains would be ready to come out yet. She said that at least some would come out 2-3 weeks after surgery. We will schedule our return trip based on drainage rate during the first week. I have flown back and forth to the clinic every 3 weeks for chemo, so the basic idea of travelling doesn't bother me. However, the idea of traveling with the drains and a major inscision does freak me out. I know it will all be worth it in the end. Breath in, Breath out.

just had my post op appt today. Both breast drains out and one abdomen drain out. My husband will take last abdomen drain out in a week or two depending on rate of drainage. It was super easy. Painless and my PS showed my husband step by step what to do. My results are beautiful. Even if I never went back for a stage 2 I would be totally happy. I've lived with a mess for so long that it looks like perfection to me. I can't stress enough to not doubt yourself on this surgery. It's all worth it!

Out of curiosity, those of you who mention 'Stage 2,' what exactly does this entail? My PS has not talked to me about any 'Stage 2.'

trying2staypositive7 - Thanks, that's what pretty much what I thought. I guess my PS doesn't get as technical with me. He just told me at the beginning that I had to give him a full year before I was allowed to get mad over a result. LOL. I also had a uni, but it matches the other side pretty nicely right now. I'm trying to decide if it is worth it to let my PS go back in and polish his work. I'm soooooo over surgery right now.

Any idea if they can lower a belly button? Mine is about 1.5 inches too high. I am happy if they can't but I am curious.

I'll also be a five-timer after my bilateral DIEP. What is frustrating is that each time I finally start feeling better with return of range of motion in my arms, it is time to hit it all again, and this next one will be a doozy.

I just got a date (12/10/2015) with Dr. Chu at IU in Indianapolis for a bilateral DIEP. I am grateful to have my bs help me vet the PS for this surgery, but now that the date is set, the terror begins to rise.

I'll be looking forward to this time next year when it should finally be done

I have been reading this forum but this is the first time I 'm writing. Today i got the day of my diep: December 21st. To introduce myself I tried to fill out my dx and tx. I couldn't find how to add that I had 7 surgeries in my RB! Hope the diep will be the 8 th and last one. I'm really looking forward to reconstruccion as an end of 5 yrs of overtreated!

R mx was 3 weeks ago; now dealing with fluid build up, Anny recommendations: do or don't exercise? Compression bra? Ice?

Also waiting for genetic test results. Thank you all!

Carol it looks like we are both Jan. surgeries. 😊. Looking forward to this holiday season not attached to drains and recovering like last year.

Welcome Sablanut58. I'm learning so much from these ladies. They are a wealth of knowledge on this type of recon. Lots of love, prayers & hugs that this indeed will be your last surgeries for recon.

G

Hi everyone,

I'm having surgery a week from today! I'm so excited to finally take this next step. I have a couple of questions: Pillows? any suggestions on how many pillows I should have? Or any special pillows that work well while in recovery? Also, advice on what worked best for constipation? Any feedback is welcome! Thanks everyone!

Evegibb,

I slept in a recliner for several weeks and used squishy pillows and/or folded blankets to support my head while I slept. I also slept with a pillow over my abdomen for protection.

Once I moved to the bed, I used several pillows to support me in front and back. I'm still sleeping with 5 pillows! Two pillows each in front of me and behind me to keep me supported on my side, and then one under my head. Each time I turn over or get up it's a major event getting tucked back in 'just right'.

I've seen some people using body pillows, which would probably be better . . . but I just went with what we had.

Good luck!

ladies how are you able to sleep in bed comfortably? Are you not in any pain that you can roll over? I am still not sleeping through the night and my bmx surgery was way back in December of last year. This is one of my biggest concerns of having this surgery (stomach & back pain & knowing that this is not reversible like having expanders or implants removed).

I appreciate all of you. 😊

Xo

G

hi Evegib - how exciting! Re pillows, I did exactly what LAstar did [after the first 10 days in a rental power recliner]. An assortment of firmer and squishy so you can nest your own way! Expect to feel like a turtle on your back for a while struggling to get up. I also found a couple of those softer airline C shaped neck pillows helpful and surprisingly versatile and not too big -- under armpits while reading, in the car to have under seatbelt to protect new incisions, behind head sitting in living room chair, and it's also handy resting a plate on it if you are having a meal not at the table......

SA8PG I have become used to sleeping on my back with my head elevated with the 3 triangle at 8 weeks out. Side sleeping still not comfortable, but I tell myself I am still a bit tender and healing -- still early days....hoping to return to side snuggling one day!

Re constipation, I learned a lot from the 2014 ladies! Start early -- a few days before with colace or restoralax stool softener to get things moving prior, and keep using it daily as long as you are on codeine type meds. Get them to give it to you in the hospital - you may need to ask. I was fine with that routine, but some people struggle and need a bit more. You really don't want to strain anything!

I am dong DIEP immediate reconstruction after left mastectomy and right prophylactic. Scheduled on Wednesday, Oct 21st. Super nervous. I have Paget's and underlying BC. I was just diagnosed on Oct 6th.

Any tips or advice on do's and don'ts?