DIEP 2015

Get stool softeners,start a couple of days before surgery. Please remember everyone has different pain tolerance, it is really not that bad. If you cannot get comfortable ask the nurses to get pillows till you find a "spot".I am 5 weeks post op and doing great! I have run into people and they did not even know of my diagnosis or surgery! I was afraid before also..I knew it was the only option I could live with, you will do great! It is worth everything to look and feel as close to normal as you can get...prayers and good wishes!!

TMGilbert, a lot of people get "swelly belly" and my impression is that it is lymph accumulation. A lot of women mention that it is worse at night than in the morning. I think it eventually resolves on it's own as the lymphatic pathways repair. If you search "swelly belly" you will find a lot of women have mentioned it on the Breast Recon threads. I hope it resolves for you quickly!

Honestly, if you try magnesium you will never be constipated again. It works within 12 hours. You don't have to wait days like you sometimes do with stool softeners.

thanks everyone for the great advice.... I have 5 days until surgery! I've waited three years for this! I'm soooo nervous yet so excited!!!! Good luck to all the woman having upcoming surgeries.. I wish everyone a speedy recovery! And a big thanks to all who have had surgery for sharing your stories and offering feedback and advice ! This forum is like an anti anxiety! It helps so much!!!!

All showered and waiting to put on emla cream before heading to the hospital. 12 hours or so from now, I should be on my way to my room and my 'part' will really begin. Thank you for all the support and words of wisdow you have all gathered here. Much appreciated!!! Heather

Heather, saying a quick prayer for you....have a safe and successful surgery!

Leslie

Aloha! I've read some recent posts regarding pillows. I had a bilateral Mx in March and Bilateral DIEP Flap in Aug due to failed TE/implants.

I invested in an Avana Kind Bed Orthopedic Support Pillow System and got one for my friend who had a prophylactic bilateral mx. We both experienced not having to rebuild the nest of pillows. For elbow support, I used cylindrical microbead pillows. I have there boys, so bought three, and used the third behind my neck. It is available on Amazon...

Hi Ladies

I have not participated on this thread since I started my journey in 2013 with a lumpectomy followed by 6 months of chemo and then the double mastectomy with Diep reconstruction.

My first surgery of 2015 was on Friday. It was my forth revision surgery. Do not worry because most of you will not need to have 4 surgeries. My girls have been lifted, shaped, filled with upper stomach fat, and then lifted again. I have also had my dog ears fixed, the port removed and scars reduced. I did not have drains for any of the revision surgeries and usually went back to work within a week. With each revision surgery I was able to ween myself off narcotics in less than a week.

I am still happy with my decision.

Good luck to all of you who are starting this journey.

lessharp, I have Stage 0 lymphedema. I don't have noticeable swelling in my arm, but it is measurable and feels very sore sometimes. I have a LE sleeve and have been trained by an OT on how to do lymphatic drainage massage. When I feel soreness coming on, usually a bit of light massage and a few hours in my sleeve resolves it. It has been triggered by things such as hangnails and an accidentally-dried bra, but I forgot once and had a blood draw on that arm and nothing happened! Go figure. I tend to take my sleeve everywhere I go just in case. I've not seen statistics on the prevalence of Stage 0 LE. I think it's just on the radar -- hopefully it is being included in LE studies. For me it is just a temporary annoyance, and hopefully it will stay that way.

I'm having surgery tomorrow. She said she was going to take some sentinel nodes...but now I am wondering if she has to? She did NOT do a biopsy on the inside...but know for sure I have cancer on the nipple(Paget's) with something infiltrating...most likely DCIS as that is what is most common with Paget's. If it is not invasive...do I have to take a node?

@lessharp -- I also have Stage 0 Lymphedema from my 1999 bout. It is most noticeable in in my hand and forearm. It showed up about 2.5 years after treatment, just as I discovered I was pregnant and the day after I spent way too many hours doing a repetitive and intense tiling project in my kitchen (stupid stupid stupid). I had lost 15 lymph nodes in surgery, but I blame the radiation for my lymphedema more. My mother had a 1980s radical mastectomy and never developed lymphedema, and she didn't have radiation. I wouldn't worry about losing a single sentinel node, people may have up to 30 so losing one won't do much for your risk. Like LAStar, it's not a huge deal day to day, as I went for treatment as soon as it showed up and I am able to keep it under control. I don't even own a compression sleeve anymore -- I can manage it by watching my activities and diet (low sodium) and even when I have a flare up it tends to settle back down with massage and rest. I do take hot tubs, although I try to keep my arm out and I limit my time in. You'll do blood pressure and blood draws on the right side, watch how you carry handbags and groceries, and stretch more during long flights (gravity is your friend). It'll be OK, I'm sorry they scared you so much!

Well, here I am on the flip side of Diep surgery. I am not going to sugar coat it, the last day has been HARD. Surgery lasted 9 hours. Last night was very painful. However, I can say this afternoon that things have gotten better very quickly. Once I got out of bed, took a little stroll down the hallway, and sat upright in a chair I have felt much more confident that I am on the road to recovery. The nurses have been wonderful and make it so much easier. My IV fluids are reduced and I got to ditch the catheter. My Diep tissue ended up weighing nearly the same as the amount of tissue removed from the bmx. I should be able to get out of here Thurs morning.

I am six months out and feel great! Surgery was March 13. I never had to have a second surgery, though we talked about it. Since I'm not doing reconstructive nipples the surgeon decided we can skip it. Boobs look great in a shirt, and pretty good without a shirt. No one would ever be able to tell when I'm in clothes or a bathing suit. I can do everything I used to, including play tennis now. Sometimes my tummy is still a little sore, but nothing awful, and it's nice and flat. I'm all set for 3D nipple tattooing in March at Vinnie's. Very excited to move to the next stage.

Good luck to all you brave, fighting women. These boards are a life saver!

Lots of Prayers, love & hugs Kathy.

Healing thoughts headed your way.

Please keep us posted when you are able.

G

Uninoobie and Kathy744 - Yall are foremost in my thoughts and prayers today. Wishing all others well too. Today is my 5 week stage 1 anniversary. Happy for each of us. Love