DIEP 2015

haha yes - my Ken is mostly gone at 10 weeks but may always look a bit weird being pulled higher -- nothing now like that truly excellent visual LAstar!

Lessharp -- I found out that my difficulties taking a deep breath first few days was because they have to monkey with your sternum -- depending on the dr..... lift it a bit, or remove a snip of rib in order to get at the necessary arteries in your chest. It fades in abut a week.

Re the back pain Eve -- that first week it was by far the worst of all my pains -- back muscles rebelling at the hunch position of walking, so as you start walking straighter and straighter this next week or two it will lessen on its own. In the meantime some gentle stretches and moves of shoulder blades and trunk as you can tolerate, or better yet a friendly back rub when you are sitting facing backwards in a kitchen chair! So glad to hear the rest is going well and you are happy.

I am back from participating as a model in BRA day in Vancouver. So glad I did it, as there were so many women with upcoming surgeries and lots of questions. While there, I got one of the '-fuckcancer-' [with 'embrace life' on the inside] silver bracelets. Love it.

Regarding the back pain, bend your knees slightly when you walk to take pressure off your back.

From diagnosis on, I knew that I would opt for the DIEP. The day I was officially diagnosed from the biopsy, I met with my breast surgeon and we discussed my options. Before I had completed my chemo, I met with my plastic surgeon and he agreed a DIEP would be best because I was scheduled for six weeks of radiation. I had the bilateral skin and nipple saving surgery before radiation and tissue expanders were placed at that time but, no fill because they didn't want them expanded during radiation. We are finally, five months post bilateral, filling the expanders. I have not had any problems with the expanders at all and when we finally do the deep in January or February, my skin and muscles will already be stretched and ready to easily accept the new tissue. Sometimes delayed DIEP works out the best, especially if radiation might be involved after the mastectomy surgery. Expanders are used with both DIEP or implants if you do not do immediate reconstruction

I, too, wondered about the Ken doll effect. Too funny!

Evegibb - I had TERRIBLE back pain for two weeks after surgery. I had my husband buy me a walker for around the house - thrift stores have them. I also splurged and got massages. I was lucky that one of my colleagues had a great massage therapist who was willing to work around my issues, since you obviously can't lie on your stomach.

Wish you all the best, Beegirl.

Outdoorswoman,

I had to wear a mastectomy bra after stage one 24/7 for three months, even in the shower. The day my doctor said I could switch a sports bra was glorious.

For life?! That's weird. I had to wear a bra 24/7 for 3 months. After that, he said I could wear whatever I wanted whenever I wanted.

I stopped sleeping in a bra after about 3 months. I'm 9 months out and sometimes go without a bra during the day if I'm not doing anything vigorous. Sometimes my breasts felt a little sore when I didn't wear a bra in the morning, so I wore one more regularly early on. I don't feel that soreness now.

I think my PS is opposite everyone else. He said no bra... I just recently started wearing one again, but not all the time...

how are you all doing? Any changes?

I am two weeks out...starting to see a reduction in swelling under my arms...so a more rounded shape on my foobs, and delineation between breast and armpit.

Still numb under back of arm...hoping that resolves.

I was also told no bra. Funny how each surgeon has their own style. Just met with PS today to discuss stage 2! Waiting for it to be scheduled and may be a bit as I have to schedule around work. I'll be getting a reduction and slight lift on left. New nipple and fat grafting on foob, dog ears at hips done and some work done on a one side abdominal bulge- she doesn't think it's a hernia but explained it can sometimes happen with this surgery. I'm excited!

lessharp, I had my bmx with left sentinel node biopsy back in February. I remember how frustrating the numbness was under and behind my arm back then. Over time some sensation has returned. It is still not normal, but it doesn't totally bug me anymore like it did back when. So there is hope.

talking of bras....I wore one post op for all surgeries ....and have had a few...off today to buy some nice bras...finally.Had BC 15 years ago,implant with prostheses,then again Dx July 2013,implants,they failed.DIEP July 2014,but have had problems with tummy,still swollen,and not right...BUT onward and upward.....going ahead as boobs are fine....plan to get ones that will give me a cleavage....you will all get there,eventually.....it will pass....gentle hugs.

i had one stubborn drain in for just over 4 weeks.

Oh, wow. They fitted me with the binder 8 days out at my post op. They didn't tell you to wear it?