DIEP 2015

Does anyone know how long after stage 2 you can go swimming? I'm trying to plan and don't want to ruin my summer but don't want to take too much time off work either

Daboys: Wishing you all the best with your surgery!

Dr. Zannis, thank you so much! I am purposely holding steady on my weight which is about 10 lbs over because my PS says my amount of belly fat is perfect...not too much or too little for my free tram.

I am getting my diep (I hope) on December 14. I say I hope as I have had many abdominal surgeries so it will take a bit of finesse to work around my scars and previous surgical work. Already had angiograms to make sure it will work and have thighs as a back up. I had Cushing's so I have plenty of belly sadly..

Thanks cloudynight. I'm starting to think of having it done at the beginning of June, but may need an oophorectomy first. 

what are the stage numbers? What does that represent? Just curious. Glad to hear a recliner not necessary. Was trying to think of how I would get it to go up and down without using abs.

that is very encouraging leesharp . So glad to hear you are happy with results and for explaining stages. I'm having bilateral mx with immediate DIEP. On one side can't spare nippke so I think that means they will take both for symmetry. It feels so odd to know I am headed for this big surgery on 12/16. I'm not quite sure what I'm headed into, but I know my breasts have been trying to kill me. I'm looking forward to lessening their threat and moving on

Well, everything has been going well...but this morning woke up to this strange red line from my navel to my sternum. Also, have a few little pustules popping up...but I had a bandaid on my naval and I do have an adhesive sensitivity, so that is what you see on the right side.

My navel is swollen, but I don't think anything is infected...no fever (98.9) and not hot to touch.

I called and got a receptionist, who had me email that photo. She replied to my email, saying she forwarded it to the doctor...but I did not receive a response after 3 hours, so now they are closed. It is not painful...but I'm wondering if it is just irritation from me starting to stretch out more. It weird, cause it blanches (turns white/normal) if I press on it or it I stretch out my body. I know my PS did stitch/tighten my muscles up in that area. I will definitely follow up with them tomorrow.

UPDATE 11/18/2015: Most of the redness is gone today, but PS is prescribing antibiotic ointment for my navel. Everything was fine, but I suspect the infection was from her associate picking some of the glue out of my navel 4 days ago...there was some bleeding and a little gap/hole. He had asked me to antibiotic ointment on it, which I have...but evidently the navel is a good place to trap bacteria in. Nothing emergent...

hello fellow Diep-ers! I am checking in -- now 3 months post diep. Back to a fairly easy fitness strength class -- notice that my upper body strength doing much better, but abs still quite weak compared to what there were. I know it will come! Still not a comfy side sleeper yet, but getting there. Girls continue to look very good, and swelling now all gone and they are softer, so a tad smaller too, which I am fine with. Still a very nice C. Sadly, I have to delay stage 2 tweaks, as I have decided to do the recommended radiation. I had been an 'in the grey zone' candidate before, and am worried about potential for lymphedema and what it may do to the Right Noob. A bit bummed about that. But I go see my PS again next week for a follow up to discuss how she can fix up whatever damage rads might do. She had said that fat grafting, which is a fairly common stage 2 procedure, has benefits beyond cosmetic, as that centrifuged fat is loaded with stem cells that promotes health in nearby tissues - yay. I've been catching up with you all, and welcome newbies, and best wishes to your healing.

Notagain, I have a large leapy golden retriever/great pyrenees dog. I was worried too but it went just fine. If I saw an exuberant leap forming I just turned away, and was generally more careful and ready to ward off an insistent paw. I also had to stop cat from coming onto my lap for a while. I could not walk her myself on leash for 2 months though, as she is a strong puller. She's a rescue dog, so adorably sweet, but missing some training skills.

Hello to every single one of you immensely brave and strong ladies. Firstly, thanks to everyone for posting here. I have been reading the entire thread over the last few days and it's been helpful beyond measure.

I had my bilateral diep with immediate recon and ovary and Fallopian tube removal on Friday the 13th of November. I'm hoping to leave hospital tomorrow on the 21st of Nov. I seems we do things slightly differently here in Australia, or maybe it's just my doctor. He said I would be discharged when the last drain comes out, which should be by right abdo drain tomorrow. It seems he does this with all his patients.After reading everyone's posts, I feel very lucky that I'm not going home drain free.

I had a lot of nerve pain so I started moving a little later than normal. For those guys that have been through this, how long was it before you could walk without being hunched over? Also, how long until you had the confidence to walk around a shop for example? I'm walking but hunched over like a very old granny. A Very very old granny. Also, I can walk about 20 metres but I do like to have chairs and walls etc that I can lean against if it all gets too much. I've already looked at my walking route when I'm discharged, so I know where I can sit down on the way.

Any experience would be gratefully received. Also, if anyone with surgery has a question for me, fire away.

X

Hi everyone and congratulations to you all are so very brave. I am 3 weeks out from my tram flap and I just say it has been hard getting out and about but each day should see us all improve.

Yes the tummy is so tight that it's hard to walk straight up. Even after three weeks I am still a little hunch and the shoulders get sore after a while.

Cassylou may I ask which part of Australia you are from?. I am from Brisbane and had my surgery at the Mater Hospital. They were great and I didn't have to go home with the drains.

I would suggest sleeping with lots of pillows propped up around your head and arms and under the legs. If you have a recliner that is better. Unfortunately I don't have a recliner.

Not tools sir what else to advise .......

Cassy, It took me almost exactly three weeks to start standing upright (supposed to be about 2 weeks). The lower back pain got pretty bad just beforehand...so I started trying to stretch out a bit. I was fairly slim, (although I've had two children), I didn't have a lot of extra material. Doctor had told me in the hospital that you don't want to pull on the incisions because it could pull apart and will leave a bigger scar. He also said after a week or so I'd be able to stand more upright! Haha. That didn't happen....I was just too tight. The back pain was pretty bad for about 2 days...then 'poof', got better very quickly.

Not Again, Bra is not an issue. There is little pain up top...and you are numb. I have feeling around the entire perimeter of both Foobs, just not on the center and Fipple. I have a recliner...but just couldn't sleep in it. I propped up pillows under my back, knees and arms and got in my bed after 2 days home. You can not lie flat on the bed. At minimum you need pillows under your knees and under your back. I often slid down overnight...but the pillows under the knees kept me bent enough. Please don't stress...it will be over before you know it. Some of it is uncomfortable, but it all passes...and the results are looking better every day. Love my new little tata's...although they need some refinement.. It is worth it!

Jilly, Just realized you have/had the same DX as I do... Paget's/DCIS. I'm sorry about your troubles. I was told to massage the edges of the abdominal scar after 2nd week...and also the breasts. The harder areas on my breasts are somewhat sore, but I continue to work them daily to try to break up scar tissue. I imagine since your surgery was a year ago, that may not be possible for you.

Thanks Emma - Ive picked up some extra pillows and now that I'm tucked up in bed, I'm glad I did so. I'm in Sydney and I had my surgery at Hunters Hill Private. They were simply amazing. I did visit the Mater on many occasions but that was just for ultrasounds and MRI's but again, they were great.

Thanks less sharp and Allison. I have improved so much in the last 36 hours. I checked out of hospital today and I even stopped in the way home to get meds and buy extra pillows. I get the feeling this will be a case of 2 steps forward, 1 step back, but I've definitely had 2 steps forward today.

Hey Cassylou! First of all, I'm wishing you an uneventful recovery. Sounds like you're doing things the correct way! Rest, take it easy, and walk .I had my DIEP stage one in late June. It takes time to walk upright but the walking really helps. It gets better. I started feeling more like myself around week four. But, until then come here and ask your questions. The warriors here always have great answers.

I have a question for you though. How are you feeling after the ovary removal? Any noticeable side effects? I'm having my ovaries removed on Dec. 22nd during my stage two diep and was just curious what to expect. Thanks for any help you can provide. Sending you gentle hugs!