DIEP 2015

Crvincen I'm do happy for you that everything has gone so well and quickly. Congrats! Does your Dr say its common yo have daily pain 8 months later? Ive been dealing with expanded problems since April. Was hoping Id be pain free after fully recovered from DIEP.
Not Again. So happy for you too! That's awesome hospital gave you a necklace for drains. What's a pink pocket!?!
lastly what's DH? I figured out husband but what's acronym stand for!?!

crvincen, I haven't read much about women talking about tattooing on this particular thread. On some of the other threads I almost always see women mention Vinnie doing their tattooing.

I have a long way to go before I get to my tattooing, but I am strongly considering using Vinnie.

I think I remember seeing there were some tattooing threads on this site. I'll bet you can you will get a wider range of responses if you post to them. That is what I am planning to do when I get there.

I recall reading that not all insurance will pay for tattooing if it's not done in the doctors office, but even my plastic surgeon is discouraging me having my tattooing done in his office. He said if I were his wife or daughter, he would be sure a tattoo artist was the one who did the tattoos.

well girls here it is...today's the day. I was up like a 6 year old at Christmas. Stage 2, finally here. I have no clue what they're going to do today as my pre-op is right before my surgery. I had my husband take more pictures last night so that I have before and after shots. My belly button is crooked. Thought it was but can def see in the photos. Also there are what is call hollow spots when I raise my arms so I will point that out as well. Wow, what a journey and this is the end (I hope and pray).

I will post again as soon as I can.

Morning All,

Best of luck tmgilbert! Thoughts and prayers with you and your surgeons!! Can't wait to hear how it goes.

BigSister same here continuing to lie low and mend...

Constipation tip: Magnesium.

How long does it take to get used to having numb foobs? I had my surgery Sept 1 and I still can't get used to it.

TM, good luck on your surgery! Hope you get the results you are looking for. :-)

Trvlr, I have sensation all the way around except about 2-3 inches in the centers are still numb, and along the inner tops of my breasts, my PS says that it is unusual. For some reason, the fat grafting seems to have increased my sensitivity. I don't know why this would be. Doesn't make sense, especially so quickly. I do know that from the start I have been sure to tickle and run fingers, combs, towels across all the numb areas...with the hope that it would stimulate nerve regeneration. I figure the more I drag from area of sensation to non...perhaps it'll give my body the clue that it needs to rebuild the nerves there. I've read it can take up to two years....so don't give up yet. Try stimulating the areas!

well 4 hours later and I'm done!!! Woo Hoo!! Right now I'm in and out. I have 5 drains (was kinda surprised by that). I feel like I was run over by a semi, thank goodness for the pain pump! My husband says the PS told him everything went well.i have on a girdle but I haven't really seen it, haven't gotten up due to foley cath .

Will discuss more later when I'm a bit more co

Tm, congrats! Now it's just time for healing. Drains suck...so sorry for that. On the plus, less worry of swelling and fluid build-up. I had no drains...but sprung a leak on my way out of the hospital. It was somewhat comical, as I had no clue fluid was pouring out of me....I took it rather nonchalant and the nurse was running around trying to stop the leak. LOL> Anyway, the only pain I have is certain angles or twists while getting up or down. I'm one week out of stage 2. Hang in there!

Sablanut, It took me over 3 weeks to stand up. Don't push it too early as my PS said extra pressure on the abdominal incision will make for an ugly/bigger scar. Haha! That got my attention! Also, you absolutely want to do the breathing exercises, as that is to prevent pneumonia. ....oh, and all those meds make me a crazy person. I refused any opiates or benzodiazapines this time around, as I just don't do well on all that. I took only Tylenol or Allieve for pain. You will feel like a new person when you can stand upright...just give it the proper time.

Happy healing to everyone!

-Leslie

I'll ditto the recommendation to not standing up too straight too soon.

I got my drains out close to 2 weeks and the doc said to take it easy and let pain be my guide. I thought I was being careful but two days later I was miserable. Lots of tight pain and some burning. So I am back to really hunched over and taking it super easy.

There seems to be a delay between activity and discomfort, at least for me!

Hi All - so glad to hear everyone is doing well and healing... Haven't posted with the holiday - but always lurking and checking in on everyone!!

I am about 4 weeks out DIEP and immediate reconstruction - Everything going well - I think - no binders or compression - occassional angry nerve endings but overall OK!! However, I have significant pain at the bottoms of my breasts (???) like if I was wearing a bra - it was all bound up and I want to constantly pull on it. Not sure if its a weight thing or what - visiting nurse suggests that I call my PS - any ideas?

Healing vibes to those most recent Post Ops!! Take the time to take care of yourself....it doesn't last!!! WE are hard to keep down for long...

Julie

Hi TM. You mentioned having drains after Stage 2. I didn't know that could be a possibility. I'm so glad you are here to share with us. How are you doing? Were you able to go home the same day or need to stay the night? Are you hurting or just super sore?

LessHarp how are you doing being back at work now? Are you managing ok with the binder garment? Sorry about your period showing up, always the worst timing.

Daboys so great to hear from you. The pain your describing sounds like it might be scar tissue forming. Did your ps advise you to do moderate to heavy massage on the breast area? Do you feel any thickening or hard areas? Let us know what you find out. I'm sorry you are dealing with pain.

My infection is gone thank goodness. Just dealing with abdominal swelling bellow my incision line hoping the compression garments will help with that.

How is everyone else coming along?

Hugs

G

DABOYS, Sounds like you're doing well... I hope that pain is resolved soon. I also did lots of massage as soon as i was able to....so you might try working those areas.

B

IGGSISis, I found stage 1 DIEP most painful ( in my back), right before I could stand up...it was so much better once that hunched over phase is done with. For me, it took 3 weeks. May be due to my belly being fairly slender, and less stretch in in. You will be amazed how quickly the aches go away once you jump that hurdle. Unfortunately, I don't think we can speed it up....just have to submit, and put it in Gods hands! Time heals...

SA, I'm doing great, but so much so....I forget not to lift things. Picked up two TVs yesterday. Ooops!

SA-well I thought that I had written a book and posted it but apparently I was still under the influence of anesthesia and pain medication. I also was unaware about the "drains" for stage 2. I guess I just assumed that because I didn't read about them for stage 2 that they were not going to happen. Boy was I wrong. I had 5 drains in. Two in my breasts (they came out the next day) One in my left hip and two down really low under the scar. My PS told my husband that I still had fluid in my abdomen from stage 1 so I'm sure that's why they put the drains in down really low. The bruising is brutal but that's to be expected. My breasts were lifted so it's hard to give an opinion on the outcome. Is

Anyone going over tithe 2016 board

SA-so yes I do believe that the fluid is/was causing the swelly belly. As far as the Ken doll look, I think that is due to them really pulling that skin high and low. The fluid could cause the "mound" to be/appear larger.

The lipo is done to sculpt everywhere and add fat to breasts where needed.

They lipo'd my inner and outer thighs, my back "flab" area that hangs over bra in TSHIRT. They used that to fill in on tops of beasts. He also "shaved" some of the breast on the sides from the stage one flap, I guess so that it's not so "wide".

I'm on keflex antibiotic for 10days 3x/day. The drains are producing a lot right now. Like 50cc/day. I can't remove them until they start to drain less than 20cc for two consecutive days. I'm in a garter compression thing and it actually feels better on than off.

I'm better than after stage one. Stage one I couldn't stand staight up for almost 2 weeks. This is just like people describe when they say it feels like they've worked out like crazy and now they're sore and bruised.

Ultimately, this is it...it's done. In one month I'll be able to look and see the finished results. I was happy with stage one, looking forward to stage 2 results.

Hi TM, I have my first post op appointment at 2 weeks out....this Thursday. I was very swollen in my abdomen...but no issue at all anywhere else. I was back to work after one week. I didn't bother with LOA this time around...just took some unpaid time off.

AS for your swelling....I wouldn't jump to LE right away. As I said, my PS pumped me up with over 2 liters of fluids....and my abdomen was very swollen. And...we are all different....you do seem to excrete more fluid than me....but doesn't mean you are developing LE. I would guess you are swollen from surgery...just like last time...and give your body some time to heal. I'm not sure they could even begin to consider diagnosing you right after surgery, anyway...how could they? You have a reason to be swollen.

Please don't fret it. I am almost angry at the LE therapist I met with....scared the cr+p out of me about the whole thing. I really am not sure there is anything we can do to prevent Lymphedema. The BC/treatments/node biopsies are what cause it and this idea that avoiding air travel, needle sticks, bug bites, etc....implies there is something we could have done to prevent it. Those things may trigger the symptoms from undiagnosed LE, but I don't think they 'cause' them. Well, that's my take on it. I'm tired of worrying and allowing these things to control my emotions and keep me from enjoying life. We've had enough to deal with.