BMX and DIEP or Lumpectomy with reduction?

Hi Shaleae- it is true that the PS and BS approach things from different angles. It sounds like if you go DIEP they are setting you up for delayed DIEP vs immediate DIEP. That's why they are saying they can't keep your nipples.

Different docs have different views on DIEP when rads are involved. Some say it's better to wait, others say do it before rads so there is far less healing required of compromised skin. However, let's back up a step - It's interesting that they are talking rads after BMX for DCIS. That is not common. Have they said why? BMX with DCIS (and even a lot of stage 1 IDC with no node involvement) takes rads off the table provided there aren't other extenuating circumstances. This means that you should not only be a candidate for immediate DIEP with nipple sparing BMXbut also a candidate for skipping rads.

I know BC is scary and this period of time you're in after diagnosis is very hard with all the anxiety and emotional upheaval. If it was me, I'd cancel Thursday's surgery, insist on an MRI biopsy of the additional mass if you haven't already had one to see if it can be determined what that other mass is. If the MRI biopsy comes back clean other than the areas you already know about ANDyou're good with rads after, I'd go with lumpectomy and reduction. If it doesn't come back clean OR you aren't ok with rads after, I'd go with DIEP and push for immediate DIEP to save the nipples. If they won't do it, I'd find someone good who does. They don't move the nipples til stage 2 DIEP anyway. (Just my $0.02) Let me know if any questions on DIEP, I'm happy to answer them.

I think I would go for a 2nd opinion on the DIEP nipples thing. I would just see what they have to say, not bringing up the 1st opinion. You have time and my recommendation would be not to rush things if it’s not necessary. Where are you in the country?

I am very pleased with my results. The thing to remember when recovering is that time is your friend. You make a little more progress everyday. The hardest part was not doing the things i normally would do even if Home sick (ie loading/unloading dishwasher, vacuuming, laundry, etc) as your healing tissues need the rest so they can heal properly. I had nipple sparing BMX w/ immediate DIEP last Feb and stage 2 in Nov. i was a 36C/D going in and ended up a 36DD after stage 1. Reduced beack to 36C/D during stage 2. From an internal feeling perspective, they really don’t feel much different from my originals after stage 2. I do have feeling in the vast majority of my breast skin when it’s touched-just a few spots i can’t feel. To the person touching them they are soft and warm and not really different than touching/holding a firm perky breast like we had back in high school. No feeling in my nipples but they do respond to cold and touch. When I went in for stage 1 it wasn’t clear if they would be able to save the nipples or not. I told them to take them if they needed to. i really liked the way my nipples looked however, the thought of having smooth breasts was to a great extent a welcome one especially when going braless (typically only around the house but still). My plan if they had to take them was 3D nipple tattoos by Vinnie Myers. They look real and it isn’t til you touch them that you realize they’re not. Then I’d have the best of both worlds. In the end I got to keep my own nipples and all is good. I don’t need a bra anymore per se (i pass the pencil test with flying colors) but those pesky nipples mean I wear one. Feel free toAsk anything that comes to mind.

I had 4 drains after stage 1: 1 at each breast and 1 in each hip. The breast drains and 1 hip drain came out at post-op office visit 7 days after surgery. The remaining drain came out 4 days later. I had 2 drains after stage 2 and both came out at post-op visit 4 days after surgery. I didn't drive until sometime between week 4&6. Could I have driven earlier? Maybe. What I can tell you is that I had no idea how much you used your tummy muscles to drive. Who knew?!? You really want to rest that tummy area during recovery as you don't want the stitches to pull apart. You'll walk bent slightly at the waist for a few weeks at least. I really didn't have any bruising with stage 1. Stage 2 bruising was mostly from the lipo to get the fat for grafting. That was some wicked bruising. Looked like I'd been hit by a truck a few times. But they did fade enough in 6 weeks' time to wear a bikini at the beach over the holidays and not have anyone calling to report my husband for wife abuse - LOL! A little post surgery healing humor for your laughing pleasure: When I had my thyroid removed we didn’t say anything to our friends about it. My skin is very sensitive and plastic tape like they use for steristrips sticks to me like super glue. Weeks after surgery the strips were still in place and i couldn’t pull them off without taking tons of skin with them. We were going to dinner with friends and at the restaurant my high neckline shirt slipped a little and they were horrified at what they saw. The husband asked in a shocked tone, ‘What happened to you?!? It looks like someone slit your throat! Are you ok?’ DH replied sraightfaced, ‘Yeah, she really ticked me off and one thing led to another and I couldn’t take it anymore so I tried to kill her. Her neck is tougher than it looks. She won’t be doing that again!’ The look on their faces was priceless! We quickly told them the truth but I swear they were getting ready to call the police.

Happy Valentines Day to you too! Good luck with the surgery!!

I have Arnica cream that works great for pain relief. I have never taken Arnica in pill form. My PS said that I shouldn't take any herbal supplements and vitamins 7 days prior to surgery, so I am afraid to start taking it.

Arnica cream and pills are both available at Whole Foods stores. Also available on Amazon.

Boiron is a brand I have used.