2018 DIEP Surgery

They gave me a long thick ribbon for the shower and I can pin the drains to the ribbon. The tubes that lead to the bulb are pretty long. Just don't pin them to your pants and forget they are there when you pull down your pants, ouch! I was given the abdominal binder today and told to wear it all the time but can take it off when I sleep. No bra which is great.

Not sure how many drinkers we have out there but I discovered the cloth bags that Crown Royal comes in are a perfect size to put your drains in, all you have to do is attach a landard and you are good. So that’s what I am planning to use, if anything it will make for great conversation. Lo

Elijahgirl, I like the way you think! If they don’t take my drains out today, I will start putting them in a little purse with a long strap so I can be more mobile. It has only been a week, but there is very little coming out of my drains. I didn’t have a lot of drainage after my MX, either.

Ziggyrox

NOLA does take bc/bs at out of network rates. You can call them and they will tell you exactly what you can expect to pay. I remember this distinctly because only last year I had bc/bs, and this year was cigna ppo, which is in network for them.

I just got back from plastic surgeon and I forgot to ask him why he doesn't want me wearing an abdominal binder....

And he wants me to stand up straighter! Anyone else having a hard time doing this!? When were you able to stand up straight?

I still have blood/fluid collection in abdomen and right breast so 2 drains still in :

Pathology report back: tumor was large and the cancer cells were spreading outside of the duct but the margins were great (got it all). The other spot that was "unknown" was also only DCIS. Got it all. Lymph nodes all clear

Check out marsupialpouch.com.  So comfy and work great. 

my DIEP is at 7:30am central time. I am worried about him cutting stomach muscles. He has to sacrifice some muscle in 50% of his DIEP surgeries but he said it is very minimal and does not leave any loss of strength. I just hope I get to keep all my muscles. Everything else seems good including the ketorlac pre insicion and no verses, opiates or narcotics. He will use my leg for the IV site. But he does plan to discharge me on Friday. He is aware I have no care giver and believes I will be able to handle it. Night all. Going to sleep early. I Am very tired

Carmstr835, best of luck. Let us know how it goes when you are able

Thank you Bella, Vegal,keeponmovin, Carmstre, and Lula for taking the time and offering some great ideas! I finally have a confirmed date for diep flap surgery, July 31st. My caregiver has some reservations but I think I convinced her that she doesn't need to be a nurse ! I have my travel plans made and will be staying at the Hope Lodge, not as convenient as some of the hotels but I like the idea of having a kitchen to prepare our meals. Not sure if we should rent a car or if shuttling will suffice. Does anyone know how difficult the freeways are around the airport?? Love the pillow idea Lula, I will check into those for sure.

All the best Carmstr for today's surgery, we need to remember this is not our doc's first rodeo and we have faith in their skills, please let us know you are doing well.

Thanks again for all the helpful info, I am counting down the days now!

carmstr835

Where are you located? Are you in the United States?

Good luck!!

For those of you who have had the DIEP on one side, how much swelling did you have in your DIEP breast, and when did it go down? Right now my new boob looks a lot bigger than the original one, but I don’t think that’s going to be permanent.

Thanks,

L.

** some questions about post op recovery **

===> SWELLING <=== How much swelling is normal? I am retaining blood/fluid/hematoma in my breasts and my abdomen. My breast drains are out (left taken out the right fell out on its own). I have one abdominal drain and I am now focusing on making sure it is hanging low.

I haven't been wearing a bra or abdominal binder. Could that help reduce this swelling?

I asked my plastic surgeon what can I do and he said to rest and don't over do it with activity.

===> ACTIVITY LEVEL <=== I mentioned to my docs that I'm so tired. And I'm confused. I have no idea what baseline should be. I can't even make a meal for my children. My boyfriend is doing everything. At what point will I be able to function to at least be helpful. When can I drive? My doc said maybe driving by this weekend - I hope so.

==> BACK TO WORK? <== when did you go back to work? My brain isn't working and I'm exhausted. I think I may try after 4 weeks - and I found out I can go back for only 2 or 3 days a week at first because once I'm back I don't have any time and can't take sick days for a while. Luckily I have time saved up and getting disability.

==> WHAT IS THE FUNCTION OF THE ABDOMINAL BINDER? <== my doc didn't want me using one because he worried it would ride up and interfere with the flap/breasts. I'm very small so this would probably happen. But I'm swollen and retaining fluid.

I'm post op day 11 DIEP flap and post op day 9 for the emergency surgery to remove the hematomas

Can you tell I'm not feeling well today?

Leatherette,

My boob is swollen and lumpy. I'm thinking that there is some seroma action going on in there. One of the ladies on here said it will settle, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Also, my PS said the new boob would be bigger (though mine is not really bigger, just WIDER), and that he would address that in Phase II.

My abdominal incision is ok. I still have one tube (left hip) and the incision doesn't look as neat on that side (overhangs as opposed to the right side in which both the top and bottom of wound are level).

My biggest concern is the nipple. The whole nipple/areola are much darker and the areola is shedding with new lighter skin emerging, but the nipple is black and scabby. I'm hoping that sloughs off as well. I know my surgeon did nerve reconnection so I don't know if that may have caused some trauma.

Justkeepmoving, my surgeon had tried to give me full body armor -- the kind with the straps that goes down to mid-thigh and has about 150 hooks to secure it, but I didn't fit into any they had in inventory so I went out and bought one. They had told me during preop that I wouldn't need it until the 3 week mark, but when I went for my 1 week post-op, they told me to go ahead and start using spanx because they are more comfortable. I do have a binder from when I had babies, but I only use that when the spanx are being washed. I might try the full body armor after the last drainage tube comes out, but I'm dreading using the bathroom in that thing regardless of the convenient zipper that it has in the nether-regions. I've been living in camisoles with built-in shelf bras because he told me I needed a little bit of support, but nothing tight.

Overall, I'm feeling good. The biggest pain right now is that a lot of the skin at the top of the boob and under the arm is sensitive (like a sunburn). I'm chalking that up to nerve regeneration which is a good thing. The boob, side boob, and area between belly button and incision are totally numb.

My husband went back to work yesterday after being home with me for 2 weeks. I'm still not allowed to do much around the house, though. My 9 year old is helping me a lot. I have my 2 week post op tomorrow and I'm hoping I'll be able to drive soon, but from what I've read here, it's usually at the 4 week mark.

I agree with Lula, I didn’t drive until week 5. I tried driving in my neighborhood after two weeks and it hurt to press on the brake or the gas pedal. Lula is right...who knew we used abs when driving.

For several weeks be sure to use a pillow that will cover you from your breasts down to your pelvis area when riding in a car. It should protect you and allow the seatbelt to go over you. You never know what can happen and you don’t want that seatbelt to activate and tighten anywhere on you. Also keep in mind airbags will come at you hard and fast. I would imagine that kind of force would undo all the surgery that had been completed. Can we say “OUCH”!

You will feel better in stages. The first stage is to have the surgery behind you and return home. YEAH! The second stage is getting the drains out. YEAH! YEAH!! The third stage is driving again. I am describing stages that start you on a path back to your life. For some it will be getting back to normal but for most it will be adjusting to a new normal. A new normal is not a bad thing. A new normal can be taking inventory of what you have learned about yourself during this horrific event in your life and letting it become the new you.

For example, this event in my life has reshuffled my priorities and they needed to be reshuffled. I have much more clarity about what is important in life and what isn’t. I am more patient with others around me than I used to be. I draw boundaries and say no when I used to say yes even if I didn’t want to do something. I don’t let toxic people into my sphere of influence. It’s like my spirit can’t tolerate these people. I just want to flee! I am more in tune with my body. I have neglected myself for the last six years thinking that I was ok and healthy. I obviously wasn’t ok. I have learned that I am not a doctor and I can’t self diagnose because I am likely to get it wrong. I have learned to advocate (strongly) for myself. I like the new version of Barbara 2.0!

Keep in mind that I am about 20+ weeks post BMX with DIEP so I am feeling much better both physically and mentally. I didn’t feel this way the first two months. My message is “it will get better”. Don’t let this horrific event in your life take the best of you. Let the best of you fight for a better version of you and a better quality of life.

Love and ((hugs)) to all of you!!

Barbara (a.k.a. known as Bella by my grandchildren

Hi Mustlovepoodles....I just talked to Mark at Hope Lodge, they will shuttle to the hospital between certain hours. If the caregiver is staying with you and wants to visit while you are in the hospital, they have to find their own transportation such as UBER. Yes they do get to the grocery store at certain times so that is a good option as well. I talked to Mark, you can call him direct, I just looked up their website and used the number there. Heidi must make reservations though, when you know your dates contact her. Hope that helps! Looking into these exorbitant fees I have heard about...crazy, don't need a surprise like that!

Bella, great post and encouraging words, thanks!