2018 DIEP Surgery

Hi Mavericksmom, I can relate somewhat to your troubles with body image and clothing. I am 6 months past my double DIEP surgery. I will do stage 2 to “beautify" things but for now I'm working with what I have - which is very uneven boobs and no real discernible waist.

As far as pant suggestions, you might try thicker leggings and longer less casual- looking tunics. I've had great luck with slim, higher rise/higher waisted pants (that stay up!) with a line on QVC called “Women with Control". They're inexpensive and easy wash, slimming and are comfortable to wear. XS-3X, petite, regular, and tall.

Like many of us, your body needs to settle into its new shape. If you go for stage 2 (which is likely what your PS was mumbling about), you can have him/her refine your waist (via liposuction)and overall shape as well as make any needed fixes to your breasts. Sounds like it would give you peace of mind to have a mtg with your PS to go over future plans.

Best wishes! Lanne

Mncteach, great suggestion for tape removal as I am still dealing with tape, The paper tapes is a whole different issue, the doctor removed it because he could see all the blisters already under the tape, evidently I am allergic to the paper tape.

This is one spot.

Lanne, THANK YOU! You made me feel much better! Is the liposuction at the waist covered by insurance during stage two? My doctor never told me there were stages to the DIEP. I thought I was stuck like this forever!

I think for now my best plan is to get back to work. I need some form of normalcy while my body heals from this I work in a school so I have summers off. When is stage two usually done? I can’t take off from work again. How long does recovery from stage two take? I will definitely talk with my plastic surgeon about this! Thank you again! This forum is awesome!

This thread is pretty quiet these days.

Wondering how you passed your time in the hospital? I was barely in my room 24 hours after bmx and I stayed 3 days after twin c-section but I was very wrapped up in my babies then. Did you feel well enough to watch tv or read a book? I've planned comfy clothes and put some of my things at arm level but have given this no thought.

Hello!

I'm looking for advice...Anybody here ever have a revision, phase 2,  of their diep flap abdomional scar?  I got a consult where my new Dr out of town says that he can lower my scar to a bikini line!  The first surgery was hell to recover from as we know.   As much as it sounds appealing it will be stretching out that already taut skin!  Yikes! Anybody do this? 

I'm also looking into a TDAP to add to my diep flap breast as 1/3 of it is necrosis.  Anybody ever do this?  If so how did you make out?

Flynn, I had my surgery on March 11th. I was in the hospital for 5 days, I had both sides done and one side they had to use muscle as I didn't have a good blood vessel on that side. I was in a lot of pain, for me it was day 3 before I was up to reading, I did watch TV and played games on my phone, walks were difficult as they wanted me very hunched over and I have a bad back that couldn't handle it. When at home i started taking the medication I have for my back and it helped with the back pain, but it made me sleep a lot. I think everyone is different, if you only need tylenol it would be great, but my pain was significant and took 2 days just to get under control, I am allergic to most pain meds. They finally used the one I have the least reaction to and added benadryl and the pain was under control but I slept a lot.

Toni, on Thursday I had abdominal scar revision. The entire scar was moved down because my underware were rubbing on the scar. He also did more lipo on the muffin tops. It looks good so far but man I’m sore!

Toni, not quite so bad but it hurts.

I am 3 weeks out from my surgery, one drain left and suddenly I notice the fluid in the drain now smells awful. Is this normal? I feel like this stain is never coming out, the last 24 hours it put out 75 mls, it seems like a lot for 3 weeks out.

DIpaquette - I had 55-65 mls on one of my left side drains. At 5 weeks, the nurse said the drain had to come out no matter what, and I never had a problem. The odor would concern me (I didn’t have that) so I’d give your Dr a call. Drains are the worst!

Lanne

Stephanie, the CT allows your surgeon to see the arteries necessary for DIEP. My contrast was done via IV.

My CT dye was injected via IV. As an extra bonus, my scan report also reported all normal findings in the liver, kidneys, uterus, etc. That was a relief.

I’m one week past abdominal scar lowering and lipo to the hips. I’m feeling much better and pleased with results so far.

I had my bilateral diep done Mon. I came home Wed evening. So far so good. Pain has been manageable but the abdominal binder is really annoying my drains. If that’s my biggest issue, i’ll count myself lucky.

Glad you’re coming along rgail007. I hope your recovery continues to go smoothly!

I am recovering from my 3/12/19 Free Tram flap dual reconstruction. My biggest fears post surgery were laughing, coughing and sneezing. I kept a small candy bowl of Ludens wrapped cherry cough drops on my nightstand and a Vick's vapoinhaler stick to hold under my nose when I thought I was going to sneeze. Solved the problem. Laughing was still a problem

I had my surgery at PRMA on February 6, 2019. I chose the bilateral DIEP procedure and I have had wonderful results. I go to my support group and listen to the women who have implants and all their issues and feel very blessed that I chose this procedure. Their protocol was so good I had no pain after the procedure. I was up and walking fully erect the next day, the most I took was Tylenol. They also had me taking Celebrex for inflammation and Gabapentin for nerve pain for the first two weeks or so. I was out of the hospital in 3 days and have not looked back. I am 8 weeks out and have a few spots that are taking their sweet time to heal, but nothing major. I actually believe this is a much easier surgery than implants and from what I have heard, less painful. I had multiple people say it would hurt, I would not be able to stand up straight after and it would take weeks before I could move around. I was also told they would cut the abdominal muscles (they do not). They had me walking 5 times a day for 15 minutes immediately and it was a piece of cake. Ok, getting out of bed and in bed was hard and I had to have help with both. Yes I had 4 annoying drains and the binder which which makes the drains all that much more uncomfortable. And sneezing and coughing are not pleasant, but not that painful. It does make you hold your lower incision until it passes, more annoying than painful. Side benefit was that I got a tummy tuck! The con was traveling from Illinois to Texas and living in a hotel for two weeks. It was well worth it because of their success rate 99% and the sheer number of DIEPs that they do in a year 700. Around here they only do one or two a month, I wanted someone who did enough that they have had to deal with any issue that could go wrong. I have read that this is the new "gold" standard for reconstructive surgery and I understand why! I have to have one more surgery, more cosmetic than anything, making nipples and any contouring of the breast. After that I am good, no worries about implants needing to be replaced (they do not last forever) and no worries about any danger to my health as a result of implants. I wish I could tell each woman who is daignosed here about this procedure as an option. My surgeon, oncologist and physician did not offer this as an option and actually discouraged it. It was only through research and reading the forum here that I found out about this option. I am so thankful and happy with the results!