DIEP Flap Reconstruction 2016
Comments
-
Hello Ladies, I will try to keep this short. Went in Friday 2/19 at 7:30 am, surgery done at 3:15. Capsulectomy right side, bilateral pectoral repair and bilateral diep reconstruction. Was brought to recovery and stayed there until Saturday night 8:00pm. Problems with BP and severe nausea. Couldn't use the On Q so they gave Percocet. Saturday night, moved to icu and was discharged from icu Monday 3:00pm. Had my first visit with PS today, 2 drains out. I have never been so exhausted in my life! I can see that this is going to come out beautiful but the idea of another surgery literally makes me sick. I am still nauseous, can only eat very little and have taken only Tylenol since I'm home. I definitely feel better than Monday but I can see that this is a long recovery. I'm going to try to attach pictures
0 -
0 -
Couldn't get it to work with original post, lol
0 -
Donita, yes, I had swelling under the arms and numbness on my SNB side behind the arm. The numbness and swelling are gone now ...I am several months out. I actually do have some itching rash on my abdomen for several months. Whatever it is, it doesn't appear to be life threatening and not too widespread...(you can see a bit of it on the picture I posted a few pages back...looks like little pimples) ..like staph or allergy. In the beginning I went to my PS who prescribed an ointment...but it has had no effect. I may mention it to my dermatologist next time I see him. But I've had it long enough with no fever or illness, I have little concern.
However, if yours is more widespread and itchy, I would suspect an allergy. Not sure to what, if no meds...perhaps it's a new food allergy. You can develop those at any time. Could have been triggered by meds in the hospital. I know someone who developed an egg allergy after a flu shot. In the meantime, you should check with your physician for sure....don't ignore it.
0 -
Wow, sportysister, seeing those photos amazed me. Thank you so much for sharing. It helps so much to have a visual of what I will soon be going through. I really appreciate how much I am able to learn from all of you.
0 -
Alright ladies, this is the bra my Plastic Surgeon had me order from Amazon. Get at least one size up from your intended size after DIEP or revision size...although if you get this one, there is just the measurement in inches and no cup size. When I went for my follow-up with my Breast Surgeon, she commented on the bra and how much she like it.
Carole Martin Full-freedom Cotton Bra
0 -
Tanya - so glad it turned out okay! I got the call for pre-admission and will have my mx w/DIEP recon March 24th. Hearing everyone comment on their experience is so helpful and reassuring. I was dx at 65 and I think my BS is a little sour that I am getting the DIEP. She has tried to talk me out of it, but hey, the PS recommended it, so my handsome boy gets a new pair lolol.
0 -
J3nny4, that is the worst it will be. Those photos were taken in recovery and it gets so much better every day. If it wasn't for the women on this site, I would never have gone through with this! Good luck, it's hard but definitely worth it
0 -
Donita, sounds like a reaction to something, like an allergy. What you are doing is about all to can do for now aside from drinking lots of water to flush your system and walking to keep things moving. If it persists, it should be looked into.
I am not sure why you have swelling under your arms from the incisions? With a prophet, I wouldn't think they'd take seninel nodes, Mention that to your PS and ask if you can see a lymph edema specialist if it persists.
0 -
CarolinaAmy - If you don't mind me asking what types of images are showing residual cancer after chemo. Chemo is one of the things I'm now trying to learn about. My MO has also recommend AC-T, which I find sort of strange because our cancer markers are different. I'm having a hard time figuring out this chemo bit that seems to destroy the body, but for someone with a low ki-67 not really sure it's worth it. And, I didn't know there was a way for them to test for residual cancer, so I just like to know what that' about? Thanks!!
0 -
Hello All -
First, I'd like to say I spent some time catching up. Seems like most everyone is doing well. Jlstacey managed to keep her cool and avoided a nasty mess
Tanyarocks - Hope you are doing better now that must've been scary to possibly loss a flap so early. And, Lesssharp, if I can end up looking like you - I'll feel like I'm 20 again. Bigsister - your posts are always so helpful and comforting. Anyway, today I'd like to report that I took a plunge and I am now one day post-op of my initially surgery. Soooo, first step of getting rid of the cancer taken!! Since the one spot on the left did come back benign though, after much discussion with the BS and PS, I did opt to start off with lumpectomies (really trying to avoid expanders if I can) on my way to DIEP (after other treatments/recovery). According to the PS, the BS did take a lot away from my left breast (suggestive that I may really want to continue with DIEP down the road). Really now just praying the BS took enough to get clear margins or I will be back in surgery in 2-3 weeks to have the mastectomy with expanders.
With regards to my surgery it started late - 1000ish and I was back into recovery around 1630 (4:30). So, not an overly long time for tumor removal, ARM procedure on nodes, insertion of mediport, and oncoplastic surgery. I woke with a pain level of 5-6. After some additional meds I was down to about a 3-4. The first walk to the restroom was really woozy (I have to hand it to them that they didn't try to make me use a bedpan - must have been a note in my chart from the previous SLN Biospsy procedure that I don't like bedpans). Pee'd blue from the blue dye used to perform my Axillary Reverse Mapping procedure - which was a success so . . . .Axilla arm lymph nodes left . . . Axilla breast lymph nodes removed. So, hopefully most nodes most likely involved (breast lymph nodes) removed and those less likely (arm lymph nodes) left. Radiaition to take care of rest and HOPEFULLY no lymphedema (or if I do get it a mild case).
After the restroom trip they put me in a chair, with ginger ale and applesauce on the tray. Then my hubby and kids came in. We had a nice visit while I ate and drank, but the anesthesia did cause me to drift off for about 20 minutes. Anyway, long and short of it - docs came by reported successes, asked some questions, and to let us know that they'd be releasing me that night. So, terrible tornado watch storm and all, I was back in my home by 1900 (7PM). After getting settled in the recliner I tried to write a couple responses left by folks on FB, but quickly gave that up and fell asleep until 0200 in the morning, when I was in much need of meds. Took those, did the drains, and was then wide awake until I took Ativan at 0545. Once that kicked in slept til 0900.
Pain today - Mostly sore when I try to get up (can't image what that's going to be like the cut across the abdomen you guys have). As they only messed with the positive nodes in my left arm, right arm is doing much better - though still limited range for now because of drains. Other than that just a little itching and tenderness where they placed my mediport.
Overall - feeling good to have one step behind me!!! Anyone heard from Wings2Fly? I didn't see anything from her on the three pages I read. I know she was a bit depressed.
0 -
Tanya, sounds like you had a rough and scary couple days after surgery. I'm so sorry! Are you home now? Do you feel better?
I'm a week out now. I have had a rough day with more pain this afternoon than I had been having. It really frustrating to me.
Well, here are my girls. I think they look good!
0 -
This is a picture of where my IV was. My friend thinks I probably had an allergic reaction to the tape, causing skin to be pulled up in those places. Anybody else have this?
0 -
Did they use tegederm? i am allergic to it, found that out during my biopsies and port placement. not fun!
0 -
They did use tegederm! In fact, I had that, paper tape and silk tape. The IV was loose but they couldn't find another vein to use. By this time I was only getting antibiotics through the IV so they just kept redoing the tegederm and retaping.
0 -
jlstacey, I had horrible bandage issues after DIEP. The tagaderm was the worst. Eventually, my body started to have negative reactions to some brands of paper tape and even regular band-aids. It was like that for a couple of months. I have several scars from where the bandages damaged the skin.
If you keep having problems, ask for a roll of Omnifix tape. I haven't had any problems with Omnifix.
0 -
Jlstacey you got great results. You must be so happy!! Mine are a lot smaller. Really hoping fat grafting works. I'm 20 days out and I can tell you there are great days and painful days. Nerves are coming back on donor sight and its terribly painful. Dr says it should settle down in a week or so. Back on pain medicine. I wish I were the type that could relax and rest. But I cant. So of course Ive done too much and split some stitches. This takes patience; a virtue I don't have!
Donita I had itching and rash and Dr gave me a medication orally which cleared it right up. Have you spoken to your Dr
Have most of you done phase2 3 months post op?
Lots of good info on here. Thank you all0 -
Goldenbridge. Thx for photo. Looks great. I have those paddles (I think they are called?) On bottom. Wasn't expecting them. Anyone know what they are for? Thank you0
-
Ducky179 wow. That was quite a 3 week post op. Hope things are going well now. Was this your first post op appointment? When had they taken drains out?0
-
ONE more thing to add to the list to bring!! ITS A MUST! Flip flops! Yes they give you socks but my feet were always hot because they had the 'boots' on my calf's for circulation and they keep the room warm for good blood flow to the flaps. I kept flip flops on the floor by the bed so I could put them on before walking into the bathroom! Also essential in the shower (germs!) Plus I couldn't bend over to put them on. You'll need them to go home too!0
-
jlstacey Looks great!! Is this what nipple sparing looks like? Or did they create these for you? I'm having skin sparing but not nipple sparing. I wasn't sure if I was even going to get nipples done, but now I'm wishing I was getting them immediately. I was never told that was an option for me.
Your arm looks terrible! How awful! I'm sorry you have to deal with that. Ouch!
0 -
pinkinDC--I had a mammogram and ultrasound to check progress when I was finishing chemo.
jlstacey, you look FABULOUS! It looks like you were able to have nipple-sparing, which I wish I could do. *sigh* And I've also had terrible reactions to some types of bandage adhesive, but I have goofy sensitive skin in the first place. I'm sorry you have that on top of everything else. But my, those girls look good!!!!
0 -
hi everyone
I've been following this thread since I will likely be having this procedure at some point. when I first learned my expander had to come out due to infection and radiation decimating the tissue and skin to the point I didn't have enough there for a new implant, I was freaking out because it seems such a hard recovery and well my kids have had to deal with enough recoveries... Anyway this is helping me decide I probably will go through with it. Anyway jlstacey I just wanted to chime in because I always have had sensitive skin but since chemo I have developed a horrible reaction to adhesive tape. It was so bad this last time at the hospital I will never allow it on me again. The tape around my implant removal took half my skin off as it the bandage was being changed on day one that I kicked the nurse out and demanded I remove it myself self. They used non stick no tape bandages after that. It was awful. That last day I also loosened the iv tape so they wouldn't make me scream in agony taking it off. So I don't know what in my chemistry changed but I will not be able to have adhesive tape on me again and I don't know how that will be ok after the DIEP flap surgery if I choose it.
0 -
JL Stacey, Great results. Keep us posted as the swelling goes down. Looking good
0 -
Mel2328, I've had follow ups every week since discharge. This was actually my third. The drains for the flaps were removed at the first appointment and one of the abdominal drains was removed at the second. I still have one abdominal drain in.
0 -
Mel- what are the paddles you mean?
J3nny- I had a nipple-sparing BMX, those are my own. That's why my scar looks different than the others.
Flipflop- oh my, that sound so painful!!!!
My PS' PA doesn't think it is an allergic reaction. I have not had reactions to tape anywhere else on my body. She thinks it might be from tape being on there so long.
I had my follow-up scheduled for next Tuesday but went in today because I knew three of my drains could come out. I'm not keeping those things any longer than I have to! I now have more pain my abdomen and a little pain in my breasts which I hadn't had previously. I'm not sure if it is related to drain removal.
I do want to pass on something my PA said today. She said she has never seen stellar results from fat grafting and that it is a bit of a gamble. They definitely do it, but for some women the fat just melts away. I'm still thinking about small implants but will probably do fat grafting first.
Sportysister, here's something I never thought I would say, but your belly button looks really good! I think it is the oddest statement ever, but one only ladies like us have a use for it. Anyway, how is your recovery?
Dizzparkmom- I will remember that tape name for the future. You are up next for surgery. What all are you having done for phase 2?
Hope everyone is doing well!
Jena
0 -
Hi flipflop, I can relate with your wanting to spare your kids any more recovery! I suffered from infections twice, and the second one landed me in the hospital for a week with sepsis. It took me a month to even begin to get back to "normal" after the sepsis.
I can tell you that compared to my BMX surgery, the recovery from the DIEP was a piece of cake. I did not have near the reduction in range of motion, and I felt so much better so much more quickly. Granted, the belly slowed me down, but not terribly. By six weeks I was doing most of everything. I feel so good now.
One of the benefits of the DIEP is that you spend the worst of it in the hospital. You have 5 days under your belt before you come home, so it isn't nearly as bad.
It will also save you so much more grief later in life. Implants don't last forever; they have to be exchanged every 10-15 years assuming they don't have issues earlier, and 20% have issues.
So, when you look at the long haul, the DIEP is so much easier.
Finally, this is a great way for your kids to get a chance to serve you. It hasn't been easy on our family, but my girls (ages 11, 15, 18, and 21) have all learned to step up to the plate and learn more about how to manage a home and care for others. That really is a good thing, as much as we would like to protect them from it.
0 -
I'll be having fat grafting to fill in the upper poles (hopefully trading my bone protrusions for a little cleavage) and my left side that was left with quite a step. Also, he'll be getting rid of the dog ears and revising my donor scar and some other scaring left over from MX.
Lastly, he'll be excising a stupid little trouble making lump that appeared about 5 weeks ago near the original cancer site. U/S could not rule out a possible malignancy and it is too small for a needle biopsy (3-4mm). It definately isn't fat necrosis. Possibilities (other than local recurrence) are sebaceous cyst, inflamed vessel, or surgical gramuloma. I have had 3 other granulomas pop through scars lines so this could be an internal stitch that is working its way to the surface.
I'll probably get some more work done on my areola tattoos...and possible may discuss nipple tattoos. He seems pretty confident about his tattoo work, but i haven't seen any samples yet. Not sure I want to wait for Vinny or travel any more than I already do/have. I'm going with flat nipples and I'm really not all that picky.
Got some packing done today. Lots of comfy /warm clothes for sitting around the hotel. I'll be kept Thursday overnight and will probably have to wait to fly home until after a follow-up on Monday. The good news is Northern Illinois weather isn't supposed to be that bad. Fingers Crossed!
0 -
Okay, so maybe I was concentrating on facts tooooo much that I missed this, but I just experienced the worst itch in all my life!!! So, after my surgery I have this huge bruise on my left arm just above the elbow and I am numb from this point all the way up to my armpit. Also, the very back of my arm is numb (know this from when my hubby washed my arms earlier today.) Anyway, just a few minutes ago, up near my armpit, but near the back of the arm I developed the very worst itch that I've ever, ever had in my whole life. It was so deep. My husband was rubbing my arm, but just couldn't get at it. I felt like I wanted to rip a part of my arm off. Assuming this is not an odd experience???? That it's nerves healing???
However, I've been wondering why my whole arm is so numb (I do not remember any extreme numbness like this when I had the sentinel node biopsy) - Can anyone explain?
Also, currently have ice wrapped in a towel and this is providing some relief, but just wondering if anyone else has experienced this and if there are any other "solutions" other than ice? Also, is there something I can be doing on a daily basis to decrease the intensity of these very uncomfortable itches?
If this is healing - glad to know it's occurring, but geez . . .
0 -
In the armpit you have veins. My PS had to dig for a few of them because he was having trouble getting me enough blood flow through my flap. I am still numb on the backside of my arm. I am now 24 months post DIEP.
I didnt have this problem with my SNB but my nodes were removed from the inside during the mastectomy. I know several women had this issue from their SNB if it was done by an incision under the arm. Did you notice if you have an incision under your arm? If not maybe your numbness will be temporary.
Prayers for great healing.
0
