DIEP Flap Reconstruction 2016
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oh big sister, that 3 week setback phase didn't sound good. It sounds like the time everyone stops helping too and needs to go back to work or get back in their own lives. I will try not to dread it, as there is nothing I can do, but I'm glad to have fair warning to stay on the straight and narrow recovery path.
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If by hypersensitivity, you are talking about the itchy burning electric feeling...it takes aome time, but you should be getting close. My PS said it doesn't actually 'stop', but your brain becomes accustomed to it and reprograms the feelings as normal. Once that happens, you stop being overwhelmed by them. By 5-6 weeks out, I believe I wasn't noticing them hardly at all.
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Also, I had read somewhere that messaging the breasts when the tingling was really bad helped the brain to switch over to trying to feel that sensation instead of the other one. I don't know if that helped, but it is worth a shot.
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Hey Bigsister, I did some research and I did talk to the woman who had the Rueben`s flap. I have not gotten an answer about lying/sitting recovery with the SGAP. I guess I will find out. Hopefully the drains will be out before I go home.
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Today is my last day. I have to get some last minute things done and get packed, and then I go to the hospital tomorrow at 5AM. Please pray for a pCR and for a smooth surgery/recovery.
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CarolinaAmy, prayers for you and a safe and successful surgery!
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." ~Proverbs 3:5-6
Hugs from Texas!
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Hello CarolinaAmy.....you got this girl....hugs and prayers for a uneventful surgery and speedy recovery.🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
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CarolinaAmy and CarolinaMom, best of luck with your surguries and recovery. Take it all one day at a time and walk before you try to run. It does all get better a little at a time. As you inprove, think about how you'll never have to go through yesterday's pain again and tomorrow promisses even more progress. You got this!!!
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carolinamommy, I hope your surgery went swimmingly today. Good luck with your recovery in the coming days!
CarolinaAmy, good luck tomorrow. I'm sure everything will go well!
Well, I'm four weeks out and am having unexpected pain. I thought I would be in better shape than this, especially since the first two weeks went so well. I've had to take a norco tonight.
I have a sort of cramping pain and also some sharper pain along a line that runs horizontally across my abdomen about where my belly button is.0 -
I'm still reading through the threads on this topic, so I'm sorry if this was covered before. But has anyone noticed one breast more soft and the other much more dense/hard? They both look the same size and look good but feel a little different. The firm one is a bit tender so maybe it's a little swollen. I'm six weeks out and saw my PS a week ago and he said this was normal
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You are in my thoughts and prayers too. I'll also be praying for each person in your medical team tomorrow.
Joshua 1:9 - "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you
wherever you go."
Looking forward to hearing how well you're doing after surgery.
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Jlstacey, do you have your 4 week postsurgery follow-up soon? Not sure what that pain could be beyond gas/gastrointestinal pain. I remember you were having issues with fullness after meals (I still have the same problem ocassionally), so maybe it could be related.
HRwinter, my left breast had more hard spots after surgery then my right. However, by 4-5 weeks out, I wasn't feeling the same hardness at all. Maybe you will notice some softening up pretty soon.
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Hrwinter....i feel my left side is harder than my right. I also had sentinel node removal on left side. It is nore swollen and sensitive especially in the morning. Saw my surgeon a week ago and everything looked ok.
My only problem now is very slow abdominal healing in the middle. Very annoying. Also....my black belly button lol
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I'm almost 7 weeks out and both sides still feel pretty different. I think I still have a lot of swelling/edema. I've been told to expect it to be gone by 12 weeks.
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DIEP Flap reconstruction immediately following bi-lateral mastectomy scheduled for April 1, 2016 with Doctors Ugras and Kanchwala at Penn. Feeling nervous but confident that I am doing the right thing! Will anyone else be having their surgery at the same time?
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Crafty, my doc here in Indiana did his plastics fellowship at Penn. We discussed their methods at length--I am very impressed with their program, so you are in good hands!
I had my DIEP on 12/10/15 and have healed well. My noobs were really swollen at first, but softened up beautifully. It took about 2 weeks for all the messy surgical glue to peel off, and then I was still spitting stitches that would surface for another 2-3 weeks.
The belly took the longest to settle down. I was able to stand fairly straight and sleep flat by 2-3 weeks or so, but the belly continued to feel puffy and sore for several more weeks. I wore tummy-control yoga pants all the time, and that gentle pressure on my belly helped.
It took at least 2 months if not more before my belly felt half normal, and it still feels stretchy when I lay flat in bed. It all takes time.
I am scheduled for stage two (nipples and fat grafting) in 4/6.
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thanks ladies for the feedback!
Hi craftysandy,
Good luck on your procedure! I think it's a great option because it seems that surgeons are very specialized in the DIEP procedure and can do an excellent job!
I am 7 weeks out. At first my abdomen was very tender, then when I weaned off all the pain meds I realized my breasts were very tender, but now it's so much more comfortable. I still wear compression underwear (like spanx) or something, like bigsister2, and it helps.
I'm thus far very happy with it.
Xo
Heidi
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I just had my bilateral and diep done by Dr Kanchwala on march 10th. Keep in touch so we can compare recovery notes.
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Hi Faithful,
How's your recovery coming along? I hope you're happy with Dr. Kanchwala. He seems very kind. It's always nice to have a doctor with good bedside manner. I will definitely stay in touch. I hope to have good things to say in about 14 days. 14 days.... oh boy! It's almost here. I just told my husband that the 30 minute drive to the hospital on April 1st may be an emotional drive...
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Glad to hear you're doing well with your recovery girls! That's exactly what I need to hear! Keep those positive experiences coming! xoxo
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thank you! Day 3 and feeling good. Tired but good. Day one is definitely the hardest, though today is "shower day" so we will see
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so we all know drains are awful but those darn hard fishing line sutures are killed me! Any tips , short of using tape?0
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Hi Heidi,
So should I pick up compression type underwear before my surgery or is this something that the surgeon will discuss with me? I'm trying to be prepared ahead of time.
Thank you!
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i did not wear underwear until i had to leave the hospital. I just wore plain old granny panties. I didnt buy any special undies for recovery at home. I am just over 4 weeks post op. Got rid of my shower transfer bench yesterday and showered FACING the shower though i sat back a bit.
My husband goes back to work tomorrow. He took a month off work to help me. I am going to miss him tomorrow 😢
For all just heading towards surgery......everyday does get better. My pain is almost non existent in that i only take tylenol 500mg 2x day, morning and night. Thats just to stay ahead of the aches for stretching exercises!! I found the first 3 weeks i cried every night, however briefly,as everything seemed so daunting and overwhelming. But trust me.....as someone who is an above knee amputee with rheumatoid arthritis, every tiny accomplishment means you are moving forward. Celebrate everything, even putting on your own nightgown or wiping your own butt!!!!! (My range of motion was limited due to my arthritis.....normal people have no problems in the bathroom)
It means you are making progress. Remember that, however scary it may be.
💞
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okay so recovery day 3...so much phlegm to cough up! I know this is normal bc they put that tube down your throat but OW! When is this part over
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Hi Carolinamommy so glad you are on the other side now. I would think u are still in the hospital don't they have you blowing into that spectrometer during the day? Suppose to help lung function. I hope that phlegm redo especially soon. Tanya what an inspiring message for all!
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that message came out funny. I meant to say I hope phlegm resolves soon
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craftysandy, after surgery they out me in a special bra and this Velcro thing that goes around your midsection like corset or something. I wore my regular underwear, but the binder helped keep all the abdominal area in place and supported. I wore it for 6 weeks and when I asked the surgeons office if I could stop wearing it they said I could switch it out for high waisted spanx, as that would provide some of the same support and compression. I don't think you need to it any special undies yet -
Xo
Heidi
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Thanks Heidi! Maybe I'll hold off for now....
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Wait.......is it really not possible to dress or wipe your own butt after? Because if that's the case that will affect my decision on surgery date! I don't want my Dad dressing me or wiping my butt and he's agreed to take care of me after surgery if I have it before my husband can be here! In fact....if that's the case maybe I'll just get implants.
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