DIEP Flap Reconstruction 2016
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Every surgeon is different. Mine went with no bra or compression. I didn't wear anything for the first week or more when I started getting more active, I started wearing the yoga pants and later added my sports bra.
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StaceySue, everyone is different. I could wipe myself and dress myself, but needed help in the shower. I needed the same amount of help after my original surgery with expanders as I did with my DIEP, so changing procedures won't help you any.
Actually, I was a little more independent at home after the DIEP because the first several days were in the hospital. After my BMX with expanders, I was sent home the next day. Yikes. The DIEP was a much better experience, mostly because I had an idea what I was really in for.
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BigSister-2015 thank you! I'm currently recovering from BMX with over-the-muscle tissue expander placement and really have not suffered much at all from it. I had the expanders placed because they didn't want to do DIEP until they got my surgical pathology results back, to find out if I'd need chemo and radiation. I was sent home the next day too. Your answer is so reassuring. Thanks again.
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I've known a couple people who have had this surgery and they didn't have to have someone wipe their butts or dress them! I'm certainly not going to let anyone wipe my butt! No way! I do plan to get those flushable wipes, just in case I need some extra help but that's all! I think some people are more helpless than others. Sorry, but no one's wiping my butt! lol!
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I'm planning on being as independent as I possibly can be. I'm living in an RV at my Dad's in KS and my husband's in MI. I have been able to be quite independent after the BMX and tissue expanders and am hoping to get the DIEP ASAP so I can get recovered and finally get back to work. I've been quite nervous about it, as I am also recovering from multiple pelvic fractures and walking every day is an absolute necessity for me. I've held it together quite well, considering the simultaneous severe accident and breast cancer diagnosis. If somebody had to wipe my butt and get me dressed, I'm afraid I'd finally lose it!
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staceysue.......i have rheumatoid arthritis so my range of motion was limited more than others. You will be fine. Sorry if i caused you alarm.
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Oh, StaceySue, bless you for all that you have been through. I can appreciate your desire to just "get through this," but it will take time.
Although the DIEP requires more time up front, it is much better for you in the long run because you won't have to be managing implants for the rest of your life, having them switched out every 10 years or so.
Also, your body is healing from the accudent and now from surgery. Give yourself time. As women we are usually focused on everyone else and have a hard time letting others take care of us, but this is crucial.
As you heal, by all means dress yourself and wipe your own butt! Lol. But let everyone else do all the cooking, cleaning, dishes, and laundry. Do you walking and stretches, but no more. It wifi enable you to heal faster in the long run.
I trust you are taking a good quality daily vitamin and extra VitaminD and possibly a B complex?
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I had left DIEP surgery on 2/25 so I'm 25 days post surgery. This was my fifth surgery in a year due to complications with reconstruction, so I've had a chance to refine what works best. I would say the most important things I got before surgery, in descending order of importance were:
In the hospital: my own hospital gowns (Annie and Isabel). The staff had me doing laps around the floor on Day 3 as soon as they moved me out of the ICU! My bottom would've been hanging out in their horrible gowns. If you don't want to spend the $, I would suggest making your own or asking your crafty mom sis or friend to do it for you. I also brought soft PJ bottoms to wear with....
Camisoles with drain pockets: They help eliminate painful and obnoxious pulling on your drain tubes when you roll onto one in bed or get one caught on something by keeping it all stowed neatly in pockets. If you don't want to buy a camisole, you can get Pink Pockets, which will stick on the inside of anything creating drain pockets. I stuck them on the inside of my own hospital gowns.
Prunes! Seriously, I've tried it all, and they work better than stool softeners, fiber, or laxatives to combat painful constipation from opiate painkillers. This is a tip I got from another BC.org lady and she was right. Just exercise caution because they are powerful! I had my hubby bring me a pack from home and I kept them on my hospital tray so I remembered to eat a couple twice a day as soon as I started ordering meals. This time I had NO constipation.
SensiCare perineal spray for cleaning your bottom on the toilet. I couldn't shower until Day 4. Needless to say, other cleaning was necessary. SensiCare didn't give me any irritation at all, which is saying a lot because I have super sensitive skin. The brand of foam perineal cleaner the hospital provided had fragrance and caused itching, so I brought my own this time. I also brought thick body wipes for other parts of me.
At home: Number one important things are dressings to immobilize and protect drain openings. I used split drain sponges for under the llne, 2x2 gauze pad over it and covered with 3x4 Tegaderm film. I acquired all these things on Amazon. The Tegaderm can't be matched for immobilizing the drain and being nonirritating. I changed the dressing after showering, and cleaned the area under the dressings with witch hazel which was nice and soothing.
Support panties made for C-section recovery. These helped stabilize my abdomen, protected the incision, and reduced swelling. Def would not be as comfortable without them. Also used regular Spanx type panties.
Sports bra to support the tissue flap. It is heavy and I'm only a B-C cup. I can imagine for a larger busted woman the flap must be very heavy.
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craftysandy- I had a surgical bra and compression binder (still do). I have to wear them two more weeks.I got bikini underwear that hit below the incision. I didn't wear any underwear until I had been home a couple days though.
As for dressing yourself and wiping yourself, I had no problems. Remember, though, that they won't want you lifting your arms up. So, you will want button up shirts. Showers- I was able to shower myself, but I had a chair in the shower. I needed that for a couple weeks. Showers were a little bit exhausting at first!
I just had my four week follow up appointment. I might be getting small implants under my flaps for a little projection. I'm really waffling on this. I didn't want anything foreign in my body, but my PS has given me some assurances about this situation being different that if you just have implants. Firstly, they will be small (100-200cc) so less chance of leaks. They will be under the flap rather than the skin, again this should minimize issues. Because they will be under the flaps, I will still have a natural look and feel. I'll also be doing fat grafting. Part of me says, let's do it. Part of me thinks its not a great idea. Also, they said they should last forever. My PS said that just a couple years ago he only did fat grafting but is finding that putting a small implant under the flap can give you a little more projection. Has anybody else thought of doing this?
I made a cake and went grocery shopping today. Now I'm tired.
I'm sure I have lifted more than 5 lbs and now I'm sore too. 20 minutes until it's time to get the kids.I hope everyone is doing really well!
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Oh, Tanya - rheumatoid arthritis on top of an amputation and a DIEP? I guess I'm going to stop feeling sorry for myself LOL. Thanks for clarifying, though.
I have a handheld shower but no way to sit during my showers. Couldn't fit a chair in the RV shower if I tried. Hopefully I won't be too weak to stand long enough.
Is it very difficult to go up and down steps after the surgery?
jlstacey my PS mentioned I might not have enough fat and he would really like to avoid implants underneath but, worst case scenario, it might come down to that. I didn't get into a detailed discussion with him about it. I assume if the implants are under the flap, they act more like implants done for breast augmentation rather than for reconstruction? Am I right in assuming all the capsular contracture issues etc. come into play with the implant and the skin are in contact with one another?
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jlstacey,
Just wanted to let you know that on April 1st, I am having a BMX with immediate DIEP. At the same time, my doctor is going to insert small silicone implants under the flaps for added projection and to get me to the C cup I currently am. If I just went with just DIEP, he feels he can only get me to a B cup due to not enough belly fat. He said he has had very good results with this particular surgery. Fingers crossed! As soon as I am feeling well, I will be on here and will let you know how it went.
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I did need the nurses' help to wipe for the first day or two in the hospital. I had help bathing and dressing for at least a week or two. But I specifically was told not to bend over, due to the size of my flaps... that limitation plus not being able to move my arms much initially made many activities difficult. I even needed someone's help to put antibiotic ointment on my drain sites under my arms.
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I had a catheter for three days and was constipated so I didn't have a BM until day three.
Thanks craftysandy, I'll anxiously await your thoughts on having the implants! Good luck!
I would like to make a very generous offer to you ladies without enough fat- I will gladly give you some of mine!!
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staceysue2u,
I went in to the hospital Friday night and came home Monday afternoon. No shower was allowed at first, but for first shower I definitely needed help. I could wipe after using the toilet but it was challenging! Also you may have drain tubes- which the nurse will teach you how to care for.
If you have all big button down shirts you should be able to slowly and carefully dress yourself.
Don't base a big decision like what kind of implants on something like this - take deep breaths and think it through! Xxo
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Has anyone had a delayed DIEP without expanders placed first? How do they created the pocket for the DIEP tissue if you have not had any skin spared from prior mastectomey?
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Cookies, my DIEP was a delayed DIEP. When I first had my BMX, my PS told me I didn't have enough far for a DIEP. (wrong!) so I went with expanders.
One got infected and had to be removed. It was reinserted 3 months later only to get infected again, landing me in the hospital with sepsis. The doc suggested a Lat flap. I suggested a second opinion and finally went to see a DIEP surgeon.
I had the one expander filled to about 300 cc's. The troublesome side was flat because there was no expander, but there was some sagging skin because the original surgery was skin sparing.
So, 8 months after my BMX I finally had my DIEP I ended up with C cups--so much for not enough fat! To provide enough skin they simply increase the size of the skin flap. Instead of it being the size of the areola it is a football shape. The side that wasn't expanded is just a bigger football, but it still hides in my bra line.
I posted a picture of my results back on page 10 of this thread. The incision lines should fade over time. It takes a year for scars to mature.
I am scheduled for my stage 2 in April! Looking forward to it.
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I just don't know if I'm truly going to have help if I get the surgery now. You know how, in cancer, there are "runners" and "stayers"? I'm afraid my Dad may be a runner and if I wait for my husband to be able to come help me it will be months before I can have the surgery. That's why I'm thinking maybe I just need to get implants temporarily and get the big surgery later, when my husband can be with me.
This is the part I hate the most about cancer - needing the help of other people.
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Hey ladies!
My second surgery is scheduled for the 31st. Belly and boob tweaks before nipple reconstruction in a few months.
I've been trying to exercise so my butt and thighs match these new boobs and belly. Currently there is about a 20 year age gap 😂😂😂😂
8 weeks post op. photo
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HA HA Myajames - too cute!! Your recovery and attitude have been an inspiration to me. I go in for my UMX / Diep on Thursday. Hugs
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Stacey Sue, having home health come to your home after you get home from the hospital is also an option. It's best to discuss your concerns with your surgeon rather than make any decision based on assumptions! I've wondered many times what I would have done without my mom being able to come stay with me (I'm not married and live alone.) There are always options. Not everyone has someone who can be available 24/7 to help.
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Thanks, ducky! The decision was basically made for me at the PS yesterday. His first available appointment was only 1 week before my husband is due to get here so I said "what's one week?" and set it for a week later so DH can take care of me. So I can't have it until May 11!!! I feel like I'm NEVER going to be able to get back to work!
My seroma keeps coming back and I have to go for a seroma drain Friday. I have one drain left on the other side and it's supposed to be pulled Tuesday even though it still has way too much output, because they have to be pulled at one month. So the PS told me "no more walking." I have to sit my butt down. Grrrrrr. Walking is the only thing that has helped me to keep my sanity. I've been walking 4 miles per day and feeling awesome physically except for this stupid drainage. I came home in tears and my dear dad brought over a mandolin for me to learn to play - to keep the depression at bay LOL.
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stacysue2u, I'm glad that worked out!
I asked this in an earlier post if anyone noticed one breast harder than the other and I got feedback that it was pretty normal ...
I'm Now 8 weeks out of surgery and doing chemo and I realize it may be fluid retention? The boobs look good, but right breast is teeny bit larger and more tender and the nipple (I had nipple sparing) is not protruding out but rather turning in. I'm going to call my PS office tomorrow but I'm wondering if anyone has noticed anything like this
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StaceySue2U I certainly feel your pain. I developed the seroma and the Dr. drained it when I went in for a second surgery. It came back again and he drained it again. It came back and he put in the drain. It was in for 7 weeks. They never told me there was a time limit. I did take an antibiotic while it was in. Praying for you.
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Uuuuuuuuuugh SEVEN WEEKS?! Please NO!
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Hello all,
I am going to have the diep flap procedure to replace my implants in two weeks. I am scared out of my witts. I was very fortunate when i had my mastectomy and reconstruction. I did not have any problems for the 1st few years. Now, 5years out my implants are rippling and have become hard in some places. I have BRACA 1 and choose to have prophlatic surgery to reduce my risk. I am 35 married with 2kids. Does anyone have a similar story that can help me know what to expect?
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Tee had, I started out with tissue expanders and never made it to implants because of infections. I had my DIEP in December and am SO HAPPY with my choice. I love my new breasts--they feel like me. With clothes on, I hardly remember that they are not the originals. :
When I was deciding, I started reading the 2014 DIEP thread. There were over 100 women in that group, and all 100 were glad about their choice, even those with complications! I didn't find those kind of reactions for any other recon options. So take courage!
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StaceySue, I am so sorry that you have been hit so hard lately. Last year was my slug fest with me being knocked down over and over. As a Type-A personality I kept trying to go-go-go until sepsis completely floored me. Now I am learning to sit and rest, and am discovering that it can be a good thing!
You will get your life back one day, but in the meantime listen to your doctor and give your body time to heal. That way you will be around longer for those precious grandchildren of yours
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Big Sister,
Thank you for your reply. I have been reading everything i can find. I agree it seems that most are very happy with thier results. I have my surgery April 8th. I am hopeful that all will go well and I will be back to normal quickly. I do look forward be getting rid of these implants. I am so thankful to have found a place where I can seek advice and read so many encouraging words.
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Hi Teejax,
Sorry you had to be here but we're so glad to see that you found our supportive and informed community!
You may like to read up on our main site content about the Diep Flap procedure so that you know what to expect.
Keep us updated!
The Mods
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Hi ladies, just checking back in. My surgery was Mar 14 so I am eleven days post op now. I will not lie, the first week or so was pretty rough but I am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.
Surgery was really long - 13 hours because my veins kept collapsing so they had to keep finding new IV sites, plus the reconnecting of the vessels at the receiving site took more time. I love love love my PS for sticking in there and not throwing in the towel. I would have been very disappointed to have woken up with implants after all that. I have always had really good veins - never a problem before with these types of issues, so we think that maybe the chemo did some systemic damage to the vessels that hasn't quite resolved itself yet.
Went home on 4th day after surgery. They would have let me stay longer but I was ready to get out of there!
My most loved accessory at this point is the travel pillow. It allows me to sleep in a more upright position with my head supported. And if I'm not using it for my head then I tuck it under an arm or next to my torso for some extra support. I hate sleeping on my back!. It is so hard to find a comfortable position. I'll be glad when this phase is over. I am awake every hour or two during the night and am exhausted.
Got three of the four drains pulled yesterday. Still one left in the tummy. The two breast drains were down to nothing, so I know why he pulled those. I was surprised that he pulled one of the tummy drains as well, because they were both still at 60-70 cc per day. He said that both tummy drains covered the same area, so the one remaining could do the job of both. I was glad to get it out, so wasn't about to argue! PS indicated that even the output from the last drain should reduce dramatically over the next 2-3 days, so he expects that one to come out next week. It does feel so much better to not have to lug all the extra stuff around.
Lots of swelling around the sides of the chest and the hips - I guess those are the dog ears everyone talks about? I assume that gets fixed in phase 2? I am making list of questions for my PS appt for next week.
Btw, I asked the PS about flap failure at this point. He said that once you get past the first five days that the failure rate is almost zero. That's good to hear.
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