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DIEP Flap Reconstruction 2016

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Comments

  • grateful99
    grateful99 Member Posts: 180
    edited April 2016

    Thanks, Teejax. That's great your recovery is going so well and you left the hospital only 72 hours after the surgery! Did you have any help at home or were you able to do everything yourself?

  • phoebe58
    phoebe58 Member Posts: 96
    edited April 2016

    hey Zinny -- I am in central BC, but did my bmx diep surgery in Vancouver. Staying at a friend's for 10 days after the 5 day hospital visit, I had rented a power recliner, and found it very helpful. They deliver, set up and take it away. Very clean and professional. The company is listed in medical supplies and has 4 sites in greater Vancouver. But lots of people have found just several pillows to prop up the back [even the weird shape with arms - amazon.ca sells them] and under the knees. You will initially flounder like a turtle on your back to get up off the bed that diminishes over a couple of weeks, but it's doable. Congrats on moving forward towards the finish line :) I am so very happy with my healing and results. I had the crop circle ellipse on one side with a towards the pit sideways keyhole line, and other side is nipple sparing, so still need the origami swan nipple and tattoo.

  • jlstacey
    jlstacey Member Posts: 117
    edited April 2016

    Zinny, I didn't have a recliner. I used a wedge pillow and I did need help getting out of bed for a few weeks. What size are you? I have two camis with pockets for drains that I don't plan to ever use again! I could mail them to you.

    I'm 9 weeks out from surgery. I'm pretty much back to normal. I still get pain in my abdomen though, and get physically tired faster than normal. I would not say I'm completely back to normal though, as when I do a day of physical activity I feel it!

    My stage 2 is scheduled for July 21st. I'm still thinking about doing small implants under the flaps. I don't know....I'm vasilating. My breasts are a little lumpy when pushed together and I don't like it. :(




  • Teejax
    Teejax Member Posts: 15
    edited April 2016

    Greatful 99, I had help when I can home from the hospital. Thankfully my husband was able to take time off to stay with me. I did need help the first few days. Especially with trying to shower. I had to have a chair and i needed help washing my hair. I did not purchase an expensive chair. We just used a plastics folding chair.

    I am 2weeks post op and I am really doing great. Went to my check up on Tuesday and got rid of those drains. I am not in pain at all really save a few twinges from time to time. My belly is really tight not painful but real tight.

    The doctor has cleared me to drive so I have been getting out of the house. I did some pampering, nails, toes, hair and a facial over the last few day which has really lifted my spirits. I also got clearence to return to work on Monday. Kinda funny the doctor thought I was kidding when I asked for a release to return to work, but he allowed me to with some light restrictions. I so miss my students. I will be happy to be back in my classroom. Kinda concerned with how much learning is going on with a substitute for two weeks.

  • zinny
    zinny Member Posts: 169
    edited April 2016

    jlstacey - Thanks. I am 5 foot 10 and 165 lbs so usually a large, rarely a medium.

    I am also wondering about implants under the flaps eventually, my surgeon felt she might get only A's or small B's and I started as a triple D - god knows I don't want to be that big, but a C would be nice….I guess I'll wait to see what it looks like.

    Thanks for the thoughts on recliners or pillows. Will check out some wedges.

    phoebe58, I remember you, the "starlight" lady:) that is good to know about the rented recliners - will check to see if that exists here in Victoria:) Who was your surgeon, just out of curiosity? I thought of going to Vancouver, but felt happy with my surgeon here in the end.

  • fe_princess
    fe_princess Member Posts: 125
    edited April 2016

    Hi All, how long did the for breast swelling to go down?

  • grateful99
    grateful99 Member Posts: 180
    edited April 2016

    Hi Teejax, thanks for your answer and I'm so glad you're healing well so quickly.

  • craftysandy
    craftysandy Member Posts: 12
    edited April 2016

    Well I am now 3 weeks post bi-lateral mastectomy, followed by DIEP "and" the immediate placement of small silicone implants. I am thrilled with the results and feeling fantastic! Thank God, pain was not an issue at all! A couple Tylenol here and there did the trick! I stopped the Tylenol last week. I hope and pray that my recovery continues to be complication-free! Sure, my stomach feels tight and my new breasts feel a bit tight as well but I know that in time, things will settle down and I will get use to the new me! I'm not sure what revisions if any I will need, except for my decision on nipples. I think I may go with simply getting 3D tattoos, but I have time to make that decision.

    I have a picture I took 5 days ago, when I was around 16 days post-op. If anyone wants to see it, please message me and I will send it to you. I feel funny about posting it here...

    So, so glad the final drains were removed last Tuesday!!!!

  • phoebe58
    phoebe58 Member Posts: 96
    edited April 2016

    that's right Zinny! I recall your comment now! Glad you are well. I forgot you were from Victoria [my home town]. :) My PS is the wonderful Sheina Macadam.

    Regarding showering -- my GP gave me a 'prescription' for a shower bench [it was on a particular form the Red Cross uses], and they loaned me a great shower bench for a couple of months, and I gave them a small donation upon return. It was really handy -- initially used to sit on and swing my legs in -- easier than a chair -- and eventually when stronger I just put my lotions and potions on it within easy reach yet facing away from shower head!

    FePrincess - it was several months ago, but I recall most swelling gradually reduced over the first month

    Craftysandy - congrats on your progress and happiness! I am curious about the small implants.... were they for size or projection?

  • phoebe58
    phoebe58 Member Posts: 96
    edited April 2016

    Teejax - glad to hear you are recovering quickly,:) but please try to pace yourself upon return to work -- you will be tired being on your feet and moving around a lot. Can you start gradually - 3 days or half days? The tight belly will gradually stretch and relax, and part of it may be some swelling still. I had that. I was like you Jlstacey -- pretty good after a couple of months, but still very aware I was not quite up to snuff after a full on day.

  • cedee
    cedee Member Posts: 38
    edited April 2016

    Hi

    Just reposting in case my message got lost in the mix- I hope no one minds.

    Hi ladies, I am 2 weeks post op and looking for recommendations on what brand or place to find s bra that has a front enclosure and side supports. My flaps seem to be spread under my arm pits and the doctor suggested I get a bra with side supports. Do you find that the shape of your flaps change shape or size as the weeks pass? Would love to know what to expect. It feels like I have a shelf under my armpits


  • craftysandy
    craftysandy Member Posts: 12
    edited April 2016

    Hi Phoebe,

    The implants were used to bring me to my pre-mastectomy C cup size, although they also help with projection as well.

    Sandy

  • phoebe58
    phoebe58 Member Posts: 96
    edited April 2016

    Hi Cedee -- re bra info - my PS gave me a do-up the front post-surgery bra - granny style, and I had bought a similar but different brand for myself -- check out Amoena bras. Later I found a comfortable Warners 01056 that has a wider at the side [says so on the pkg], yet no underwire style. It does up at the back but easy enuf to put on at waist backwards and swing it about. Also loved my Bali which was highly recommended on these boards [number has worn off]- comfortable wide band, soft cups, and wide straps -- bought a different Bali by mistake with firmer cups and did not like it nearly as well.... Again, swing it around to do up until your arms are flexible again.

  • Sablanut58
    Sablanut58 Member Posts: 5
    edited April 2016

    yes! I'm having also changes depending of the bra. Yesterday i slept on a binder instead of a bra and my flap woke up flat!!!! Yeah I would like a bra that hold my side in the other reduced breast! PS didn't agree that I shouldn't wear bra at all, since it gets into my incision down. I'm feeling like Frankenstain today and itchy all over. My new nipple looks like a huge chickpea. PS said is inflammation. Anybody stage 2 of reconstruction? Since I didn't need overstay in the hospital I thought it will be easier but with the dog ears hurts when trying to go in or out to bed and hate the wide binder for the dog ears. I had to take one of the plastc sticks on it cause it was getting into my breast suture.

    Hope my day gets better.

  • cedee
    cedee Member Posts: 38
    edited April 2016

    Thanks so much Phoebe58!!!

  • DizzParkMom
    DizzParkMom Member Posts: 34
    edited April 2016

    An alternative to a drain camisole (at least around the house) is to wear a sweatshirt (that has pockets) inside out. I could fit 2 drains in each pocket.


  • BigSister-2015
    BigSister-2015 Member Posts: 298
    edited April 2016

    Zinny, the differences in the scars is if you get an immediate or delayed DIEP. immediate get the keyhole while delayed gets the ovals.

    You don't have to have a recliner. I didn't, but others liked it. I bought a wedge and loved it. I still stacked pillows, but the wedge gave me a great foundation. I got a 7" one.

    I didn't get anycamps with drain pockets. Before my surgery I took a couple of hoodies and cut off the hood to make pockets on the inside. That worked great. You can also just pin them to a shirt that you don't care about.

    When I wasn't using my hoodie, I just clipped them to a lanyard around my neck. The lanyard works great! Esp. for showering.

  • Teejax
    Teejax Member Posts: 15
    edited April 2016

    I used a fanny pack for my drains. I waa able to keep all 6 of them in it. I also had a lanyard for in the shower.

    Pheobe58, I think I will be fine. I teach 8th grade history. I have planed lessons hat will allow me to sit down if I need to. I haven't been very tired. If it is too much my school will work with me. They have been so supportive. I am looking forward to being in my classroom with my students.

  • grateful99
    grateful99 Member Posts: 180
    edited April 2016

    Tanyarocks3, haven't seen you on here for awhile - just wondering how you are doing?

  • grateful99
    grateful99 Member Posts: 180
    edited April 2016

    Just wondering what anyone of you here have said to people who don't need to know the details about your sudden disappearance for 2-4 weeks. I started dating recently but it's too early to talk about health, BC and reconstruction. Yet, I will be "away" for probably 4 weeks. How did you explain it to people who will notice you are gone? And what do you say to children?

  • BigSister-2015
    BigSister-2015 Member Posts: 298
    edited April 2016

    Sablanut, so sorry for your troubles! I am 2.5 weeks out from my stage 2. No binders or anything. I do wear a loose-fitting bra because I don't want to smush my new nipples, which are about the size of a chickpea cut in half. After having had tootsie-roll post-nursing nipples, they seem small to me! Lol

    Regarding a zip-front bra, I really liked the "champion" bra I got from Kohls.

    http://m.kohls.com/product/prd-2374783/product.jsp...

    My PS didn't have me wear anything after my DIEP. I waited about 2-3 weeks before I started wearing anything. I loved the Bali bra then

    I seem to remember it was 2-3 weeks for the initial girls to settle down to their final size

  • zinny
    zinny Member Posts: 169
    edited April 2016

    Grateful - saying you are having surgery should be enough. IMHO, anyone who is scared off by the truth is showing you what they are made of, in the dating realm… With my kids, I have been totally honest. Same with my friends' kids. However, I naturally lack a filter!

    Teejax, the fanny pack made me laugh out loud. Awesome idea!! love the inside out hoodie and lanyard ideas too, all sound perfect. Will get a shower seat.

  • grateful99
    grateful99 Member Posts: 180
    edited April 2016

    Thanks, Zinny, it does seem like the best way to go.

    And I too, love the idea of the sweatshirt turned inside out and the fanny pack. Three and a half more days for me before I go in. Getting nervous.

  • motherofmany
    motherofmany Member Posts: 38
    edited April 2016

    Hi Ladies...

    CraftySandy:  I am post DIEP from august of 2015 however, I am not happy with my very flat and pancake like flaps.  My PS has suggested that we go in and place small implants to add projection.  I don't see many women that have posted whom have had this done and say it is effective on giving a more realistic look to the flaps.  The way my flaps are now it is very difficult to find a bra and clothing looks strange to me.  I was previously a D cup and now I am a C (flat) cup.  Also what size implant did the doctor place and do you still have cleavage between the breast.  Also is the implant placed on the outside of the muscle. Thanks to CraftySandy and anyone else who can help me with this decision. ;  )

  • grateful99
    grateful99 Member Posts: 180
    edited April 2016

    Tomorrow is the day for my surgery. I feel nervous but also looking forward to having it behind me, having my body back and getting on with my life!

  • Teejax
    Teejax Member Posts: 15
    edited April 2016

    Greatful,

    I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Let us know how you are doing. Hugs

  • cedee
    cedee Member Posts: 38
    edited April 2016

    You got this grateful99!! It will feel good to have it behind you ;)

  • SA8PG
    SA8PG Member Posts: 280
    edited April 2016

    Grateful: Prayers, love & hugs headed your way!!!! When it's over you will be so happy. Remember one day at a time. You got this!!!!

  • smrlvr
    smrlvr Member Posts: 117
    edited April 2016

    Grateful,

    We are pulling for you! Good luck! I just got my surgery date today: June 14th, albany Medical Center, Albany, NY. Dr. Kristen Rezak. Excited, but scared at the same time

  • BigSister-2015
    BigSister-2015 Member Posts: 298
    edited April 2016

    Grateful, as they said on the 2014 DIEP thread, you don't have to be brave; you just have to show up. That helped me a lot on my surgery day!

    Enjoy your surgicalsleep. It will only feel like a minute. I hardly remember my hospital stay--slept through most of it!

    Let us know how it went when you on the other side

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