DIEP Flap Reconstruction 2016
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Hi all: Does the DIEP flap get put under or over the muscle? I'm pretty sure it's over the muscle but just wanting to clarify. Thanks
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Best wishes, Grateful99!
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Thank you everyone for your encouraging words and good wishes. Great advice BigSister, "you don't have to be brave, you just have to show up." I like that and will remember it. It's four in the morning and I have to be up in an hour so not likely to fall back asleep again. I guess, I'll catch up on my sleep later today. LOL
I'm really thankful for all of you posting here - it makes the whole process so much more manageable. Will be back as soon as I can.
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good luck grateful, we're all in your pocket, so to speak! Wishing a speedy recovery
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will be thinking of you today grateful, you are already in there! i will actually be down at PMH today for another PS appointment. I am doing better. The "crater" on my left foob was originally 9cm and now with my awesome PICO dressing I think it has healed up to about 5cm long. My emotions are becoming more "stable" lol. it was a huge setback but think i am turning a corner now!
I am still not able to go on my arthritis drugs as they don't want to raise my risk of infection until my crater is fully healed so on that note, I am off work till May 30.
i hope everyone is doing well, whatever stage they are in during the process.
xo tanya
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rdgc ask your PS. I did not ask and mine was put under the muscle. Three revisions later I went for a second opinion because I did not like my results. Found out flaps were under the muscles so next revision had to have them moved. It isn't as nice as if they had been done in stage 1. Wish I had known to ask in the beginning. I just assumed, which wasn't smart.
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Tanya, so happy to hear you are turning the corner. Hang in there! Hugs
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Hi, I am officially 3 weeks out now since my BIlateral Masectomy with immediate Diep.
My breast area and chest still feel sore in some areas and my muscles especially under my arm pits feel super tight. My Dr. Hasn't given me the ok yet to start fully exercising my arms as they said they want to keep fluid build up down.
When did you get the ok to start fully using your arms after surgery?
Did you get any specific exercises or stretches to do? How many weeks out were you when you began?
Do you find that massaging your new breasts helped shape and heal them?
Any specific lotion to help with scars?
Thanks
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Question.... I am just over 4 weeks post BMX and DIEP. Here's my question. The steri strips are slowly coming off my breast incisions but are still more there then not, which is fine with me. My incisions go around where my nipples were and then straight down. Where a piece of steri strip came off my right breast, the area where the breast skin meets the DIEP flap skin is a nice, smooth transition. My DIEP flaps are where my nipples were. On my left breast, a small area of steri strip came off and where the breast skin meets the DIEP flap skin, the skin does not meet as smoothly. The DIEP skin is a tiny bit lower then the breast skin. No weeping or discoloration. Has anyone else experienced this? I wonder if the 2 sides will eventually meet or maybe this is something my PS may have to suture so the 2 sides meet. I see him on May 12th. I just emailed the office just in case, Better safe than sorry? My recovery has been going amazingly well. I just hope this is normal. I have a feeling it is... I sure hope so!
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ceedee, I received gentle exercises to do and started them in the hospital. Just stretches. More strenuous ( like wall walking) 2 weeks post. I have been very lucky, no tightness or loss of motion in my arm or chest. I am 5 weeks post op and healing well, except for the belly wound. Still weeping and there is a bit of a crater. Looks like the 2 edges may need to be sutured together. Am seeing the PS on may 6. I still have an open wound on my breast just under the flap. I am still wearing bandages on both areas. Started hiking our local mountain 3 weeks post op, but I am holding off on weight training until after I see the PS. Going back to work full time tomorrow. Cyber hugs to everyone
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Scheduled for a delayed reconstruction DIEP Flap procedure on July 1st, 2016. Very nervous!
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ifight - take care, wishing you the best. I found the hardest part of DIEP recon to be the first 2 days, after that it improved exponentially every day. I am 5 weeks post op and pretty much back to normal physically. Still wearing bandages on my belly wound and breast wound, but am back to my normal activities ( hiking local mountain). The thing is, I, and many women here, are very happy with the results of the DIEP. The foob feels warm, soft, and like a part of me. You won't be sorry, I'm sure. Wishing you the best outcome possible. Hugs
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crafty sandy: I haven't experienced that, but glad you aren't waiting too long. Like you said, better safe than sorry. Good luck and let us know how you make out.
Stellamaris: thanks for the reply. Hope your wounds heal soon.
Ifightlikea: the hardest part is waiting for the surgery. Just keep breathing and do your research for any outstanding questions you need answered to ease your mind. Once you show up for surgery- it will feel good to have it behind you.
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Crafty, a shelf is fairly common between the breast skin and the flap. The stomach skin is thicker than the breast, so it is hard to get them to match up exactly. I had a shelf in a couple of places that was fixed in Stage 2.
Also, it takes a full year for scars to mature, and things can even out over time. My shelf got slightly better over three months, but I figured it was better to fix it while I was out for the fat grafting
I am now 3 1/2 weeks out from my Stage 2 surgery, and I am just about back to normal. Feels good to have energy again!
Love my new nipples. They still have a bunch of "dissolvable" sutures sticking out so I feel like a bit of a porcupine!
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Hi everyone,
I just arrived home, 4 days post op, had sushi with my son and now getting ready for bed. Feeling good.
A couple of things I wish I was told - breathe deeply asap, and when I awoke from the surgery I was nearly fully stretched out. I should have stayed at it and not gone into the scissor position - it's much harder to straighten up now and my back hurts.
Day 1, Thursday: Surgery: arrived at OR, next thing I was in post op step down, groggy. Saw my son for 2 minutes, fell asleep.
Day 2, Friday: Woke up again in recovery room - four to a room getting checked every hour, pump for morphine whenever I want - every five to ten minutes which decreased to an hour while I slept. Also oxygen in nose and catherer plus an IV. Starving after 60 hours of no food! Dr. arrived said he is happy with the results told me he took off 260g and added 480 g (each side I hope). Getting up, sitting. Eating, sleeping and calling nurses all day long (I am not an obedient patient).
Day 3, Saturday, hydromorphine every 10-20 minutes, none while sleeping. taken off pump late afternoon and put on pills, slow acting and boosts of Hydromorphine and Tylenol Extra every three hours as needed and laxative and stool softeners. Off catherer. Walking.
Day 4, Sunday, more of the same, easing on all drugs, walking more.
Day 5, Monday, saw doctor and got instructions for home.
Would have liked to have my hair washed while in hospital but otherwise happy with results and progress so far. Tired so will try to write more tomorrow.
Definitely worth the wait (two years).
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So glad you are doing well, grateful! Sorry we didn't mention the breathing. It is really is crucial to getting the anesthesia out of your system and protect your lungs from disease.
Being bent just goes with he territory. If you stretch out too soon, the tummy scar will pull and won't heal nicely. Any incision that is pulled on will scar more, so you don't want those incisions to stretch. That is something that the surgical glue helps prevent.
They didn't wash my hair at the hospital either, but at home I was able to sit in my shower at home and end over and get it done with the help of my girls.
Take it easy and heal. The worst is over! Now you get to test your patience.
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Thanks, Big Sister, that is very helpful. They didn't tell me to breathe deeply at the hospital, but I remembered this advice from someone on here! Also about stretching. How long should I stay bent to get good results?
Al the dressings are gone as well as surgical glue! Does that mean bad scarring?
Should I get an x-ray to check my chest? What about follow up blood and urine?
Hope everyone else is doing well.
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Whendid everyone get the green light to drive again?
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Cedee, you can drive again when you are off all narcotics and when you feel that you can twist enough to look over your shoulder. I drove at about 2 weeks.
Grateful, the glue just holds thing in place until you heal enough to hold together yourself. There are still plenty of disolvable sutures to secure things.
At my post op my doc mentioned that some people buy expensive tapes while some PSs use duck tape! I didn't use any; I just was careful not to massage or overstretch until things were well healed.
I did use oils to keep things soft and to promote healing. Any lotion will do. I use essential oils, so I added a drop or two of Melrose (Young Living) to a tsp or so of V6 (liquid coconut oil). Whether that made a difference or not is unclear.
It is crucial that you take a quality multiple vitamin. Be sure that the Bs and folate are methylated. If it had folic acid, don't take it. You want methylfolate. Your body has a lot of work to do, and it is unlikely you can get enough from your foods. A good one is O.N.E. from Pure Encapsulations.
HTH
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I now have my follow up appointments for two and three weeks as well as home nurse for tomorrow. Looks like 6-8 weeks recovery before I can fly again though.
Long wait. Yes, my patience will be tested again.cedee, no idea about driving but probably when you can turn your head back to see behind you and are off drowsy meds. Just my guess.
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Barb was watching board hoping u would check on. U must have been doing well coming home after four days. As far as coughing did u use spectrometer blue contraption to blow Into to move that little ball up. I took it home and still used it on and off. Coughing is I believe normal don't think u need xray but call Agnes at. How many drains do u still have are u going to have some help.I will call u later next week. So glad you are through surgery how do the girls look
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Hi Lois, thanks for your concern. Doing ok, but home care nurse said 48 hours is normal! NOt!, At 48 hours I was still hooked up to pain pump, oxygen and catheter. At 36 hours slowly loosing those as well as blood pressure returning to normal and starting to get out of bed on my own. Definitely needed those four days post op.
My son picked me up last night but I was on my own all day today (day 6) and doing ok. Take pain pill, sleep an hour or two, wake up, pee, walk upstairs (exercise) make quick snack (boiled eggs, ready to eat prawns, chicken broth, pear, banana). Walk downstairs, then a phone call or email and time for another pill. That's my routine today.
I did use the blue thing but didn't take it home. Breathing exercises instead. Have only one drain left (Yeah), and nurse coming tomorrow. Girls looking good - a bit lopsided and worse for wear but I love them already. Tummy tight as a drum and a couple of love handles left for hopefully fat injections source later. Belly button red and raw but all normal according to Dr. Katie. Doppler done every day too so important to stay in hospital the full time.
Speak soon.
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New blister on right breast. Had a rough night coughing - aching belly and it feels like there is a piece of razor blade in my throat. Hoping it's just a scratch from the tube. Will be glad to see the nurse today.
BigSister, yes, taking vitamins, will look out for ONE from Pure Encapsulations. Thank you for the suggestion. I will be using coconut, vit. E and almond oils once I am allowed.
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Hi Ladies, I am a member of the DIEP 2015 group - had my phase 1 in Dec. 2015. I am scheduled for Phase 2 in July 2016. I lurk fairly regularly - checking in on everyone....Stay strong.....
I have a question - I am approx. 22 weeks out and healing I think fairly well. No major complications post surgery. With the exception of my belly area. I am curious for those that have completed Phase 1 - if you are still experiencing any painful swelling - my pain occurs above the DIEP incision but below the foobs? I cannot even tell you how painful the bloated/swollen area is. On some days - I cannot even touch it and my pants feel so tight. My belly area is so bloated that it is noticeably pronounced from the side view. BTW, I'm still not wearing any pants with a belted waist - too painful. Also, I have very pronounced dog ears and they ITCH out of control...Anyone else experiencing any of this? Thoughts would be appreciated....
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Hi everyone, I'm new to this blog. It's been two years since I had a full mastectomy of the right breast followed by 25 radiation treatment. I plan to have the DIEP surgery in mid-June. The date has not been confirmed yet. Do anyone regret having the DIEP procedure done?
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Hi ladies. I am new to this discussion. After three infections with implants and several surgeries, I now have one side with a good implant and one side flat. I have met with a plastic surgeon and will probably be doing a DIEP flap in the near future. I am nervous, and have many questions. One being is there anyone out there who has one implant and one flap? How did that work out? Would you do it again? And do they stay symmetrical over time?
Also, any and all advice is welcome!
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Dear whipluc and LisaMarie, Welcome to the discussion boards. We hope that you will find answers from others here and glad that you reached out. Keep us posted. The MOds
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I just had my DIEP and don't regret it and since being on here have not heard anyone regretting it. Very happy to have my body back again although it's a big surgery and 6-8 weeks recovery. Regarding one DIEP and the other implant, I would think they would look and feel different and age differently over time. Why not have DIEP on both sides and be done with it? If it was me I would. I heard many ladies having problems with implants. All the best.
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Hi all! I'm new to this discussion as well, but have been reading daily for several weeks as I approach the end of my chemo treatments, last one to of 6 coming up this Tuesday the 10th. I finally got my surgery date for my bilateral MX and immediate reconstruction with DIEP! Anxious and excited, and very thankful for all of the experiences you ladies have put in so I know what to expect:) ! Surgery date is June 15, 2016!!
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I had my bmx with immediate DIEP back in Oct. and stage 2 in March. I am thankful every single day that I went with DIEP. Because I was able to have skin sparing sx, I actually have never felt that I lost my breasts. I went to sleep and then woke up numb and with scars. There is very little difference between my pre surgery/ post surgery breasts. Mostly, its the lack of nipples and loss of sensation. However, they still feel exactly like 'me' to touch and I din't feel any akwardness with pectoral movement. The first 5-8 days were exhausting, but I was able to get back into a pretty normal routine pretty soon after. I had read some scary stories that made it sound like I would be helpless and dependent on others to take care of me for weeks. For me, that just wasn't the case. It's a rough experience, but once you are on the other side, healing begins quickly.
Stage 2....now that was painful. I found fat grafting to be much more painful than the original DIEP. For me, I think it was because I hadn't prepared my mind to be ready for another big surgery. I completely underestimated stage 2. Suggestions: hydrate, hydrate, hydrate and ask about Arnica (tablets or gel).
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