Come join others currently navigating treatment in our weekly Zoom Meetup! Register here: Tuesdays, 1pm ET.
Take our poll: Caregivers, what do you find most difficult about caregiving?
Weigh in: What are the best and worst gifts for people with breast cancer?

DIEP Flap Reconstruction 2016

1…2728303233…86

Comments

  • grateful99
    grateful99 Member Posts: 180
    edited May 2016

    I got the steri strips (3M, Nexcare) from the pharmacy and put four on the part of the incision that was oozing with some space between so it can still ooze if it wants to but at least I don't feel like my wound is going to open up any minute. Feel much better now.

  • phoebe58
    phoebe58 Member Posts: 96
    edited May 2016

    so glad to hear that grateful99 - great problem solving!

    bigsister - I just have to commend you on all of your excellent and detailed advice and support to everyone -- huge kudos

    Zinny - Wow- the countdown has begun and I will mentally count down with you :) -- will you be at RJH [my birthplace!] or elsewhere? - ps love that mash-up word nervcited. Remember everyone seems very happy to have chosen diep.

  • rdgc
    rdgc Member Posts: 52
    edited May 2016

    Hi SA8PG:

    How much of the SilvaSorb gel and Puracol collagen strips did you use? I checked on Amazon and they're both pretty expensive, but if they work well I'm willing to splurge...

  • Journey2014
    Journey2014 Member Posts: 65
    edited May 2016

    Hello, I am new to this thread and I am considering DIEP flap surgery for my left irrdiated breast, but my PS said that I only have enough for one breast. I had bilateral MX, I have a tissue expander right now in my right breast, my left tissue expander was removed due to an open incision and the skin and tissue are not healing well. I am nursing an open wound for six weeks now, it's healing slowly from inside out. I will see my new PS tomorrow because my previous PS is retiring in June.

    Hopefully this new PS have a better plan for my situation. I guess I will know more tomorrow.

    Good luck to all.

  • SA8PG
    SA8PG Member Posts: 280
    edited May 2016

    Hi rdgc,

    I only used half a tube of the SilvaSorb and bought one box of the Puracol. The puracol is sealed in its own packaging so you cut it to make it fit the size you need for your wound, whatever you don't use wrap up for next wound change. There is instructions on the packaging. You use the SilvaSorb and the Puracol together to keep the wound moist as it closes. PM me if you have any questions.

    Hugs, G

  • nancyhb
    nancyhb Member Posts: 235
    edited May 2016

    Hi, everyone. I'm still reading back through all the posts but am so grateful for the information I'm finding here. Thank you all for sharing the good and bad, as well as the helpful tips.

    I'm planning for DIEP in late July/early August with Dr. Momoh at U-M. This is my second dance with cancer, the first being four years ago. I had a local recurrence in the left breast (UIQ). I have to have an mx due to previous radiation; luckily my skin and tissue have held up very well and Dr. M. was very pleased with that. However, my general surgeon decided to create a new scar in what he though would be the area that would be removed for the mx, going in sideways to get at the cancer during an excisional biopsy. This has created a tissue "island" between my first scar and my new scar, and Dr. M is concerned about loosing blood flow to that area. Apparently my surgeon didn't realize that with immediate recon this surgical group uses an incision around the nipple and spares the rest of the skin, and though this new scar area would be cut out. *erg*

    I requested to do chemo first because I had so much going on in my life and couldn't be down for a few weeks of surgical recovery time. My MO really wanted an mx with delayed recon after chemo, but I just couldn't afford two separate surgical recovery periods - and if I didn't NEED to delay reconstruction, why not just do it all at once? Because my recurrence is TN and I can't do AC-T (did it the first time) my MO really wanted that chemo to get started ASAP and full surgery would have delayed that too long. So I sort of insisted on chemo first. Off to 5th of 6 TCs here in a few minutes. Hoping to have an appointment with the oncological surgeon in the next couple of weeks so I can get a surgery date on the schedule.

    Now....back to reading!! :-)

  • HRwinter16
    HRwinter16 Member Posts: 16
    edited May 2016

    hi everyone!

    hope everyone is feeling pretty good and healing well. I'm close to my 16 week mark post surgery and feeling pretty good. Still numb in many places and tender/ sore in others.

    Have not yet been able to sleep on my stomach - it hurts my new boobs. Anyone else have thoughts on this?

    Anyone have any experience with the scar gel strips? My surgeon suggeste epi Derm but they are quite expensive...

  • greenjay
    greenjay Member Posts: 6
    edited May 2016

    Hi, I will have a hip flap surgery in NOLA either this summer or next spring,

    1) Has anyone driven to New Orleans instead of flown? I plan to do so - it's the only way my family can make it there.

    2) Does anyone know if you have to stay in the city of New Orleans post-op, or can you stay a couple of hours away (where we have friends)?

    thanks!!!

  • Ramonica60
    Ramonica60 Member Posts: 9
    edited May 2016

    I used the silicone strips and Scar Guard MD (you apply it like nail polish)

    It really helped..i had a raised scar about the areola where they did the nipple delay procedure prior to nipple sparing mastectomy.

    My scar is flat now, so it looks much better

  • stellamaris
    stellamaris Member Posts: 313
    edited May 2016
    Taag - I'm not sure about timing as I had an immediate DIEP reconstruction. I am also in Canada, and I am waiting for stage 2 reduction on the left breast. I think 4-6 months is normal. I am on a waiting list for the reduction and I doubt it will be before summer. From their perspective, the cancer is gone, and now it is considered elective surgery. I am worried about the left breast as well, because nothing is showing up on imaging. I figure the only way I will know is from the pathology on the reduction. hang in there.
  • rosiesgirl
    rosiesgirl Member Posts: 24
    edited May 2016

    NancyHB, I am having DIEP with Dr. Momoh on August 1st. Let me know when you are scheduled!

  • stellamaris
    stellamaris Member Posts: 313
    edited May 2016
    Hi Phoebe - glad to hear you are doing well! Same for me, a couple of kitten ears - nothing I can't deal with. Back to my normal hiking regime and looking forward to kayaking. My PS is shooting for the reduction this summer. Keeping my fingers crossed. Tanya - hang in there! My belly wound had a small crater and took it's sweet time as well. Glad to hear your crater is finally starting to heal. My PS gave me some medicated gauze strips to put in the hole, and that helped it close up more quickly. Hugs to everyone - and best for continued healing!
  • lessharp
    lessharp Member Posts: 51
    edited May 2016

    HRwinter.. my PS says 95% of this surgery in in the center of your chest (sternum)...they remove cartilage to get at the arteries to attach blood supply . I still occasionally have pain on my chest if I lay on it... and I am 6mo out. It does get better over time... I'm almost back to myself. Gardening, pulling weeds, working, walking and hiking. You'll get there!

  • tanyarocks30
    tanyarocks30 Member Posts: 53
    edited May 2016

    hi everyone. what a wonderful long weekend here in Toronto. Even though I couldn't enjoy sitting in the sun, the shade was wonderful. Things are actually a bit worse on my end which makes me sad but one day at a time. Turns out I have an infecftion in my left breast (the one that has the PICO dressing on it). My PICO is becoming saturated within 30 hours (not new). Lab results came back as Pseudonomos.

    Yesterday the homecare nurse just put a conventional dressing on it as they were getting bigger PICO dressings today. Thursday we go back down to see the surgeon again for some sort of procedure with aectic acid?

    Was a tough weekend :(

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

    It looks like a certain kind of pseudomonas (follicularis) will respond to topical treatment of 5% acetic acid (vinegar) or silver sulfadene a few times per day. That might save you an oral antibiotic, but they might add that on too.

    Sounds like your immune system needs some boosting. At the least, get a good quality probiotic such as "advanced naturals ultimate floramax 50 billion." Eating unpasteurized fermented foods such as sauerkraut will help too. Limit carbs and take a good vitamin with mentholated Bs.

    I know I keep harping on the good vitamins, but it is so crucial for health. A friend of mine on insulin for her diabetes, which cropped up during a stressful time of life, just stared a good vitamin and right away her bold surface readings stabilized. I am pretty astounded at the rapid response, but it just goes to show!

    O.N.E. by Pure Encapsulations is excellent. Your local health food store should be able to help you find a good one. As long as it has methylfolate instead of folic acid, you should be good to go

  • SA8PG
    SA8PG Member Posts: 280
    edited May 2016

    Hi Tanya

    I'm so sorry you are dealing with the pseudo infection. :(((. I am hoping this will get cleared up soon for you. I've had lots of infections after reconstruction even one in my right hip drain with the Diep that was a pseudo. Please keep us posted. Sending you healing, love, prayers & hugs

    G

  • stellamaris
    stellamaris Member Posts: 313
    edited May 2016
    Tanya - sorry to hear you are having such a tough time. Hoping this will do the trick for you. Hugs
  • DizzParkMom
    DizzParkMom Member Posts: 34
    edited May 2016

    Hi all. I got my nipple tattoos done today. I chose not to get oragami nipples and juat had the flat tattoos done. I am just shy of 3 months since my stage 2. I'll need 1 more fat grafting surgery this summer to even up the hollow spots, but that won't interfer with my new nipples. So far they look really good.

    Someone asked about the scar sheets....I used mepiform from cvs. I saved up % off coupons and applied them. It's a large rectangular sheet that you cut up to fit your scars. I left mine on 24/7, even in the shower. Once a week, I removed them, washed them with soap and water and put them sticky side down on a clean mirror. After they dried, I put them back on. I cut up new strips about every 2 to 3 weeks. So, one sheet lasts a while. Obviously you can't use them until your scars are closed up, but I had a lot of success both this time and in the past when I has a skin cancer on my face.

  • lessharp
    lessharp Member Posts: 51
    edited May 2016

    DizzPark...Congrats on the tats!. I am not quite ready yet....Hoping by the end of the year..

    Tanya, praying you recover quickly!


    Leslie

  • phoebe58
    phoebe58 Member Posts: 96
    edited May 2016

    hi Stellamaris -- On the paddle board this weekend for leisurely outing. Yipee. Glad you have a ballpark time. I see my PS June 7 to make fall plans. Having a helluva time dropping a few pounds though [my spring wardrobe is snuggg -- think it must be the Letrazole]. PS Caution on your hikes - Just heard that cougars have been spotted on the Grouse Grind!!

    Yay to the tats dizzpark. Keep us updated. And Tanya, hope you are getting some relief now from your infections -- geez.

    HRwinter - I am 9 months post diep and it's still not completely normal to sleep on side [not painful but noticble] - never was a stomach sleeper. Still numb across much of abdominal scar [which healed wonderfully - no probs] and much of noob area surface, and a tiny bit tender inside if that makes sense.

  • zinny
    zinny Member Posts: 169
    edited May 2016

    Hooray to paddle boarding! Looking forward to that postop- good goal! Phoebe 58, yes, my surgery is at RJH. Looking forward to staying in the fancy new building...

    Cougars on the grind- lots of jokes there;)

  • grateful99
    grateful99 Member Posts: 180
    edited May 2016

    Four weeks post op for me here and the oozing is easing but the center of the abdominal incision is still raw looking. I put some steri strips on it to keep it together and this seems to be helping. The sides and foobs are heeling fine though.

    I am finally able to walk a bit although still stooping, (shopping while holding onto a cart) and got to get outside for a bit. Slowly, slowly gaining energy. Sleeping now three or four hours at a time which is an improvement from waking up hourly during the first week. Still mostly on my back but now and then I put a pillow under my back on one side to get some angle so that I can pretend I'm sleeping on my side.

    Hope all of you are doing well.

  • tanyarocks30
    tanyarocks30 Member Posts: 53
    edited May 2016

    happy almost Friday. ...saw surgeon today. Long story short....opened wound a tiny bit to drain everything out. Good thing I have no feeling there. All that digging around lol. No more PICO or 48 hr dressing changes.

    Now I have the wound packed with gauze and I get to get a dressing change EVERY DAY!!!! very exciting lol. Sarcasm is my friend.

    Hopefully this will start the healing from the inside out like it was supposed to. The PICO was great but the outside was healing before the inside.....

    A few more weeks....a few more weeks.😑

  • Lilyn
    Lilyn Member Posts: 156
    edited May 2016

    Tanya and barb sorry u are still having issues hope this will all heal soon. thinking of you. I was saying to secretary in medical office where I work how much the advice and support of the women on this board were so instrumental in my decision to go ahead with this surgery and all advice that was offered in all aspects of this journey.thank you to allHeart


  • grateful99
    grateful99 Member Posts: 180
    edited May 2016

    Thinking of you, Tanya and wishing you speedy healing! I found that when I had a shower, the wound started oozing again, so I'm back to sponge baths!

  • phoebe58
    phoebe58 Member Posts: 96
    edited May 2016

    interesting point, grateful 99 -- all surgeons seem to be different re after care advice -- I had been told NO showers 2 weeks or til drains all out whichever later, and one hip was in for 3 weeks [flew home at 2 weeks and needed to come back week later for a nip removal on 'good side' so she said keep it in til then], so I became the queen of sponge baths, feeling rather like a character in Jane Austen novels! Plus side was no issues at all with abdom or breast scars. Healed perfectly, and then for about a month I faced carefully away from shower head.

    Happy healing Tanya and everyone - yes it IS Friday

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

    Best thing for sponge baths--Norwex body cloths. Wash without soap. I so wish I had these back when! You use the same cloth every day for a week. Silver in the material makes them anti microbial. I use it now and love it.

    imagehttp://melissashort.norwex.biz/

  • Donnar25
    Donnar25 Member Posts: 12
    edited May 2016

    Hi ladies! I've been reading this blog for some time now since I knew from the beginning that I wanted to have the DIEP flap surgery as my reconstruction. I was told early on I needed chemo first, so I had my 6th TCHP treatment on May 10th. The problem is that I am one of the lucky few (NOT!) that got a pulmonary embolism during treatment. They found it after my 3rd treatment when my BS noticed my heart rate was super high and I was out of breath even on my 8th day after infusion. My MO had been saying everyone gets a little breathless, nothing to worry about... Boy was she wrong!! I know when the PE went into my lung as well, it happened on the 1 week mark after the port was placed, and three days after my 1st chemo. I'm glad the BS was paying attention to my vitals when I saw her for my mid-point check up!

    So now here's my question to all you knowledgeable ladies... They put me on Xarelto for the PE, but I have to be bridged to Lovenox before the surgery since it's a shorter acting blood thinner. Have any of the ladies on here had the very long double MX &sentinel node removal with immediate recon with DIEP flap AND had a PE or DVT and on blood thinners?

    My PS has a great reputation here in Austin, Dr. Whitfield, and he has told me its high risk for needing transfusion.. But doable. I'm scheduled for June 15th, and am getting very nervous about the bleeding factor/ healing factor since I will be only 5 weeks out from my last chemo infusion.

    Thanks for any info/suggestions or even just experience sharing you can offer. I hope you are all healing well!!

  • stellamaris
    stellamaris Member Posts: 313
    edited May 2016

    ha ha Phoebe and Zinny - I have never seen a cougar on the grind - just deer. But I will certainly keep my eyes open! Yay for paddle boarding - I'd love to try that. Maybe next year in Hawaii :)

  • stellamaris
    stellamaris Member Posts: 313
    edited May 2016

    Tanya - hoping the gauze works for you - it did for me. Sped up the healing from the inside. Enjoy the weekend!

Categories

Join Us on Zoom: Upcoming virtual meetups. Read more...
Give your account some personality! Add a profile photo.