DIEP Flap Reconstruction 2016
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Cablan, the abdominal incision does get better over time. I too was pretty alarmed, but now that I am 6 months out, it appears much smaller.
Rdgc, I was pretty unhappy with my belly button right off. It seemed flat and too high. No one else seemed to mind, so I decided I would just have to embrace it. But just today my husband commented that it is almost looking like its old self--which is true! My PS said it takes a year for scars to mature, so it is just a matter of patience isn't it always? Lol
It was a good 3 weeks before I was upright, and things still felt stretchy for awhile after that my abdomen still feels funky. Taking all that tissue really does a number on the belly. Give it plenty of time to heal.
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rdge - here are the pics. I'm 12 days since stage 2. Still have glue in spots and had a reaction to the steri strips on my ab incision. But my belly button looks more normal that right after stage 1. 
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Big Sister, That is nice to hear that your belly button improved over time. Sportysister, your belly button looks great! And I am impressed by the way your boobs sag and the shape is very natural. Good for you!! My new boob has too much on the upper pole and I want the puffiness to gravitate and look more saggy and droopy, which I think is what they usually do, right?
Did anybody's look too puffy on the upper pole when you first got it done, and then they later sagged down to look more natural with time?
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rdge - Thanks, when I first had mine done, they were like flat rectangles on my chest, lol! I guess gravity and time helps shape them. And stage 2 of course
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At first I really disliked my belly button, it looked foreign to me and I'm not sure I realized I'd loose my own but now, after almost a year and a half, I love it! Here is how much my abdominal incision has faded. Stage 2 will change that as my PS is going in again to fix abdominal bulge on right side.
Sporty sister you look great! Hope your healing in comfort. I'm not looking forward to abdominal binder in the heat of summer!
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slv58 - I love your belly button!!!! It's perfect!!! You look awesome!!!
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Slv58 your belly button is really nice! And the scar is so faint! How awesome!!!!
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Smrlvr-glad to see your out, take it easy you'll do just fine.
Cabland-Im only two weeks out but my incision was always very thin. I imagine once it heals you won't even see it.
Rdgc-Im only two weeks out Monday but Im standing taller everyday. Id say by next week I should be standing straight. Everyday seems a little better. As for my belly button its still scabby so its hard to tell what its actually going to look like, but at least its in the centre now. The resident told me as she was marking me up for surgery that my belly button was off to one side but they would fix that for me during surgery lol. The things you find out about yourself when you go in for surgery hahah.
Can anyone think of any questions they wish they would have asked their ps at their first follow up appointment. I see mine tuesday. So excited but not sure whats important to ask him.
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My PS preserved my old belly button. He cut a hole around it, pulled up the skin, poked anew hole, and stitched it in place. Here it is with my belly scar at 6 months post DIEP.
Rdgc, my PS said that getting fat to stick in the upper poles is hard, so maybe they erred on the side if too much. I don't see your surgery date, but there is swelling that goes down after 3 weeks or so, and half the added fat after fat grafting will be reabsorbed, so you might need to give it more time.
Here is me 2 months post Stage 2. Mine was a delayed DIEP, so that is why my flaps are so big. The smaller one was on the side that they were able to expand. The larger one is on the side that had the infection.
I wasn't sure what to think about my nipples post stage 2. I nursed 8 babies, so I had tootsie roll sized nipples preBMX. it is very strange to go back to virgin nips! (My daughters, friends, and I have been comparing. Lol)
I see the PS next month. I suspect I could use more fat in the poles, but I don't know if I want to lose another two months of life.
My PS doesn't use binders, thank goodness! He is very conservative, so he took it easy with the fat grafting I my stage 2. I didn't get any fat necrosis, so for that I am grateful!
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SportySister and SLV58, looking awesome ladies!
I can't think of anything Taag. Just remember to take it easy. You still have the tape on your abdomen and breasts? They took the tape off my abdomen first post op. It was drying up and curling up. Didnt hurt. Pay close attention to AnY little red spots and Id ask about beginning dressing immediately should any appear. Hopefully you'll get some drains out? I got 3 removed first post op.
I go in tomorrow. Hoping for a good report on my separation. I have switched to a wet to dry dressing per a critical care nurse I know. Nt looking any better but not progressing either. One of them, the biggest area, I can see a stitch running the length. Ick. Creeps me out. I have rogue stitches in every area of necrosis (fatty cells dying)-small areas.
My left breast has pretty much scarred up. My right breast still has 3 places I am watching but they are all slowly decreasing in size.
Hope all are doing well, and taking it easy
I am so restless and so ready to get back to some form of normalcy!!!!
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Sorry but what are the 'poles'?
I'd love to post some of my post op pics but don't want any new to surgery one's to take it as how their healing may go. Were all different and heal differently. Mine isn't as...neat as some others.....
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Hi BigSister, great results! Do you have a date for tatoos?
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Btw, since I have been comparing breasts with all of my friends lately, hah!, I have been amazed at the diversity of breast types.
My DIL sent me this priceless article on boobs. Enjoy the laugh!!
https://www.buzzfeed.com/floperry/cartoons-about-b...
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Nine days until my scheduled surgery and STILL waiting for the insurance company to do their peer-to-peer phone call with my PS. So much for federal laws that say ANY reconstruction after BC is covered by insurance! SO frustrated right now. I just want this to happen and start the healing process!
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simplicity - Thank you! And hang in there! From what I hear, it's just going to take time and a watchful eye! I don't think people realize how complicated reconstruction actually is! Either they think "well, you just get implants put in" or "oh, you're so lucky, you got a tummy tuck!" They don't realize about the 2,3,4 or like some of us, 10 other surgeries we had to get!
Bigsister 2015 - you look absolutely amazing! Your "girls" came out beautifully! And 8 babies!? You are SUPERWOMAN!!!!
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BigSister, you look amazing!! Im with SportySister, 8? Wow. And look at that waist line!
Thanks SportySister. Taking it's toll I suppose, sitting around, unable to do with such beautiful days outside. bleh.Yea, the lucky on tummy tuck makes me want to lift my 'not typically my style but its all I can wear right now' skirt and show them how 'lucky' some of us are.Haha Guess that wouldnt be very nice now would it?
I hate how all this has affected my life at times, my kids, my mom. Frustrating. Just had a small crying fit over thinking that I may be cut again tomorrow. Never a fun thing. I goofed too. Thought my appt was at 9 but its not until 2. BF was going to take me, but not sure he'll be able to at 2, so may have to have son take me. His face when I was crying and my two younger ones were hugging me (18 & 15)
Hate seeing them that concerned.0 -
Awww, please don't get discouraged. I know it's hard. I felt helpless, useless, tired, crappy, angry and sad. Everyone wants to do something for you but you just want to go back back to "normal". It seems like it's taking forever and then one day you realize you feel a little better. And then you do too much, lol. And then you feel crappy. But then you feel better again., It DOES get better, I promise it does. 😘
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Trying not to. One of those days.
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Deep breaths and baby steps!
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Sporty sister you look great! Thanks for posting your pic.
From what I understand, "the poles" are just the different areas. For example, "upper pole" means the area above the nipple. I believe that's what it is, anyway...
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Simplicity, the drawn out nature of this is getting to me, too. I am usually quick and active and always on the go, so heading into my third week of mostly sitting in bed or on the couch, feeling stranded because haven't been ok'd to drive, and afraid to do all of the things that need doing lest it be "too much" and my incisions give out, leading to even more down time!!! Had a little panic attack about it all last night, butt sore from being on it so much, couldn't get comfy in bed, wanted to lay on my side again finally….
Patience. Not my most natural virtue. Just breathe.
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And, damn, ladies, those boobs and bellies look fantastic. I am hoping for something like that stage 2. I am more on the underfilled and lumpy side…
Though my Beebo looks pretty good:)
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thank you rdgc!
Skinny - I still have the whole "ken doll" look going on! Kind of takes away from the flat belly, lol!
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The poles are generally the area above your breast area--the North Pole.
I don't have a tatoo date yet. I plan to go to Vinny's and have one of that team do the work. After all this work, I want to make sure the tats are the best I can get.
It is a day's drive away, so we'll make a trip out of it. I believe Vinny's requires that you wait 6 months after your last revision, so it will befall at the earliest.
http://www.today.com/health/magic-tattoos-how-vinn...
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I want a long hot bath, so bad.
Thanks SportySister. I just don't sit around well (don't think any of us do under these circumstances Ha)
Taag, um, I was supposed to wait for clearance? lol He just told me not to drive while on/using pain pills, so I'd just time any limited errands to towards the end of my time on a pill. Think I drove the day after I got home. But just a few blocks up the road, and by my workplace. They all fussed at me O.o The pain pills never made me, feel drowsy, or loopy, not even at home resting. Just took the edge off the pain. Yep. The butt pain Oy. My left hip hurts too cause I cant sleep on my right until the Dr gets that boob rock broke up. It seems to be right where BMX/and Recon drains were. Scar tissue maybe? Anyway, it hurts like hell if I accidentally flip during the night and end up laying on that side/the boob rock.
This keeps me laughing. Knowing it will get fixed, it doesnt bother me. But here is my boob nose lol He had to compensate during surgery for additional skin damage. This is the result?
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Wow you all look so amazing. I hope my round two ends that great. I am just really happy with whats going on right now. It amazes me at what these doctors can do. To think they can make a boob out of my stomach fat is crazy. My BFF came for a visit today and she was amazed at how I look. I don't have any drains or tape left on. Today was my two week mark since surgery and Im so close to standing up straight, but Im not pushing it all in good time. Simplicity I hear you about the butt pain. I am having static pain going from my butt to my foot that is driving me crazy. Had a break down on Sunday, feeling guilty not being able to do anything. My daughters were home for fathers day cooking cleaning doing laundry. I broke down and cried telling them to stop. Thats when they said Mom stop it. All our lives you are always doing things for us. You did this surgery for you so sit back and let us take care of you. Stop feeling guilty for doing something for yourself. Then I just cried some more thinking what good kids I have. I guess it didn't matter what was happening that day good or bad I was going to cry about it. Can't wait to see my PS tomorrow I hope everything if good that he can see.
Wishing everyone health and happiness!
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Taag, it is time to let your kids enjoy the blessing of serving others that you have enjoyed up till now. Somebody has to be the recipient!
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My PS got verbal approval from my insurance company yesterday. Just waiting on things to be input and proper codes sent over. Looks like surgery is a go for next Wednesday! What a relief!!!
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Hi ladies! I had surgery the 15th and got out Sunday the 19th. Pain has been bearable at home. Cutting back to 1 Percocet every 6-8 hrs as needed today, and will probably try to switch over to tramodol after today. I started with 6 drains, 4 from breasts and 2 from abdomen. They pulled 2 breast drains that weren't really putting out before I left Sunday... But remaining two are still only putting out less than 10ml a day. I'm supposed to call PS in the morning and determine follow up schedule.
Got the bummer pathology call yesterday that there was cancer found in 1 of the 3 nodes taken😟 BS said I may have more nodes taken and radiation, or just radiation, and I would have some input on that...The cancer in the node was 1 spot that was less than 1mm in size.. Any similar outcomes out there? Did you choose moresurgery AND radiation? Or just rads?
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Thank you so much for compiling this list of what to take to hospital and what to have at home. I will be going in for right MX and, hopefully, immediate DIEP reconstruction in about a month (my oncology surgeon and the reconstruction surgeon are sorting out whether it's advisable for me to do both at once - my fingers are crossed that they can, but ultimately I trust their expertise and will be okay with whatever they think is medically best). Does anyone have any other suggestions about what is helpful while recovering at home or what they wished they'd had at the hospital? This surgery will be my second for DCIS. I had a lumpectomy about a month ago that didn't have clear margins. Planning little details helps take my mind off of the anxiety that creeps up. Also, I am almost 4 weeks post-lumpectomy and am still having quite a lot of nerve pain, pretty much non-stop. I'm starting to get concerned that my post-MX pain and nerve regeneration will be much worse. Anyone with experience in that regard? I'm new here and really appreciate hearing everyone's stories. It's reassuring.
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