DIEP Flap Reconstruction 2016
Comments
-
You ladies are amazing!! Thank you for sharing your stories and photos - you continue to inspire me but also help me understand the enormity of this surgical process.
It looks like most everyone has had box with DIEP. I'm only doing a uni (left) and am wondering if the abdominal incision will be smaller if he's not taking as much tissue? He's going to match my right breast which is a B cup, although Stage 2 will likely include a breast lift for that side.
Can anyone share their one-sided story?
0 -
Farmerma- so glad things are a go. The waiting must have been driving you cray cray. It will be done and over with before you know it.
BigSister- I know I know its just so hard sitting around watching people do things for you. I must say it paid off though. Had my 2 week follow up yesterday. When I walked in the nurse told me I looked fantastic. She said usually patience walk in and they look like there recovery is over here and she put her hand way down. Then she said you look like your are way up here, and she put her arm way up in the air. Then my surgeon came in and said things look fantastic and I am healing really well, keep doing what Im doing and make sure I am showering. Then I asked when do you think I would be able to start swimming, thinking week maybe week 6. He said well if you can wait till after the weekend you could start next week. I was so surprised I almost fell off the table. So that would be week 3. Everything just went so well yesterday Im just so happy. Don't have to go back and see him until week 8 to discuss the next steps. Thanks for all the advise I know it made a difference.
Golden424- I had a right mx but they were unable to do the reconstruction. My cancer was very fast growing and 9cm they just wanted me to get the mx over with and start on the chemo and then radiation. In the end I was fine with that. It gave me time to see if the reconstruction was something I really wanted. My mx was mar2014 and my reconstruction was jun2016. I sort of like how it all turned out. I feel like this is and ending to all the crap and was able to get my mind in a better place along with my health. I had a lot of nerve pain in my arm and chest after my mx. My family dr. really wasn't any help. I was afraid it was a blood clot because I got one during chemo. I think he thought it was in my head. Turned out it wasn't in my head it was signs of lymphedema which I knew nothing about and neither did he. So keep and eye out for any swelling just to be safe. Ps the yoga pant idea to wear home from the hospital...I wouldn't do that again. I would probably have liked to have had a pair or old sweat pants that I could just turn down at the waist. I have been walking around my house this last two week with all my drawstring sweatpants just tied under my incision and find it very comfortable. Never have I put on a pair of yoga pants other than the ones I wore home. Also I took to the hospital some facial wipes. I know the nurses come in for the sponge baths but mid way through the day and before I fell asleep I would just wipe my face and for some reason that and a little chapstick made me feel like a person. Good luck!
0 -
HI, I am considering the DEIP RECONSTRUCTION, does anyone know if Medicare covers that type of reconstruction?
0 -
Afternoon ladies.
Farmerma, glad to hear that! It is oddly exciting... a bit closer to the end of all this.
Taag, so glad you got a good report yesterday! Just remember, I think Grateful had a good point about stitches dissolving at about 2 weeks. So just be mindful, move slow, reach slow, until you know how you handle it. I reached the other day for a glass and ouch. I moved too fast and didnt pay attention to how far I was reaching.
Pardon if I am repeating myself lol Too lazy to look back. I got a decent report yesterday. He said my separation isn't bad at all. He opened up the right side and cleaned it out along with the left side, and packed both. The local pain is gone. WooHoo!!! I got clearance on everything but work. I think that is due to the open wounds probably. But I am not due back to work until July 13th, so there is still time to heal up.
Hope everyone else is doing good today. I feel extra tired today so resting as much as I can
0 -
NancyHB-I just had my right side done June6th. Turned out to be a free tram flap. Saw my PS yesterday for my 2 week follow up. He said it was the tram instead of the diep because i was missing a vein on one side. From seeing the pictures of others. My incision is the same size as everyone else. My breast size was a D before and he will be doing a lift on my left to match the new breast. I think even though my tram seems smaller when I push my left breast up where its suppose to be they seem to match in size. The PS might have to do a bit of a reduction but Im so happy with what he has done so far. Would do it again in a heart beat!
0 -
Yes, I was doing really well at two weeks as well. And then my incision started opening up. I'm at nearly eight weeks and still packing the wound but it is getting smaller - about 2"x1" instead of 3"x1". I think the doctors are sometimes in a bit of a rush to push things along. Listen to your body.
0 -
Thanks Simplicity when he told me it was okay to go swimming the first thing I thought of was your advise of taking it easy. At only two weeks I was surprised. Its funny but everyones advise is alway at the back of my mind. I might not be diving into the pool next week but a swim from one side to the other just to get wet would be nice. Do you have any advice on getting your arm moving again are you doing any exercises? Maybe thats not possible with your open wounds? Its funny how that tired feeling creeps up. I wake up with lots of energy but it seems like as the day progresses my gas tank empties quick. Take it easy, have a good day.
0 -
Grateful99- Glad to hear your incision is getting smaller. I really do not want that to happen. I feel like a lazy bum, but believe me after hearing what happened to you and simplicity thats all I think about. You have no idea how much you have helped me. Every time I think about getting up to do something my brain brings up a picture in my head of what I think your incision looks like (Im probably imagining it way worse than it is lol) then I decide no its not worth it.
Happy healing!
0 -
and then there was nipples! (As well as some industrial sized nipple guards). It was so easy and quick. We chatted throughout the procedure. Can't wait to see them on Friday.
I saw the nip tip about Dr. Scholls cushions. Will be switching after my follow up on Friday.
Anyone planning on getting different shaped areola tattoos? Hearts? Stars?
0 -
taag4, there was a good tip I read on the diep 2015 board- put some masking tape down one side of a door jam and every day mark on it how high you can reach. It's very motivating to see the progress because if it wasn't marked I would have thought I wasn't improving.
I'm so thrilled hearing you can go swimming, I know you will take it easy but yo be able to just wade in the water!! Yahoo. I'm hoping I'll be able to by the end of August as long as everything goes as planned.
Grateful, I'm happy your healing is progressing. Soon this will be behind you!
Maya, your so close to being finished! Your looking great
Simplicity, I know it's hard to wait for healing but soon this will be behind as well.
Hugs to everyone!
0 -
I only had one side done, and the incision is the same, from what I have seen. That being said, they used everything I had for the one side (so now a C instead of a DD). I am not sure if they base the size of the new boob on what you have available, or on the expected size?
0 -
Mya, can't see much but the shape looks awesome! I am planning on 3D nips and trying to come up with an original flower for my areola. I figure I dont have to have the standard areola, right?
Taag, I am not trying to be discouraging, but I also got a great report at 2 weeks. His actual words were "I dont think your going to have any wound healing issues"...3 weeks, it started. Then he said "I dont think it's going to open anymore. You only have partial separation" I think mine started as just a little area, and had a stitch hanging about (that I didn't mess with. uh uh). I have photos and can look back to see how it started. So much to recall, seems sometimes the most important of details elude.
My are deep and creep me out
Really dont hurt, except sometimes. But ugh. No swimming here for quite some time 0 -
slv58- thats a great tip I will try that for sure. At what week did you start trying to exercise if thats what you call it.
simplicity- you aren't being discouraging, believe me I take everything you say to heart. What better place to get information than from someone who has been through it. I don't want any problems. Taking pictures is a good idea. Sort of a week by week thing. I think Ill do that just so I can see the progression. My luck my phone will get stolen lol boy those pictures would really freak someone out.
0 -
Nancy, as others have said, your abdominal incision with a uni will be the same. They use all the tissue on one side for the one breast. They need to take the other side to match. They will discard the other side or stack it to add to the other.
Sorry to dash your hopes!
The tummy scar is what terrified me about the DIEP, but I am getting used to mine, especially now that it is fading.
0 -
Morning ladies.
Thanks SLV58. Yea, patience has never been one of my best virtues. ha. I didn't see on your description....why noo swimming for you right now? I'm a pisces and love the water. Really missing the water. Hoping to plan a trip before i go back to work, even if its just sitting by the river.
Taag, ok. Cause I really don't want to discourage or scare anyone, but I don't want to tell half truths about the possible reality either. This is the earliest picture I could find. On the right of the picture, you can see an oval area of off white coloring, there is a stitch there as well. That's the first place it opened. This picture is from the top of my third week. The longer area barely opened, but the Dr opened it, cleaned it out, and now I have an opening on both sides
Keep an eye and immediately address any redness or off looking areas of your incision.Grateful, how are you feeling today? Hugs. I've been having some down days. Bummed. Tired. I packed the area this morning because I can see more gook. He's going to have to scrape it again next Tue
Hate that.BigSister, did you have any issues healing? Glad to hear the incision looks good!!! You are not terribly far ahead of me, so gives me a bit of hope.
How soon did some of you return to work? If you had separation, and work, how long with that complication before you returned to work? I have enough paid leave until July 13th. But the Dr isn't sure about that return date.......depends on how my separation heals.
I am sorry if this worries anyone. Please keep in mind we all heal differently, and according to my Dr there's nothing I could have done to prevent separation. That said, I don't sit well and did quite a bit of driving and running around the first 3 weeks, when I felt good. I would suggest a good 3 weeks, min, of taking things as easy as you can.
0 -
Eight week update post stage 1 DIEP. Feeling better, (thanks for asking Simplicity). Started gentle Yoga stretches but avoiding the abdomen. Still changing the Imodene dressing every day on the split abdominal seam (it looks worse than your photo, Simplicity) but I am not letting any doctor scrape it or touch it. The last time a doctor did that, it took another three weeks to get to this stage. The yellow part will slowly turn into a scab.
I am also using Vit. E and almond oil on the incisions and massaging the breasts to prevent necrosis. Walking half an hour almost every day and climbing stairs at home a dozen times a day. Trying to eat well to prevent constipation - that was not fun last week.
Over all feeling stronger and more optimistic. Another check up coming up on Tuesday.
Wishing all of you well.
0 -
O wow Grateful!!! That looks so much better than the pic you sent me!!! I am so glad to hear it's improving!!!
That's an old picture
When the 'spot' first showed up. It's way worse now. One hole has a hole inside it that goes who knows how far in, and the hole itself is about .5 deep/1in wide? The other one is not half as deep bit is about 2in long.Remember; we all heal differently, so don't let this freak you out. I'm keeping (trying to) a positive outlook and remembering that this is temporary and will heal. It's just going to take a bit of extra tlc.
This was this morning. You can see I have some gook deep into the one hole. I'm not sure about the whole scraping thing, but I can say, the pain inside my tum subsided after he scraped. It's back today
Moderators, or anyone else. I will remove if this bothers anyone. Just please let me know. No worries here. But for now, this is my reality.
I understand and definitely will not be offended
0 -
Wow, Simplicity, that looks deep! Is the pain from an infection? Are you back on antibiotics?
0 -
Dr says theres no infection & it doesn't look bad at all
So no antibiotics but back in Tue
Guess he's never had a hole in his tum. He says he's seen a lot worse. I believe him.
0 -
OK, this may sound strange but I had an amazing healing result on a horrible open wound...on my duck. (don't even ask). It had to heal inside out--like these wounds I think. Her surgeon (who called me daily with updates while she was in hospital--yes, it was a duck. And her medical care was better than any I've ever had).
The surgeon suggested raw honey on the wound (she was also on antibiotics) and --it was remarkable, rapid, wonderful healing. Raw honey has some "good bacteria perhaps?
For what it's worth.
0 -
Than you reflect! Always up for suggestions as a critical care nurse had a totally different approach than my PS.
Yes he says it has to heal from the inside out. I was on antibiotics as an infection began, redness of skin running up stomach from incision, vaguely. Not like in a line or anything. But Ive been done with those. Maybe I should request more?
Raw honey? From a local farmer
0 -
I bought it at the local organic coop, and I think it was local honey although I don't know if that is important. It just has to be raw. Good luck!
0 -
Wow so sorry you guys have to go through that. I hope your healing takes place quickly, Having it scraped just sounds horrible. Even though your having problems are you still happy that you went through with the operation? Im sure someone that is wondering about having the deip or tram done would be interested to know. Thanks for the pictures it helps in knowing what to look for. Good luck to you both both at your next check up.
HUGS!
0 -
Taag4 and anyone else who is wondering, yes, I am very happy that I went through the DIEP surgery. It's just taking a bit longer to recover but the result - having breasts is priceless.
0 -
Yes, I am happy I had the DIEP, but I had no other options lol I had had 2 previous abdominal surgeries, C-section and appendectomy, so the integrity of my DIEP system on the right was bad. We knew that going in.
For me, there's not much pain. Discomfort, sometimes worse than other times, bit of soreness in my stomach when that gook is around (may just be in my head...) but very little pain. I hate cleaning it, packing it. I do it. I have to. The right side, imo, looks better today. The left, eh, its being an arse. My brain see's the hole's and automatically tries to switch to 'that should hurt like hell!!!' The human mind, an evil little thing if not leashed haha So I dress it carefully, but quickly.
I saw honey gauze/bandages at cvs? Wonder if those are any good? Apparently there is a store not 6 blocks away that sells local, raw honey. Who knew? So scared to try thou...nothing personal......O yes, reflect!! I just realized you really meant a duck. A real duck hahaha Pardon. I have a boob nose, so didn't know if it was lingo for something else. Yea, my cat got a huge open wound a couple months ago that ended up being two holes back by her tail. Still dont know what it was but it started as a big cyst of sorts? She in indoor/outdoor (thou she hasn't been outside much since-her choice). Friend brought me some Dura-pen from a tractor supply store. I swear that stuff had her fixed up within 2 weeks after 1.5 months of vet instructions, vet visits and the cone of shame
0 -
Simplicity, ask your doc about the raw honey. Research first too maybe. My clinical trial was a pekin duck and only 1 participant, lol. But we (2 RNs and myself did the home care!) were very impressed. Maybe you could try it on one area first, after getting the OK? I wish you luck!
0 -
Simplicity, the technical term for the scraping is debridement (pronounced "deh-breed-ment). The goal of it is to remove excess scar tissue so the thing can heal properly. Think of it as pruning.
Every time you remove your old dressing and repack, you are doing some minor debriding,which is good. Frequent dressings is key to keep the tissue just a little raw so it can heal properly.
I know it feels like you are taking steps back when they scrape, but it really will move you forward. Iagree with your doc--it does look good. I too have seen a lot worse.
Resting is so crucial to healing. Your body is under major construction, so don't tax it. To keep from going nuts, I started binge watching TV. It helped pass the time and kept me from running around. My family also had fits if I did anything, so that helped, too!
My DIEP was back in December, so I am 6 months out. In April I had my a Stage 2 and they didn't disturb the incisions much then.
0 -
Thank you BigSister! I appreciate it. It is discouraging thou I know it is temporary and will heal. I go back in Tuesday and will ask about the honey.
0 -
Simplicity & Grateful - I am so sorry that you girls are going through this!
0 -
Simplicity & Grateful. You guys are in my thoughts & prayers. I know it looks bad now but it's gonna get better. I've dealt with lots of open wounds and I'm all healed up now. Rest, protein & keep following Dr's instructions. On a positive note both of your bellies look nice and flat. When it's over you will be even more happy. Wooohoooo!!!!!Hugs to you both.
G
0
