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DIEP Flap Reconstruction 2016

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Comments

  • reflect
    reflect Member Posts: 280
    edited June 2016

    Simplicity, so glad your doc OKed the raw honey and hope it's going well. I am glad the experience of our duck (Swimmer) may be of benefit to someone:). It was the suggestion of the vet at Tuft's Vet Hospital for her deep wounds. Please keep us posted on your progress!

  • Simplicity
    Simplicity Member Posts: 723
    edited June 2016

    Thanks Reflect. I pasted an article regarding using honey as a healing agent (on humans lol) a page back I believe. I haven't used it on the deeper wounds yet, but it seems it's effective on the areas I have tested it on. Pouring it in a hole in your body is a bit more......frightening. But once that wound gets cleaned Tuesday...I am going to try. I am going to ask for another round of antibiotics also because of the pain I am having when the fat necrosis appears in the abdominal wounds. He said it wasn't infection, but I can't help but wonder why it gets more painful every time? I also have a bit of redness above the left hole on my tum, so I'll point that out Tuesday as well.

    I wonder how the one gentlemen's wife is holding up? Ah, Cabland. Can you update us on your wife Cabland and her dehiscence when you have a moment?

  • taag4
    taag4 Member Posts: 93
    edited June 2016

    Very happy you both are glad you have done the surgery, once it is healed it will be only a memory, but you will be left with nice boobies and a flat stomach.

    Now that my swelling is gone down more there is a real difference in the size of my "real" boob and my surgery side. Not sure if they will try to increase the one side or decrease the other. Sort of nice having a smaller perkier boob. Would be so nice to get away without wearing a bra once in awhile.

    I was thinking the same thing about the duck. Thought it was some kind of lingo. Thats just too funny. Try explaining the duck and the honey to your dr. Im sure they will get a kick out of that.

    Bigsister you are a wealth of information. When you explain debridement that way I can see why they do it.

    Tomorrow I will be 21 days post-op can't believe how fast time has gone. Now if I can just get my arm moving better I would be happy. Finding it very much harder this time around than after my mastectomy, maybe the lymphedema has something to do with it.

    Wishing everyone a great day!

  • grateful99
    grateful99 Member Posts: 180
    edited June 2016

    Thanks for the photos and encouragement, Simplicity and I'm happy for you that the honey seems to work. I'm seeing the doctor tomorrow, so hope it's all good news.

  • Simplicity
    Simplicity Member Posts: 723
    edited June 2016

    Taag, both mine are belly boobs and my left is a good bit bigger than my right (cancer/radiated breast). I am so glad healing is going good for you!! Are you doing your stretches regularly? Did they give you some elastic bands to work with? Haha. My bed looks like a kink bed as I have all my elastic bands tied around one of my posts lol Looks kinky

    Yes, BigSisters explanation helped me understand too.

    Absolutely Grateful. Please let us know how tomorrow goes.

  • taag4
    taag4 Member Posts: 93
    edited June 2016

    No simplicity I just started the last couple of day trying to get my arm moving again. Elastic bands are a great idea. I think I have one around here I was using for yoga. Lol I think Ill leave them in the living room don't want to give my husband any ideas. He's still sleeping in the other room, Im still up and down all night and with his snoring I would never get any rest.

  • zinny
    zinny Member Posts: 169
    edited June 2016

    Hi all- has anyone else had shrinkage on their irradiated breast? I had only one side irradiated. About a month prior to the DIEP, my pec on that side started to act like it was trapped in scar tissue and got really tight. IT was better after surgery, but now it seems that whole area is shrinking into itself and scarring up. The new boob on that side is already higher than the other, and much firmer. I wondered if anyone else experienced this and if there are any things to try - I started to gently massage the areas.

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

    Grateful, you asked about underwire bras. My PS said they are fine once you heal up. Ask your surgeon for when.

  • phoebe58
    phoebe58 Member Posts: 96
    edited June 2016

    hey Zinny - we did things in reverse order :) so not sure if my experience will help you or not, but..... I did bilateral diep first, hoping no rads needed, but it turned out I did, so got R side radiated after. I was quite worried at first what rads would do so I delayed til better healed up from surgery. It is definitely a little tiny bit higher [had started a little lower] and not quite sure if it has finished moving ... I finished rads in Feb. It is tighter when I move, and have to keep stretching. I do feel that side a bit, though not painful, whereas other side I don't notice. I confess I do gentle massage rather sporadically. It does not feel firmer though. I saw my PS early June and she was super pleased with how rads had treated her handiwork - giving me a 10/10, and clearing me for fall nips. Good luck with your healing and I would try massage and maybe a visit to specialized physio with experience in all things boob surgery. I saw a lymphedema trained physio during rads and she was invaluable.

  • grateful99
    grateful99 Member Posts: 180
    edited June 2016

    Thanks, BigSister, I think I'll wait to go shopping for underwire bras until I'm back on the singles market. LOL. Which means after I get my nipples and tattoos.

  • DizzParkMom
    DizzParkMom Member Posts: 34
    edited June 2016

    The underwire is very patient specific...it all depends on how your surgery was done...where your incisions are and how the flap was done. I was told I had no restrictions, but a friend with the same surgery team was told she should avoid underwrires potentially forever. I have only incision around the new areola/flap, she has the same, but also the vertical incision under the areola, so that seems to be part of it. Definately ask your doctor what they think is right for you.

  • grateful99
    grateful99 Member Posts: 180
    edited June 2016

    Thanks DizzParkMom, I will. Especially since on one side I have an incision right where the underwire would go. Oh well, I think I'll spend the summer bra-less!

  • cedee
    cedee Member Posts: 38
    edited June 2016

    it's been 11 weeks since my diep surgery. I have a couple of questions to see if anyone else has same questions:

    Anyone else have intense weird pain in ribs when laying on side and turning back around?


    Anyone try scar away silicone strips? My belly button scar seems to be forming a keloid


    I have been going to PT for arm tightness and to get belly strength back.

    Anyone get prescribed swell spots? They are these egg crate like cushions to wear in bra to break up edema and fibrosis



  • zinny
    zinny Member Posts: 169
    edited June 2016

    thanks, phoebe! was going to see a lymphedema therapist again…

    another question - does anyone else get a weird abdominal contraction? When I have been upright for a while, I feel like a have a tonic contraction of my abdominal muscles. Feels very much like the Braxton Hicks I had when pregnant, only it is not as deep and lasts way longer. ( I mentioned it to my PS and she had certainly heard of it and suggested resting if i was uncomfortable.) I would really like to start walking some more, but this feeling makes me nervous since I am still supposed to be protecting my abs. Anyone else experience this, and what did you do?

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

    Cedee, they take a small piece of rib to access the mammary blood vessels for the DIEP. That takes a long time to heal. I remember the pain when I laid on my side. I don't remember how long it took to go away, but it is gone now! I am afraid that I can't address your other questions.

    Zinny, keep moving. I don't think you are hurting your belly. I am 7 months out and my belly still feels funky. When I do much of anything, it used to feel like menstral cramps. It is much less noticeable now than before. It is getting there!

    I am not sure what is causing it, but I suspect it is the result of scar tissue from surgery. All that surface where they took the fat needs to be remodeled by the body. I believe the body slapped down a layer of scar tissue that gets broken up and more supple when we move. Mine still feels kind of tight--not true skin, but the tissue underneath.

    3-4 weeks after a DIEP tends to be riddled with issues. You are starting to feel better, but your body is still recovering. We tend to overdo a bit and then be set back.

    Be patient about getting back up to speed. Do walk, but continue to be careful about lifting/straining. Do several short walls instead of one long one, and build up your time.

    HTH

  • cedee
    cedee Member Posts: 38
    edited June 2016

    Thanks Bigsister, that is so encouraging to know that the rib pain will eventually go away.

    My left side seems to be doing ok ;

  • Katiebird
    Katiebird Member Posts: 35
    edited June 2016

    Hello Ladies, This is my first time here. I am currently in treatment and will have surgery in the Fall. My plastic surgeon has recommended DIEP for my proposed unilateral mastectomy. So many questions buzzing in my mind. I am very small breasted and bony from neck to waist. I have somewhat of a tummy from two pregnancies but not much. I'm currently a 34A and wonder if it would be dumb to have a flap that would keep me a 34A?? I've never not been able to see my feet past my boobs so it would be weird to have a bigger cup size. I'm also terrified about the thought of surgery and reconstruction. Any words of advice?

  • taag4
    taag4 Member Posts: 93
    edited June 2016

    Cedee i have a swell spot that I was told to use for my lymphedema. I was told to wear a compression top along with my sleeve and then put the swell spot over where my mastectomy was. It was to help keep the swelling from forming in my chest area. I never thought to use it now after my reconstruction. I alway found it comforting the pressure it would put on my chest. So you were told to use it after your reconstruction? Not sure how I feel about that. Have you been using it?

    Zinny- I get the contraction you are talking about. Really thought nothing of it. Figured something was healing or so I hoped. I get mine though when Im sleeping at night and move a bit. Doesn't last long but if very noticeable (wakes me up) It sort of feeling like before when I would do a really big stretch and your body would shake a bit from it. Very hard to explain.

    BigSister-You are so right about 3/4 weeks out. Im just going onto my 22 day. I thought I would save my husband from having to water my garden so I pulled the hose out and dragged it across the yard. Wow I could really feel that in my stomach area that night, it was like I did some kind of work out. Won't be doing that again. Also I find myself trying to explain to certain people why I can't go do things. They look at me and think I look great and I think they think Im trying to get out of things. There is a family wedding reception (pig roast) coming up which is a 40 minute drive from my house. I keep having to explain that a 40 minute drive there and back and the sitting on a lawn chair for five hours just isn't doable. But all they see is that I look fine and should be there Ugh!!! They are driving me crazy.

    Katiebird-Welcome to the group. I think if you are fine being a 34A now why not going for it. Unless you would like to be bigger. Also they can only make you as big as what they are able to remove from your stomach area. Myself I just went with the flow. I didn't even ask what size I was going to be I was just happy to have a boob again. My left breast which is mine is a lot larger now than my flap breast now that the swelling has gone down, so I guess they will be doing a reduction. Im really looking forward to having smaller breasts. I had a melt down my night before my mastectomy not knowing what to expect hoping they would get all the cancer, afraid of starting chemo and radiation. But with the help of my family I got through it. It wasn't even close to what I expected. Then for my reconstruction surgery this forum made a huge difference. Ask all the questions you want the more you know the less scary it is. This forum for me has made a huge difference. Im three week post op and it has gone by so fast. Im feeling really good. So so happy I went through with the reconstruction. Like my daughter said mom do something for yourself for a changed, and Im so glad I did.

  • Katiebird
    Katiebird Member Posts: 35
    edited June 2016

    taag4, so glad you were happy with the decisions you made about reconstruction. My PS and BS have both recommended the DIEP for me and think I'm a good candidate but I'm really terrified of surgery. I can handle a lot, but they feel immediate reconstruction gives the best results so the thought of a huge incision across my abdomen and across my chest and the resulting pain are weighing heavy on my mind. My BS strongly feels that a unilateral mastectomy is the only thing I'll need but I am fearful of something showing up on the left side later. Did you ever contemplate a bilateral mastectomy, just in case?? Did you have immediate reconstruction and if so, how was the pain? When were you able to be up and moving, or left alone? When you said surgery wasn't even close to what you expected does that mean it was better or worse?

    Thanks for including me in your conversation. I've been searching for support from someone who understands and I think this forum will be a great help.

  • Simplicity
    Simplicity Member Posts: 723
    edited June 2016

    Zinny, I get those too. For me it feels like menstrual cramps.

    Katiebird, welcome. I opted for a bi instead of uni. My Dr and I had discussed bi, after chemo, she suggested a uni :/ Threw my brain for a loop. My left breast was clear, but I am still glad I did bi. If anything showed up in the other breast later, I would have wondered. Mine was delayed recon, and I am at the top of my 6th week. I was up moving, slowly, the next day.

    Good report from the PS today. He says it looks good? His idea and my idea of looks good is very different lol But he is the Doc. Hes on vacation next week. Ugh. Hate it when they go on vacation. Its like the body knows....

    Hope all are doing okay and have a restful night

  • stellamaris
    stellamaris Member Posts: 313
    edited June 2016

    hi katiebird, welcome, but sorry u had to find us. I had a uni with Immediate DIEP, and very happy I did. I wasn't offered a bi, so I will have to have a reduction on the left. The worst part of the surgery for me was the 1st 3 days, with each day getting exponentially better. By day 4 I was moving (albeit hunched over and slow) under my own steam. I am 66 and fairly fit. I had enough tummy for a c cup (my good breast is DD), so looking forward to getting evened out. The ladies here are awesome and will give u great advice. We will all be in your pocket when the big day comes. I am 3 months out and went back to my desk job 4 weeks post. You can do this! Hugs

  • stellamaris
    stellamaris Member Posts: 313
    edited June 2016

    oh and katiebird, don't be too worried about the pain. They really have great meds and the nurses are wonderful. It is manageable

  • grateful99
    grateful99 Member Posts: 180
    edited June 2016

    Just a note for those of you who are debating whether to do one breast or both DIEP surgery. If you do one and then they find something in the second one, I'm pretty sure that you will not be able to get a DIEP on the second breast. The PS removes both abdominal flaps at the time of the surgery. Please correct me on this BigSister if I'm wrong.

    I decided on prophylactic mastectomy for the second (right) breast because I didn't want to risk surgery, chemo, radiation and reconstruction sometime in the future. I had a scary mammogram last year (it turned out to be calcification) which showed me how stressful it would be to keep waiting for the other shoe to drop. I am very happy with the results (although I've had some delayed healing and will need a bit of touch up in six months or so), and luckily the right breast pathology was clear.

  • phoebe58
    phoebe58 Member Posts: 96
    edited June 2016

    hey Katiebird -- I went through most of your mental gymnastics too, and ended up doing a BMX with immediate Diep last August. Somehow my PS found enough for a pair of full Bs.The prophylactic L side ended up being riddled with small start-ups, so was glad to have done both. Yes, a big surgery for sure, but my recovery was good, surprisingly easy and uneventful all things considered, and my results are wonderful. Scars are fading nicely now, and just need origami swan nips and tattoos! It sounds like incredibly invasive surgery out of the gate, but despite 11 hours on the table, I bounced back pretty well, and now I am mostly healed up and I am truly thankful to feel so normal. This summer I am back biking, kayaking and paddle boarding, though my core and upper arm strength still aren't what they were. If you choose diep, you have time to strengthen your legs and abs before hand which makes recovery a bit easier too.

    Glad you got a good report today Simplicity. They know what healing looks like.

  • cedee
    cedee Member Posts: 38
    edited June 2016

    grateful99 brings up an important point to consider of having a bilateral instead of uni. Myunderstanding is you can only have diep one time. I ended up having a bilateral even though cancer was only in one breast and I feel happy with my decision. They match in size and I don't have to worry about dealing with cancer in the other breast.

    I was a size 12 and the doctors weren't sure how big they could do for both, but I ended up a bit bigger then my natural 36B size. I went for 3 PS opinions just to be sure this was the best option for me.

    Also, found this site and Dr Campbell's blog so helpful.

    http://www.campbelllloyd.com.au/home


  • rdgc
    rdgc Member Posts: 52
    edited June 2016

    Zinny: I just had a diep flap done on irradiated tissue. The flap is very healthy, but I am noticing (2 weeks out) that the flap is softer than the surrounding area. I wonder if the irradiated area will soften up with time. I hope so. Does anyone else have a similar experience? Thanks.

  • Pittsburgh
    Pittsburgh Member Posts: 9
    edited June 2016

    Hello everyone -- I'm new to this forum. Had a lumpectomy in 2007 (mixed mucinous + DCIS) then radiation. Just found out I have the same thing again in the same breast but a bigger tumor. I opted not to have reconstruction at the same time as surgery because I don't know yet whether I want reconstruction or whether I'll have to have chemo. It's been a whirlwind of doctor appointments this week. I'd like to get a second opinion on plastic surgery (doctor recommended latissimus dorsi flap but I'd rather have diep), but since I just moved here, I don't know anyone else. Anyone know of a good plastic surgeon in or near Greenville SC or Pittsburgh PA?

  • cedee
    cedee Member Posts: 38
    edited June 2016

    Hi Pittsburgh,

    I just wanted to say hi and let you know I had a similar route. In 2007 I had a lumoectomy, chemo and radiation and this year, almost 10 years later, my annual mri found a new cancer in the same breast. I saw one plastic surgeon that was pushing for me to have latissimus flap. And found another one that specializes in diep. I'm so happy with my decision to go with the diep surgery. I hope you can find someone near you. Some women have traveled to find a doc.

    zinny: My radiated side tissue does seem firmer, but nothing overally noticeable. I am about 12 weeks out (I lost count ha!)

  • Katiebird
    Katiebird Member Posts: 35
    edited June 2016

    Ladies, you are wonderful! So glad I found this forum. You give me hope and courage to face what's ahead even though I know I've got some tough decisions to make. Your comments make me feel more confident that I can get through surgery and tolerate the post op pain. At this point I think the toughest part is knowing whether to have uni or bi. My BS is one of the top docs in the country and I trust him and feel comfortable with him, but I also have to trust my inner voice. Did any of you have radiation after the DIEP? I'm on the chemo, surgery, radiation route and my PS is totally in favor of immediate reconstruction knowing that I'll need radiation to follow. My concern is how the flap responds to radiation.

  • Pittsburgh
    Pittsburgh Member Posts: 9
    edited June 2016

    I think I'm going to go ahead with the DIEP but not until next year. Just need to find a surgeon!

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