DIEP Flap Reconstruction 2016
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Thank you Shari! We built a brick patio and gazebo over the last month - like you, I anticipate spending much of the next couple of months out there.
And thanks for the reminder that so many are happy with this decision. The unknown is a little (a lot?) scary, so I'm looking forward to being on the other side of this tomorrow.
I'll check in soon. Take care!
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Nancy, positive thoughts hon! We are with you today xx
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Thinking of you today NancyHB!!
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Yesterday marked three weeks since my DIEP surgery. I must say, this has not been as bad as I thought. I do computer work from home and was able to start doing some work at 2 weeks post-op (although I was doing it from the couch on the laptop). I'm now back to work at the desk but do have to take breaks to keep my abdomen from getting sore. I'm slowly getting more range of motion in the arm, but I can see that's going to take a while. Good thing about working from home, I can wear the comfortable clothes I need to, and I've only worn a bra once so far (didn't feel too great). I still am taking one prescription strength Motrin each morning, just to stay comfortable. The abdominal scar seems to get more swollen by the end of the day, but I'm sure sitting at the desk doesn't help that. I feel like I'm walking pretty straight now, but it still feels a bit tight. Sleeping is getting a little better. I can now sleep almost all the way to the left side with a pillow behind my back, but can't find a comfortable place to put my right arm with the foob in the way. Still, not bad for three weeks post-op I'd say.
Funny, I had to go to the dentist last week for a broken tooth and I honestly thought I'd prefer to go through the surgery again rather than have work done on my teeth!
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slv58 funny you said that, I find Im constantly looking at my natural breast to see if I can see the nipple. Like you said most of the time I can see a little something there. Im leaning towards getting a nipple but want to make sure. I guess Ill also see what my ps says, (I love him and trust him completely with his advice) I will take what ever time frame he gives me for the second stage, (don't want to turn down a date incase I don't get another one in decent time frame) but Im hoping for at least 16 weeks. I think I will have recovered enough to feel like Im ready for the next step. Still trying to get my range of motion back to what it was. I have been doing yoga now for 5 years and was pretty flexible until my mastectomy. I just recently got back to where I was and now with the reconstruction Im back to square one again
. Oh well life is a never ending battle, but one worth battling for. NancyHB thinking about you today hope everything is going well, keep us posted.
Farmerma- I say you are doing pretty well. I agree it was a lot easier than expected. I too have been working from home. I set that up before surgery and now I think Im just going to keep working from home. Keep up the great work it only gets easier. At six weeks now Im just working on the range of motion which will come with time. Im just a little bit of I want it now kind of person lol. Also still find the numbness in my stomach area weird and hard to get used to it.
Happy healing everyone! Remember to be good to yourself
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I'm totally in nesting mode as well. Cleaning, organizing and planning. I want to make sure that everything is as easy as possible for my family/caretakers around me. My pre-op with the doctors is scheduled for 2 days before the surgery. I called to ask the nurse what I needed to have at home and was told, "nothing special" and anything needed would be provided at the pre-op or when leaving the hospital. So thanks for all the info here! It's very helpful.
Farmerma - great to hear that things are going well. It's very encouraging for those of us who are facing it soon. Did you use ice/cold packs for the swelling or pain relief? I found that I needed to use a lot of ice after the sentinel node surgery, for several days.
NancyHB - thinking of you today and hoping things are going well.
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Dragonfly - I did not use any ice/cold packs. In fact, I would check with your PS before doing that to be sure the cold does not affect the healing process. I was on the narcotic pain relief only until about day 5 post-op then switched to the prescription Motrin (600mg). That worked okay for me and I was glad to get off the narcotics since they caused a lot of constipation issues.
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dragonflywins- I would talk to your ps about the cold packs, you want to keep the breast area warm so the blood circulates Im wondering if cold packs would cause you some problems.
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I'm of the same concern regarding cold packs. In fact I'm pretty sure I read in the diep 2015 that some surgeons use warming blankets immediately after surgery to encourage blood flow. Please check before using.
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Thinking of you NancyHB! Hope you are nearly out of surgery. I look forward to hearing about your experience when you are up to it. I will be in your spot with Dr. Momoh in 10 days. Ready to get this done!
Joy
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Hi ladies still waiting for insurance approval. BCBS says atleast 5 days before they get back with the approval. But they have me now scheduled for 9/7.
PS said the first day I won't get out of bed but to avoid blood clots I'll have blood thinners. So my question is, will it be hard sitting up the first couple of days after the surgery?
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Dlia - Good luck with the insurance approval. Just so you know, I have BCBS (Federal Employee Program) an was told approval would take up to 14 days. Doctor's office submitted everything in mid to late April. On June 3rd, BCBS denied the procedure. My procedure was scheduled for 6/29 and it was only about a week before surgery that they finally straightened it out (a peer-to-peer phone call between BCBS and my PS) and got the approval. Hope yours goes smoother than that!
Yes, first day I was kept in bed (Surgical ICU). Second day physical therapy came in in the afternoon and got me out of bed, standing for a few minutes, then sitting in a chair. When I did that, the oxygenation level of the flap dropped quite a bit, so they put me back in bed for the rest of day 2. I think that's the day they introduced me to the blood thinner (which was a shot in the abdomen--ouch!). Day 3 I got to the chair and walked up and down the hallway one time, another shot, but this time they offered to do it in the thigh--much better! I think I had 2 more shots after that, even though I was getting up and moving around. The last night I had forgotten to ask my PS whether we could stop them or not since I was getting up more. Be sure to get your doctor to put it in your chart when they can be stopped, otherwise the nurses will just keep giving them to you each day! Thankfully, the hospital beds have those lovely buttons that sit you up, so it wasn't too bad. By the time I got moved from SICU to a regular room, I was able to use the bed to sit up all the way, then swing my legs out and get myself out of bed without much, if any, help.
Don't worry, 9/7 will be here before you know it! Good luck!
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hi fellow DIEP flap folks!
I just had the Diep flap reconstruction last week. If this surgery is in your future I recommend u start exercising your legs-especially quads and glutes. Do lots of lunges and squats every day so u can get out of bed and up and down from a seated position more easily. After the surgery they don't want u to use your abs or arms to push, pull or lift much weight, so strong legs will be your best friend when going to the restroom, and getting up and down from beds and chairs. Good luck!
My nurses noticed I had done this and were impressed ;
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Farmerma I'm on federal bcbs too I pray it is as they say 5 days. Thanks for the info.
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NancyHB- My unilateral was about 6 hours but I had a mastectomy in December so one step was already completed. I did have a stacked DIEP so the blood flow needed to be hooked up to both flaps. I don't know how that worked but I can tell you that every time they checked my Doppler for each flap I was happy to hear the swooshing sound it made meaning the blood was flowing. It became so familiar that I could tell the nurses when it sounded right. Thinking of you. You've got this!
Micki
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So today I am 21 days post-op. The seroma I had is resolving on its own. Had it looked at today and the pocket of fluid seems to have opened and now my body is absorbing it. It was all so strange but I'm glad because I really wasn't looking forward to it being drained. Yesterday I actually stood up straight for the first time and it felt so good thatI went for a 2 mile walk along the river. It was so beautiful and I was feeling blessed to be in that moment. Tonight I'm attempting to sleep in bed. I tried last Friday and I was just too tight through my abdomen to find a comfortable position. Each day I feel more like myself again. It's funny how it's the little things that make you feel better. Now....just can't wait to be allowed to swim. It's so hot right now! I think my ps said four weeks to bathe. That's for swimming too right?
Dlia- your insurance is required to cover reconstruction in the breast with cancer. My insurance did deny my prophylactic mastectomy and reconstruction of my other breast. My mom had BC 6 years ago but we are both BRCA negative so it was denied even after the appeal. I think it was for the best anyways for me. The waiting is the hard part. Hang in there
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Hello everyone,
My surgery is coming up next week and although I am nervous reading all the posts has helped me know what to expect, so thanks
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Mom4four- Just reading others posts helped me tremendously as well. You'll do great!
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Dragonflywins- I think cold pack is a no go. I had warming blankets on me after my DIEP flap. I was also bedridden in ICU for three days, which I was glad of. I really think that helped with recovery for me.
Interestingly, I had my phase 2 yesterday and they had instrux to keep me bedridden for that too. I wasn't happy about that as I had no catheter and was drinking a lot of fluids. I don't like bedpans! When my PS's fellow came in this morning to discharge me, she was surprised that I had been on bed rest and immediately took me off!
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Omickijo, no bathing means no swimming. Lol. No wishful thinking
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BigSister- I meant that I read that I can get in the bath after four weeks post op. If that was right then maybe I can go swimming then too? At least wishful thinking. Lol! Six more days until I'm four weeks postop.
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jlstacey, how are you doing? Sorry I missed your surgery, would have wished you a quick and happy surgery! Ok, well I hope your recovery is quick with little discomfort.Are you having to wear a binder? I'm so tired of mine- can't wait to get rid of it! I noticed that I still have a bit of a dog ear on my right hip- not happy about that but I'll see what my PS says on wed.
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Omickijo, now I understand! I suppose a bath is OK because the water is clean. A public pool is iffy, and a lake or pond would be a no.
Your incisions would need to be completely healed. I would ask your PS for his opinion.
I don't blame you for longing to swim. What a hot summer
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Omickijo-My ps allowed me to start swimming my third week after surgery, but my incisions were all healed well. Also it was my own pool he allowed me to swim in, no lakes. I was really happy, it made me feel like I wasn't missing out on summer.
Good luck with surgery Mom4four you will do fine. Im six weeks post op now and its just the tightness that I notice in my stomach and chest. Surgery now feel like months ago.
Slv58- you just had your second stage will there be more? How many stages are there lol? I assumed after the second we are done.
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Taag, there is usually just one stage two, but it all depends on how much tweaking they need to do. I only needed the one.
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hi everyone 😊. I had a DIEP flap breast reconstruction in 2015. Overall I am thrilled at the results and I healed quickly. My only gripe is that although I have a nice flat tummy area and very realistic looking breasts - my midriff and pubic area are huge and I'm very self conscious of this. Would my surgeon perform lipoon these areas under the NHS does anyone know (I am from the UK).
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Oh okay thanks Bigsister Ill hope I only need 1.
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Hi ladies had my followup with Dr. Oneil at Toronto General yesterday. She was very pleased with shape of breasts (as I am) and no revisions need to be done. We spoke about that buldge under incision line. It is not a hernia but sometimes muscle can be weak and that is why I have that. She said it is still only 6 months after surgery and things could settle more. She said they could open up that area and put a piece of mesh there. She said it is one day surgery. She said however my abdomen would be really tight. She also recommended wearing support underwear spanks etc for a while. Will do that not interested in incision being opened up. I am not interested in nipples bot perhaps will look into 3D tattoo for nipples. Take care thinking of you all during this process :-) lois
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Thanks taag4
I guess I am just mostly nervous about being able to do the self care when I get home. Bathroom, food and emptying the drains. I am single. My daughter will be here for 2 days after I get home but that is it. Were most of you able to at least do the bathroom trips and drains by yourself a week after surgery? I can get a friend to bring me food.
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my abdomen sometimes feels extremely tight but other times it doesn't - I can live with it tho - it's just mildly uncomfortable
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