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DIEP Flap Reconstruction 2016

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Comments

  • Mom4four
    Mom4four Member Posts: 63
    edited August 2016

    JWoo - I am happy to hear you are doing well. Take it easy, when do you go home from the hospital

  • omickijo
    omickijo Member Posts: 38
    edited August 2016

    Mom4four- I'm 5 weeks out as of Thursday and I put my jeans on for the first time today. My incision sits right at the band of my jeans. It felt ok. I have a small seroma so it wasn't the most comfortable but it wasn't terrible or painful. I was hoping my incision would be lower but it is what it is. I wear boy cut undies and the band from those just barely cover my incision line. I've been wearing shorts since my surgery and I haven't had any issues with those as far as comfort but I think they're cut a little different.

    If you do decide to try different pants I will tell you that I shopped at second hand stores for button up shirts prior to my surgery and found some great items for very little money. Since the need for new pants will be temporary you might look there. I actually found a brand new pair of khaki shorts with original tags on them that have been my favorite.

    I'm glad you're feeling better. I still like afternoon naps and I don't feel guilty that I take them because our body heals the most as we sleep.

    Nancy- I find that everyone on this board has had slightly different restrictions. I was told by my PS after surgery that my lifting restriction was 10 lbs. At my two week check his PA told me 15 lbs. This past Tuesday at my almost 5 week check I was told that I had no restrictions now (I can even swim at the lake), although since they drained about 50 cc of fluid from my abdomen that I should "take it easy for a few days." When they removed that fluid from my tummy it was flat and I could see what it will look like when it heals. (That was exciting.) I have an appointment on the 15th to have it drained again...this time assisted by ultrasound. He expects there will be about 20 cc's then and after that for the pocket to heal on its own. I had a seroma after my mastectomy so I must be prone to them or something.

    I have a friend here in Boise that went to Houston for this surgery and told me last week that I wasn't supposed to be bending over. I've been bending over since the day after surgery so I went back to read my postoperative instructions and didn't find anything about that! It can all be so confusing. After I reached week 3 and could see that my incisions were completely closed and healed I went more by what my body told me I could do. If it hurts don't do it. If there was NO pain I did what I wanted...within reason. I tried sweeping a bit because the dirty floors were driving me crazy. Tried cleaning my horses stall (but let my husband dump the wheelbarrow).

    Tagg4- I had a couple of hard spots on the edges of my new boob and was told it was fat necrosis and to massage the spots. They have been getting better each week. When I'm lying down in bed I just gently kneed them with my fingers. Nothing too hard. I've also been gently rubbing my abdomen incision to try and help that tissue keep from getting hard. Just a light rub across it. I don't know if that helps but I can feel changes in the nerve sensation along there and it makes me feel better.

    We all heal differently and our bodies tell us what they need if we just listen. Heal quickly everyone! 💕

  • Mom4four
    Mom4four Member Posts: 63
    edited August 2016

    Thanks omickijo I am planning on returning to work during week 5 and I need to have clothes pants that are not saggy and feel comfortable! I will wait and see how I am come week 4. Then I will be shopping at used store for sure. I hope this is like my c section scars that get smaller as time goes on

  • omickijo
    omickijo Member Posts: 38
    edited August 2016

    Mom4four- Someone on this forum posted a picture of her abdomen about 18 months post op and you could see just a faint white line across her belly! :)

    When I decided on this procedure I told myself if the scars were bad I was just going to get it tattooed. I don't have any other tattoos, but there are some cool ones out there and a bad scar across my belly was not the end.

    Nerdy

  • LiLi-RI
    LiLi-RI Member Posts: 160
    edited August 2016

    I am so happy that you are all healing - just at different speeds!

    Havilover- I was also a couple of hours away from hospital so I would take photos with iPad and send to PS for review. It worked for healing issues. Maybe you can check with your PS ? The drive to and fro was very exhausting for me.

    Taag4 : I think I saw the term "release of the scar" somewhere on the boards. In any event, I met with new PS 1 week ago. I have abdominal bulge. He reviewed the original operative reports from the DEIP and then did a physical exam. He thinks it is an issue with the mesh. He said he MAY be able to replace with a much more flexible mesh - pigskin. However, since my DEIP was 2 years ago - the mesh must be really embedded by now. There would be no way to guarantee the surgery and mesh could be replaced. PS asked me to lose 10 lbs since there is no skin to use at scar sightand strengthen my core muscles. The loss of 10 lbs will not be easy since I only weigh 130 and 5'1".

    I am ready for the task and I meet back with PS in late October.

  • stellamaris
    stellamaris Member Posts: 313
    edited August 2016

    hey everyone, I have a question about skin discoloration. The skin on my noob is reddish. Not enough to be cellulitis, but definitely not normal compared to my real girl. I noticed through my ex's, and the path report after the mx noted some skin inflammation, but I thougjt it would normalize by now. Just wondering if anyone else has experienced that (maybe it is permanent?)

  • slv58
    slv58 Member Posts: 486
    edited August 2016

    Omickijo and Mom4four that pic was me, here it is again prior newest surgery- sorry it's not very clear, hubby took it the morning of my stage 2

    image

  • nancyhb
    nancyhb Member Posts: 235
    edited August 2016

    Well darn - I've developed an infection in my foob and am being admitted to UofM for antibiotics and observation. My breast is *huge* and hurts, and is red around the bottom. There are large areas of pitted pores. Reminds me of cellulitis. Keep your fingers crossed please!

  • slv58
    slv58 Member Posts: 486
    edited August 2016

    Oh Nancy, I'm sorry your going through this, I hope the antibiotics work quickly to bring you relief

  • Mom4four
    Mom4four Member Posts: 63
    edited August 2016

    Nancy, sorry that this is happening, thinking of you

  • rdgc
    rdgc Member Posts: 52
    edited August 2016

    Nancy, I hope your foob gets better quickly!

    I was wondering, can anyone who's had the diep for over a year tell me your experience with your sensation in the tummy area around the scar? Thanks.

  • Katjadvm
    Katjadvm Member Posts: 117
    edited August 2016

    I love this group. I am getting so excited to have my surgeries. Still don't have any dates and don't know if I can have DIEP this year or next due to radiation. Take care everyone.

  • lessharp
    lessharp Member Posts: 51
    edited August 2016

    rdgc,.

    I am almost a year....Oct. belly has more sensation on one side over the other....but mostly numb from navel down to incision....in a small triangle. It is not a bother. At first I was a bit mournful of the loss of sensation....but now I am totally fine with it. IInterestingly enough, my DIEP breasts have more sensation. I'm wondering if it's all the fat grafting and stem cells. I have feeling in about 60% of my new breasts.



  • omickijo
    omickijo Member Posts: 38
    edited August 2016

    Nancy- I'm thinking positive thoughts for full healing! You too Stellamaris! You should check with your doctor ASAP. My hope is that it is nothing but reddish skin doesn't seem right.

    Slv58- The photo I saw was someone else 18 months post every thing, but your picture was good for showing how it fades as well. The other one was so faint you could barely see it. My scar is five weeks and still really dark. Did you use the silicon tape?This was prior to stage 2? How many weeks between one and two?

  • rdgc
    rdgc Member Posts: 52
    edited August 2016

    lessharp-Thanks for your input. That sounds okay. And great about your 60% sensation in your diep breasts! By the way, I like your cat. :0)

  • slv58
    slv58 Member Posts: 486
    edited August 2016

    This was the first pic I posted- lighting was different. I did use a scar gel suggested by my nurse but wasn't very consistent with it. My PS said she really doesn't have one that she likes.


    image

  • nancyhb
    nancyhb Member Posts: 235
    edited August 2016

    Thank you all for the good thoughts and wishes. They're saying it's cellulitis, which is far better than an internal infection that could require surgery. And it's likely I did this to myself; I felt so good on Thursday that I spent several hours doing what I thought was "gentle" gardening. So - when the doc tells you to take it easy - LISTEN!! 😊 I'm hoping to be discharged today but because there's been no improvement in the size, hardness or pain, my nurse thought it could be another day. Just waiting on the PS to stop by and check me out.

  • flipflop
    flipflop Member Posts: 18
    edited August 2016

    just wanted to update. I had my surgery Wednesday and it was really horrible on Wednesday and Thursday but only when I was coming up due for pain meds, as I pretty much slept through those horrible two days.

    Friday I wasn't in a whole lot of pain, mainly discomfort and immense weakness when trying to move around. And my back. Lots of back pain from being in a flexed position.

    My new boobs are so small but evidence of radiation is completely gone and I am so pleased for that. My affected side was so mangled and discolored and ugly. My surgeon did an amazing job.

    So far this was all worth it. I know infection and necrosis are still possibilities and that I have a long recovery road ahead but this choice I went back abc forth on for almost a year, well I know I made the right choice :

  • omickijo
    omickijo Member Posts: 38
    edited August 2016

    Slv58- I take it back. I think that second picture was the one I saw. Amazing!

    Nancy- Glad it wasn't something that required more surgery. I know what you mean about taking it easy. Yesterday I thought I would do some gentle stretching of my abdomen on an exercise ball and today I think I might have a little more seroma fluid built up than I had before and the skin is more tender. After they drained it on Tuesday the skin and area felt normal and it wasn't tender. Previously I thought the tenderness was from surgery, but since it felt normal again right after it was drained I know it was due to fluid and not from being beat up from surgery.

    Flipflop- Congrats and welcome to the other side! I hope you have an easy recovery. Listen to Nancy and take it easy and care for yourself!

  • rgray1967
    rgray1967 Member Posts: 6
    edited August 2016

    How long after radiation do we have to wait to have reconstruction? Mine will be done at the end of this month. I m just ready to get everything done. And how long will I be in the hospital for? Thank you for the answers

  • Christianna
    Christianna Member Posts: 15
    edited August 2016

    TEST RU

  • Christianna
    Christianna Member Posts: 15
    edited August 2016

    As I would say on Facebook long post alert.

    I'm Home.  I had Diep Flap on both breast Tuesday Aug 2nd .  My surgery was 12 hours long.  I was in ICU for 3 days and a regular room for 1 day then I got to come home.

    I was diagnosed Dec 3, 2015.  Then chose a bilateral mastectomy and had that surgery Jan 27th , 2016.  I left the hospital with expanders and he had already filled up with air to about a C cup.  I started with DD.  My 2nd appointment they deflated the air and filled me to 450 cc then I had a couple of fills and ended up 650cc.  So weird enough I have never been with out breast. 

    I had 33 radiation treaments that ended May 15 and I needed to wait 90 days for my surgery.

    So here I am....everything went great.  I only want to share helpful information on here.  I wanted to be prepared so I did take a few things to the hospital I really needed nothing!! I took my toothbrush but realized when I was packing up to leave I had used one they provided.  My friend came up on day 3 and showered me and washed my hair that felt amazing.  My best friend stayed with me night 1 my husband night 2 and my friend again night 3.  The staff was great but I just felt better having my people there.  Everyday was better than the day before.  Patience is a virtue as we all know at all times.

    I am thrilled with my results.  Dr. James Butterworth specializes in breast reconstruction. He spent 7 years at Mayo Clinic and 5 at MD Anderson.  The man is a genious.  He had a team of 8 Dr.s PSon my case.  The University of Kansas is a teaching hospital so I had a lot of professional eyes on me at all times.

    I'm not sure what the picture policy is on here I would be happy to share where I am at  at any time if anyone want to message me. I always called them my foobs but I am over that these are my new breast!!

    Last night was my first night home I has to sit an alarm to wake up and take pain med just so I didn't wake up in horrible pain.  My girlfriend had planned on staying with me a week by we sent her home it was nice just have my husband and I together.  This has been a long journey for the both of us. 

    I know I need to just rest and stay low that is my plan.  One of my clients gave us a cruise to go on Oct 17 so I have a plan on being there!!

    A couple things I wanted to mention they did what is called Exparel where they numbed my tummy muscles instead on an epideral gave me a lot of movement without the nerve block in my back.  ANother thing is I had a tummy vac on my incision on my tummy. Yep kinda like a food vacuum thing over my incision they said it helps in healing I was sent ome with 2 breast drains and 2 tummy drains that aren't producing a lot so we will see.  My post op is on Thursday.

    Happy healing to everyone this is not a journey any of us chose but here we are...I love the support this forum offers. 







  • Dlia
    Dlia Member Posts: 135
    edited August 2016

    Nancy feel better!!

    slv58 your belly looks GREAT!! queation i don't recall ever having my belly button out did anyones navel change since the surgery?

  • Dlia
    Dlia Member Posts: 135
    edited August 2016

    Christianna thanks for sharing wishing you a complete recovery.

  • Christianna
    Christianna Member Posts: 15
    edited August 2016

    I have what I call a new belly button.... It's my old one he just pulled my belly skin over it and cut around it. So I think it should be great when I heal.


  • omickijo
    omickijo Member Posts: 38
    edited August 2016

    rgray1967- Most surgeons like you to wait at least six months after radiation treatment ends before reconstruction. My radiation ended in mid October. When they did a baseline mammo in November and they found more suspicious areas that turned out to be atypical ductal hyperplasia I decided to have a mastectomy. I could have had reconstruction as early as April but I needed to wait until June for schedule reason. The longer you wait the more time your radiated skin has to heal.

    Dlia- same belly button but it was moved. Stitches were inside of mine. Mine seems smaller now, but the mole I had before is still in there so I know it's the same. They removed my stitches at my postoperative appointment

  • Dlia
    Dlia Member Posts: 135
    edited August 2016

    I understand that it will be the same belly button but vwill mine be out now after the surgery?

  • nancyhb
    nancyhb Member Posts: 235
    edited August 2016

    Dlia, my belly bottom is different around the outside edge (I used to have cute little "folds" or dimples around it, now it appears to just be smooth) but the same on the inside. I can still see the scar from my previous laparoscopy in the belly button. My PS cleaned out the icky scabs a couple of days ago and I could feel it, kind of tickling me! That felt good.

    I'm still in the hospital, going on day 3, and itlooks like I'll be here at least a couple more days. There's been no change to the swelling and minimal change to the redness. They're going to change up the antibiotics today, and also do an ultrasound to look for a pocket of fluid or infection. They don't seem concerned I'll lose the flap, but they are worried they can't seem to get a handle on this. I'm trying not to panic but I feel like I'm at a point where it's okay to be worried. At least I have a beautiful view of the sunrise and landscape from my window (always looking for the silver lining!)

  • Mom4four
    Mom4four Member Posts: 63
    edited August 2016

    Nancy , thinking of you in the hospital. It's wonderful that you have such an upbeat attitude. I am so afraid of going back to the hospital, it would crush me. Thinking of you

  • Simplicity
    Simplicity Member Posts: 723
    edited August 2016

    Morning ladies. Thinking of you NancyHB! I am having healing issues as well :( Back to the PS tomorrow, again. Ugh.

    Wishing everyone the best

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