DIEP Flap Reconstruction 2016
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Morning ladies. I have one more sleep before stage II. Hope I can rest tonight.
First I want to start out by saying thanks to simplicity for meeting my husband while I was still in surgery. Giving him some things to look for and helpful information. It was good to see you when you came to see me on Saturday, it was like old friends reunited.
So glad you are home! I thought about you yesterday. I was honored that I could lend a bit of support back that I have received. I've been in the waiting room o too many times and was hoping to meet your daughter as well. It was very nice visiting with you. The swelling will go down. How is your abdomen feeling? Anxious for tomorrow but so scared at the same time. Ugh.
Thinking of you Katiebird and hoping all goes well today!!
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Hi ladies just wondering if anyone has encountered this. Im about 15/16 weeks out from my first surgery, and I am noticing my stomach is starting to bulge on one side. I think it is the worst by the end of the day and I have eaten my dinner (probably my larges meal of the day) Some days its seems to be very sore and I wonder if thats where my constipation is coming from. Just wondering if anyone has any thoughts? Wasn't sure if I should call my ps or just bring it up next time I see him which will be my second stage surgery in Nov.
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taag4, my surgery was in April and I haven't noticed any bulging. Better to get it checked out before your next surgery. Or at least call and see what they say for peace of mind! Keep us posted.
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taag4, I had that also, it seemed to start about 6 months post surgery (I think, I lost weight and wasn't sure if that made it more noticeable). I would definitely let your PS knowprior to stage 2. My ps had an ultrasound done and then told me that it was probably weakened abdominal muscles from the diep and that she could tighten it during stage 2. When she got in there she then told me it was a hernia. I was on a lifting restriction for 8 weeks again but it is somewhat improved. Definitely still a bulge on one side but not as much as prior to stage 2.
Nancy, I had a reduction and lift on non cancer side because I was a good cup size different. My P S warned me that loosing sensation in my nipple was a possibility but as soon as I was in recovery I had intense pain in that nipple. I figured it was a good sign. I do still have sensation 2 months post stage 2 and she did reduce quite a bit. I guess you can never garantee the results but I'm very happy with how everything has turned out.
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i am 4 weeks out from breast reduction and still have no sensation in the nipple. Hoping it will come back, but only time will tell. My PS said there is no reason for it not to come back, so flingers crossed. I think it is just one of those things. My mother had both breasts reduced in tge eighties for other reasons, and she had sensation returned in one of the two.
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I just got caught up on everyone's posts. So glad that things seem to be on the up side!
Ceedee, I am not sure you got your question about Stage 2 answered? It is usually done under general anesthesia. It can be from 1 to 3 hours long depending on what all they need to do. Your PS should give you a guesstimate.
Mine was about 3 hours, I think. (It was back in April.) I went home the same day. I was given a prescription for Norco, which I used. The first 24 hours was great. I felt fine, but it hit me the next day. I think they inject lidocaine with the fat grafting, because when that wore off--ouch! The donor sites pretty much felt like I had been beat up.
I had fat taken from the waist and inner thighs. The waist hurt whenever I tried to twist for quite a while. The inner thighs were just sore. Most of my bruising was in the thighs, and it took quite awhile to go away. There was very little bruising in the waist.
The fat grafting came out pretty good. Things were swollen at the start and settled down to where the divots stayed pretty well filled in.
He made the nipples at the same time--love my nipples! I still haven't gotten them tattooed--I'll get them done one of these days--but the nipples really made my breasts look like breasts again.
All in all, Stage 2 was pretty easy. I was tired for about 4 weeks, but my strength came back much more quickly than it did after the initial DIEP. My surgery was early April. By June I was pretty much back to my old self and able to do the heavy yard work that I am used to. (I didn't push it!)
For those of you just starting out, be patient! The first 2-3 weeks are the hardest. Week 3 is tough because you start feeling better and then often overdo it, making you feel worse again. Just take it one day at a time--this surgery is more of a marathon than a sprint, but when you are done, you are done. No worrying about implants failing or the need to have them replaced every 10 years.
I hardly remember the surgeries now. It does get better!
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Thanks ladies for the info I will talk to someone to have it checked out. There is a circle of sharing group at the hospital I had my surgery for people that are considering or had reconstruction. Maybe I will make a point of going to the meeting just so I can talk to the nurse practitioner after the meeting. Not sure if its anything, mostly noticeable after eating or any kind of exercise. Better safe than sorry I guess. Hope everyone is having a great day!
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Big sister, Thank you for all the reassurance and sharing your experience. I am 3.5 weeks out from Phase 1 and so frustrated at how limited I am! Today it just got to me......tears and wondering when I would feel normal again.
I can't even imagine Phase 2. I never want surgery again!
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Tigger, your experience is common. Hang in there! While I was waiting for and recovering from my Stage 1 DIEP, I read through the entire 2014 DIEP thread--all 200+ pages!! The 3-week post-op doldrums was something that they talked about often. Seems that all 100 of those women experienced it. So, when I wanted to throw my body out the window at three weeks, I remembered what they had said and told myself that this too will pass, and it did!
Keeping in mind the idea that this surgery is a marathon helps. You are not going to recover overnight--it takes time, so give it to yourself. I don't think I began to feel halfway normal until about 6 weeks. That is when I started to see the light at the end of the tunnel. By 8 weeks I was feeling much better, and by 12 weeks I was doing quite a bit.
I will say it was really miserable to have to go back to surgery for Stage 2 at 16+ weeks, but I really wanted to be finished after all I had put into this. For me, Stage 2 was actually surgery #6! Talk about wanting to be done .... However, I am so glad that I went through it all. I love my new breasts.
I don't love them as much as I loved my old ones, but they are a good second best. They are warm, they jiggle, and there is hope of some sensation coming back. My husband has wrapped his brain around them and we are getting along pretty steamily.
One of these days I'll get around to making a trip to Maryland to see Vinnie for my tats. In the meantime, I am enjoying getting back into life. I had my Stage 1 last December. Whew! Long time ago!!One of the things I learned through all of this was to let others take care of me and not feel like I had to be the one doing. I am fortunate as one of my adult girls was able to come home and manage the household last year while I was down between the sepsis all these surgeries. My other girls also jumped in to help as needed--there were four of them at home, ages 12 to 20. Since we homeschool, they were available all day, which was a huge blessing.
My family told me it was time for me to take care of myself and they wouldn't let me do anything but rest and recover. Of course, after the sepsis, that is about all that I could do! My girls grew up pretty fast and they are mostly the better for it. We still have a lot of ups and downs, but mostly ups.
I hope that helps a little!
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Bigsister
Thanks for sharing your experience with phase 2. Congrats on being on the other side
And I know you have helped reassure so many of us- thanks for sharing!!
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Morning ladies. Hope all are well.
So many of us going through this. Blows my mind sometimes, how different things happen for everyone. Trying to keep up lately is hard.
Got home from stage II about 9 last night. Very groggy and very much still drunk from the anesthetics. He didn't get to my abdominal dehiscence scar. He told my oldest he didn't think it was a good idea and was afraid it may open again if he did
Don't really get that as he was fine with my abdomen a few weeks ago. But the patient is too incoherent to advocate or question things for themselves. Guess I am a bit grumpy this morning, Got about 2 hours sleep last night/this morning.5 incisions, and a mole removed. 2 of which go under my arms. Not very happy about that. Anesthesiologist came in and asked if Dr "was doing a lot, or just a little?" Wtf? Whats a lot to a Dr? I told him and he said, yea, that's a lot of work
They seemed to be rushing me in, and rushing me out. That said, we had protests that turned into violence in the city last night
and they only got worse from what bit I heard.Dr wants me to wait until after Tuesday to see how I am doing before releasing me for work again. ugh. I am already have too many work woes due to C, and prior to it. My whole life has me so stressed lately.
My BF did come up for a bit last night to make sure I didn't need anything and brought me some fruit which was perfect!! My mouth was very dry for some reason. I was in surgery only 2 hrs according to my oldest (22).
I do remember my Dr telling to NOT sleep flat on my back, and there was an important reason, but I can't remember.ugh and naturally it isn't written down anywhere. So I slept those 2 hrs or so in my recliner, but kept waking up.
He already mentioned another surgery
Coming up on 1.5 yrs since DX Sept 30th. I am so ready to be done with this and not sure how others continue for so long. I am not sure I care enough about the cosmetics of my abdomen to go through another surgery. He did lift, and push my breasts more up and to the front, but I didn't know he was going to cut under my arm pits. If I had known, not sure I would have proceeded. A good bit of soreness, and thinking tonight/tomorrow may be worse as the lidocaine wears off. He also managed to fix my dog ears, remove that breast mole, and remove my boob nose (a protruding, pointy scar on my right inner breast from lst minute compensation for more than expected radiation damage).Guess I had a lot to say lol
Hope everyone is doing well today.
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O that's what else I wanted to mention. Yea, so, the under arm with the axillary node dissection, he cut there. O I hope this does not cause further issues. Not sure I can handle anymore. I need to cheer up. Buck up. Maybe a list of my blessings will help? Feel like I am all dried up of tears these days.
Dlia, everything ok your way?
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Simplicity, I am so sorry for your continued troubles, including events in the city that affected your surgery--how frustrating.
I do hope that you heal well. It sounds like some good things were done. I also hope the incisions under your arms heal well.
Glad your BF brought the fruit! Some of the drugs used by anesthesia cause dry mouth--they vary on what they use, so that is probably it.
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(((Big sister)))
Thank you so much! I am literally typing through tears and laughter. I was so ready to pack it in and call it quits this week. Last night I balled my eyes out and was furious at my baffled husband's cluelessness even when I told him point blank what I needed. Sigh.
My boobs are wonky and small because I had little body fat according to the docs. So no perks there. How ever they did spare the nipples and hopefully in the end they will look ok.
Steamy! OMG Bwahahahahah. There is hope of steamy. I hope so because that was my favorite part of my marriage. I have to hand it to dh. He met me with size D implants and married me 6 months after I had ex planted harden silicone and decided Not Agan. No more breast surgery. Well, the universe decided I don't get the last say😳😳😳😳
Thank you again for giving me hope! I know what my reading will be today:-)
Hugs,
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Well, all clear on the mammogram this week! Woohoo! Although, I really threw them off their game when I said I only needed one side done--they still had an order for a bi-lateral. Fortunately, the DIEP surgery was at the same place, so they were able to confirm that, no, I really didn't have breast tissue on the right that needed to be imaged. Good on that for another year!
Hang in there girls! It's a tough recovery from DIEP, but well worth it (I think). I'm still waiting for more healing before my PS will go ahead with stage 2. I'll see him again on 10/25. Hopefully by then he'll be happy with things and we can schedule stage 2. I am REALLY hoping to get this done by the end of the year. I'd like to have 2017 be surgery-free!
Taag - I am 12 weeks out from DIEP and have noticed bulging in the center of the abdomen. I first noticed it after I had been sitting for a particularly long time at my computer. When I got up and was adjusting my pants, I felt like I had an early pregnancy belly (which definitely cannot be the case BTW). It seemed to go away but I notice it pretty much every night now. In the morning it seems smaller. I will definitely be bringing this up to my PS next month. Let me know what you find out from your group.I also have noticed a bit of a divot right in the center of the abdominal scar and I can feel some of those hard "disolvable" staples just under the skin. Probably just something else to be dealt with during stage 2.
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I did it!! Made it through surgery with great results! Pain is being managed well. Hoping to be released on Sat.
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welcome to the other side Katiebird!!
Now, just take it easy and be sure to keep up on your pain meds when you get home. Let others help you out and don't overdo anything. Let the healing begin!!
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Good to hear from you Katiebird!! Cedee gives great advice. Take it easy and stay ahead of any pain.
Thank you BigSister. I didn't even think of the anesthesia. Yea, the fruit was awesome! My right breast looks almost a whole size smaller now that the scar tissue is broken up and it was pushed/pulled forward and up? The left one, where the abscess hole was, hurts something awful
Farmerma, great to hear!!
Just changed the OR dressing, ugh. Who misses the incision end stitch and places tape on it? Not the medical clear stuff, the tape to secure gauze
Oh that was rough getting off. The under the arm incisions are very sore (location location). The hips aren't so bad (dog ears removed). I worry about work. Things haven't been the best since dx. Dr had said I could probably work from home starting Monday. Changed his story after surgery to until he sees me Tuesday
Dreading sending that email.
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Simplicity- That sounds rough especially the incisions under the arm. Sending positive energy your way. Praying you can let go and get some rest tonight.
Know many people are praying for your city.
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Well done katiebird!
It's 6 days to my surgery and I'm getting nervous, wondering if I'm doing the right thing. At my preop my surgeon had me a little scared about how involved the recovery is, especially at the beginning. Keep thinking why am I doing this? And then oh, yeah, because I have cancer. It's the least bad option out of a list of bad options, as I see it.
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Maya, I remember having those second thoughts the week leading up to the surgery, too - I worried a LOT about taking so much time off of work - but came to the same conclusion you have: least awful of the awful choices for recon (for me). The recovery is challenging; the first couple of weeks are probably the worst. But it really is doable; 9 weeks out yesterday (yea!!) and even with that superbug setback of a couple of weeks, I feel about as normal as I did before diagnosis. At this point there isn't anything I can't do (back to running, remodeling my basement, doing yoga) although I don't have quite the ROM in my left arm and belly as I used to, but that too will come back with time.0
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Maya, I had those same questions during the few days before surgery. I'd been having a lot of anxiety but the day before the operation I was able to change those worries into positive thoughts. I went into the hospital feeling very calm and convinced that i had made the right decision. As I sit here in the hospital I have no regrets. Sending you lots of positive energy! You can do this!
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Taag4 I Had same thing with occasional bulging under abdominal scar. Surgeon said it was muscle wall not to worry she said she could tighten it with opening it up putting mesh in, I said no thanks I don't want anymore surgery :-) this happens on and off I can live with it all the best to all of you ladies and special hugs to all with surgeries coming up
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Ladies, do you mind if I join you? I've been lurking here for about 8 weeks while I researched the DIEP flap. I had the one-step Goldilocks recon with my BMX and I am UNHAPPY, to say the least. I had a LOT of complications afterward and have been left with a totally hideous result. My self-confidence has really taken a beating. I finally got prosthetics yesterday and already I feel better. But I am ready to go forward with the DIEP, if at all possible. I've seen my PS and another PS in the area, both of which have not worked out. I am so traumatized by the Goldilocks that I get short of breath when I see my PS. When I told her I was considering the DIEP because I didn't want a foreign body implanted in my chest, she insisted that, NO, she could just slip some in there, easy-peasy. Didn't listen to a word I said. Went to the second PS, told him the same thing. He insisted, NO, not a good candidate, he would do a Lat Flap and put in implants. Did he not just hear me say NO IMPLANTS? Not only that, when I pointed out that many women end up with chronic pain and weakness following the Lat Flap he said he had never heard of that. Seriously? I think he was just pushing his favorite surgery. Needless to say I am not going back to either one of them.
I've been in contact with NOLA and all I have to do now is send in my pictures and health history to get the ball rolling. That's the hard part though. I am so ashamed of how I look that I can't stand for my DH to see me naked. Oh, he has seen me naked, but I feel so embarrassed I could die. So I screwed up the courage to ask a friend to help me out and take the pics. I figure I'll still be embarrassed, but since she is not my DH maybe it won't be so bad. I have forewarned her that these will be nakey pics--I have to wear a thong. Did I mention that I am a big girl? It won't be pretty. But she is a dear; she said she wants to do this for me, so I can get off the dime and move forward.
Anyway, I have enjoyed reading about your journeys and I'm so glad to hear that almost 100% of you have been pleased with your decision. I'll still be lurking, but just wanted you to know that you have helped me tremendously with my decision to have the DIEP.
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mustlovepoodles - Welcome to the group. You are absolutely welcome to join us. It's a tough decision what form of reconstruction to move forward with. To have a group of ladies who can share their experiences has been a HUGE help for me. Can I ask, where are you located? Are you close to NOLA? If not, and if traveling there would be a hardship, I'm sure there are plenty of us who could recommend a PS that we have worked with. Mine here is San Diego is absolutely fantastic! I have never seen a doctor who is so excited about his work. Obviously you tried a few and you'll know the right one when you meet him/her. If we can make any recommendations, let us know. You've come to the right place!
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Maya, I had those fears too. My surgeon threw in a last minute wrench with, lets just take the one breast. Ugh My mind had already been made up. As for the TRAM/DIEP, I didn't have options due to my treatment and the effect on my body.
Even with my complications, I am glad I got reconstructed. I see you're doing the immediate recon. Thats great! I had chemo, BMX, then rads, then recon.
Welcome mustlovepoodles! Glad you popped in to say hi.
NancyHB, love your smile
Have you always had a picture up and I just didn't notice? Wouldn't surprise me lol I miss a lot of obvious things these days.Hope all have a good night. Theres a protest scheduled on main st in my little town tonight starting at 7. I hope it stays peaceful here tonight
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I'm within an 1-2hr flight from NOLA. I grew up on the Gulf Coast (Mobile, AL), so I'm already somewhat familiar with the place. We love to visit, so it's not a hardship (and at least we have enough FF miles to make it worth consideration.)
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mostlovepoodles: welcome!! And love that you follow what you want and that you have sought multiple opinions. It's crazy how doctors differ. I too was told to do the lat flap instead of diep. So, so glad I moved on to a PS that knew what they were doing. Good luck and keep us posted.
Reposting this
http://www.campbelllloyd.com.au/blog/knowledge-is-...
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Thank you ladies for the reassurance. Now I'm wanting to just get this over with. Like several of you I'm having a cleaning blitz and scrambling around trying to get everything in order before the surgery.
Mustlovepoodles--did they give you a reason they didn't think you were a candidate for the DIEP? My BS warned me about choosing a PS, that often they are only skilled in one or another procedure and will only recommend that one.
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Maya, he said he thought I would have complications due to my body shape. I am overweight and I carry it all in my belly. However, I am not convinced that what he said is actually true. That's why I want a third opinion. I think maybe he likes to do the Lat Flap and feels most comfortable doing that. I will hold out for an opinion from NOLA. If they turn me down, then I will go flat. I do NOT want implants, no matter what, and I sure as heck am not going to opt for cutting up major muscles on my back!
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