DIEP Flap Reconstruction 2016
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Last Saturday I worked with a body painting artist who wanted to help me celebrate my new body, incorporating a lotus blossom to represent my yoga practice. My DIEP is my left breast; the right breast is all natural (I love how she camouflaged my nipple in the dragonfly). I took this right before I jumped in the shower and wanted to share it with you all. Thank you for being with me during my surgery and holding my hand when I was afraid of the infection. You're all so amazing!
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Yes, thanks so much Javamama! Really appreciate your help. I just joined the Compass site, too. Is that the same as the NOLA Facebook group?
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No, the Cancer Compass is another bulletin board for people with all types of cancer. The NOLA group on Facebook is actually on Facebook. There's a NOLA thread on here somewhere and a way to join the Facebook group if you request it.
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Nancy, that body art is pretty amazing!
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Nancy- that body art is EPIC!
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I had my surgery with Dr. Chu at IU Methodist in Indianapolis. He is a self proclaimed "DIEP geek," having done 250 of them during his fellowship at Penn State before starting his practice at IU. He spent over an hour with me at my first visit to answer all my questions and he had my back at the hospital to ensure I got good care after my surgery. He is an artist.
What I especially appreciate about his technique is he looks for multiple perforators to give the flap the best blood supply possible. It doesn't change the success rate of the flap, but it can reduce fat necrosis--I had none.
Anyway, Dr. Chu is an artist and served me well. I recommend him highly. After all my disasters last year, it was sure great to finally find a doctor who could be my champion.
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BigSister...I am doing the same surgery but having bmx with expanders first, then radiation, then final reconstruction. It may be 6 months in between to get skin in good shape for surgery after rads. Did the expanders drive you nuts after a time. I just can't imagine something temporary inside my breasts for that amount of time
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Nancy, great art.
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Nancy Great Art work!!
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Nancy, looks incredible! What a way to celebrate the new you😀!
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Big Sister you look great!! My ps will take the top skin and connect it to the bottom on my stage 2 and do the nipples in he office later. I'm glad yo mentioned the areas your ps did the fat grafting I was wondering.
I have a lump on the bc breast over top of the breast the only way found it was because it hurts the ps thinks it could be fat necrosis and said he will remove it when he does stage 2. My incision is still open but going back to work next weds. I've been on lwop last week and this week waiting for my job to approve to give me leave hopefully they will before this week is out so can go back and fix it so I can get a pay check next week.
Oh the ps is scheduling my stage 2 for Dec not sure how that will work with no leave now...
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PeutzJeghers I've had my a C-section, tubes tied, partial hysterectomy and then the other part of hysterectomy, and now diep all in the same incision.
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Peutz, if NOLA does not work out you might try PRMA Center for Advanced Breast Reconstruction in San Antonio. They specialize in microsurgery flaps as well. They do not balance bill. Their team has done over 5000 DIEPs. The website is http://prma--enhance.com. there is also a facebook group called Diep Flap Reconstruction chat and support. Another helpful facebook group is DiepCJourney ~ Breast Reconstruction after Cance
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Bigsister : you look awesome. Thanks for sharing your pic. I go for phase 2 in December. Feeling nervous about the pain. Any tips??
Nancy: love, love the body art. Such a great way to have such a pretty image left in your mind, even after the art is washed away.
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Thanks JBdayton and Dlia, Tomorrow an educator from the NOLA Center for Restorative will call me, today I spoke with a rep. I think I'll need the flap that comes from the butt side, as my abdomen is already very scarred. Small intestinal resection, which is a long vertical scar is the main issue. My gynecologist today just said "you'd be better off just getting a mastectomy and implants". I don't want that, so that's why I"m here. Kim
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Jiffeug, expanders didn't like me. I was originally scheduled for implants because my original PS said I was too thin. (boy was he wrong!)
One side got infected and had to come out. 3 months later it was reinserted, got infected again, this time complicated by sepsis.
When the doc started talking latissimus dorsi flap, I started looking for a new doc and traveled to see a DIEP surgeon. He said the flap would be a great option for me. So, I got my one remaining expander filled to prepare for the DIEP. It had just been hanging out for 7 months. It was pretty exciting to get some shape after being flat for so long, but I hated the feel of it in there. It was under the muscle. I loved with it for about 3 months till I did my DIEP.
So happy with my own tissues!! They are warm and they even jiggle like the old girls. I am so glad I don't have implants and this was an option.
Docs who don't do the DIEP don't get it and give poor advice about it.
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Ceedee, the pain wasn't that bad. I took a half a Norco at night and used Advil or Tylenol during the day. It didn't stop me from doing what I needed to do. It was nothing like the original--just sore.
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Ceedee, I found it such an easy surgery in comparison and I even had my abdominal muscle tightened. I just took Tylenol extra strength and was so happy I could sleep on my side with pillows stuffed strategically. If I remember correctly, I was up and walking my 2 miles within a few days. My Dr. Did recommend a large abdominal binder which was probably the hardest part as it was so hot. I had no bruising at all and wonder if the binder helped
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Remembrance Day greetings everyone. Catching up here. Fab pics big sister and wow that body art nancy. Glad to hear so many are moving forward with stage 2, and healing wishes to all who Way to go Zinny
and fingers crossed and a big hug re your US being minor Stellamaris and happy your symmetry has been a success - don't wanna mess with that .I am generally well with a few glitches. Weird little surface rash along a scar line on rads side. GP says rads makes skin more susceptible to stuff… - tried cortisone cream polysporin and even an anti fungal:( . I also had a bone scan last week for a tender little 2nd rib lump under clavicle on L problematic side, that I hope is nothing significant, but glad to check it out. Looking forward to a catch-up visit at lake house [from our other BC lunch mate, Stellamaris], who will be passing thru!
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Phoebe! Great to hear from you and glad you r doing well! US didn't show anything to worry about per the technician. No news is good news IMO. Hope the rash clears up. I am also having small skin issues, one of them on the scar on my good breast (the reduced one). I am suspecting the AI (Femara). I have heard from a number of women that they are having skin/acne issues on femara. Keep an eye on things. I suspect that with all we/you have gone through, and the ongoing meds, these annoying side effects will continue. It is nerve wracking, cause we never know if it is a side effect or something else. I hope for the best for all of us. I will get my first shot of Prolia next week. Hoping I continue to deal with the addition of yet another medication with no serious side effects. Give my best to our our lunch mate 😃
Nancy - gorgeous body art-too much fun
BigSis, u look amazing. So happy for everyone who ended up with great recon outcomes.
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Thabks Bigsister and slv58 for the feedback on phase 2. Much appreciated!!
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Hello Ladies. I am visiting a PS in a few weeks to discuss DIEP flap recon, and I have a question that maybe some of you can answer. I have plenty of fat/skin on my abdomen to use for the flap, but I also have pretty big love handles or muffin top. So I was wondering, when the take the flap from the abdomen, can they or would they also take the fat out of the love handles? I've read a few accounts where that was done, but not many, so I'm wondering if that is really rare or if it is considered ok to do.
Thanks for any responses.
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Hi ladies , I will be having phase_2 on Thursday. Did any of you stay in hospital overnight.
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Wherria, you'll have to ask your PS about taking the love handles with your DIEP. They are usually anxious to please.
Jen1, I didn't stay overnight with my stage 2. It is usually outpatient unless there are complications.
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Hi - grateful, my stage 2 was lipo from my flanks, revision of the doggy ears, nipple construction, and fat grafting to even out some hollowed out at uneven areas.
I have to say I am finding the frankenboobs a bit weird. I am not sure about the nipples - and my "profile" is not great - flat topped breasts with a nip. Unfortunately it looks like the fat grafting has not stayed very well - we'll see how it pans out. That being said, pretty minor surgery, basically just took Advil/Tylenol. Did a hike today which is post op day 6.
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I have just got home from seeing the plastic surgeon and will be getting DIEP in the new year.
When I first got my double mastectomy in June last year I was not getting reconstruction but after having to have my left scar cleaned out I have a hollow there. I was always getting under arms done but that was all. Over the last year or so I have got sick of my belly looking at me due to no verandah and decided to go this road. I am only getting man boobs done and a tummy tuck but this is what I want.
Can anyone tell me what to expect and what I need please.
Karen Aus
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Hi everyone: Does anyone know what can be done about a belly button that is too small and with a lot of scar tissue (keloiding) around it? Thanks, rdgc
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just popping in to say that i had to stay 2 nights after stage 2, as they did A LOT of work on me. mine was on 11/4, and i am slowly downgrading from feeling like I was hit by a train, to currently just run over by a bus. I think it all depends on what they do and how you heal.
best of luck to you!
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Zinny - sorry to hear you don't like your foobs - perhaps like you say, they'll change after the swelling goes away. And I'm sure your PS will wants you to be happy so maybe there will be stage 3? I think Big Sister had several stages as well?
KarenAus - if you read back on this thread and on the 2015 one, you'll get a good picture of what to expect. And at the beginning of this thread there is a list of things you'll need. Welcome to the group.
Jwoo - glad to hear you're finished but what did they do that took so long? And how long were you in the operating room?
Rdgc, you'll probably need to talk to your PS about your belly button.
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I only had the one stage 2. Since I was pleased with the results, I decided to be done. But my doc said we could keep fiddling till I was satisfied. I read on the 2014 DIEP thread that many of those gals had stage 3 and stage 4. It is up to you.
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