2018 DIEP Surgery
Comments
-
Best of luck to you Leatherette.
0 -
Good luck, Leatherette! When you read theseyou will be on the other side! I hope all goes well. Mine is next week. Keep us updated.
0 -
I'm confused. I was told that DIEP didn't cut the muscle but my surgeon said my muscles were cut. I'm in a lot of pain. He said they needed to get to arteries and veins needed. Anyone know about this? I know I asked about this(muscle being cut) and now I'm suprised to see I had extensive trauma to my abdome
0 -
So sorry you’re in pain. I was told they separate the muscle from the arteries and veins. But they were not really cutting them. Just splitting and separatingthem to access the blood vessels. Maybe someone that has more experience can weigh in.
0 -
I’m so sorry you’re in pain & found out they cut muscle.they are not supposed to cut the muscle but it does happen. Dr D talks about it at about 3mins 45 seconds into this talk:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lGmoI21Tfbc
0 -
Good Afternoon Ladies,
I am scheduled for BMX July 31, with DIEP flap reconstruction. This surgery is to take place in NOLO with Dr. Ordoyne and Dr. Wise. I just heard from my BS here as she removed sentinel lymph nodes a week ago Thursday, she is questioning immediate reconstruction because of the size of the tumors, she feels radiation may be in order. Who determines this? This is the first time I have heard anything concrete as to the size of the second tumor, this first being 4.7 cm. In fact the second tumor was not biopsied because the breast was going to be removed. The BS was not happy about my considering the DIEP flap and got quite agitated when I told her those where my plans (right before node removal), when she called today I gave her the stats of the NOLO clinic she couldn't argue with that! She was completely ignorant of what is currently going on, how can she be an advocate for wormen.
I e-mailed Liz about all this but was hoping for some insight on the timing of all this, is it possible I could go to NOLO to only find out I need radiation? That doesn't make sense...does it? Thanks for anything anyone can contribute!
Denise
0 -
mimi-s11,
In my case, my breast surgeon predicted radiation and i saw a radiation oncologist immediately after i had the sentinel node biopsy results. The RO and I talked about many things and we agreed to the radiation plan. My plastic surgeon did not want to do DIEP until after I recovered from radiation. As much as I hated the tissue expander the DIEP breast looks great and was worth the wait. My radiated breast looked like hell.
I don’t know if I’m the exception or the rule as I’ve seen many posts about immediate DIEP reconstruction but my path was right for me. My oncologist advised me to focus on wellness before beauty
As to your question, ultimately YOU decide on treatments as you can always refuse your doctor’s recommendation. I encourage you to schedule a consultation with an RO so that you have more information.
0 -
Thank you Runrcrb, It is very surprising that the timeline is not laid out to the patient. I have a call into NOLO has I cannot imagine traveling from Michigan to be told to go home and have radiation! She did mention that radiation is more likely the closer the tumor gets to the 5 cm measurement. I wonder how long before I can get in to see a RO? I guess I'm glad I didn't book the flights today.
Thanks again, I agree, health before beauty!
0 -
Mimi-Liz will check with Dr Ordoyne and get you the answer. I believe NOLA likes to do DIEP before rads due to the healing issues with radiated skin. I do wonder if your BS is just saying that to get you to delay/cancel since she didn’t approve of your path in the first place. Curious why local BS did SNB when Ordoyne could’ve easily done it at time of mx and saved you an extra procedure?
0 -
I'm curious why you would do DIEP before rads? Rads can really damage your skin and tissue. I had a bolus on my breast for each rads treatment to get the rads closer to the skin. Why would you want to radiate that new DIEPskin and tissue and risk damaging it?
0 -
if you're doing skin sparing or nipple sparing mx then the skin is the same, it’s not new skin. I don't know all the ins and outs but I'm pretty sure it has to do with having the best undamaged quality tissue for healing purposes for stage 1. Rads candamage tissue all the way through. Any contracture of tissue/shrinkage of tissue they can correct in stage 2. NOLA also does a lot of things other centers don’t do because of their experience and willingness to pioneer new techniques where outcomes are somewhat lacking vs just doing the same thing over and over again the same way without trying to improve the standard outcome.
0 -
OCDAmy - I had my DIEP on May 17th (about 6 weeks ago) and never blockers were used, one put in the morning of my surgery in the shoulder blade area, that was done as part of the pre-surgery prep, I was "awake* for that but don't remember any type of discomfort or pain, I am pretty sure that one was removed day 2 or 3 post op (can't remember the exact timing of that), the other never blocker was put in my right abdomen/hip area during the surgery it was an On-Q pump (bupivacaine aka Marcaine) that I had in for about 10 days after the surgery. I also had to drink a drink they gave me at my pre-op appointment ( sorry I forget the name), the morning of the surgery, said it would help to keep me hydrated during a longer surgical procedure. Post op I was prescribed Celecoxib which is an anti-inflammatory, gabapentin to treat nerve pain and tramadol to treat any moderate to severe pain along with Tylenol. I was off just about all the meds about 10 days after surgery only taking Tylenol as need for any mild pain. At 6 weeks out I feel great, the recovery was not at all like I expected it or imagined it to be, much better that I anticipated! I planned to be out of work for 8 weeks and could go back early but my short term disability was approved for the 8 weeks so I am going to take the full 8 weeks as planned, hoping do something fun, maybe get to the beach before I head back to work.
0 -
Lula, we are thinking along the same lines, there is part of me that says she wanted the "extra" surgery.....sad commentary. My other thought is why wasn't the next step appointment with oncology doc...if that was her concern, she had me going directly to the PS of her choice. Thanks Lula for helping me thru this confusing journey, you have been so helpful ! I will let everyone know what I find out with Dr. Ordoyne hopefully today.
Have a great day all!
Denise
0 -
Primrose, thanks for that information. I'm hoping that the nerve block is what they do for me as well. I was instructed to drink Gatorade the night before and then water before 5 am the morning of surgery. I am all for pain relief! Glad to hear you are doing well. Makes me feel like I can do this!
I personally wouldn't want to radiate after DIEP. Rads really did damage my breast and pushed my TE to my collarbone. The skin is really tight. I'm looking forward to the damaged skin being removed and replaced with the belly skin.
0 -
Hi Ladies.
Had my first preop appt today. 2/3 drains were removed along with the wound vac. Been off of pain relievers and muscle relaxants for 2 days now, although still taking the antibiotic.
The constipation is NO JOKE! Sent my hubby to get me Colace and was finally able to use the bathroom on Sunday (last time had been Tuesday morning -- sorry if that is TMI).
I had asked the social worker at the hospital to please facilitate a shower chair. It was literally on our front doorstep now when we got home from the Dr. Just when I don't need it anymore. Lol.
I can finally see my belly wound and my belly button. I wish I had the vision to tell what it's all going to look like when it's healed. The doctor keeps telling me how great everything looks and all I can think is "really?" 🙄
Anyway, on with the healing!
0 -
Hello DIEP ladies!
I had my surgery yesterday, and all is well. I think the breast and abdomen look very good, and I only have pain in my abdomen when I get in and out of bed. It’s significant, but bearable, and soon after I am standing up or laying down, it’s okay again. The heparin shots have been pretty nasty, but clots would be worse, I suppose!
My surgeon and PAs have been twice to see me today, and the nurses have been great.
Next step is catheter coming out tonight, and I go home tomorrow morning if I can pee independently.
Take care, and thanks for the well wishes!
Leatherette
0 -
Hey, Leatherette!
So glad you're doing well!
0 -
Leatherette - so glad to hear how well you feel. You will feel tons better when you get home. Better food, better environment leads to better sleep and better movement.
0 -
Leatherette, glad you feel so good so soon after surgery. Gives me hope! How long was your surgery
0 -
Letherette, glad you are doing well, my surgery is in August so your story is encouraging. I spoke with the PS nurse, she said that my surgery would most likely take 10 hours, that I would be in ICU the first night, and have 4 drains. She also said that I should expect to be in the hospital for five days, longer if there is any complications. How difficult is it to get in and out of bed or off the toilet? I think that is what I am worried about the most.
0 -
The saga continues, I just learned yesterday that the BS office did not send discs of imaging and reports which were requested 19 days ago.....such incompetence! Now I have to overnight the discs so Dr. Ordoyne can view and determine if radiation should be done prior to reconstruction....so thankful I didn't purchase airline tickets! Today being a holiday the soonest I can get them there is Friday. I hope the images give Dr. enough insight for him to make the call that I can have immediate recon. Because of my husbands stroke being totally missed I have a new found assertiveness, I had no problem telling the BS how I felt, of how she has managed my case, her inappropriate manner, her lack of current info on the flap procedure and in the end told her that she was not a fit for me for anything else! My daughter was with me and instead of looking me in the eye she was talking directly to her....I almost reminded her that I was the patient, but let that one go. It is so encouraging to hear all the good reports from you ladies, it sure helps me have the courage it takes to undergo such a complicated surgery. Take good care all, I'll keep you posted! Happy 4th!
0 -
Elijagirl- at 5 days I could do all that myself but always good to have someone walk you to and from the toilet in case you lose your balance.
Mimi- you rock! I guess you hit too close to home since she wouldn’t meet your eye and focused on your daughter instead. I had a similar problem with the films not being sent in a timely fashion and had to overnight them. Dr O is on it and will be thorough. Let NOLA know so Dr O knows it’s arriving Friday and he can be sure to look at them then. Surgery is when again
0 -
My surgery was 8.5 hours. They also removed my port. It was unilateral, which likely made it quicker. The first night, they checked my flap every half hour with a doppler wand to make sure they could hear blood flow, then pressed on the flap to make sure it bounced back. Yesterday it was checked every two hours, then every three at night. I have three drains-one for each side of the abdomen, and one for the breast. For pain, I get 1mg of dilaudid every three hours if I want it, celebrex, and tylenol. But the only real pain has been the abdomen when I get up. Each time I get up it is less painful than before. My catheter was removed at midnight, and I have walked to the bathroom and peed twice since then. In an hour I will meet with my team, get a surgical bra, and be discharged. I am not a person who hates hospitals and can’t wait to get home, but I don’t think i need hospital level care any more.
I hope this helps you all who are coming up next!
-L
0 -
Lula, thanks for the encouragement, I will let them know the discs are on the way and should arrive on Friday, hopefully he can study them soon as I don't want to put off buying the airline tickets for too long as they are reasonable now. Surgery scheduled for July 31 so lots of preparation to be done before we leave. I am a caregiver to my husband who had a stroke 2 1/2 years ago at age 59, so extra prep getting him ready...no physical impairments, comprehension and speech. If any of you ladies who had their recon at NOLO have any suggestions on what I might need down there please shout it out. I am thinking of step thru tank style dresses for the most part, with yoga capri's underneath...sound reasonable, oh and the "big" underpants.
Leatherette, it sounds like you are doing wonderfully, thank you for letting us "pre-ops" in on it!
0 -
Pre surgery prep is complete and I'm going to try to get some sleep. Surgery is at 7:30 tomorrow morning. Thanks so much to all of you who shared your experiences. I feel prepared and ready to get this over!
0 -
Leatherette and cev20, glad to hear you are on the other side or surgery and doing well.
OCDAmy...good luck tomorrow. I'll be anxious to hear about your experience. You and I had similar problems with the radiation killing skin and tissue. I had to have my expanders removed so I've been flat since March 29th. I'm ready to have some breasts but just pray I don't have surgery complications because of the radiation damage. My PS says it will all be fine because he's replacing all that damaged skin. I hope yours goes great and you recover quickly!
0 -
Leatherette and cev20, I bet your happy to be in the other side of this. Congratulations! I was wondering what happens in the preop? Is it just a typical Dr appointment with BP, temp, heart rate, O2 rate and routine questions? Or is that when they mark up your skin, draw the marks for incisions? I have 2 preop appointments. 1 appointment on Monday is 30 minutes with the PS and the other is a full hour and iscalled plastic surgery preop. Does anyone also have concerns for lymphedema and cannot use your arms for IVs? Did they use your leg? I heard they can use a central line, but no idea what the plan is for me. I know I do not want any IV's in my arms or hands, they don't even use my arms for blood pressure. My bilateral DIEP surgery is Tuesday at 7:30 am with the preop appointments on Monday.
0 -
carmstr835 - make sure to warn them about your arms at the pre-op (I know you will). I found a pink rubber bracelet on amazon that says “no needles or BP" to wear for my surgery and post-op! You should get a chance to meet your anesthesiologist before surgery ..
Lanne
0 -
Hi Ladies, I'm learning a lot from reading this thread. I had sub-pectoral implant (saline) exchange surgery last November and went to see a new Plastic Surgeon about revision surgery b/c I have animation and rippling. My new doc wants to practically start all over and do pre-pectoral implants. (I know he's good b/c a friend has used him and he gets good reviews.) He said it will take about 6 weeks to recover!! (My initial implant surgery only took 2 weeks). I was thinking I might as well do autologous surgery if it's going to take that long to recover! I'd rather not have implants, if I don't have to. But one problem is that I don't have a lot of extra fat around my abdomen--some, but not much. I'm pear shaped and most of my fat is on my thighs. Can they use fat from that area for DIEP? Thanks in advance.
0 -
Yes, Lanne! Thankyou for that suggestion.
I do have those bright pink plastic bracelets they gave me that say no BP/needle sticks,etc when I had my bilateral mastectomies. I forgot about those and just dug them up. I will make sure I wear them for my preop and surgery.
0
