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2018 DIEP Surgery

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Comments

  • SoniaL
    SoniaL Member Posts: 85
    edited July 2018

    Hi everyone. I was traveling this past week so I'm just now catching up on all the posts made since last weekend. I'm so sorry for those of you that are dealing with complications and rejoicing with those of you that are starting to feel better. Thanks to all for sharing your experiences, it certainly helps to feel like I know what things are ahead. I'm nervous about complications with all the radiation damage I had to my skin and tissue but am hopeful for a successful procedure.

    Ann63, you and I will have our DIEP surgery on the same day so we can compare notes...I hope all goes well for you.

  • OCDAmy
    OCDAmy Member Posts: 289
    edited July 2018

    Sonia, I was really surprised that my PS was able to remove nearly all my radiated skin. The new breast looks a little weird because it's all tummy skin, which hasn't seen the light of day in a long time, next to the radiated very top of my breast which is so dark.

  • Mimi-s11
    Mimi-s11 Member Posts: 27
    edited July 2018

    Finn, Thank you so much, I knew there must be a way. I always said in my old age I didn't want anyone I knew wiping the bottom, well I don't think 63 is old age and I can hardly stand the thought of it.....pride I guess. Thanks again!

  • Mimi-s11
    Mimi-s11 Member Posts: 27
    edited July 2018

    Mustlovepoodles...I am having Dr Wise doing my Diep surgery on July 31st, I haven't heard him mentioned much on this board, do you know anything about him? We have a mini-goldendoodle so I love poodles too! All the best, starting to get some anxiety here from Michigan.


  • Shellybeans
    Shellybeans Member Posts: 147
    edited July 2018

    WOW - miss a few days and this board moves! So scary hearing about the complications but also reassuring hearing how others are doing better than expected. I never even thought about the bathroom issues - guess I'd better add that to my list of things to think about. The heparin shots have me in knots too = I had those when I was in the hospital in October and they HURT! They injected in my stomach and I look like I had been beaten up for weeks. I hated it. I don't recall having them with my BMX. I'm getting anxious about the surgery -saw my MO this week for a normal follow up and he seemed surprised that I'm having it and said it's a "big surgery" but when he saw how thin my raidiated side is and how it's higher than the left, I think he gets it.

    Thanks for all the updates - as nervous as I am you all are helping!

    Michele

  • bella2013
    bella2013 Member Posts: 370
    edited July 2018

    Shellybeans, don’t let anyone give you a heparin injection in your abdomen after your DIEP Flap Reconstruction! They can give it to you in your hip or thigh.

    Take the Bottom Buddy to the hospital with you. You will have the same challenges at the hospital that you will have at home. I have never heard of it but it would have been so helpful😁.

    Don’t be anxious...you have already faced the most difficult challenges...cancer diagnosis, chemo, radiation and BMX! This surgery is going to restore what was taken from you!!

    You can do this!!

  • SoniaL
    SoniaL Member Posts: 85
    edited July 2018

    OCDAmy...I'm glad to hear that. I'm hoping that my PS will also remove all of my radiated skin. It's lumpy and I have terrible scarring from the open wound that is ALMOST healed (thank goodness). I'll be glad to see that skin go and hope he can take the rock hard tissue that's underneath as well. I'm like you, I will have very white breasts because my tummy has not seen the sun in ages. :) As long as they look "normal" in clothes though, I will be happy.

  • bella2013
    bella2013 Member Posts: 370
    edited July 2018

    I was surprised when I saw my flaps. They were white too. That part of my tummy had not seen sun in years. But five months later they are the same color as the surrounding skin on my chest. Can’t explain it but happy with the results

  • Lula73
    Lula73 Member Posts: 705
    edited July 2018

    Mimi- Dr Wise assisted Dr Dellacroce for my stage 1 DIEP. Wonderful man. Love my results. Are you on the NOLA FB page? If not, and you’d like to be, let me know and I’ll get you added.

  • Mimi-s11
    Mimi-s11 Member Posts: 27
    edited July 2018

    I have looked at their FB page and couldn't see how to join? I assume it is private, thanks Lula for the help.

    Denise Thorpe Neeb is my FB name

  • Lula73
    Lula73 Member Posts: 705
    edited July 2018

    Mimi- I sent you a friend request... the page is a secret FB page to help keep the looky-loos away.membership is by invitation only😉 Curious if your grandkids Call you Mimi?

  • Mimi-s11
    Mimi-s11 Member Posts: 27
    edited July 2018

    Thanks Lula, yes, you have it my 11 grandkids call me Mimi. Our oldest grandson came up with that one and it stuck!

  • Lula73
    Lula73 Member Posts: 705
    edited July 2018

    I’m a Mimi too. Nothing better than hearing the little ones excitedlysqueal “Mimi” when they see you and run over to wrap their arms around your neck for a big hug!

  • Mimi-s11
    Mimi-s11 Member Posts: 27
    edited July 2018

    Nothing beats that !

  • mustlovepoodles
    mustlovepoodles Member Posts: 1,248
    edited July 2018

    Yes, Mimi, you need to join the NOLA Facebook group. Several people over there had had Dr Wise for their surgery and have been happy with his work.

  • OCDAmy
    OCDAmy Member Posts: 289
    edited July 2018

    imageI got all three drains out today, that feels so much better! Was able to see my tummy much better now and I am so pleased with the results. I haven't had this flat of a tummy in years and the incision is pretty low. The breast is still looking good too so I'm hoping I'm in the clear at 10 days out. I see my PS a week from today so I will see what he says. I don't like the binder and am hoping I don't have to wear it for too long. I stopped taking pain meds during the day, I took some last night but I may stop them at night too. Feeling better than I expected. Today is a bit cooler, hoping to take a stroll outside.

  • lanne2389
    lanne2389 Member Posts: 220
    edited July 2018

    OCDAmy, you look great and it sounds like you’re doing great too !!!

    Lanne

  • Leatherette
    Leatherette Member Posts: 272
    edited July 2018

    Amy,

    image


    Glad you feel good, too!



  • Mimi-s11
    Mimi-s11 Member Posts: 27
    edited July 2018

    Looking great Amy, Congratulations!

  • Teaberry11
    Teaberry11 Member Posts: 66
    edited July 2018

    Hi Ladies,

    Today is 6 weeks post DIEP. Woohoo! I tried sleeping on my side for the first time this weekend. Started off great — nestled into a comfy position and was asleep in minutes! Two hours later I woke up rolled to my back and got this crazy pain in my left breast ( not the side I was laying on) I was sleeping in the surgical cami but wow did it hurt like a sore achy feeling that went down my arm. So I had to back myself away from the "Is this a heart attack" cliff by taking an aspirin and my BP (normal). I moved back to the recliner and 3 hours later fell back to sleep. My breast was still achy all day until I decided to go ahead and put on a sports bra like the PS recommended. Pain is gone now but I'm afraid to try sleeping on my side again. Anyone else have this issue? I also really like the support of the abdominal binder when I have it off for some time I get all weird and bloated feeling. Is this normal? How long did you all wear the binder or spanx?

  • Lula73
    Lula73 Member Posts: 705
    edited July 2018

    Teaberry-so glad everything's going well! Yes I did have lingering pain early on after sleeping on my side for a bit. Lots of pillows, limiting the amount of time on the side, and rolling over ever so carefully were the things that helped me the most. I popped a couple internal stitches getting comfortable on my side one night. Searing pain that made me scream and took my breath away all at the same time. When I could get out of bed I marched right back out to the living room and got in the recliner. I stayed in the recliner from stage 1 through 6 weeks after stage 2. Now I sleep in the bed on either side or my back no problem. It does get better😀 I only wore the binder for 6 weeks anytime I was not in the bed. The swelly bloated thing is normal and typically resolves after stage 2 but make sure you tell your PS about it so they know it’s an issue.

  • bella2013
    bella2013 Member Posts: 370
    edited July 2018

    Teaberry11, I still use lots of pillows when I sleep. I am a side sleeper and I put a pillow between my knees when I am on my side and I hug a pillow close to my chest and abdomen. These pillows support me and I feel safe and sleep comfortably.

    If you want to sleep on your side then maybe wear a sports bra that will keep “the girls” in place. There is still lots of healing going on in your breast and abdomen. Don’t judge by how the incisions look..they will heal long before the new breasts and new flat tummy!

    Sounds like you are doing great

  • carmstr835
    carmstr835 Member Posts: 147
    edited July 2018

    OCD. You asked about ketorolac. It is a powerful anti inflammatory as strong as a narcotic. But doesn't leave with the foggy brain or constipation. My plan was no narcotics at all. But in recovery. It was really bad burning pain so they gave me just a touch of fentynol. Then in my room every 2 hours I got dilaudud. Only until 6 hours after my surgery. That was the end of narcotics and my pain was controlled very well as long as the nurses gave me my ketorolac every 6 hours. I refused the narcotic laced tylenol. They started giving me just Tylenol every 6 and ketorolac every 6 staggered so then I had zero pain if it was on time. Thursday, the 24 hours post op + they stopped IV pain meds and I got oral of the same every 6 hours. By Saturday night I did not need any more pain meds. So I was glad to be finished with them and to concentrate on my BP issue. By Thursday my BP went way up and I was put on a beta blocker. That made me feeling horrible. I took it twice a day as they wanted me to until Monday. I got an appointment with my cardiologist who hasn't been following my care. He said I could could stop taking It if I carried the meds with me all the time in case I have another SVT. I have a history of that so I agreed. More later. Got to go now. Going home!!

  • SoniaL
    SoniaL Member Posts: 85
    edited July 2018

    OCDAmy...you look great - so encouraging to see this, and glad you are feeling good too.

    Bella2013...thanks for your posts, you are always encouraging!

    Teaberry...glad you are doing well.

    carmstr835...will be thinking about you as you head home to continue recovery, I hope all goes well!

  • OCDAmy
    OCDAmy Member Posts: 289
    edited July 2018

    Thanks gals! So nice to have a group that you can share with. I am feeling much better, I can tell because I'm getting bored! Need to find small projects around the house that don't take too much energy. I'm looking forward to trying on some clothes and see how they look. I'm thinking dresses may be best for back to work. When were you all able to start wearing a bra again? I'm fine without it for now but probably need it for work.

  • Justkeepmoving
    Justkeepmoving Member Posts: 57
    edited July 2018

    OCDAmy you look great!!

    Carmstr835 -- good luck! Keep us posted :)

    I've tried lying on my side and it was still uncomfortable...guess it will just take us all some time!

    I'm still comfused as to why my doc didn't tell me to wear an abdominal binder. He did say he was worried about them pressing on the breasts but I can modify and make cut outs if needed. I still can't stand up straight and would like to... Maybe an abdominal binder would help. I'll ask him tomorrow at my appointment. When could you ladies stand up straight?

    I'm home in my own house. Preparing meals, cleaning up, driving.. Took kids to the library and the dentist today. I think I over did it so I'm lying down. My wonderful boyfriend came over and is taking my daughter to her fencing class. I can't say enough about how terrific this man is - I feel very lucky to have him in my life. I hope all of you have good caretakers nearby

    Xoxox

  • Teaberry11
    Teaberry11 Member Posts: 66
    edited July 2018

    Thanks Bella and Lula. I plan to try the bed again tonight with the sports bra this time,

    OCDAmy you look awesome, I definitely prefer dresses to shorts or pants — much easier all around. My PS recommended wearing asports bra kind of shapeless but for work a dress with a summer sweater and you don’t even notice,

  • Runrcrb
    Runrcrb Member Posts: 202
    edited July 2018

    ocdAmy - I was braless until returning to work at 5 weeks. I wore (still wear) this bralette from Soma. Soft and I like the wide band at the bottom. I have started wearing my bras from before reconstruction and will eventually go back to those styles but for post surgery periods (phase 2 coming up fast), these soft ones provided enough support and lots of comfort.


  • Leatherette
    Leatherette Member Posts: 272
    edited July 2018

    Hi-I had my two week post op check up this morning, and all is well. My healing is ahead of schedule-doctor was happy. I thought I was going to have stitches pulled out, but that wasn't needed. I've been running these low grade fevers like 99.5 to 100.5, and he said it was likely in my lungs from not taking deep enough breaths, as there is no sign of other infection. I haven't been walking as much as I'd like to because it has been really hot, and my neuropathy from chemo makes me get a painful pins and needles sensation all over my body when I'm hot. Looks like I'll be doing my exercise walking in the mall.

    Anyway, good news. I'm very happy with the results, and am going to a reconstruction support group meeting tonight. I may do show and tell. Seems that everyone has seen everything at this point anyway! I'll probably just feel like I'm presenting a science project.

    As far as clothes/bras, I think I will continue to wear tanks with shelf bras or my nursing bras that look like cotton sports bras for a while. I’m treating my DIEP boob like a Faberge egg, gently cradling it. I used to be an underwire girl all the way! I like dresses for now because no tightness on ab incision, and I had been avoiding them pre-diep due to my former belly rolls, now known as my left breast.

    Be well,

    L.





  • BCSilverLining
    BCSilverLining Member Posts: 20
    edited July 2018

    Hi everyone,

    Question....I received my oncotype test back yesterday. 22. Based on new research results, this puts me in the intermediate risk range. I see my oncologist on Thursday and I know they will give me a recommendation, but ultimately this decision is mine. I am super scared of chemo and haven't stopped crying since I found out and am still recovering from my expander surgery. I am in so much pain from that still and now this. What is anyone's experiences?

    Sunday I coached my oldest daughter's last summer league basketball game. I was sore, but I missed so many games with her this summer because of surgeries and recovery, I needed something positive. It was nice to think of something other than this shit, but a stray ball hit me in my left breast....the expander one. I got past that, but I'm just super sad and want to cry all the time.

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