2018 DIEP Surgery
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Dear Teacher01,
Welcome to the BCO community. We appreciate that you reached out to our members although we are sorry that you are having some post-surgical concerns. Keep us posted on what you learn at your doctor's appointment. We hear that you are don't want any complications and need to get back to teaching. We are sure that others can relate to your situation. We hope that you will stay active here and use this community for support and information. We are sending you positive thoughts and hoping to hear from you again. The Mods
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Hi!
TWillis - please add me to schedule for Stage 2 - Sept 11
Birdie - I also live alone - for the first week home my daughter slept here, but each day she went to work and I managed fine during the day! Although she did get me all setup with meals, meds and helped strip the drains in the morning and at night. Also the doc ordered a home health nurse - she came by about every other day while I still had the drains in. Her first visit she stayed almost 3 hours! She was awesome! She gave me her cell # and whenever I had a question or concern I would call - text her pictures etc and felt so supported! On about day 10 my sister came for the weekend and I even walked up the street for coffee - very slowly but from then on I felt much more confident being on my own. I also had rides to doc appts which is really necessary since you cant drive for the first 3 weeks or so.
Ann 63 - I agree with the other advice - try to get at least the breast drains out before dealing with 4 hours back and forth driving! Love how we are never too old for our mom's to worry
You are going to do great!OCDAmy - Yay! you found a dress! Now I am 2nd guessing the dress I purchased - not because of style but because of the color - its royal blue and kind of clashes with the Wine colored bridesmaid's dresses. I'm still holding on to it but searching more!
Leatherette - Hope those incisions are calming down! I'm with you on why cant they all heal evenly?!?
Bella - How are you feeling this week? hopefully the soreness is getting better. Thinking about you!
Now for a strange question -- does anyone else have swelling? or fullness? below the tummy incision and above your lady parts lol? At first everything was nice and flat - but now since the drains have come out and have been wearing the abdominal binder which doesn't go that low - or at least stay that low. I asked the PS about it about 2 weeks ago and he said its normal - but it's strange to me when I look down -- it looks fine from the side in the mirror. So now I'm wearing spanx more to keep compression on that area ....
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Ya'll are encouraging me. My DIEP is scheduled Aug 17 in NOLA. Someone i work with told my boss my recovery would take 18 months. She completely freaked! I'm pretty stoic when it comes to illness and surgery. I've never had ANYTHING get me down for 18 months. Heck, i went camping 2 days after my hysterectomy. Three weeks after my knee replacement I flew to Alabama to take care of my mother, who was in hospice. Have Advil, will travel.
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I am 25 days post DIEP and am back at work for a half day. Feeling pretty good, just takes me a few minutes to straighten up from sitting too long so I am trying to get up often. Still feel a little tired and so I am not staying too long. I am just wearing stretchy pants today, not sure how long it will take before I am ready to wear nice pants. Hope everyone is healing well.
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Shelleybeans, thanks for sharing your experience, and for your advice.
It's so comforting to have support from people who have been through this.
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thanks.
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Thanks, Teaberry-things are calming down, I think. The bad places still look worse than the rest, but better than they did before. I’m no longer worried about a wound opening up.
I haven’t had any swelling below my incision that I can see. I think there is a huge “normal” range, and if you fall within it, the docs have no worries, regardless of how not “normal” it seems to us!
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Teaberry11, I am doing much better this week. It took me a few days last week to get over my pity party. It’s amazing how quickly the bruising and soreness is fading. If I sit too long then I feel some stiffness and soreness when I stand up. I am back to normal activity this week. I go to my post-op with my PS tomorrow morning. I am not expecting and problems.
About the swelling “down there”, I still have some and it comes and goes. I think it’s fluid build up. My PS told me back in February it could take 6-8 months for all the swelling and fluid to go down. Gees...just give us a diuretic🤣.
It’s amazing that it’s August already. Wow, this has been a fast year. Blessings for healing and moving in with life after cancer
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yes to the swelling -- I've wondered if I "ruined" my flat belly muscles by not wearing the binder or overdoing it. But I'm noticing the swelling now comes and goes... Wearing the binder a lot now (my doc didn't instruct me to in the beginning because he worried it would creep up onto the breasts).
Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences -- you all make me feel so whimpy as I could barely walk for days after the surgery and I had my boyfriend around making me meals for the first week. But in my defense I did have a second surgery a few days later due to bleeding and clots and I did lose a lot of blood and was/am anemic. Plus my boyfriend is cute so how could I resist
Going back to work one day the week - trying to get back into the healthy mindset and putting this all behind me! I'm having anxiety about how now that I'm feeling better and can do things around the house is when I'm heading back to work! Why couldn't I be independently wealthy?
Leatherette - did anyone look at your incisions? Any infection?
Teacher01 - as you can see there are many ranges of normal and I guess it's difficult to know for sure how you will feel post op... 4 weeks post op seems to be a turning point for most people (me included).
Mustlovepoodles - I've followed your posts and you are a rockstar and strong as nails!
OCDAmy - good luck with work. I'm trying to pick out my first day back to work outfit as I know I'll be on display. Still a bit swollen! Take it easy
Teaberry - I'm starting to look into Stage 2... I call my nipple less breast my "FrankenBoob". It may be time to look into a new nipple and there are some other little nips and tucks I'll need.
Love reading everyone's posts and updates. Lately I've been feeling down and wondering if I did the right thing with all of this... So I look forward to posting a photo of me jumping into the water wearing a bathing suit and that makes me smile. Hopefully this will happen soon...
Hugs xoxoxo
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Hello All,
I got the last of my drains out yesterday. It is such a relief to have those gone!
Teacher01 ~ Be sure to take care of yourself! If you have an infection, I’m sure the staff you work with will wrap their arms around you. As an educator, it’s difficult when you are not able to be with your students (very similar to mom guilt), but you need to take care of yourself so you can go back to school healthy.
I’m approaching my second school year with multiple surgeries. I thought breast implants would get me back to the staff and students I work with sooner, but the implants disagreed with me and my thin skin did not like the implants either😳. The staff I work with provided meals, lots of love and hugs, donated sick time, and were an excellent support system for me as I struggled through the four surgeries I had last school year. I’m glad that I will be approaching 6 weeks post op from my diep when we start school this year. I’m hoping that I don’t have any complications this year. But if I do, I am confident the amazing staff I work with will continue to be a support system for me and the students I work with.
Sending love and hugs your way, Teacher01.
Xoxoxo,
Carmen
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I'm swollen "down there" too and numb. Sometimes I think the numbness makes it seem swollen, like when you get your mouth numbed by the dentist and it feels huge when it's not.
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Hi, I haven’t been on here in a while.... I am finally preparing for my stage 2 aug 31. Will have some fat grafting and scar revision, but also I wanted to see if anyone has decided to add a small implant during stage 2?
I am looking for a little more volume or “projection” and weighing my options. PS suggested an implant and Just wondering if any has done the same.
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No one checked for infection but me. There’s a little red around one part, but the spot is getting smaller, and the other I think is a scab that looks nasty when wet, but looks normal again when dry. No fever or anything, so I feel okay watching it until my next appt. in a week as long as it doesn’t get worse.
I do think working for a school (system) is good when going through all of this. Colleagues support each other, and there are safeguards in contracts to keep us from being discriminated against when we are sick. I’d hate to be fighting an employer for rights when going through all of this.
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I had phase one done may 18 and phase 2 done July 20. I did well from the first one for a few weeks when the doctor had to cut along the incision once on each breast and open up to drain it so I am still healing those with wet/dry dressings.
Phase two went good until about day 10 when scabs started coming off and ozzing around the nipples. I hear that’s normal but getting it checked just to be sur
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Casun19, I'm concidering an implant but at my Stage 2 consult we decided to try a few rounds of fat grafting to see if plumping up the upper portion would satisfy me. I'll add an implant if not.
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appointment went good today. No sign of infection. No to put anymore ointment on either breast. Using soap and water and keeping dry and clean. Also I can wear a bra to keep nipples from being so apparen
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thanks Twills. I am about 95% sure I will move forward with the implant because I Don’t think fat grafting would solve my shape issue.. (it doesn’t look bad it’s just not what I am used to)
I am going to ask one more time in my pre op if I could get the results I am looking for with fat transfer only
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Casun, It’s always good to ask.I don’t think it will make enough of a difference for me either but I needed a bit more time to decide so this was a good option. Good luck with your decision!
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I’m on the schedule with Dr. Mayo for BMX with immediate PAP flaps on 8/20. Looking forward to getting something off my chest
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CallieGirl -- haha!! Love it! Wish I had thought of that "getting something off my chest"... So funny. I had fun with some dark humor prior to my surgery and it lightened the mood for everyone
OCDAmy - regarding your issue you posted about... That is strange. Areas of my skin (breasts, some areas around my abdominal incision) are still numb but my other parts are fine and in working order (we took it for a spin last weekend -- lol!). I hope this is a temporary issue. Maybe bring up to your dr on your next visit?
Ladies I am sitting in my courtyard at work having lunch. First day back and it was so nice seeing my friends and coworkers. Not back full time yet but this is a nice way to ease back in slowly. I'm getting there!
Xoxo
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JustKeepMoving, its not numb all the way down there...lol. Just from incision to the pubic bone. I was numb on the inside of my thighs too but that seems to be getting better. Glad you are easing back into work. It is nice to see everyone again and get back to normal.
So happy to see that no one is getting infections! I know that can set back healing.
Looks like several of you are coming up for stage 1 in the next few week weeks. Best of luck to everyone!
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Let me share an experience i had this morning: i went to my PCP for my pre-op testing. I needed an EKG, so I forewarned the young lady that i had had a BMX and my chest looks pretty bad. Her response was:"Oh, that's okay. I had a breast reduction, so i know exactly how you feel!" Seriously....i was so dumbfounded that i just sat there while she prattled on about her perky 22 year old breasts. Yeah. That's totally like losing your breasts to freaking CANCER.
I didn't say anything at the time, but I'm going to call the PCP and have her deal with this young lady. I'm sure the girl was just trying to make conversation and mistakenly thought that we shared a common breast issue. But her comments were thoughtless and would have been hurtful to me at an earlier time in my journey.
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Mustlovepoodles: sorry about your crappy experience. The woman was young and clueless and that was not a reflection on you. She just doesn't understand. Hugs xoxox
OCDAmy -- lol!! I hope the numbness goes away. Phew! Good thing it isn't what I thought you were describing....
Do you guys get swollen a abdomen if you "over do it"? I'm so uncomfortable tonight
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Justkeepmoving - This week has been horrible for bloating. Today Im 6 weeks PO from my original Diep. I started working out this week because in the last 3 months Ive gained 15 lbs. I have heard the more active you are, the more "bloating" will happen, but in the long run its better to be active for your body. I have also heard it can stick around for up to 18 months after surgery. The bloat area I hate the most is my pubic region.....its okay when I am standing, but when Im sitting, it looks like a man package 😢 PS says it will go away with time and if it doesn't she will lipo it. Trying diet and exercise first. If I lose a few lbs maybe Ill see an improvement.
I am having difficulty getting the scale to budge.....it is so dis-heartening. I used to be an avid runner, but chose to start over using my running app again since it has been so long. Im trying to get in as much as possible, without over-doing it, before next Thurs when I have my first chemo treatment. Im sure stress is not helping the scale. They tell me I shouldnt be trying to lose weight, but Im terrified about gaining. The above picture is a difference if 120 lbs.Im terrified about chemo and Im terrified about Tamoxifen when I finish chemo. Im terrified the cold cap isnt going to work and if that doesnt steal my hair, the tamoxifen will. Is this over yet?
-Meara
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First I want to say that a 120lb weight loss is incredibly impressive so clearly you have the ability to do difficult things. Yes - the drugs and the inability to exercise will make it more difficult but you have proven your ability to make sh~t happen so trust that over time you will get back to your healthy weight and your active lifestyle.
The next thing I want to say is wow you are stunning and very beautiful -- your natural beauty will remain and I think you have no worries (although you do have nice hair... I see your concern. My hair is thin and blah and prior to getting my pathology report I thought if I had to get chemo I wouldn't mind going bald and getting a fresh start! My boyfriend and I would be twinsies 😄)
Ok - good to hear that the bloating is common and will eventually go away. I had my mommy pouch belly and that is gone but my abdomen sort of feels like a barrel or something - I can't explain it. Muscles sore and tight and flat but extended - does that make sense? First day back at work yesterday (have today off to recover if needed) and it felt good but I didn't feel well towards the end of the day.
I'm at 5 weeks post op 1st DIEP surgery today (so you must be a week ahead of me). Already running at 6 weeks? Giving me hope. I'm active and looking forward to getting into the best shape of my life this year. Making plans to have a simple procedure with my urologist so I can end my stress incontinence issue (do I sound like a mess? Yes - I pee my pants when I run 😥)
Eat healthy. Eat clean. But don't obsess. What treatment will you be having? How many weeks? Did you have lymph node involvement? You don't have to answer if you feel uncomfortable sharing ..
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Justkeepmoving,
Well thank you! Definitely not feeling very beautiful lately, so thank you😃 My husband is amazing in that area, but cancer has really made me self-conscious all over again!
Your hair....have you tried supplements? Im cold capping, but also started taking Sugar Bear Hair vitamins.
Yes, all of your symptoms sound totally spot on with what I have experienced as well. Las week I felt good, this week is a different story. But I stepped up my game this week lol.
You dont sound like any more of a mess than me! If it can be fixed and it makes you feel better, get it done! I dont pee when I run, but I did have an ablation on my uterus in Dec 2017.
I was supposed to go back to work next Tuesday, but with getting chemo next Thursday, I decided to not go back until the 20th. I had only been there 6 weeks before my 1st surgery. I am VERY nervous about returning. Yep....My Diep was June 22. Then my flap failed on the 26th. Emergency surgery to remove everything. Then expander surgery on July 13th. That one was the worst pain Ive felt in my life. I woke up crying in pain and couldnt take a deep breath for about a week.
Clinically speaking the two lymphnodes they took were "clean." Technically 1 was dirty, but didnt score high enough the be clinically dirty. My treatment will be TC every 21 days for 4 treatments. Im dying inside and sick to my stomach all the time.
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BC, I had four rounds of TC and it's really doable. I never got sick and was able to work through it. I didn't cold cap. I buzzed my hair when it started falling out but it never completely fell out so that was a positive. Drink tons of water. I did gain weight on chemo. I imagined I'd be this thin, puking mess but I wasn't. You can do it and it goes quickly
I too am swollen in pubic area but no where else. I hate it. I hope it goes away.
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Our bodies have been through multiple wringers. I’m hoping I can give myself time to heal before expecting too much from mine. Since some of my clothes fit me better with the diep tummy, I thought I’d get myself some new clothes today. Mistake. Nothing fit, trying clothes on was physically hard, and even though my tummy is flat, between dog ears and bloating, which I guess I have, it is still yoga pants for me for a while! Now I have to lie on my bed in my underwear with the ac on to prepare for my next big feat of the day.
I lost a lot of weight on chemo, not from digestive problems, but because I had mouth sores and nothing tasted good. Gained it back, which was good for my DIEP.
Don’t worry too much about weight now....focus on keeping hydrated and happy as you start this next step. I was told no purposeful exercise for six weeks after tissue expander placement. It was pretty easy to follow those orders, as I was still recovering from chemo.
I have not run in a long time, but I pee when I sneeze. Being a woman is so glamorous.
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"I pee when I sneeze. Being a woman is so glamorous." Love it! Thanks for keeping your sense of humor - it's about all many of us have right now. I'm saving the new clothes for another year or so. Yes, I've bought clothes throughout treatment - mostly larger size! - but hopefully, this too shall pass. My advice is to recover from DIEP and get back to physical activity as you can. I just had a phase 2 surgery (I'm done now) and hadn't quite internalized that I'd be going back to ground zero on exercise. "Normal" activities after two weeks (not my first rodeo, fully get that normal means walking to the mailbox, not running or swimming or weights), and no cardio for four weeks.
BCSilverLining - you can do this. I firmly believe that overall fitness prior to diagnosis is a game changer in how you handle treatment. Like OCDAmy, I had TC chemo and worked through it (felt crappy on day 3/4 and the progressively better till next time). I walked or swam daily having hated the feeling of running - felt like I was killing it ... until I looked a my watch and saw I'd gone 1/4 mile. I did loose my hair but had a great wig that elicited compliments from random strangers. My hair came back better - curlier. I restarted running during radiation (no swimming allowed) and went to work every day. Restarted after DIEP and will restart in September. I understand the weight gain concern - I'm finding it harder to lose weight now (age, AI, etc.) but will get back to where I was pre-diagnosis (15 pounds ago). But, I remember a conversation with my oncologist when we were discussing whether or not I could keep my nipple. Her statement was "health before beauty." I remind myself as I look at clothes that don't fit right now - maybe next summer.
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TWills-can you put me on the list? I had a BMX with DIEP on July 9th in OKC with Dr. Bajaj at St. Anthony’s. I’m wondering if there are any other ladies out there who have had skin and nipple sparing with keyhole type flaps underneath areola area...
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