2018 DIEP Surgery
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Twills, glad stage 2 went well!
I am wearing a real bra for the first time today. I have been wearing maternity sports bras for a year! They are so comfortable, but don’t lift/support a lot. We’ll see how it goes. I feel like Huck Finn being dressed for church!
I think I have the swelly belly thing going on. I was so happy about the flat front, and I look slimmer, but my waist is actually bigger inchwise than it was, and I can’t wear any of my dress pants that button. I was never advised to wear any compression garments, so I haven’t.
Have any of you put concealer on your scars? I did it one day, for a few minutes, just to see, and it was kind of cool. You can focus on the shape rather than the scar. It was fully healed over when I did it, of course.
Lanne,😂on your documentary comment! That would be nice! However, sometimes it does feel that this has all happened to someone else-maybe I am dissociating?
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Before I update y'all about my Stage 2 surgery yesterday I just want to say the everyone reacts differently and heals at a different pace. Surgery is unique to each of us and depends on a lot of factors. I hope that everyone feels comfortable sharing no matter how successful your surgery was or how you are healing.
My Stage 2 had a lot to it, I had lipo on my sides where the stomach incision ends. They bulged out like a muffin top so I had no waistline anymore. That looks exactly the same today but I'm sure it's swelling. I had a dermal graft done on my bad side where they previously took all of the tissue and lymph nodes, underarm sideboob area, it was basically skin over ribs and was as uncomfortable as it was unsightly. They took that piece from the middle part of my stomach incision and transplanted there. On the other side in that same area he lipo'd that. He had planned to lipo my stomach, but I'm not brusied there so I'm not so sure he did. I had fat grafting on both boobs from the cleavage area, all through the top and around to the armpit. He also removed my radiation tattoos. Oh, and he also removed a marble sized lump which we think is fat necrosis but he'll send it out for testing. I'll need more fatgrafting in a few months. All in all I feel great, no pain meds but I have a high pain tolerance and low tolerance to pain meds lol, and went out shopping this morning. No drains, was told I would have one, andno compression garment of any kind.
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Leatherette, yes about the waist. I was exactly the same size at my waist as I was before DIEP, because of the extra fat the sits at the ends of the stomach incision. That’s what I had lipo’d out yesterday in Stage 2.
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re DIEP after tissue expanders ...
I've always wondered why, when discussing stage 2 surgery, no one mentioned getting their breasts reshaped - and mine do need that. PS mentioned that my square-ish shape (think of a ciabatta roll) was because of the tissue expanders - she'll nip and tuck to create a rounder shape with more projection in stage 2. I'm assuming many of you did not have TEs first or, if you had TEs, you were nipped and tucked during DIEP?
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Elijahgirl, I can help you with the abbreviations, I think. DX means Diagnosis. ER+ means you have hormone receptors for estrogen. PgR+ means you have hormone receptors for Progesterone. HER2 is a protein. Yours is negative, always a good sign
ER+ PR+ HER2- breast cancers are some of the most highly treatable. A hormone suppressor pill will turn off those receptors. You don't have any HER2, so nothing to worry with there. DCIS is a stage 0 noninvasive cancer.
So, it looks like you have small areas of garden-variety DCIS in each breast, plus Pagets in both. Is that the way they explained it to you?
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This Article on breastcancer.org has links to tons of info for easily understanding your diagnosis, including how to read your pathology report.
https://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms
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lanne,
I had a tissue expander for 15 months prior to diep and a fairly sad looking breast from radiation. My DIEP breast was fuller than my natural one. Stage 2 for me included lipo to reduce that fullness, especially the side boob. Honestly though I’m the only lay person who would have noticed the difference between the two. I decided to try for as close to perfection as possible having sacrificed the real one to cancer.
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Lanne, before my DIEP I still had an expander on my “good” side but lost the expander on the other side because of infection during rads. My Dr does all the shaping and corrections during stage 2. Mine aren’t square but the are small because I didn’t have much belly to work with, the fatgrafting for me will help with the slope and a bit more fullness around the top and sides. He said I wouldn’t get more projection unless I get implants. I’m trying the fatgrafting a few more times before I decide to use implants.
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Lanne,
I had failed recon with TE's and implants. Thought I'd lose the "ciabatta" look after exchange, but the implants nestled right into the square pockets the TE's created. Like you, I'm hoping DIEP takes care of that, as I still have those pockets after implants were removed. New PS says it will be stage 2 before we get shape and projection correct, though it seems to be the case for most?
Vickki
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I know this has been asked, but what is this "side boob"? I have both of my TE's in and they are very round and project. I had them filled 3-4 times - I'm pretty much full. The right radiated side sits higher than the left, but overall, they do not look terrible. I'm hoping that the DIEP will just fill everything in, though I know I won't be as big as I am now - currently at 36C. I was a D before my BMX.
Also, I am not skinny but I also do not have a lot of extra belly. It's there - I notice it most when I'm sitting on the toilet I guess - but I just pull on my belly sometimes and try to imagine how the heck they are going to get enough skin OR how I'm possibly going to stand upright.
And, I had all of my lymph nodes removed on my right (I'm stage 3) worried about the pain with the arms being tied down during surgery - I do not want to trigger issues with lymphedema.
With the surgery 2 weeks from today, I'm getting pretty nervous. I swing from ready to get it done to just wanting to be flat. I know that's to be expected - just wanting some insight.
Thanks,
Michele
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I have been more of a lurker here than a poster so far but have been following this thread. Appreciate all the words of advice, encouragement and especially the honesty here. I am 50 and was diagnosed with early stage DCIS in left breast after a routine mammo a few months ago. It blindsided me. Then an MRI picked up a much larger area of LCIS. After carefully considering all factors including family history and what would be best in long term, I am having a double mastectomy with diep flap reconstruction on 9/6. It feels like an eternity since my diagnosis and I have kept busy with life, work and my kids. We even took our usual summer vacation. I think I have been in a temporary state of denial for a while because my surgery was so far ahead, but it has crept up, summer is over. Reality hit me hard this week with all my pre op appts. I am usually pretty pragmatic but I will admit I have begun to unravel a bit. This is an emotional roller coaster I never expected to be on. I hope you do not mind me joining this thread.
(ETA I still have to figure out how to add my diagnosis and proposed treatment path)
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BethNY3, welcome to the group, sorry that you have to join our sisterhood but it’s a pretty awesome place to be while you are on this cancer path.
It’s natural to have the anxious feelings about your upcoming surgery. It’s not a walk in the park but It’s doable. Focus on being cancer free. After this surgery you will be cancer free and have beautiful breast restored. I pray that you will find peace in your decision.
Many here have walked this same path and we are here for you.
Blessings for a successful surgery and a quick recovery
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hi everyone,
Twills I am glad you are home and feeling well. I got home today. Was in and out same day for stage2 approximately 3 hour surgery. For any one who is curios. I had, revision and closure of abdominal scar and wound (had a complication from stage 1 that left me packing an open wound with gauze)...fat necrosis removal, lipo with fat grafting, removal of side boob ( which is just some extra skin or folding under arm area by torso or ribs), and I added implants!
So far I am taking the pain medicine. Hopefully for not too long. But everyone heals at their own pace.
Good luck to anyone who has up coming surgery.
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Twillis — so glad to hear about your recovery! Thank you for sharing!
Lanne - I had TEs first .. definitely have squarish shape right now after DIEP. With "dog ears" on both sides of the circle incisions. My PS said he will pull those dog ears in and shape and project them to be more round/cone like .. and fat grafting for fullness at the top. And like twillis I have extra skin/tissue on the ends of my hip incisions that will be removed. When I wear a bra now it pulls my breasts in and you don't really notice the square shape but I look down and every now and then the center dog ears pop out of the bra ... lol. I'll be glad to see them go
Shelly- "side boobs" are when the flap is more under the arm than in front and that will be corrected at stage 2 - I don't have that since my PS uses the main blood vessel from the center of my chest — I believe some use the side vessel and the new boob tends to position more under the arm. I also had every node removed on my left side and have slight swelling of my upper arm ... I wanted to wear my sleeve during the DIEP but they said no — so I had it set up with the hospital PT to come in and wrap my arm on the 2nd and 3rd night after surgery .. that worked great since I definitely had more swelling right after and couldn't possibly pull the sleeve on myself. The swelling has gone down now but I still wear the sleeve whenever I'm home just because I'm OCD about the — is it swelling or just fat upper arms!! Ughhh .
The first PS consult told me I didn't have enough stomach tissue for DIEP — then when I met my current PS he advised to stand up tall and bend over - whatever roll you grab bent over is what you'll have for your new breasts.. he told me I'd be pleased and I am! I was a DD, now I'd say I'm a small C. It was very tight for about 3 weeks and once the drains were all out and I started wearing the binder it really supported my back and made standing up straight possible! It's getting looser and more normal feeling every day!
Had my pre-op physical today.. getting ready for my stage 2 in 11 days! That's the 3rd pre-op in 7months .. Has anyone else found that tracking and verifying the EOBs and doctor bills is a full time job?!?! I have spent countless hours on the phone with insurance and doc offices .. crazy!
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Teaberry1 - thank you! I was told by my first PS (he left the practice and I got the awesome one I have now) that I was too skinny for DIEP so I never even thought about it. I was scheduled on 4/10/18 to go from TE's directly to implants so I feel like I'm playing catch up. It took a while for me to go ahead and agree to have this surgery. My original BMX was 1/30/17 so geez - I've been living with these TE's for 20 months! I'm pretty accustomed to them but I'll be glad to have them out of my body!
Michele
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BethNY3- welcome! You have found the right place. We are all here to share and support!
Casun - so glad you are home and healing! I think our posts were done at same time so I missed seeing yours!
Bella - how is your healing going? Haven’t seen you in a minute
Shelly — TEs for 20 months!!@&*.. oh my you are going to love your post DIEP breasts!
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Teaberry11, I am here and doing well. I rebounded from Stage 2 surgery rather quickly. I am adjusting to Anastrazole now. It’s not too bad...Looking forward to having my 3D tattoos in late October.
How are you doing?
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hoping the growth in my abdomen is a just a large seroma. It’s causing a lot of pain. I don’t see the doctor until Wednesday after over a month of pai
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Hello Ladies. Just catching up on all the posts. Glad to see all the progress. For those of you are progressing slower than expected, please hang in there. We are all in this together. This is a wonderful group of Ladies -- from those who have shared tons of practical advice to the others who (like me) may be shy or reticent, but still share in your triumphs and your setbacks
My stage 2 is coming up in a couple of weeks and I've seen that some ladies have been presented with the option of implants. I'm afraid that I won't be able to achieve the volume and projection in my diep boob to match the other with just fat grafting (my diep boob looks a little deflated), but I'm not sure how I'll feel if my PS suggests implants. I mean, the while point of this surgery was to avoid them because I wanted both boobs to be made of the same material (me).
For those of you who are considering implants at stage 2 (or beyond) do you feel like you needed to make a mental adjustment, or was it an easy sell?
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cev20 - have you considered reduction of the natural breast?
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Hi Runcrb. My first surgery was a reduction and lift. The left breast was supposed to be the "model" he would match, and I'm really happy with it except for some weird scarring (but that's a whole other story).
He may be able to work his magic and match them, I really won't know until I see him again. I just wanted input from anyone who's had to make the choice.
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I am glad you have taken your time. I had surgery only a weeks after and then exchange surgery three months later. I am extremely unhappy about the size and feel of my implants. ( I had no depression after the bilateral mastectomy! ) But waking up with large implants has been devastating.
Now I’m taking the time to look for a new plastic surgeon and if I am a candidate for flap surgery.
I don’t even know where to begin but I am trying to learn how to be part of these boards.
So much great information.
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hi cev20
I originally did the Diep because I wanted tissue only. When I went to my PS for stage 2 I talked to her about shape. since I had a bilateral Diep it was an easier choice, I think for symmetry and material. My original breast were around D /DD and after Diep was around a B? With that pancakey/ deflated shape you mentioned. (Wasn't bad just not a shape I was accustomed to).
I don't think it was a hard sell, it was very matter of fact. If I wanted more volume and projection then I would need a small implant. I went with the implant but it has only been 2 days.
can let you know more in 2 weeks Hope thathelps
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Thanks, casun. Wishing you an uneventful recovery. Please share your thoughts as you heal.
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My PS suggested I'll want an implant at phase three - so I'm mentally prepared. I've had the TE's for so long it's really not something I'm opposed to. I think it's all personal preference and how you look and feel when you look at yourself.
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Hello I’m new to this thread. I’ll have my DIEP flaps surgery on right breast on September 5th. The PS said this surgery will be more invasive than the mastectomy. I believe it’s because of the fat they’ll remove from my tummy. I’ll read more through this forum to learn more about others experiences
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I’m new to the post too. I hope your surgery goes well! From what I’ve read from those that have already had surgery is that everyone is different, but all here are supportive.
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Welcome MCOlivia and Shades5blue!
Good luck tomorrow MCOlivia and BethNY3 on Thursday! Check in when you can:)
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mcolivia - i found diep recovery easier than mastectomy recovery. Good luck to you
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Thank you ladies. I found a lot of information in this thread, as well as answers to the question I had. I'm glad to have found this group
Very resourceful!
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