2018 DIEP Surgery
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Thanks runcrb!
That gives me hope that DIEP won't be so bad.
R
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I am re-posting this. Think it originally got lost in the shuffle. Lol
Hi everyone, I am having my surgery on Nov 29th after failed implants due to infection. Right now I have a lot of tightness, and my chest muscles dance every time I use my arms. Has anyone else had DIEP after sub pectoral implants, and did the muscle movement go away?
Thanks for any insight
Vickki
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Based on what I have read anecdotally, it seems like people who had an easier time with the mastectomy tend to have an easier time with DIEP. I had single DIEP, and recovery has been good. I’d say mastectomy was more uncomfortable, and your range of motion is more limited,but DIEP takes longer to do all your regular activities because of the abdominal incision, and that’s similar whether you have a single or double DIEP. I could walk around pretty soon after, but it took a while for my stamina to come back, a month or so. 9 weeks out, my abdomen can get a little achy at the end of a long day, but that’s it.
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can't remember where I read or heard this (here?) but it takes about one month for every hour of anesthesia to recover your strength after surgery. We need to take it easy on ourselves and not expect too much too soon!
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Hi Vslush, I had a sub-pec expander before DIEP and yes, my muscle settled down after DIEP.
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Thank you TWills, I forgot to ask at my appt (I know...duh!). Glad to know it gets better. Congrats on the stage 2. Sounds like you're doing well. Yay!
Vickki
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I’ve been researching and trying to figure out the abilities of each surgery center, quality of hospital care, and positive outcomes from real people.
This thread has been very helpful. People think I’m crazy to be considering such big surgery. The pain and discomfort of my implants motivated me to start looking at other options. Your stories are helping me move forward.
I’m in southern Arizona. There is a team in Phoenix that does the procedure. I like all the details from the office and met with them. Trying to see what the insurance will cover there. I also contacted The center for restorative breast surgery in New Orleans. Their experience and reputation is incredible. I’m not sure what travel and out of pocket will be if I move forward with them.
I’m wondering how each of you made your choices? What advice you would share?
Much gratitude for all of you!
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Hi y’all! Had MX and DIEP flap 2+ weeks ago. Healing seems to be going well. I couldn’t do implants because I had had radiation on that breast, but PS explained also that DIEP flap was probably easier and more satisfactory in the long run anyway. I think I’m going to be happy with results. Surgery was 9+ hours and they kept me in ICU 2 nights to monitor pulses, and then in step down room one more night, then home. I did not use any of the opiates they gave me. Ready to have last drain out and for incisions to really heal over
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Hi! When my surgeon explained the options, it seemed that DIEP flap was best option, despite longer recovery time and more complex surgery. Implants require more care than the flap, as I understand it. I have had my moments post surgery wondering why I did this to myself, but I’m sure I will be very happy with it in the long run
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susanlouise, you sound like you’re doing great. Rest a lot even if you don’t think you need it. Short walks and lots of na
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shadesofblue- I went to NOLA. Their before and after photos, number of these recons they’ve done/continue to do (more than anyone else), their flap failure rate (<1%), infection rate (<2%), using a hospital that isn’t full of various and sundry contagious diseases, their pioneering of new techniques, vast experience with operating on tissue that’s been exposed to full mantle rads all did it for me. Those before and after photos are the real deal and what their everyday work looks like. They also address the boxy/hippy look most off us have after stage 1 by resculpting our bottom 1/2 and they get it covered by insurance. Most PSs brush you off when you bring it up, tell you it’s not needed, and insurance won’t pay. Us NOLA girls know differently.
On travel costs, you have the option of you & your caregiver staying at Hope Lodge for free (donate what you can). That just leaves gas or plane fare. If you prefer not to stay at Hope Lodge The Center has discounted rates with at least a dozen area hotels. The hardest part about traveling for this is making the travel arrangements. Are you on Facebook? There is a private FB page for ladies who went/are going/considering going to NOLA. I’d be happy to add you if you like and you can ask lots of us about our experience.
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Dear Lula73,
Wow, thank you for the information! I am on Facebook and will pm you my info in order to get on the right page.
The Hope Lodge sounds like a great option if I qualify? We also have generous family members with hotel points they’ve offered to share.
I hadn’t really thought about all the extra germs depending on which hospital. I was not impressed with the hospital or staff where I had my first surgery.
Thank you!
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Anybody doing DIEP in Boston? I am seriously thinking about it. Would like to hear from actual patients. I have done my research and I have seen a few microsurgeons, but still waiting.
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hi everyone
I totally over did it this weekend (took down some trees in my yard - I was dragging huge branches, stacking wood, pulling ropes trying to guide trees down).... And now I'm paying the price - OUCH!
Asking ladies with more time under their belt if there is any way that I could have hurt myself? Did you have any setbacks like this when you felt good and did too much? I'm back to being sore after feeling great. I've been working full time, hiking, camping, cleaning, swimming, biking.... and now I feel a little hunched over again. I'm 2 months post op. I'm putting on my abdominal binder and will lie down for a while...
I know there are some people looking for surgeons for their DEIP flap. If anyone is considering the NY area you can private message me and I will give you info about my Drs. My results are amazing - I don't even need a stage 2 (but I do want to put a nipple on so I'll do that at some point). My scars are small and fading. My DEIP flap circle is about the size of a dime and hidden under my breast.
Speaking of nipples I'm curious about other people's results - I see there is a post devoted to nipple reconstruction but just checking in with my DEIP flap people regarding this... I do plan on the reconstruction and the tattoo
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Justkeepmoving - you just over did it. you didn't hurt anything. Rest up and the get back to just keeping moving!
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thank you! Hoping to start running, yoga soon...
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Shades5blue, I selected a PS in my city. He is affiliated with a major teaching university here and specialized in DIEP and other microsurgery. I asked to see before and after pics and I asked him a number of questions posted on this thread. He did a fabulous job and so far I have had no complications. While I can appreciate ladies wanting to travel for DIEP, especially if they are in a small town, I was so happy to find someone in my city that was an expert and where I could drive home and be in my own bed a few days later.
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Hi ladies - I'm 4 days post op. Need some reassurance this gets better. I'm home and able to walk hunched over but so exhausted just by a few walks around the house. And I coughed and felt like I ripped my abs open. My dr. assured me I'm not doing that but holy cow - the pain! I'm trying to get off the narcotic pain meds and just use muscle relaxer and tylenol. I see my PS on Monday and hoping I'll get the drains out. Wound vac comes off - pretty worried about that so I'll pre-med for sure. I really hope to turn a corner soon.
Everything looks okay and drains really aren't putting out too much.
Thanks
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Stage 2 complete. Somewhat sore, but otherwise am doing well. A great big "thank you" to all of you who shared your experiences.
Tomorrow well see what lies beneath the girdle and surgical bra. 🤞
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Shellybeans, at 4 days post op I thought DIEP was worse than BMX. Just so much going on in too many places. It’s ok to stay off your feet a little longer and let your body heal - Drs are not lying when they say recovery is 6-8 weeks! It will get better day by day - this is a time to listen to your body and have patience. Focus onthe long game vs short term results. Take care!!
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I’m wondering if anyone has had the nerves also reattached with microsurgery?
Picking a surgeon or center is a lot. Talking to the surgeon who is closest (3 hours) in Phoenix made me confident in his knowledge and the top notch practices that are done by the best. But he and his team are still perfecting and getting their overall time lower. If I can go somewhere else and have a three hour shorter surgery it seems like a no brainer?!
I’m wondering if with small breast done with flaps are bras needed? I am wanting to be very small. Flat and sassy runs in my family ... the implants now are big for me and I’m worried about the whole thing. ( Even if they hurt and have no feeling!)
I very much appreciate ya’ll insight and advice.
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Shades5blue. Check out PRMA in San Antonio, Texas. www.prma-enhance.com
They do over 600 DIEP flaps per year.
Breast Reconstruction is our passion. We specialize in state-of-the art breast reconstruction procedures including the DIEP flap, SIEA flap, GAP flap, TUG flap, LTP flap, fat grafting, direct-to-implant, nipple-sparing mastectomy, and vascularized lymph node transfer.
We have performed thousands of breast reconstructions, including over 7,500 microsurgical flap procedures, making PRMA one of the leading centers in the World. We are also in-network for most US insurance plans.
By combining reconstructive excellence with cosmetic surgery expertise, our specialist surgeons strive to provide you with the best and most natural results possible.
Patients from across Texas, all corners of the US, and other countries come to PRMA to experience care and results that go beyond expectations. Please contact us today to learn about your breast reconstruction options.
I used them for my final revision. I wish I had started out with them.
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Shelly-take it easy on yourself. You’re only 4 days out sweetheart! Don’t be afraid to take the pain meds either. I have a high tolerance for pain and stayed on the max dose every 4 hours on a schedule for a week then dropped the dose down to 1/2 during the day and max dose at bedtime. Continued stepping down til I was just taking OTC pain relievers during day and prescription at bedtime then nothing during the day and ibuprofen at bedtime. It’s important to stay ahead of the pain too. If you wait til you’re in pain to take it it will take a long time to get it under control. You will be exhausted by small things. This will get better in the coming weeks. Take it easy and do as you can without iverexerting yourself. You’re not racing anyone and time is your friend right now.🙂
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Hi Shellybeans. Your experience sounds similar to mine. It took a few weeks to be weaned off pain meds. The 4 drains made me feel like an octopus. Movement was difficult and uncomfortable. Sleep was a respite and a nightmare as it was so difficult to get comfortable. My best advice is to get up and move slowly every few hours. Log all your meds taken with your drainage output. Keep a record of your progress. Compare your progress against your situation. Everybody is different and recovers at a different pace. Sending healing thoughts.0
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One additional note for Shellybeans... when you are ready, as you taper down any narcotic pain med, consider Tylenol and Motrin taken alternately. Your PS or nurse navigator can tell you what dosage to try. This method was very helpful to stay on top of pain while being weaned off narcotic pain meds. Hang in there
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Shelly it definitely takes time to get up straight. I remember going to my one week post op appt bent over hugging a pillow but by 2 weeks I was walking around the block - really slowly- but it was night and day,! Take your time it will get better!
Cev20 - glad phase 2 is behind us
. And hope you liked what you saw under the binders!I am 8 days post op from phase 2. I am still swollen but love the results so far! That lipo in NO JOKE! Most of the bruises have disappeared except for the bright yellow flap patch on my right breast. They tell me yellow means healing The PS lifted the skin there to inject the fat to give projection so a lot of trauma but it looks great otherwise! So according to my PS he lipo’d 350cc from my hip and sides which was about 180cc of fat and then injected 120cc into my right breast — the left side was bigger after phase one so now they look very symmetrical. 😃 Gotta wear the abdominal binder for a month! I’m fine with that but seriously my side and hip are really tender to touch. Guess I’ll be back sleeping for a while longer!
Praying for quick recoveries for all!
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Shellybeans, IT GETS BETTER!! The only thing that will hurt with the wound vac is the tape, if it was like mine anyway. Make them do it in as few sections as possible. The PA that removed mine only removed about a 1/4-1/2 inch at a time and that’s uncomfortable. Kinda like waxing, just get it over with quickly. They have a spray that helps
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Shades, mine are on the small side and I definetly don’t need a bra except for vanity reasons. Love it!!
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Thanks everyone- each day is a little better. Drains are putting out very little except my right hip - and it’s barely 20 cc’s per day. I’m just putting faith in the fact that I’m not the first to go through this and even though I can’t imagine standing straight again, I know I’ll get there. Lol
Thanks!!
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Shellybeans, I know how hard it is to imagine anything different when you are in the height of the recovery stage. I’m 6 months out and I really have to concentrate to remember the details of it all.It really does get better and become a distant memory. The hunched over part was by far the hardest part for me but by far the most important part of healing IMO. I was told originally to stay in that position for 3 weeks after leaving the hospital and then they added another week at my post op before I could even begin the process of straightening up. That took another several weeks to get fully upright. I thought I’d go crazy. I’m so thankful now though, I know that helped long term healing and scaring. Be patient with yourself and this will become a distant memory:)
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