2018 DIEP Surgery
Comments
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parachutes,
Oh sweetie so sorry you are so unhappy! What does the Dr say? Do give it a bit more time for swelling and settling? If it isn't right I'm sure your Dr can code appropriately for insurance. He'll want to make sure you're happy as much as you want you to be! You've been through too much to get to the end and not be pleased with your results.
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OCDAMY, it probably takes two weeks to get past the bruised achy feeling. It will take a little longer for the bruising to go away. Lipo hurts!!
The good news is that it’s not nerve pain...it’s muscle and tissue. Takesome anti-inflammatory and it will help. The healing from stage 2 goes so much faster than the DIEP surgery.
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I think it looks really good. The redness will probably fade and I believe there are creams out there that can help with that
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I had my last drainage tube pulled yesterday, yay! The PA said the hardness in my right side is fat necrosis. Yuk. She said that my body will reabsorb most of it. I asked about massage and was told to wait a little while for that. Same reason you talked about Bella2013. I’m wearing the waist binder now, but can’t where the camisole because it hurts a lot when it touches the fat necrosis. I’ll need to see what I should do about that. BTW - do we ever get to wear regular bras again? Or do we get fitted for specialty bras now
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Geminigirl, I too had the hardness and fat necrosis. It was so painful. Having the drains out will allow healing to take place. My nurse navigator gave me two heart shaped pillows. They were small and fit right under my arms. They protected the hardened areas and gave me some relief. A small travel pillow might help.
The hardened areas will soften and the fat necrosis will break up.
Wishing you a speedy recovery
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Bella, can you put ice on the lipo area? I didn't ask but thought that might help with the pain.
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OCDAmy,
My lipo pain lasted 5 weeks. I remember because I sent my PS an email the day it stopped being the first thing I was aware of when I woke. My PS’s assessment is “liposuction is barbaric.” I just think of the song lyrics “beautify is pain.” I hope you feel better soon and that the outcome is worth the short term pain.
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parachutes: I totally remember my first look after Stage 2. I too was so disappointed, but after several months both boobs "fell into place". My larger side was swollen and the smaller side looked much better. Stage 2 was a 3 1/2 hour surgery with lipo, removal of dog ears, fat injections into lower scar and reduction of both boobs. I cried too. I am now 1 year out, and as happy as I will ever be since I do not have nipples. Things will improve. If not, some women have Stage 3. XO
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OCDAMY, it’s iffy about using ice packs. If the area is swollen and numb you might leave the ice pack on too long and damage the skin. I would definitely call your surgeon’s office in the morning and ask
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OCDAMY
I wore Spanx or Spanx-like garments, same as I did after my DIEP surgery. If you have one that begins beneath your breasts and goes down past your thighs it can really help. Having it on made me feel protected and safe.
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*******my phase two is on February 14************
Last year on Valentines day I had my tissue expander put in.
Thank you to those who weighed in on my scar. I think I will pass on the scar revision. My PS seemed surprised that I wanted it, so I guess I have a good scar.
Parachutes, I am so sorry you are unhappy with your outcome! Hopefully the settling theory holds true, or they fix it for you. My two are pretty close to symmetrical, so I will think twice about a lift on my original breast to match the DIEP. I go back and forth between wanting “the works” and letting well enough alone. Hugs to you.
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Hello everyone !
So, I had my reconstruction done this last Thursday, we are at day +4 (or 5) I guess.
We used the DIEP and IGAP combined to try to have a decent size, my surgeon told me I was too fine to do just a DIEP.
I don't really have issue with the scar for now, I know I'll take time but there's still 2 things that depress me a bit.
- as stupid as it can sounds for some, I gain weight with the surgery !! I don't understand how it can happen and that unreasonably makes me so sad. I gain something like 8lbs, 8 lbs it took me so long to lose...
- my breast looks awful, they are not symmetrical, not the same size, nothing is like I expected and I just want to cry.
Of course, my husband as helpful as he tries to be tells me I act like a bitch, and I should just smile. No-one seems to care, I'm alone, in bed most of the day, I'm told to stop doing anything, stop saying anything because no one ever ask if I feel ok. I guess it does make me a bitch...
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sol- you just had major surgery. And you have/had cancer. You can feel any way you damn well please. I don’t know igap but i diep was major and you had both. The weight gain is likely fluid. And if you’re like me, pain killers result in constipation and that adds weight too ( or so i tell myself).
Swelling will go down and the incisions will calm down but both take time. You are going to believe you look terrible for a while. And truthfully we all look different than we did before cancer and there is no going back.
I can say “chin up” and all that crap but it seems you don’t need that. You need empathy and we can offer that on this platform. I hear you. There are days when this all sucks.
Can you walk around the block? I always found fresh air to help my mood - even the short walk around the block. Plenty of water. And journaling- find a notebook and write it all down.
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Thank you for your answer !
You right, I should go take a walk, some fresh air will be nice. I hope we'll be able to do something for my breast too as it looks really bad now...
I guess it's just a wait and see... It's just hard to feel alone all the time. I mean, I love being alone most of the time, but I think my husband is so used to be the talker that he can't even know how to be there and listen...
There's always things to learn in life, right 😅
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Thank you LiLi and Letherette. I needed to hear that. I regret doing the lift because now I'll have to use a bra filler to be even. I asked my nurse what's the soonest I can get a revision and she said eight months to a year. My heart sank.
A couple of random things to share...arnica is a miracle worker for bruising. I would only recommend it for stage 2 but I took it orally three days before and about four days after and my brusing was almost nothing. I also want to say, I was walking around in pain for five months because of a hernia in my umbilicus which resulted from the first surgery. A laparoscopic appendectomy was the only abdominal surgery I've had. I really can't think of anything physical I could have done seeing as I was in too much pain to partake in any activity. I also had this terrible hard spot on my foob that felt heavy after stage 1. It's still there but he added a little bit of fat on it and it's actually less bothersome. So, I guess I should just be grateful I'm cancer free, no longer have a hernia, and my breast doesn't hurt...but I'm still stuck on the deformed breasts. I will pray time will fly by for all of us.
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Please forgive me I am new to this. And I am not even sure if I am posting in the proper place. I had my surgery 9/27/18 and it had been a rough journey for me. It began with bruises turning into blisters....had this ever happened to anyone?
Then my incisions, began to open and bleed. When the last drain was taken out, as soon as I left the doctors office it was like I sprung a leak and had to immediately return to his office because fluid was pouring out of me like some had turned on a faucet.
Now my breast is hard and my abdomen is swollen in one spot and very hard. I am discouraged and a bit depressed..... is this normal
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Freckles-102829, wow, you've had a rough few months. We think it would be best to get back to your doctor, and possibly a second opinion to check out what's going on, and for peace of mind. We are really sorry for what you're going through.
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(I also posted this on the “Femara board...)
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(I have no affiliation with GoodRx except as a new customer that saved herself $95 on her family's prescriptions. woot woot!)
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Hi Freckles,
That sounds really rough, what you’v been through. In terms of “normal,” there is a huge range. Many people have healing issues. I was lucky that I did not, but I had a couple of spots that were iffy, and watched them nervously.
Do you feel good about your doctor? Does your doctor seem at all worried about it? Don’t let them wave you away if you are not comfortable with the progression of your healing. They either need to try something new or be able to explain why something is happening.
I’m sure that after this holiday weekend, someone with an experience closer to yours will be able to chime in.
Take care,
L.
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So....I was doing so well labeled a superstar! Then my DIEP incision came away and now have a 6" dehisced wound so bumbed! Back to the drawing board...this will set me back another 3-4 wks arggh!
So today when I saw the doc; he asked about stage 2. Did everyone do this 3 months after? I imagined it would be at least 6 months? Is there a reason it is done so soon?
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No, this does not sound normal. I ended up with blisters from a really terrible rash. Worse recovery than the actual surgery. Unfortunately a few of my incisions just came open and I had a bit of seepage. Nothing like what you mentioned. I would definitely urge to get an immediate appointment to rectify. Things should be super tight along the DIEP/abdomen, but not hard???
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kickin-cancer - regarding your stage 2 question - timing should be up to you, not doctor. I continue to be thankful for a conservative and talented PS. When I saw him at 3 months post DIEP things were settling down but he didn't want to mess with anything for another 3 months. So i went back at 6 months, we settled on what to do and got it scheduled. so my stage 2 was 7.5 months after stage 1. and that was my final surgery. YAY!
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My stage 2 was 4 months later. I'm 12 days out now and feeling good. Bruising is nearly gone. Just hate wearing the binder 24/7, my back hurts a bit from it. My hips look thinner already and the top of the DIEP breast has filled out nicely.
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Good to know about the timing. We have an amazing Hawaii trip planned in a couple of months so don't want to mess with that. It just seems the standard 3-4 months out to do stage 2.
My doc said he does not use the binder. So I have had to heal without one. Not sure of the reasoning maybe doesn't want it to pull?
Anyone else had dehisced diep? Any good advice on healing? I have been told by another physician that pineapple really speeds up recovery time. Any other tricks?
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Hello Parachutes. I think an honest discussion with your plastic surgeon is in order. If you are just completing phase 2, you are still healing for one thing so I would give the reconstruction/phase 2 time to settle before any conclusions about your final outcome are made. I agree with your daughter that it is likely still swollen. I would keep the surgical binder on as prescribed. You don't want to undo any work and effort you put into this surgery, nor your surgeon's. Give them a call and see how they can help. Healing is a process, both physically and otherwise. Give it some time.
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Hi all! I just got on the list. My surgery was Nov 12th. Bmx with immediate deip flap. Much harder than i expected. Did anyone have to go back in for surgery due to wound healing problems? I have a triangle shaped area at the bottom that is just not connecting. It doesnt look infected at all. Its about a 1 inch wide stretch. Its making me so nervous. Im gonna call the dr in the morning and see if he wants pics since I don't see him until the 4th. And hes 2 hrs away. He knows im having a problem in that one spot and has me putting gauze on it and and wearing a compression bra. Which is super tight..but ive lost a few extra pounds because i don't like the full feeling when i eat!
Lots of inspiration in your stories!
Any replies very much appreciated!
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Pineapple speeds up recovery? As in eating it? Does it matter what form? Very interesting. I keep reading on here lots of protein and water so I've been sticking to that and any other healthy foods! Thanks for the info!
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Branch chain amino acids are also great for healing. You can get them in powered form and mix it with water. I also wonder why doctors don't use wound vacs more. I ended up walking around for five months with a hernia which just got repaired so I'm super paranoid of remotely pushing myself and chance having it open again.
I was watching Oprah's Super Soul Sunday (yup, don't judge) and she said something that I'd like to share. Someone she had on was talking about expectations. Wth this big ol DIEP surgery I think I had very grand expectations of everything from the surgery to the recovery and especially the cosmetic outcome and things definitely didn't go as "expected". So this person said the way to happiness is to turn expectations into appreciation. It's definitely easier said than done but I'm giving it a try. I hope this Thanksgiving brought some peace to all.
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Yes, pineapple chunks. I usually just buy the precut types in the refrigerated produce section. My occuplasty (eye) surgeon swears by it in the healing process. Mine seems to slowly be improving so I will continue to keep up with it. I'm on keto so no worries with protein plus incorporating leafy greens. I agree with what someone else said about feeling full. With the tightness of the belly it's like it stops you from eating too much which is great because I lost a ton (not exactly) down to a 22.6 bmi and holding steady!
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Okay, so I was all set and mentally prepared for my surgery tomorrow. Not happening! My husband lost his job a few weeks ago, and there was a glitch with my coverage through the new company. It's been fixed, but lost the pre authorization window. Yes, I feel like life is just effing with me at this point! Okay, enough moaning...new surgery date is Feb 22. TWills, I PM'd you the update.
Thanks for listening guys ☺️
Vickki
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