2018 DIEP Surgery
Comments
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So sorry! That would be very hard to deal with so last minute. Geez! Insurance! Thank goodness its already worked out though! Good luck on Feb 22!
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Thanks, Cjzack10. I'm good with it now, I just needed to vent. Guess I can enjoy the holidays and eat all I want, as it will only add to the cup size! 😲
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VSlush, so sorry about your delay. You will have a much more enjoyable Christmas without DIEP. I had my BMX with DIEP Flap on February 22, 2018. I will be thinking of you.
Enjoy your holidays
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Vslush,so sorry, I got your date corrected. I had mine in March and was told I might want to gain a few lbs, I took that recommendation very serious and really enjoyed the holidays! Lol
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Thanks Bella and TWills,
I'm good now, was just a little more than disappointed Wednesday when I found out. It gives me more time to read and learn from you all. ☺️
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Vslush, that's a bummer! My stage 2 was scheduled for the morning we had a snow storm and all the schools were closed. I was afraid he might cancel and afraid I might not make it there but it all worked out. Yes, more time to plan!
Speaking of stage 2, I had mine two weeks ago. I am still in the binder (I had lipo of my hips) and for the past few days I have been having a lot of back pain, almost like muscle tightness. I am wondering if it is from the binder or an aftereffect from the lipo? I see my PS next week so I will ask but was just wondering if anyone else had this after the lipo? How long did you all have to wear the binder after lipo?
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OCDAmy,
Thanks, and I'm glad your stage 2 wasn't delayed. Hope you are soon feeling better and loving your results!
Vickki
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Hi Everyone,
I had my 2nd phase on October 16th and am not happy. My breasts look deformed. Actually they look worse after the revision than they did after the DIEP. There is very hard tissue or something that is a lump on my left breast that makes my breast all wrinkled and creased there and my breasts are not even. My non-radiated side is much bigger and really hanging low. I have no inner mammary fold on the non radiated breast near the underarm area. There is about 1-2 inches of a left mammary fold in the center of the chest. This breast sits at least 2 inches lower than the radiated side. When I lie down and look at myself there is nothing there on my left side at all it just dissipates into the rest of my body. The radiated side holds its shape when I lie down rather well. My chest is completely flat until the mound and there are divots in my chest above my breast and also in the top of the breast itself, there are uneven indents where it is not smooth but missing tissue. I have almost no cleavage. I had fat grafting to fix that, but it did not take at least I see no improvement. I was also supposed to have a lift and sizing fixing, but that did not happen because they wanted to do the fat grafting first. Now he tells me he can't really fix the missing mammary fold it will just continue to fall down because the skin will continue stretching since I didn't have the skin sparing mastectomies.
I am losing hope of having a body that will look acceptable in a bathing suit, and I love to swim and use the Jacuzzi in a hotel, but not if I look this bad. I have been trying to get an appointment in San Antonio at PRMA for the past 3 weeks. Sent them all my records several pics and copies of my insurance card. The surgeon said the pics are grainy and he cant help me based on those pics. But apparently they pick and choose who they will help. My insurance is in network, but the surgeon said no and that I should just go to my original plastic surgeon. I do intend to go to my original plastic surgeon, I just wanted a 2nd opinion, but I guess that isn't possible. I contacted NOLA and originally back in May, before my DIEP was told they did not take my insurance, but this time I called and talked to the billing office and they sent me to speak to Vickie and she informed me there is no problem with my insurance at all, I can still have their surgeons, I just am sent to a different hospital is all, their world renowned surgeons can still see me and treat me. Apparently, Michigan and California Blue Cross is done this way at NOLA. Well, I need to get an appointment for this consultation some time in February and I will. But before I got this worked out, I did make an appointment with a U of M plastic surgeon, so I will see him on Tuesday. But at least I feel better I am not just written off like I was at PRMA. I believe I will probably go to NOLA for the consultation in February anyways, at least to see how they would fix my mammary fold and even out my breasts so they look symmetrical.
Anyone else have delayed bilateral DIEP with only 1 side radiated have this issue? How did they fix yours? or are we just out of luck. Had I known there was no way to make me symetrical I would have stayed flat.
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carmstr835, ugh, so sorry about this. I only had DIEP on my radiated side, the other breast I had a pre-pec implant. While they don't match perfectly they are darn close and the size is about even too. Can they do more fat grafting to try and even them out?
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OCDAmy, I assume they can, and most likely will. I am just hoping for a 2nd opinion to tell me this is the best I can expect. It has been a long haul. I am sick and tired of being sick. I just get feeling better and I have another surgery planned. I thought this would be finished by December of 2018 and now it is at least 2 more and most likely more than that, if my left breast just keeps falling. I was hoping to have a permanent fix to my symmetry. Fat grafting won't even up the size, they cannot make the radiated one any bigger, they can only make the non radiated one smaller, but apparently it will continue to stretch the skin and fall further down even after they do the lift. He said (my original plastic surgeon) I need to just get used to being non symmetrical and in which case, if I was told that in the first place, I probably would not have had the DIEP. However, the DIEP surgery did take care of lots of chest and underarm pain I had. I had huge seromas and contracture from my original bilateral mastectomy in March of 2017. He did fix all that so the pain is nowhere near what it was.
So I was hoping someone knows how to fix delayed bilateral DIEP where one side only was radiated and make them symmetrical. I was told about a procedure called the Ryans Procedure but the surgeon at PRMA said that was an antiquated procedure and they have much better ways of repairing it, however he isn't interested in sharing that with me and said thru the patient liaison person to go back to the surgeon that told me there was nothing they could do. I have no choice but to deal with the patient liaison who just repeats verbatim what the Drs decision was and that was to go back to my original surgeon... I feel like I am talking to the wall sometimes with these people that just don't understand logic. I need a 2nd opinion. I guess PRMA isn't interested in giving me that. So on to the next best place. LOLA is my next choice, but will take until February to get in there. I hope they know how to fix me or the Drs at U of M.
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for the stage 2 ladies, how long before you could drive? I'm scheduled for phase 2 in 2 weeks and I really need to do this one solo which means driving 4 hours home about 3 to 4 days after surgery. We are only doing bottom work dog ears and maybe some lipo not sure how much scar revision wil take place. Please share your experience. I'm 44 and feeling pretty good most of the time.
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I was driving 4 days after surgery, but not a 4 hour drive. Just locally. I am sure I could and would have if needed, but I bet you will be very exhausted.
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Hi all,
My DIEP is coming up on Wed, 12/12. I'm very nervous. Since we are speaking of driving, how soon were any of you driving after Phase 1? I know it takes a while, but was just curious.
Rebekah
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I think stage 2 is different for everyone depending on what you are having done. I went back to work after 10 days. For stage 1 I think I started driving after drains were out and off pain meds and after Ok from my PS. I think I was driving after 2 weeks but maybe sooner. Good luck with surgery!
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As amy said, depends. I had no complications with either phase. I was off narcotics the day after stage 1 and drove the same day the last drain came out (day 10). Stage 2 was outpatient, i was home by 2pm and took the last narcotic later that evening. I was back at my desk job the following week. I don’t know that i drove one day after phase 2 but know it was well before going back to work. I'm sure I would have driven 4 hours solo with in a couple of weeks because it never would have occurred to me not to. I rarely ask permission 😀
I traveled (flight) for work two weeks after phase 2. My phase 2 was small dog ears, a little scar work, lift onthe natural breast and lipo to reduce the diep breast. The lipo was where the pain was.
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Hi all!
I went for follow up today and for my pathology report. The bs told me after surgery that when she injected me for sentinel node and got in their for dissection there was no sentinel node. And she saw no other dye uptake indicating any other lymph nodes. She took a section of tissue hoping to get lymph nodes. My report states there was no lymph nodes..only adipose tissue in the sample. So now I'm on to the oncologist for the oncotype dx. I know this test is suppose to be the tell all but it makes me very nervous that a lymph node wasn't sampled. She said its not common for this to happen but some peoples anatomy is that way. No lymph nodes or scar tissue blocked the path of the dye to that area. I just dont know how to feel about it. Trying to be positive...she could've gotten 5 lymph nodes and all be positive! On a positive note the ps said my healing problem was resolving itself and would just take longer than the other side to heal! So i was so excited to hear that! Good luck and continued healing to all my nov peeps!
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I just got the ok to drive yesterday at my 3wk follow up. But ive also had a little healing problem and I'm 2 hrs from my drs. So..my last appt was pushed out almost a week. If i had gone in last week he might've let me drive then. It also depends on how long you're on narcotics. I was not one of those lucky ladies that was off pain meds after a few days. It took a solid 2 wks on pain meds and then tapered off approaching the 3rd week. I also added Gabapentin for nerve pain that i think has helped tremendously. Everyone is definitely different with their recovery. Its been a littke rough at times but I'm at the point now that i would do it again for sure. You've got this! Wishing you all the best and a quick recovery!
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Carmstr835 - I can definitely sympathize. At least now I only cry when I shower. If someone told me I'd have different size and different looking breast, I too probably wouldn't have chosen this surgery. The nurse at PRMA told me I'll have to wait eight months to a year for another revision. That's unfortunate especially when I don't even feel comfortable getting undressed in front of my husband. Does anyone know the insurance logistics of having a stage 3? What a train wreck our bodies go through.
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Cjzach10
Yes I too had a wound healing issue on my right breast. It also was a triangle shape. My PS prescribed some cream that I had to apply after cleaning it twice a day, and had to keep it covered. It didn't seem like the cream was really working but I kept using it. I also started drinking a lot of akaline antioxidant water and also used the water to clean the wound. I also rubbed organic unrefined cold pressed coconut oil on Mywound before I added the prescribed cream, it started to close immediately
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Thank you! I'll see if I can find that water.
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Hi all~ I am getting stage 2 on 12/21. I will have a small implant on my natural side and just some small revisions on my DIEP. side. I am normally an A cup and wanted to go up a little. The implant will be above the pec muscle. I was wondering if that is common. Not sure of the cons of having it above the muscle. I won't have any Lipo or fat grafting. I see that a lot on this board. Are they taking fat from other area to make more volume in the DIEP side? I dont think my doctor does that but not needed for me.
Everything from phase 1 is going very well. Mostly juat deal with the tightness in my stomach but that is normal. It is just weird as the area around my belly button is still numb and a little hard. PS said to just massage that area a lot. And that is supposed to help the scars as well.
Thanks ladies for all the support. It has been such a help to come here and read everones experiences. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.❤😊
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Hi Ann63,
I can't speak for the DIEP portion of your stage 2 since I haven't had mine yet, but wanted to comment on the implant placement.
I had failed implant surgery (infection), and was actually happy that it didn't work and they had to be removed. Mine were placed under the muscle and I was miserable the whole time. When they do it that way, they actually pull and cut the muscle from the chest wall. The end result is "dancing" breasts. Most women get used to the sensation, but I never did. It's prevented me from being able to use my arms to lift much, twist open a bottle or jar lid, and exercising above the waist is out of the question. My new PS says this can be fixed when I have my DIEP.
Placing the implants above the muscle is becoming more common, and all I've read on these boards seems to be positive. I've included a link here. Hope this helps, and good luck on your stage 2!
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Can't seem to copy link, but here's the thread name. Sorry!
TE/Implant OVER pectoral Can exercise, comfortable &NO RIPPLES!
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Thank you Vslush for sharing. I'm sorry to hear that you had such a rough time with them and hope you will be pleased and have a much better time of it with the DIEP. The first couple of weeks were the hardest for me after the DIEP but all was expected and I am very happy I had it done.
I had heard about the same issues you spoke of having the implant under the muscle. Sounds like I'm on thé right path. I will check out this link. Thanks so much!
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Ann, I had a pre pec implant put on my non cancer side during stage 2. I also had fat grafting to thin out my hips which looked weird after the tummy tuck. The fat was injected to the upper part of my DIEP breast to round out the top and near the armpit where it’s bumpy from my lymph node removal. The pre pec implant is much more comfortable but there are some ripples.
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I have an update.
Last week, I saw Dr Kung in Ann Arbor MI at the University of Michigan. Dr Kung says he can fix me in 1 surgery, but he is a very to the point and "his way" type of Dr. and I have lots of specific requests, such as the preincision ketorolac, no Versed, and no narcotics,and no BP or needle sticks in my arms, for fear of very high risk of lymphedema.
When I started to explain my concerned he said he would think about the preincision ketorolac, but that ultimately would be the anesthesiologist's decision. I mentioned I did not like any narcotics it was then, he objected that he is the Dr and knows what is best and I can't micromanage my care....that turned me off.I need a PS that will work with me, it is my body. So I stopped asking for what exactly I wanted and learned their are PS that can complete my revision in one surgery, I just need to find one I can feel comfortable with. He did share that they suture the mammary fold to the ribs,but that over time the suture will stretch and in years maybe 5-6 years, I would need a revision, but that he can do the fat grafting and symmetry issues at the same time,and complete all this in one surgery, he said it would be better to have 3-4 more fat grafting procedures for optimal results. They are in network with my insurance and no out of pocket costs other than deductible and copays.
I also have an appointment to see a PS in Austin,Texas Dr. Potter Friday, this week. I am hoping she is capable of developing an inframammary fold. One that will not stretch further down with time. I am interested in knowing exactly how they perform this. Also, to do fat grafting in the same surgery. They are in network with my insurance as well. Out Of Pocket costs forme.
PRMA has agreed to see me, I will have Dr. Chrysopoulo. I am so excited. He will see me on Feb 7 to discuss my options. I am hoping he can do all this in one surgery. I was told they can fix this by using a specialized procedure but did not share the specifics with me.. he could do the Ryan's procedure, but there are much better procedures he can do that I would be much happier with. They are also in network with Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO. So nothing out of pocket at all for me after deductibles and co pay caps are met.
I talked with NOLA center for restorative breast surgery, they claim that they can do all this on one surgery. That they suture the inframammary fold to the Pec muscle, not the ribs and it does not stretch, they use dissolving sutures and when the fat grows to the pec muscle it stays there. It never stretches over time or needs to be redone! Wow that is very good news! They easily agreed to all my requirements, no questions asked. It was miraculous!. That's where I want to go.
Well after some further investigation into my Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan PPO, they said my cost out of pocket will be $6,600. I can't do that
The surgeon's are non providers for blue cross, meaning they are not required to accept the Blue Cross PPO approved amount for the surgeon's costs and can bill me whatever, so that cost over and above my insurance for this revision will be $6600 I pay out of pocket. I pay nothing if I go to an in network or out of network provider and surgeons must also be in or out of network, and NOLA center for restorative breast surgery plastic surgeons are all non participatory with blue cross. So my hope was dashed this morning. I will also discuss all this with my current Plastic Surgeon,but I have a feeling he cannot do any better than he has already done, and in my clinical reports he seems very happy with my results. Perhaps he will change his mind when he sees me again.
I just want to be symmetrical and not look deformed in a bathing suit. I love to swim and often enjoy jacuzzis and pools when I travel. And not have to go into debt to do it. I am retiredon a fixed income and lost my part time job when I got my cancer diagnosis last year. I just dont have room in my budget to pay $6600.00
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Any one with DIEP surgery need the surgeon to make an inner mammary fold? What was your outcome? Does it need further revision with time? What procedure did they do? I will travel whereever I need to if they are in or out of network for blue cross. But non participatory with Blue Cross wont work for me.
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Update: Just saw the PS in Austin. She really cannot offer me much help If she fixes the polarity, then I lose symmetry. She really cannot fix the deformities in the upper areas. She said she could have done what I wanted, if she had done my DIEP, but now the options are limited and there really isn't much she can do to fix the deformities and make me symmetrical. I have another hope in February. I have consultation appointment with Dr. Chrysopoulo at PRMA in San Antonio. I am losing hope here. Apparently, if you want cleavage or fat above your breasts, the surgeon must rotate the fat and place flap fat in the upper areas, my surgeon did not. The fat grafting is so far not very successful. Very little of the last procedure was successful. Also, not much she can do to lower my belly scar either. I did ask my surgeon to place my scar low, he just did not. I can cover the scar with full sized briefs. That is not as a big a concern as my asymmetry and cup size differences and no inframammary fold and all my side boob. My left breast falls into my under arm area, it is bothersome as well as not nice to look at.
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Hello All,
I am over a year out from a pretty successful DIEP flap surgery. I did have some scar tissue build up on the bottom pole (below the flap) Just wondering, I am currently awaiting my second surgery for some fat grafting and touch up of a 'dog ear'. Currently I am not taking my regular vitamins and supplements because of the upcoming surgery. Without taking lysine and tumeric, my reconstructed breast is burning above the flap and feels worse when I move my arm.
The lysine and tumeric have been helping this (I am pretty sure). My question is this, to any of you have burning or pain sensations even this long out from surgery?
Thanks,
Kelly
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