2018 DIEP Surgery
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cenok2017 - I think the answer really depends on your overall health/fitness prior to cancer. You should certainly talk to a plastic surgeon who does DIEP reconstruction. It’s not an easy surgery when compared to implant. I’m an outlyer in that i found DIEP recovery easier than mastectomy. I was also 15 years younger than you.
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Hi there, How is everyone??
I’ve been following but I don’t post as much. I think that’s kinda how it goes as we get farther out from surgery. No news is usually good news I think. I’m still so happy with my decision and results. Love my Dr and staff. I had my 2nd round of fat grafting(lipo transfer) a few weeks ago and that has really made a difference. My waistline is smoothed out now and my cleavage is much better. Probably one more to go because it’s still a little hallowed out. I’m going to try and loose the weight I’ve gained since my Diep so we know for sure how things look, I know I’ll loose some size and I’m worried that they will be too small, at this point the skin is too tight to add implants that we previously thought would be an option but maybe if I loose weight it will help that. Who knows. Hope everyone is doing well and I’m so happy that this thread is still thriving!!
PM me if you’d like to be added to the surgery list or need your info edited.
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Hello ladies. I have been following this forum for a number of weeks, although I have not yet posted. I had a stacked diep flap procedure to reconstruct my left breast on January 8. (This was following unilateral mastectomy and placement of an expander in February 2018). Overall I am pleased but am looking forward to having a revision to address a couple of issues. I have pretty minor dog ears, but plan to have them smoothed out. I asked my surgeon if she otherwise planned to revise my abdominal scar to straighten or minimize it, and she said no. My abdominal scar is a bit higher than I expected and definitely difficult to conceal with most bikini style underwear. I am curious about others' experiences. Has your plastic surgeon attempted to minimize, lower or straighten you scar during Stage 2? Thank you in advance!
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EmilyP, I had the center part of my abdonal scar revised during stage 2, he basically smoothed it out slightly and that lowered it just a bit and made it a little less straight across and more of a slight V shape which looks better. Other than the middle part that was revised 6 months ago the rest is hardly visible. They are definetly higher than most of us want but they unfortunatly have to take the best area and blood vessels for the transfer. Wish they were closer to a c-cection or tummy tuck incision though.
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Emily- my ab scar is not as I expected either- higher and wiggly. He cleaned up my minor dog ears and removed small spots of fat necrosis but overall the scar looks the same. My breast looks fabulous! I’m in my late 50s and wear underwear that hits just above the scar - below my belly button but above the scar/pubic area (which was my surprise- pulled up- totally makes sense just didn’t know to expect).
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Hi there
Thanks for the well wishes TWills. I am 12 days out from my unilateral surgery. The new breast is incredibly swollen, feels like I have a baseball under my arm even though when I saw it after surgery it was a nice dainty B-ish cup size. It's at least 3X bigger now. Is this what others have experienced? When does this settle down to something manageable?
I go tomorrow for my 2 week post surgery check-up. But wondering if I need to ask for any interventions here. Or, does this just subside naturally - although it feels like it's been getting bigger not smaller so at the moment I'm not feeling overly hopeful.
Also, my abdomen is, of course, very tight. My question is how long does the feeling of it being a big block of cement persist? As in, feeling heavy, dense, stiff, insensate?
Thanks in advance to all.
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the abdominal tightness lasts a while. I still feel a twinge every now and then but not nearly like it was post op. As for the swelling, mine did get larger and felt weird and then I had a healing issue so they took a little more out when they fixed that. Definitely talk to PS and get recommendations. Sometimes it’s just so irritated it makes itself known. Good luck
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Hello everyone, I had BMX with Diep 5 weeks back. Currently I am on leave for recovery. But wondering what to wear to the office that won't touch abdomen scar. Can anyone please suggest based on your experience? Thanks in advance.
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briefs underwear and dres
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Beingpositive, I tried silky spanx type briefs after several of my surgeries but alway felt like they rolled down and just didn't feel great unless you stay very still, like sleeping still lol. I found silky spandex tank tops that were long enough to cover my abdomen and feel lightly supported but most of all kept pants from rubbing my incision. They work the best for me since I don’t wear dresses. I didn't want to buy enough new clothes to last through the healing process and that I wouldn't wear again so this really made my clothes much more comfortable. I found them at TJMaxx or Marshall's
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Deaelle, what did they say about your swelling? I was swollen a bit right after surgery but it slowly subsided in the days/weeks after and never was anywhere near 3x the size, wowzer. Hope you’re healing better now.
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Thank you TWills and runrcrb for your feedback! I am not overly concerned with the abdominal scar. As a 47 year old mother of two, I had already given bikini up bathing suits, so there aren't really many people who will see it. I was just curious what the standard practice is for revising abdominal scars or not. I hope mine will fade a great deal over time. I should be having my Stage 2 in April! Thanks again!
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Emily, I am also a 47 year old mother of two, and I wasn't a bikini wearer, mostly because of the tummy that is gone now. I wouldn't say an abdominal scar revision is automatic, but my scar, 6 months out, was almost a centimeter thick, especially at the middle, and purple. I decided to take whatever is covered, especially because the hard decisions and surgeries are over. I've churned the ice cream, so why not get the sprinkles and cherry? I was planning to cover the scar with a tattoo, and was having trouble conceiving of one that would hide the wide purple part. Anyway, had my revision 8 days ago and still have tape over it, so I can't tell how it looks yet.
And Daelle, my DIEP side was pretty swollen for a long time, but went down, and they lifted and reduced my other breast to match it at my revision. That’s why you wait 4-6 months, to make sure you are matching to a breast that isn’t still changing.
Best of luck with your recovery and future decisions!
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Thanks much Runrcrb and TWills. I also don't want to buy new clothes just for a small phase. But I have few dresses too. Hopefully weather will get better to be able to wear those. Will definitely try the tank tops. Thanks again!
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Thanks for your replies Mncteach, TWills, and Leatherette.
My PS yesterday said there was no seroma, so that was good, and that the swelling is still in the range of normal, though he acknowledged my discomfort and said to come in again next week if I was still concerned (or otherwise wait for the next scheduled appt in 2 weeks). Said the fluid is in tissue that is like a sponge, so there is no way to drain it. In my case the swelling in the underarm area is the region where the blood vessels were attached (unlike some women who have this done in the sternum area and may lose a rib). So the area is 'full up' as I'd only had 2 lymph nodes removed as compared to some women where there is more space there if they have had more removed. Is swollen all around though, not just under the arm.
Also, because I had radiation (x28) the area will be slower to grow more blood vessels, etc, in and out of the area, which all participate in drainage. IE: this will take time and try to be patient!! He said gravity was my friend, so sleep propped up more if possible or to lie on my alternate side a bit more. I am still sleeping in a rented recliner lift chair so last night I kept the position a bit more upright. I am trying to stay more upright in the day too now, hoping this will help here.
I asked about cold compresses, but he said, if anything, warm ones would be better as cold will constrict blood vessels. I haven't done this yet though.
Also said I could start expanding my range of motion above the shoulder, but slowly/carefully (whereas I had thought this was delayed until 3 weeks post surgery, and I am only 2 weeks today). Maybe this will help with the swelling, though I'm not sure about that bit.
As an interesting aside, he said that numb tissue has non-functional oil/sweat glands, which explains the excessively dry skin I have in all the numbed areas (both breast and abdomen). Cream is okay if I stay away from the actual incision lines.
Leatherette - I will need a lift on the other side as stage 2, six to nine months from now. I am now thinking I will also need a reduction on the DIEP side if this swelling doesn't come WAY down. My PS said it will likely settle out at about 25% smaller than it is now, which will be markedly too big to my eye. Time will tell!
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Deaelle - glad you had a good conversation with your doctor. Getting out on short walks several times a day helped me tremendously. When you get to stage 2, feel free to contact me via private message - I had a lift on the natural breast and lipo to reduce the DIEP breast. Happy to chat when you get to those decisions.
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I am wondering if anyone else with plans of having diep flap get their CTA results and told that they do not have the blood vessel needed for a diep? I was planning on a bilateral diep but was told it will have to be a tram flap on one side, the other side will be diep as I do have one good blood vessel. After switching to the tram I was told I probably have to go home with a walker which is stressing me out since my bedroom is upstairs, house not really set up for a walker. I am hoping my stubbornness and sheer determination will help me leave the hospital without a walker. Any suggestions on preparations? My surgery will be 2 weeks from Monday, now to stay healthy while working in a doctor's office full of sick people.
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dlpaquette- me! But I got pregnant right after that CT so I am waiting until next year for my modified TRAM, super disappointed about it. I will be following how you do, good luck!
Edited to add: I should clarify thatam thrilled with my post chemo miracle baby lol super disappointed about the TRAM
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Clarm, lol, great edit 😂
Deaelle, sounds like you are on the road to recovery:) Wishing you continued healing!
Dlpaquette, I had to use a walker because of the position I was told I had to stay in was almost a 90 degree angle, it’s all according to your anatomy, how much tissue is taken, and how tight you are after the incision is closed. I was on the edge of not having enough so they took everything they could which left me very hunched over for weeks until the Dr said I could start slowly standing up. Took me a month total to get fully upright. I didn’t realize how painful on the back that walking(living) in that position could be, I needed that walker!!! Otherwise my incision would have opened up. Everyone is different, I was on the extreme side of it but the walker is to protect you while you heal and that’s is so important.
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Thanks Twills, I didn't understand why the surgeon was suddenly mentioning going home with a walker, it could be where the good blood vessels are? I know from the CTA that I will not have l low scar, it will be mid abdomen another disappointment, but at least it can still be done, so I am looking on the bright side. I was told I would never have a 6 pack after this... who am i kidding, i was never going to have a 6 pack anyway:).
Any advice on what to pack for the hospital? Were you able to climb a flight of stairs when you got home from the hospital? How long were you inpatient? I was told the Tram could add a day or two.
Clarrn. It looks like we both had an infected implant, no fun at all. How long before you can consider your surgery now?
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dlpaquette- I am on mat leave so my lovely surgeon would like me to spend my time off of work enjoying my baby and 7 year old instead of undergoing major recovery. I go back to work in October and she will book me on her first available date after that. So probably about a year from now. I am hoping for March or April as my mom will be back from Florida then to help!
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Hi- a couple quick questions.
# 1 For my mastectomy, I bought a couple relaxed flannel shirts and pinned my drains inside. I see some people use belts for diep. Does that not irritate your abdominal incision? And how loose does your top need to be? I’m not sure that I can fit 4 drains in my shirts. I also think by April 1st it’s going to be getting warm here and flannel might be too warm.
# 2 Are most people warned not to consume caffeine? That was most definitely not mentioned by my PS!
Thanks for any input!
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Flynn, my sister brought me a venti dark roast from Starbucks the day after my DIEP. I had friends lined up to do the same at my mastectomy. My theory is that if it’s critical it’ll be on the instructions, otherwise just do what feels right.
You can always pick up a pack of men’s undershirts (tank or regular) and wear those with the flannel shirt open. I had no trouble slipping on large tshirts from the very beginning.
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That’s a good approach! Nobody has said anything about caffeine but then I was reading back in the thread and was shocked that some PS’s say no go. Fingers crossed mine is ok with it. It’s not the end of the world but I truly enjoy a strong cup of coffee (or two) every morning. I actually have a bunch of men’s under shirts that I bought to wear during rads. My arms did not like moving after mastectomy so i’ll see how this goes. Thanks for you response!
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Flynn, I used front open/ button down pajamas at home and shirts for doc visits. As for fitting 4 drains, I pinned 2 from each side together and then pinned those from inside of pajama shirt. Hospital gave me a belt which was basically thick elastic band with Velcro that was tight enough to fit between breasts and belly incision. So it never touched the incision. But the drains used to touch incision sometimes and somehow I didn't find that belt comfortable. So I just pinned drains and did not use belt.
You can check with PS on caffeine if you think that will give you peace of mind. But in general, meds cause constipation, so healthy eating - fibrous food- is recommended.
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Hi All,
New to this thread and appreciating all of this discussion.
One question - I am scheduled for dual diep flap reconsruction at 7:30 a.m. on March 12. However, they want me to report to the hospital 12 hours prior to that time. 12 hours? Whatever for?
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My pouch was terry with a pouch for the drains, it closed using Velcro. I actually had two so wore it like a necklace with the pouches attached and it worked wonderfully. I used button downs for everything and they gave quick access for visiting nurses and whenever I went to doctors.
I was never told anything about caffeine, but not a coffee drinker so wasn’t a big issue for me.
As for 12 hours early, I have no idea. I went in same morning of my procedure.
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simbobby I suggest calling and asking about that 12 hour thing. Both the dr and the hospital. Sounds crazy to me.
The scheduler called me the evening before to tellme what time to arrive- hopefully that is your 12 hours in advance. I was originally scheduled for afternoon but the morning case was canceled so I learned at 5 pm that i was due to the hospital at 6am.
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Flynn,
Caffeine restricts blood vessels. It’s important to not let that happen. I am so addicted to my morning coffee and was very concerned about having to give it up. Two weeks before my surgery I started drinking half caf/half decaf coffee. Each day I would taper off the caffeine and increase the decaf. By surgery day I was good to go. This eliminated withdrawal symptoms. The last thing I needed after surgery was the no caffeine headache.
After you get home you can slowly increase your caffeine intake.
Good luck with your surgery.
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Beingpositive & Mncreach, thanks for your input. I think i’ll have a couple options ready and go with what works in the moment. I thought I had prepared for my mastectomy but then I didn’t feel like things went as smoothly as I hoped.
Interesting about the caffeine, Bella2013. I’ll put it on my list for my pre-op appt two weeks before surgery.
Simbobby, my surgery paper work says to arrive 2 hours early. I’d check that the 12 isn’t supposed to be a 2!
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