For anyone who’s had a DIEP, I wonder if you can let me know about strange tummy sensations??
I had the op in March this year and everything seems to be healing ok. However, there’s an area of my abdomen just above the right side of my scar which feels like a small pocket of ‘unstuckness’. My surgeon assures me that everything has glued back together ok, but it still feels strange…and even more so if I’ve been walking a fair bit or doing any other kind of exercise.
Has anyone else experienced this? And, if so, does it disappear with time?
Hi Lizzie
I also had a DIEP in march and I get weird sensations. Like you, I just have one small area that is affected. For me it’s almost like a twitching sensation. My PS told me it was the muscle fibres starting to “Fire” again. He said it was nothing to worry about but I agree it does feel strange. I’m quite sporty and I also find the sensations increase when I’ve been active however I do think they are getting less frequent over time.
I hope this helps you
a bit spooky but I also had my DIEP in March! I also get strange sensations across my abdomen.I had to have a second operation on my tummy as an area of about 4inches was not healing and it had to be re glued.It’s all ok now but I still get the odd strange feeling.I can’t describe it as “unstuckness” though,more of a twinge or twitch.I still can’t bring myself to touch it properly I just skim over the top after showering with E45.
How does your abdomen feel generally? I still don’t have alot of sensation really. Also when I bend down my tummy seems to fold??!!! A friend of mine who has had a Casearian said she experienced a similar thing.
I’m seeing my plastic surgeon this week for my 6 month check up.Actually considering how major the surgery was it is a short period of time I suppose!
Thanks Jools and Eal - it’s reassuring to know I’m not alone.
Sensation is gradually creeping back into my abdominal area, but particularly in the area between my new belly button and the scar, I’m still quite numb.
Good luck with the check up Jools - are you having new nipple & tattoo?
not sure if you were asking me (Jools? ) But if you are , my check up was fine thanks- surgeon was pleased and commented on how soft my boob was!!! He then asked what I wanted to do next,in respect of nipple etc. I said I wanted to focus on my treatment at the moment,he was fine with that and I have made an appointment to see him in a year.I have to have Herceptin for a year via a portacath in my chest. Then I would like my good boob reduced and lifted aswell as a new nipple and tatoo. Even then I want to ask a few more questions before I go ahead!
Have you tried using Bio oil? I’ve heard it’s very good for scars.I’m just using E45 though.
Glad that all went well with your check up and that your boob’s been pronounced soft! Mine varies…occasionally it feels like a concrete boulder, though the consultant said that the actual tissue itself is soft and that it’s a bit like putting water in a plastic bag - ie feels firm, but the substance itself is soft (I guess is what he meant!)
Yes, I’ve been using bio oil since the op on abdominal and breast scars (I had my healthy breast reduced at the same time as the mastectomy & recon - it’s been absolutely fine and has been rather neglected in all this!) Had nipple construction and tattoo in the last couple of months and no problems, but I can understand you wanting to concentrate on your treatment at the moment.
All the best with the herceptin and for next year.
Hi Fizzie and Jennie
Re: scars and things …
I have been breaking open a vitamin E capsule and rubbing Rose Macquita oil twice daily on my abdominal scar and new boob. I had my op in April and the scar has lost a lot of it’s redness now. I have an area in the centre which didn’t heal very well at first (infection) and the PS has said she wants to revise that - probably after Xmas. I must say I’m not too keen to have any of it opened again just yet!
I still have an area of hardness under my boob, which is stopping it from dropping completely level with the good one, but I think it is very slowly softening up from the edges. I think the massaging has probably helped.
I also have a small pocket of fluid on the right side of centre - above the tummy button. I reckon the PS may drain that eventually if she revises the middle bit of the abdo scar - otherwise I don’t know how they’ll deal with it. It seems to get bigger during the day. I feel I should be wearing some sort of compression garment to help keep it flat, but don’t really know what to buy and was never supplied anything by the hospital as most people seem to - I have been wearing M&S cotton support pants, but they end on my waist and seem to rub the tummy button scar a bit.
I seem to have spent a fortune on bras since April! The PS now thinks I should wear underwire to get a good shape in the crease under the breast.
I also have no feeling between the tummy button and abdo scar. it must be normal.
All the best with your treatment Jen. We can compare notes on nipples and tattoing next year!
Lotty
Like you, I was never given any type of corset garment or told to wear support knickers. I’ve been mostly fine, though a few weeks post op when I went for a check-up, the rather starchy outpatient sister told me off for not wearing big knickers! Well, no-one had told me to and I don’t think it makes a huge difference anyway (I did try support ones for a few days, but they just seemed to push the unstuck feeling further up above the knickerline!)
I’ve been wearing underwired bras since a couple of weeks post-op and they’ve been fine. Where do you get the Rose Macquita oil?
Good luck with the nipple and tattoo - for me it’s been fine and it’s great having an almost matching pair!
Hi Lizzie
Sorry - I got the name of the oil wrong - just checked the bottle - it’s called Rosa Mosqueta oil and I buy it from Fresh and Wild .It may be a London chain of health stores, as I know there is a store in North London and my local one in Battersea. I think there is another chain called Planet Organic that sell it as well. It is quite expensive, but very good. Just watch out though as it does stain, so your white bras end up a lovely yellow colour inside! I’ve recently started to towel it of fwith a slightly damp flannel after giving it a good massage into the skin, to take off the excess oil.
Lotty