Diep date 27th June -encouragement needed please

[Petal5]

Lovely to hear from you Tinfish and so pleased that all has gone well. Yes keep doing the exercises but take plenty of rests too. Glad your care was so good. I must say my plastics care has been very good as well.
Pam x

[Guest user]

Hi L
So glad to hear that you are doing well and that the care for 1st class.
I'm 6 weeks post op now, and this is the time that you can notice the difference, swelling on tummy just about gone and new boob looking normal. Although still a little uncomfortable.
Keep up the good work.. X
Anne

[Guest user]

Hi Tinfish
I was so pleased to read your post, I have been checking everyday to see if you were back on line! Sounds as if it all went well and good to know that they can get the standards of care right. (my experiences re this have been mixed from fantastic down to needing to make formal complaint)
keep doing your exercises and thank you for all your posts; they are helping me to stay focussed on my surgery and giving me the strengh to ignore my OH and mother who dom't want me to have it!
take care xx

[Guest user]

hello everyone
i am back on line, came home yesterday afternoon
the op went well had a blimp on the thursday (op Wednesday) when they thought the blood was collecting in my tummy but i was whisked straight to ultra sound and luckily it wasnt. was kept an eye on and kept in bed an extra day as felt rough but up and about on the Friday.
Healing very well walking upright and all is good, stiff in areas, doing my exercises and although I was relieved to be home didnt sleep that well, having the morning in bed before having a shower.
The care I received was exceptional from the guys who clean the wards and make tea up to the consultants, I have been so lucky to be cared for by a great team it really shows how bad some of the service we get is c**p, so if they can do it why cant others.
I have no regrets what so ever about having this op and my tummy and boob are good and cant wait until the swelling goes down to see the final result.
Hope everyone is recovering well going to have a rest now

L
xx

[Petal5]

Hi Tinfish, Sue and Alice. I'm hoping all has gone well for you and you are recovering okay. Just to let you know I'm thinking of you. X

[Guest user]

I hope by now both of you are recovering well and celebrating new boobs.

[lisaf]

arrggghhh been manic so havent been on, big hugs tinfish for it going well, thoughts are with you and hope to catch up soon xxx Good luck to all others too.... you will all do amazing xxx

[Petal5]

Good luck Alice. Hope all goes well for you.
Pam x

[aliceblue]

Sorry about muscling in again - thanks to everyone for the encouragement - I'm going for Diep Flap - 5 days notice - go in tomorrow, op on Thursday. Now or never really after a long wait. Seems tinfish and sue will be around the same time - good luck ladies, hope all goes well. Encouraging comments from the nurse today - well it will feel like you've been run over by a truck, but once you recover you'll never regret it 🙂 !!!
Will post and or lurk once I can use both arms xxx
Alice

[Guest user]

Hi Sue
I found that leggings and a baggy shirt were best to come home in, also have a pillow to protect your chest from the seatbelt.
All the best.

Anne

[Danigirl501]

All the very best Sue and Tinfish! I'll be thinking of you and look forward to hearing all about it.
Dani
XX

[samos]

I echo what Tinfish has said - thank you all so much for your kind thoughts and best wishes.
I'm not going in until 7am tomorrow - unless I get summoned in today!
I suppose i can't put it off any longer now, I must pack my bags!

One question, and I've left it late to ask, but what's the easiest clothes to come home in? What's best for the drains if they are still in?

And TT - Tinfish Twin - just think, this time next week we will be glad it's this time next week and not this time last week! Does that make any sense?

Love to you all,

Sue xx

[Guest user]

Hi
Well the day has come, phoned the hospital yesterday and they have a bed. I am leaving here this afternoon to get there between 3-4, feeling calm at the moment not sure why!!!! think I have shed so many tears in the last few weeks I feel I have non left!!
I will update when I can, if a moderator reads this can you check why I cant update using my phone (I can send emails via Sky etc )
Thank you so much to everyone who has added comments sent best wishes etc, you dont know how much it has helped me.
Sue: Good luck surgery twin
Love to you all

L
xxxxxx

[Guest user]

Hi L & Sue
Thinking of you both for your ops on Wednesday, hope you are both as pleased with the results as I have been. Xx

[Petal5]

Wishing you all the best for your ops on Wednesday L and Sue. Will be thinking of you.
Pam x

[Guest user]

Ahhhhh!!! they have a bed so being adimitted tomorrow afternoon for op Wednesday. Good luck to anyone else having ops especially Sue.

L

xx

[samos]

Hi Tinfish, Yep, I feel very positive about this, it's a huge op, but it gives very good results, and afterwards I will be able to pick up my life again - bar the tidyup op for nipples, tattos and scar if required lol!
I should imagine you will be well ready for a holiday in October, I think the key thing is to listen to your body and take it easy - one step at a time. My ps said to allow 3 months for full recovey, so you should be fine.

Sue x

[Guest user]

Hi Twin (Sue)
You sound very positive, are you nervous at all, I have spells.
I think I have most things sorted now, I think I have more than is going to be needed.
My husband has booked provisional holiday dates for October and we hope I will be up to travelling.
Speak soon
L
xx

[samos]

I'm all set to be your surgery twin Tinfish! I'm having my bilateral mx with DIEP at wythenshawe hospital on the 27th June.
I finished chemo towards the end of April and I've been chomping at the bit to have this surgery, as the sooner I haveit, the sooner I can resume my life!

I will be thinking about you and hopefully we can draw comfort from sharing this part of our cancer treatment 🙂

Sue x

[lisaf]

Date is nearly here for some of you good luck, looking back it was hard but now im so amazed I feel as good as I go, when in it its hard and you feel like little progress but 14 weeks on and almost as if never happened honest!!!!

I had to loose weight and i waited almost 2 years (long story...) and had to complain to get my date....

Alice, it was very naughty of me but I worked 6 days after I came out, albeit it sitting at home in a comfie chair wiht the lap top on a table so i didnt lift it but I am a ngihtmare re wanting to work, sad I know, however it was about 6 weeks later when I started to do a lot more and maybe worked about 3/4 hours a day at home but you do sieze up so be careful xxxx

[Buzzy]

Thasnks Liz
My surgeon said that the guidelines are that your BMI has to be under 30 and mine in just over. If I lose a stone it will be 28. I just think its mean!
Being on Tamoxifen doesn't make it easy to lose weight and I'm realy struggling at the moment. I went to my GP last week tho and she's given me 3 months subscription to Weight Watchers so I'll see what happens. It is just so demoralising. I bet all these guidelines were devised by men who have no idea how much stress breast cancer and mastectomies can cause.

[Guest user]

Hi Buzzy - the only reason I can think of that you have to lose weight is that it is major surgery and it can be tricky to administer anaesthetic safely when one is too overweight. Is your BCN helpful? Can you not talk to her? If not why don't you try the BCC helpline - they have qualified nurses to answer your questions and are very friendly and reassuring.
Hi Aliceblue - everybody is different and it really does depend whether they need to take any of the muscle tissue or whether you have enough fatty tissue in your belly to make your breast. If they need to take muscle as well then you will need a mesh and that takes longer to heal and you must be very careful not to herniate it by straining and lifting. If on the other hand like me you have enough fatty tissue to make the breast you will be out of hospital probably in a week or so but not able to do much for the first 6 weeks or so. Please make sure you have help for at least 2 weeks after the op. Remember your health comes first. Wish you well for Thursday.
Hi Tinfish 🙂 still thinking of you for Wednesday.
Best wishes
Liz x

[Guest user]

Lisa
Thanks so much for your input I cant express how much it has helped me, I remember your posts prior to you going in

Have a lovely weekend
L
xx

[Guest user]

No worries about gate crashing its nice to have your input

Cant thank everyone enough for their experiences it has really helped me

Peacock and Buzzy I will keep posting my recovery, the only thing is for some reason I cant add comments by using my phone so I may have a week off the site when in hospital unless this changes. I didnt have to loose weight in fact I was told not to loose any!!
I have to ring the hospital on Monday just to make sure there is a bed etc for me but I am sure it will be fullsteam ahead for the op on Wednesday
Hope you all have lovely weekends, will post before I go in
Aaahhhh!!! my last weekend before the op

L
xx

[peacock]

Hi TinFish
Just want to wish you well for your DIEP on 27th.

I had mine in Feb 2011 and I am so glad I did, I've since had a tidy up surgery too and my surgeon says there will be one more to go and then all finished.

For the actual op the worst bit for me was having to keep so still for 3 days but there wasn't much pain although they put a drip into my back with was like a nerve block, so I didn't feel much at all. The benefits outweigh any negatives, and you will be so happy with it all I'm sure.

Good luck

[Buzzy]

Hi I hope you don't mind me gate crashing here. I've just been reading all your posts about DIEP recon. I was due to have LD flap recon in February and I had spent 10 months with a very uncomfortable tissue expander in. However my body finally rejected it altogether in January and the recon had to be cancelled because of infection. I've now opted for DIEP as I don't want an implant but I'm back at the bottom of a 7-8 month waiting list. Well in fact I'm not even on the list yet because the surgeon says I must lose a stone before I can go on it! Did anyone else have to lose weight before their op? And how long were you on the waiting list for? i know every hospital is different but I'm trying to compare peoples experiences for a letter I am planning to write to the Health Minister.
Thanks
Debs
x

[aliceblue]

Hi everyone, and good luck tinfish! apologies for the gate crash, have been waiting for the same op since Jan 2011, and they have just today given me a date - next Thursday! It's been really difficult and stressful period trying to get the hospital to give me a date - long waiting lists etc. I have a 7 year old, I work full-time, my husband is a teacher and works full time. How soon did people go out and about/anyone work from home. Surgeon was cross when I asked if possible during recovery period as he said you have to heal. I don't want to give up the appointment, as I expect it will be at least another 3-6 months before they can reschedule I know it will never be the right time but do you think it is do-able?

Lots of love and sorry for crashing, feel very panicy

Alice

[lisaf]

Good luck hun will be thinking about you, once your in there you can only move forward xxxxx

[Guest user]

I do highly recommend getting your hair done and having (if you can) a break or holiday before the op - I did neither and I am deeply regretting it!
If anyone knows of a mobile hairdresser who can come and cut my hair for me I would love to know!

[Guest user]

Hi Tinfish
Good luck next week, I will be thinking about you. I have been reading all your posts with interest.I have just got my date for a DIEP, 2nd October. So keep your posts going, I need to know how it goes!
take care

[Guest user]

Hi Beaniebaby
Yes it is stressful, had my refelxology this afternoon, not cheep but I recommend it I felt lovely afterwards she gave me some oils to take into hospital to sniff or put on a tissue to relax me.
Yes I need to get my hair done (coloured and cut)and eyebrows (waxed and tinted) which is in the morning i sound really high maintenance dont I, I dont think I am !!!
Well I will log in after the op and update you on my journey although I can read but not add comments on my phone so unless I find a way I will have to do it when I get home
L
xx

[Guest user]

Hi Tinfish,
Yes it certainly seems like a very stressful time. I guess it is just the unknown isn't it? I like your style of keeping busy. Also getting your priorities right, def. the hair. I know i will be the same and must sort out my appointments. I am away next week, so a nice relaxing holiday before the op. I really hope all goes well for you. I know whatever we have to go through will be well worth it.
x

[Guest user]

Hi beaniebaby
I am so pleased you have a date, its a strange feeling isnt it you want the op but its the unknown
I am a bit fragile this morning, I went out with 4 friends last night and it was a late one (for me) got home just before midnight, we had a laugh I got loads of support it was just what I needed.

Going for a bit of reflexology this afternoon hope it destresses and tomorrow I am having my hair cut and coloured (blow the expense!!)

I can feel I am getting stressed but whatever I do doesnt seem to help, god knows what I will be like Tuesday (admittance day) and Wednesday (op day)

L

xx

[Guest user]

Hi all,
Well i have finally got the date for my reconstruction op. Its going to be on the 19th July. I have to go into the hosp. the day before. I have to say i'm anxious but also a little bit excited. Hope that your op. goes well Tinfish and those who have had their op. are recovering well.
X

[Guest user]

Hi Lisa
Good to hear from you, hope your recoving well. I know you felt similar to me and got through the op well so I keep thinking that. It really helps to hear from ladies who have gone through the same/similar rather than others who think they know what you are going through
Hi Jane
I cant find the PM's either, I am just about getting me head around the new site. It would be great to see you and put a face to the comments. They have told me I will be in a week and will not be let out until all drains etc are out, I know I will be in good hands. The last time I was in hospital I came accross some "cant do " nurses and it makes you a bit aprehensive, althouth it was at a different hospital and I have only heard good things about EG
Thank you for being so supportive its just what I need.
L
xx

[Guest user]

Helloooo,
Gosh hasn't time flown since we first started talking about our ops!!! (still havn't found our old pm's!!)
As you know I was at the same hosp as you are going into and the lady I was in with had her op on the Tuesday same as me but went home on the Saturday. I was in a week because I had more done!!!
Lisaf is quite right, I couldn't do visitors twice a day, once was definitely enough for me.
I may even try and pop in to see you!!!!
Honestly you will be so glad you had the op in a little while, I am and you know mine wasn't plain sailing!!!!
Take care,
Jane x

[Guest user]

Helloooo,
Gosh hasn't time flown since we first started talking about our ops!!! (still havn't found our old pm's!!)
As you know I was at the same hosp as you are going into and the lady I was in with had her op on the Tuesday same as me but went home on the Saturday. I was in a week because I had more done!!!
Lisaf is quite right, I couldn't do visitors twice a day, once was definitely enough for me.
I may even try and pop in to see you!!!!
Honestly you will be so glad you had the op in a little while, I am and you know mine wasn't plain sailing!!!!
Take care,
Jane x

[lisaf]

Good luck for it all, also dont worry about visitors i was in room totally on own but had visitors at both sessions and to be honest some times I was so tired that i was getting out of sorts as not enought time to have a snooze in between xxxx Will be thinking of you xxxx

[Guest user]

Oh my god slow this ride I want to get off!!!!
Well 1 week to go and the time is racing, I am snapping more than a crocodile (dont know whats wrong with me!!)
Last night was the worse we had a plumber round and he said he could fit our bathroom not next week but the week after and it will take a week. I think I wil be discharged on the Wednesday but dont want them here the first week back home, my OH seems to think I am being difficult but I have tried to explain I will need to rest. We do have a nother bathroom with a shower so its not like I wont be able to shower!! he just wants me to have a nice new bathroom. The stress of it all!!!
Hope your all recovering well and if your waiting for dates hope you get them soon
L
PS have you seen the thread "happy bags" I ordered 5 nd have just ordered another 10

[Guest user]

Thanks Pam, thats what I thought I think its the unknown again and as I like to be in control I hate having to rely on people. I cant wait for a cleavage and was so dissapointed last time when all went wrong (anyone have LD flap please dont let me put you off it only happens very occassionally), just going into a shop to buy "normal "under wear and not to worry bending down in case the prohesis drops out!!!
Dani : yes you have to trust the consultants I am sure he will do what ever is best for you, no two of us are the same. I found that out during chemo, some sail through it some are really poorly with it.

Thanks for your support ladies

L
xx

[Danigirl501]

Thinking of you and sending you lots of good wishes for your op L..

When I saw the pkastic surgeon last week he said I would have final recon at the same time as MX. Am a little puzzled though as when I saw him back in Feb he said whether i have chemo first or surgery first, I would have immediate delayed then RAD then final recon. He explained that the RAD I'd be having wouldn't affect recon that much and if it did he would have me back to sort it, that's why decision not to have immediate delayed.

Well he's the expert and putting my trust in his hands.

Keep us posted with your experiences.

Love
Dani XX

[Petal5]

Just think it will soon be all done and you will be looking down at your lovely cleavage.
I have grown up children with young families and my plastic surgery ward doesn't allow any young children in so didn't have visitors every session but that wasn't a problem. I was in a single room at first but the nurses are checking the flap so often you are never alone for long. The first few days I was still very tired from the anaesthetic and dozing on and off. I found about an hour was all I could take with visitors! By the time I was moving about I was moved into a five bed bay so had the company of other ladies.
Pam x

[Guest user]

Why is the time going so quick, this time next week I will be phoning the hospital to see if theres a bed for me.
I have so many mixed feelings, I really want the op but scared stiff about the procedure and recovery, everyones comments help me so much. I wish you could all come here for a cuppa and a chat it seems so lonely sometimes with my feelings others who havent been through this just dont understand.
I have all I need now and am busy on Tescos ordering things we need, although my husband said he can shop but god knows what he will buy. The cake isle seems to have a magnetic force when he is there!!!
Bit worried I will feel isolated in hospital so hope there are some other ladies to chat to, my family is small and although my husband will come I have told him only come to one visiting session as its a long journey. My daughter has just had a baby and has a toddler and I have told her not to worry if she cant come in (my husband said I will have a fight to stop her), i dont want the children to see me in hospital. I do have another daughter but she has her own problems and is a bit unrealiable so hopefully she may be able to come in at the weekend.My mum can only come in if she can a lift!!most of my firiends work and have said due to the journey they will visit once i get home
Well thats the negative the positive is I have a great surgeon (I have seen his work!) who I have faith in, I have been told the hospital 2nd to none and I will be in hospital a week (some people have to stay in much longer for aother problems) the nursing staff have a good reputation so what am I worried about!!! and I will come home to 2 smashing granchildren who I think the world of
Hope you all have a good week
L
xx

[Guest user]

Hi Danni
Thanks, yes they do say that I have my ovaries and tubes removed a couple of years ago but the consultant had said he wouldnt have done it for anyone who didnt have family history but my family history is on the materal side and my cousin was on my dads side.
I hope you get the op and date you want and I will keep in touch with how things are progressing
L
xx

[Danigirl501]

Will be thinking of you L and thank you again for your encouraging words. I'm deeply sorry about your loss and hope your cousin didn't suffer. My grandmother on my father's side died of ovarian cancer when she was 55 back in the 1940's. They say ovary and breast cancer is related.

I was called for my smear the week I was diagnosed with BC. Result came back negative.

Take care and best wishes.
Dani XX

[Guest user]

Hi Dani
Yes I have been told its Gold star op and the best you can have, I wish they had told me before I have the LD. I had the CT scan done and its OK the guy who did mine was really nice and helpful.Everyone who has had the op is so positive.
Well 2 weeks today it should be done and hopefully I will be pain free etc and also sickness free as they are going to use another drug to put me to sleep.
My cousin died on Tuesday she was in her mid forties she started with cervical cancer and it progressed, she has left a husband and twins of just 1 year old. So although its different to what we are going through please please ladies have your smears.
Well off to get some more bits to take into hospital (think I will need a trailer to carry everything) enjoy the sun if you have it.

L
xx

[Danigirl501]

Hi Petal5

Thank you and your experience does fill me with confidence. So good to hear your DIEP successful. My plastic surgeon said it was the Rolls Royce of reconstructions.

Dani X.

[Petal5]

Hi Dani
I haven't had a c section but did have a hysterectomy scar there. My ps said it was highly unlikely that any blood vessels would have been damaged. He didn't do a CT scan (but many ps's do as a matter of course) but mine did the ultrasound to check and find the blood vessels the day before the op. I had no problems and a successful diep last September.

[Danigirl501]

Liz
Thanks for the reply - My problem is that I don't have much fat in those areas only my tummy...well a C cup amount anyway.
I am praying that the CT angiogram shows that blood vessels near Cesarean scar are alright... Haven't had a date for that yet as I only found out this morning that i would need one.
You're right though until I know more I should stop stressing.
Best wishes
Dani X

[Guest user]

Dani
There are alternatives to implants - I insisted that I would NOT have an implant come what may - they said that if my tum was not suitable then thighs, back and bum could be considered - not necessarily in that order - do you have surplus fat anywhere there?
If in doubt or worried talk to your BCN - that is what they are there for - or ring the BCC helpline - they too will know.
Don't stress!
Best wishes
Liz X