Diep date 27th June -encouragement needed please

[superted123]

Hi Samos / Sue

I've read with great interest your posts on this site and great tips re: reconstruction.  I think you had it done in Manchester and I just wondered if you had your surgery at Wythenshaw and if you rated the surgeons there.. and anyone in particular?  I am having to potentially make a fast decision about having a double mastectomy and reconstruction and want to feel reassured I will get a good surgeon!

I have tried to see how I might private message you, but through my current chemo fog can't seem to work out how to do it ..so hope you see this! (and hope I'm not being too intrusive asking you to share your experiences).

Anyone else with any Wythenshawe surgery experiences - good/bad- I'd be interested to hear from you!

Thanks to everyone too in general on this forum for providing such useful info it has really helped me so far on my journey!!

Many thanks

[chillipink]

Hi lilac blue.yes exactly I wanted a breast that ages with me and grows with me.I agree with you.I too didn't like the thought of implants and after having a c section and hysterectomy I have an idea of recovery.I'm 34d and I have enough spare tyre I.e. Flabby post pregnancy overhanging belly fat to do 2 boobs.lol.at the moment it's one breast but the dcis is towards the middle of my breasts so havin MRI scan on Thursday.if it's in other breast then it will be a double mx like sue has had.thank you for your post I've had really positive messages on this surgery .I know it's not a walk in the park but for me to look most natural and feel most natural at 48 is important and im willing to take that chance.not had a flat stomach since before having my son 27years ago so that's a bonus xxx

[Lilac_Blue]

Tinfish - well done and happy you are moving to closure of your recon passage.
Sue, I'm so pleased to read you are on forward recovery momentum and what a compliment from a nurse no less!
Chilipink, there are pros and cons to any reconstruction. I try to stay out of the 'What should I do?' type of recon threads unless it's a choice that might involve sports/athletic prusits or lack of feedback. If you have read TF's progression on this thread, you know why she choose diep - in the end. On one of your feedback threads, a woman was told tram was the rolls royce of recon. Well, I was told diep was the gold standard at this point in time. If you don't go with a implant then some part of your body needs to be harvested in order to make the breast mound. Like Sue has stated, once this surgery is complete (and you pleased with results), it's for life and my PS has stated a diep breast get better with time, which equates to aging. I had a cesarean section 13 years prior to diep surgery. I did not want to harvest stomach/back muscle nor have any implants. I had enough stomach fat for one small diep breast and that was all I needed. It's been slightly more tricky to achieve a symmetrical outcome with one diep and one normie, yet like Sue, with my last stage 2B (July 31st.), did make that happen by my talented PS. Whatever you decide will be the right decision for you and I hope your recovery is smooth and without any problems/complications. LB, x

[Guest user]

Thanks
It has been the best thing for me, DIEP is a long journey as mine has been a bit longer as I have a LD lap that failed. I can henestly say I wish I had had the DIEP done first

L
xx

[chillipink]

Hi tin fish .I'm booked to have diep in 4weeks .I've been reading your posts since before your surgery.it probably seems so long ago since your op .I'd just like to say it's given me a real confidence boost reading your posts .I'm sure I've made rightbdecision .so thank you .wish you well and healthy for the future.

[samos]

Aww hugs tf xx. I'm usually a pretty hard cow, never been one who was prone to tears, but I'm filling up too! Sharing this journey with you girls has been so good and it's been so comforting knowing you all understand and we were all in this together - hope that makes sense.
The tattoo, the final frontier so to speak. I'm most jealous, and can't wait for mine, but guess it's probably going to be next year now for me.
I don't come on here often these days either, and then when i do it's to check on you lot! I use Facebook more - and somehow it seems more fitting as we move further away from breastcancer - and we ARE moving further away!!
So if any of you want to be a 'friend' on fb, that would be good:)

Lol lb - the only skip I can see is the one needed for putting all the rubbish in that the previous owners left behind! Think your day three was my day two, as my turning point came on day three when I finally started to come out of the fog.
I'm feeling pretty darn good, so much so that I have to keep reminding myself that I've had an opp so I shouldn't do this and do that... my hubby says I make an excellent slavedriver - oops, I meant to say Manager:)
But girls, the most wonderful thing happened to me last Wednesday when I went to the dressing clinic to have my stitches out. The nurse thought that the mastopexy breast and the nipple were REAL!
I mean wow - that makes everything so worth it doesn't it. For me it's what recon is all about, having what look like real breasts - albeit ones that are perter than the old ones:)
So my bosom buddies, thank you for simply being you.
Sue xx

[Guest user]

Hi Ladies
I am not on the site very much these days as I am getting to the end of my journey,HOORRAY!!!
Yesterday I had my nipple tattoo, have to go back again for a top up, have been discharged from my consultants.
It has been a long journey but as the end is near I just wanted to day thank you somuch for the ladies who have helped me through my journey couldn't have done it with out this site it has made my laugh cry and given me so much information (Doctors and nurses are good but the info you get from ladies who have gone through the journey is invalueable)
If any one wants to get in touch just PM me and I will respond, I will dip in at times to see how you are all getting on.
Good luck and best wishes to all wherever you are on your treatment
Must go as I feel like I am welling up (any excuse these days)
L
xx

[Lilac_Blue]

Sue dear, you are a star and try not to hear the call of the boxes. Sue, I got in a state when the pain got on top of me at three days out and took all day for it to turn around. Keep at it beauty and I can imagine the pain of the uplift, in an area that has not had pain before. I'm with you on stage 2b being harder on us than a and let's hope this is it for you. After day 3 out, ecah day is building on the next towards recovery. I'm here and care and gald we can compare notes too! Onwards Sue, hand in hand and skip towards the end.

[samos]

Oh LB I'm most jealous of your free gift - what a star your John is, yep, most jealous.
I'm finding my 2B harder than my stage 2 - but it's the pain from the uplift that's bothering me the most - I've had to take the painkillers, and the codein is making me nauseous - thank goodness that I kept the anti nausea meds from chemo when I didn't need them!
I'm very frustrated though because we moved house last Wednesday, and now all I can do is look at all the stuff that still needs unpacking - there is still 109 boxes to go!!!
I like your description of how you feel, as I feel exactly the same! My new ps did say that I may need another op, but I'm hoping not. But we are closer to the end now aren't we??
So glad we've shared this recon journey!
Sue x

[Lilac_Blue]

Sue hope all goes well for you tomorrow and I'm here keeping the light on for you, LB, x

[Lilac_Blue]

Well Sue, two days out from stage 2b and I feel rocky today and was much better yesterday. I am very bruised from lipo and need to get a longer leg compression and can't find my Spanx and I need a stronger compression. I was told medium and what I have feels too light, I don't feel held in enough. The breast is finally smaller and I think it will match my healthy right one. My PS John, said as he was marking me that this was it and I agreed, on the proviso that he make the left breast much smaller and I was ok with it being smaller than my right in that it was filled with is very touchy on gaining weight. Christmas chocolate went straight to that breast! You will love this, he offered a gift so to speak. You know that bit or rather pad of fat that is there between your arm when it meets your arm pit and your breast, the part that sticks out where your tank top ends and your arm meets? Well, he offered to lipo that on each side and I said ok, thanks John and now I'm sporting two lovely bruises to match all the others! The nipple has had a little work and the disc of skin, the circular part made to match the size of my small right areola. I'm making nipple protectors, cutting out a center of a large spongy square sticky bandage that comes off when I shower. I don't want any dents like I got last time from the pressed too hard rectangular bandageand it took ages for the skin to pop out into the proper shape. Funny this was, when I was being drawn on, I could feel the felt tip against my skin on the underside of my breast. I was pleased to know the nerves are reattaching. I'm concerned about my right hip as I got a seroma there last time and one of my dressings looks to have fresh blood and that side is tender. I think I did too much movement yesterday as we took a dog walk in the woods and got lost. Brilliant on my part of self care - not! Anyway, hot, brusied, feeling cut and moving forward to completion - that is the best part, isn't it? Hope all is well in your world Sue - LB, x

[samos]

Woo hoo get you! I on the other hand have been treś chic all this time in my black Donna Karan shorts - courtesy of good old TKMaxx:)
We are so close we an almost touch the finishing line now.
Oh, and yes, I went for my preop last week and finally remembered to ask about the tattoos - they are done at my hospital!

[Lilac_Blue]

Oh yeah we are almost there and I do get the ups and downs of emotions that have come with waiting. I bought a new pair of pants today at TKMaxx for £3.99 that are grey stretchy leopard. I'll be so chic going home in those next week.

[samos]

Lol at big pants LB! You know I've not long been out mine - I've actually spent most of the last year in them!
Still, we are nearly there - phew:) xx

[Lilac_Blue]

Oh, good for you Sue, and if your PS does some hip work I'll have big pants compression company! Me too on tats as being the only thing left to do. LB, x

[samos]

Got my date for stage IIB - it's the 7th of August, so just a week after yours LB. Having a bit of a lift on the right, some lipofil on the left, and whatever I can persuade my new ps to do on my hips! Then, if all goes well, that should it it - just tattoos to go:)

Hope everyone is well, and enjoying life, Sue xx

[Lilac_Blue]

Crazy does help Sue and well done to getting past 1 year. Now onto stage 2b and this should do it.

[samos]

Grrrrrrr, LB had my 12 month check up on Tuesday and forgot to ask about the tattoos!
Today is a big day though, my 'twins' are one year old! So Happy Birthday to all recons and especially Tinfish whose new boob shares the same birthday:)
Yes, it helps to be a little crazy around here,
Sue x

[samos]

Hi girls - hope you are all fine and well.
Just had my follow up appointment with new ps, and we've agreed what needs doing for stage 2B - hopefully will all be done before the autumn.
LB, I forgot to ask about the tats - aggghhhh, can you believe it?? Oh well, I have my twelve month check up with my bs next week, so I'll ask then.
Nothing much to report really, all continues to be well, just how we likes it!
Stay healthy, Sue x

[Lilac_Blue]

I have another revision on July 31st what I call stage IIb. I've been dieting to see at what level of weight loss will my diep breast be affected. My personal study and so far- I am slowly losing weight and the breast is still larger than my healthy one - no shift. On this next revision, more removed from the left to match right and more hip work, meaning lipo. I got a heck of a seroma on my left hip back in January and still b&b discoloured. I was small before surgery and getting my left diep match my norm right is vexing for my PS.

Sue, who will do your tat -- your PS's office? I too think my hips after SII are still dented (love handles) and not smooth like you thought you would get, hence, seeing if this current dieting can reduce that look too. A fail so for on that as well, and I'm not that overweight and quite fit.


BTW,I'm running the Race For Life in Folkestone June 16th to celebrate one year out from surgery and have raised £360 so far. Love all, LB, x

[samos]

When's your tattooing tf? Not much to report here although I'm now thinking again of getting tattoo's as the nipple/areola area seems to be looking paler than it was - expect the hint of pink I had was down to healing etc.
Hope everyone is well,
Sue x

[Guest user]

Hi
yeah long time Lisa, I don't come on the site much(but today thought I would watching footsie)
what op are you having done?
I have set up an online business so thats taking up a lot of my time and also my grandchildren.
I have a nipple now and have an appointment for tattooing, it's been a long journey but its almost over I hope for me.
I hope all ladies are doing well and life is good, I think it's a harder journey than is sometimes spoken about. when I think about it in the last 6 years I started with two breasts, then one breast, then two breasts, then one breast and now at last two breasts, had treatment chemo as I had radiotherapy the first time I had cancer, lost my job as i worked for a very un sympathetic company but I am hear and when I look at my knew breast I have a little smile.

good luck to you all

l
x x

[lisaf]

Tinfish, long time no hear, sounds like our almost dongo congrats, I'm about To have another op 😞

[samos]

Well girls, ive met my new ps, and he's rather lovely - I'm sure ps's practice on each other as they are all dishy.
We've agreed to wait for everything to fully settle before we decide whether to tinker with the 'twins', so I'm off the hook until late June.
The nipples are still looking good, it's 9.5 weeks post op now, and I'm not sure whether I will go for tattoos as they actually look like they have pale areolas now - no idea how that's happened.
So all is well - what a lot has happened in the last fifteen months since Dx!
stay healthy girls,
Sue xx

[Guest user]

Hi Tinfish,
That's realy good news. I know what you mean that it seems like the end of a long hard road, but well worth it. All went well with the nipple recon. I am having the dressing off next Wednesday, so am anxious to see it.
Peachez i hope all goes well for you, i'm sure it will. I hope you have been inspired by all the ladies on here sharing their experiences. I certainly was, so keep poping back on here and read through the posts. Not too sure about the Arnica, but i didn't feel the need to use anything. I used bio-oil for a while but just keep my skin moisturised well now. Good luck.
A X

[Guest user]

Just popped in!!
I have my nipple tattoo booked for the end of July and then I think (hopefully) my long journey will end) it has been a long 6 years in some ways and in others quick.
Good luck to everyone going through treatment, as far as the DIEP goes I wish I had had it done this way before but then hind sight is a wonderful thing.
I walked through M & S yesterday and looked at the tankini's and they are so much cheaper than the mastectomy one's!!! Just need to book a holiday!
L
xx

[Peachez]

Thank you Samos, Good to know that everyone's busy getting on with thier lives!
I think I will wait and see how battered I am after the op, and use the Arnica then. I am 'bricking it' now it's just a week away, but I walked through the undies section in M&S yesterday without that 'left out' feeling and I haven't even had it done yet, so am happy that I've made the right choice!

[samos]

You're not a wuss BB, the nipples don't hurt at all - seriously, nothing, the area I has no nerve endings and the surgery can be done without anaesthesia, or dependant upon what else you are having done, can be locafor GA.
I'm 7.5 weeks in now and it's all been plain sailing, no issues at all.
Hi Peachez, sorry we've not been around, but I think many of us don't come on bcc so much now since they 'improved and updated' the site about a year ago.
I never used arnica, either orally or topically after my DIEP, and I healed really well. I can't offer any advise, and it sounds from your post that even the experts can't agree!
I was advised not to massage anything in until the scars had healed over, and then to use E45 or Bio Oil. I didn't like the E45 cream and found it really messy. I do like Bio Oil though, and religiously massage all scars daily - they are all doing well to dates and I'm rather pleasewitty them.
That said I do believe that it is the actual massage that makes the differenc and not what you use.
I did use Arnica after my liposculpting and nipples, and can't say it made much difference - I'm back on the Bio Oil now.
Good Luck with your op - I'm sure you will be pleased:)
Sue x

[Peachez]

Bump.... anyone there?

[Peachez]

Hello Ladies! wondering what you think....

ad right Mx, ANC 2010, chemo & rads 2011. I'm on Femara. Due to have DIEP in TEN days time at Charing Cross. Have stopped the low dose aspirin my Onc put me on, on 1st April as per hospital instructions.

Think I'm ready from the practical point of view - not sure about mentally, have been getting advice from all over, inc reading through this thread over the last few days. Question is did any of you use Arnica? My PS says he "doesn't mind" but the BS who did the Mx says "no way". If I'm going to I need to start withing the next few days, have the pillues in the cupboard. Have some Arnica cream on order, should I just stick to rubbing that in instead?
Would be interested to know what any of you did or were advised? Thank you. P x

[Guest user]

Hi Ladies,
Just a question to all that have just had their nipples done. Was it painfull? Also did you have any problems post surgery. People have said that you wont feel anything. I'm not too sure. Sound a real wus don't I. I would just like to be prepared.
Thanks.
A x

[Guest user]

Hi ladies
don't seem to come on the site as much as I did, also hard my ps changed as my 1st one retired I did however love my 1st one and havent had time to get to know my new one. However all my ops went well and I am so pleased with the results, I won't get to know my new ps as I have been discharged but have been told if I want any more tweaks done just to ring them. I am now waiting for tattoos done. I haven't got champers out but have downed a few bottles of processco as its my preferred drink!
The time has gone so fast and if you read my 1st comment will know I had a ld flap fail so I was really scared, now I wonder why! it hasn't been an easy ride but I am so pleased I took it.

love to you all
L
x x

[Guest user]

Hi all,
Thanks for all your good wishes. Sue i guess you are as anxious as me having to change PS. The way I see it we have had the BIG op. done, so hopefully the last few stages wont be so bad. Liz that seems a good idea to have a bottle of champagne ready. It does seem that the end of a long hard road is in sight. (It is 3 years to the day that I was diagnosed with BC.)
Hope you all enjoy your day today, Im off to work now 😞 Still only till 6:30 pm. Hope it goes fast!)
All the best A

[Guest user]

Hi all

Just back from another week of helping my mum - boy am I tired!!

Whilst away I got a phone call saying my PS is not available for my surgery but has arranged for another surgeon to do it on Wednesday instead or I could wait for a few months until my surgeon has time - I thought I might change my mind if I waited and anyway I want to get it out of the way so I can get on with the rest of my life! so I went for the earlier appointment - as I am having lipo to get rid of (I hope!) the dog's ears at my hips and reshape the breast a bit for a better match and comfort (I still cant sleep comfortably on my right side as the breast sticks out at the side) I will be in overnight - should be back home on the 4th all going well 🙂

Glad you are all pleased with your nipples - good luck on the 9th BB - I have a bottle of champagne earmarked for when all surgery is over! (It might get drunk before I have the tattoo LOL)

Best wishes all

Liz

[samos]

Hi bb, I'm sure you will be thrilled with your nipple - they look so real.
i think they are usually done under a local - or no - anaesthetic if you are not having any other work done such a lipo.
I too am having a change of ps - mine has changed jobs boo hoo - and I'm looking forward to hearing what her replacement thinks of them.
The only disappointment is I can't for the life of me see any difference fom the liposculpting - thought I'd lose the love handles lol:)
Sue x

[Guest user]

Hi Ladies,
Really glad to read about all of your up dates. Lots of "nipple news" lol. I have my date for my nipple, its the 9th April. It's being done under a local anasthetic as a day case. I met my new PS last week as my previous one had left the NHS. She seemed really nice and was very pleased with my reconstruction and the fact I didn't need any furthur surgery as it was such a good match. Hope I am as pleased as you all are with yours.
A x

[samos]

Woo hoo Tinfish - nipples rule! How long is it now since you got it? They make such a difference don't they! I expect to have another lipofil (maybe2) yet, but if I'm honest, they don't really need it, but then I think why not! Lets go for perfection:)
Sign off from the ps deserves a celebration - wine me thinks:)
sue xx

[Guest user]

Hi Ladies
I now have a nipple and it is there to see!!! I love my new breast. I am waiting for the nipple tattoo and have been signed off from the plastic surgeons.

Hope your all OK

L
xx

[samos]

So good to hear from you Liz, although sorry to hear about yor mum, but hope she's on the road to recovery!
Yep, it's a woman's prerogative to change her mind! When I was Dx my aim (after living) was to have the best boobs possible, naked - I viewed this as a consolation prize for having bc.
Good luck for the 4th - I'm sure you will be more than pleased with the outcome!
Sue x

[Guest user]

Hi Ladies
Sorry about the absence - it is a looong story but mostly because my mum has been in and out of hospital and needing 24 hour care in between and after!

I have finally booked myself in for lipo tidy up and new nipple - despite all I said before I have (as expected!!) changed my mind as I am not happy with the shape of the new boob - great to have a boob and be alive but as they are offering me the chance for a better look I am going to take it!

I am booked in for the op on 4th April and will be in overnight afterwards - hopefully home on the 5th!

I am glad everyone's surgery went well and that your nipple surgery went ok Tinfish 🙂

To add to all comments above I would say despite the longer recovery time the DIEP is one to go for if offered and your surgeon has done it before with good results.

Good to read all your news everyone

Best wishes

Liz

[Guest user]

Hi gillian
do you want to pm me and I can give you more details, I would however like to say I don't regret the deep at all
l

[Gilliancw]

Hi L
i also had a LD flap that failed and now have been advised to have a DIEP. Just waiting to see the plastic surgeon to discuss what's next. any tips?
gillian xx

[Guest user]

Hi Ladies
Havent been on for a few weeks so i thought I would give you an update, well the nipple is healing well (bot bigger than I thought but I was told that it will reduce after time) not sure if I will need any more lipo (hoe not) I just want the tattoo done and hopefully that will be the end of this journey.
Any ladies who are wondering about the op I would have it done in a second, I only wished I had had it done the first time (LD flap failed) but thats hind sight!!!. I have been showing my new breast to anyone who wants to have a look (women )because there is so much fright about the op and everyone is amazed.
I read my first comment at the beginning of the thread and cant believe now how scared I was but I have had wonderful surgeons and nurses so it has been all good
Good luck to anyone going through the op and hope everyone is recovering and healing well

L

xx

[samos]

It's very difficult isn't it Carol - and I really understand your concerns about living lopsided.
Have you thought about any of the other flap ops such as TUG (this uses the muscle on the inside top of the thigh) as this shouldn't inpact your mx arm nor your back either. I have a friend who has just had this and is recovering well and is really pleased with the result. Then there is the SGAP (Buttock) - not sure whether this should affect your back...
Hopefully others may come on with some help, but sadly with the site revamp a lot of girls don't post on this forum as they used to.
Good Luck, Sue x

[Carolann7]

Thank you for your reply Sue, it is some thing I'm really worried about. At the moment I have made the desision that I will not have the DIEP, but i don't now if I will feel the same when my implant has been removed. As at the moment I do have some breast and have had since my dx. The PS did say if I carn't cope with just one breast he would do the op. Thank you.
Carol. XXX

[samos]

Hi Carol, you have been in the wars haven't you.
I understand you ps's worries. DIEP is a massive operation, and it really does put a huge strain on your back - especially in the first few weeks, as initially you are unable to stand up straight. Indeed for some it can be a good few weeks before they can, and I do know someone who was very fit but needed the aid of a zimmer frame.
I am almost eight months post DIEP, and even now, most mornings my tummy starts off tight and I have to stretch it out - if not it would put horrible pressure on your back.
You also say that you need full strength/use of your mx arm. This will not be easily achievable after DIEP as gain as for a good few weeks you are not allowed to use that arm for anything heavy/strenuous etc as it puts a strain on the flap - even opening doors can be a no no. Initially the heaviest thing you are allowed to lift is a cup of tea.
I was very fit and healthy when I had my op, and I honestly feel I needed every ounce of that fitness to help me recover. I would seriously suggest you have another think of your options. Sorry if this isn't what you want to hear.
Sue

[Carolann7]

Hi wonderful ladies was having a look at this thread have not read it all yet. I have a question I was wondering if any of you have been in the same position, I have back problems where the discs in my spin are crubleming.I have two gone in my lower spine and one in my kneck. Had suregery many moons ago, now have pain a lot in my lower back and weakness in my left leg so I use a stick on my wright side. Had mx May grade 3 with 2 lymph had a implant with inflater. My implant has moved to under my arm and has gone hard and painfull so needs to be removed. They carn't do the back recon as i don't have enough fat on my back and I use that musel for my stick. The diep is the only one that could work as i have a nice fat tummy, but the ps is worried it may make my bake worse because of the tightness in the tummy area after surgery,.Also my mobilaty with still being able to use my stick as I use it on the wright side same as mx side, and need to use it as left leg gives way. I don't now what to do. Any advise PLEASE.
Carol. XXX

[samos]

Stage two done and dusted yesterday, and home today! Nipples made, scar revision, and some liposculpture and lipofil to both breasts with a bit removed from the side of the bc one - we think there was some slippage into the pocket drilled for the ANC which took the fullness from the top. All done under a general, with an overnight stay.
I'm thrilled with what I can see - but the nipples have a dressing on them so I'll have to wait till next weeks dressing clinc to see them. I'm bruising nicely, a bit sore, but nothing a couple of paratroopers can't sort out.
It was a very positive experience and my ps was brilliant and very willing to turn these good boobs into excellent!
But I am prepared for another one or two goes to get it right - nearly there - and I really feel nearly there:)
Sue x

[Lilac_Blue]

Sue, thanks as I needed to hear that more than once to get it right is per usual. My PS has given me the impression it can be done in one and I can see another will be necessary. I did not have an uplift (hence no drains) so no over night and i was happy about that. Keep us posted on your progress to stage 2.

Tinfish and Beaniebaby, how do you like your new PS? Tinfish, hope you are happy with the results!

[samos]

Totally understand LB, our boobs are a bit of a moving feast these days aren't they! And of course everything has to settle down again sadly. My ps told me that it usually takes two or three goes to get everything right - guess we just need a little patience...
Like you Tinfish I'm expecting an overnight stay because of the lipo so expect I'll be having a general too. My preop was rescheduled to Tuesday next week, so I may get a little more info then.
I keep telling myself no pain no gain, but after DIEP, then I feel I can cope with ANYTHING else:)
It will all be worth it girls - well it better be!

Sue xx