Breast Cancer Now Forum

Ha... I can't take credit for it, Its commonly called that here in N.Ameruca, I'm in Canada. Its also known as a puffy cooter! It seems to be quite common for double DIEPers. As part of my phase 2, my PS did liposuction on the pubic area and did a midline vertical incision. She then opened up my ab scar and pulled the whole lot up. While it was quite sore for a while it looks fabulous. Well, it will when the frankenstein's monster scars start to fade. I also had back fat lipo'd to fill in spaces in the boobs. My stomach is super tight and flat and there seems to be no room for food. I will have to start working out bigtime or my upper belly will swell, another post surgical issue. Other than that, I feel sore and swollen as you describe. I told my PS that its as if someone had slashed me from side to side, pulled stuff out and zipped me up super tight. She said yep, that's exactly what she did. So, I guess its a matter of patience. ... View more

I am 8 months post DIEP and 2 months post phase 2, in which my PS got rid of my 'ken doll' and re-tightened what was an already tight and swollen abdomen. I feel as you do... Weird, swollen and very uncomfortable, Although it looks pretty flat. She also says there is nothing wrong. I read on another site that in order to harvest abdominal tissue for the new boobs, they have to cut through all the fascia layers so it can take up to 2 years sutures to dissolve. Every case seems to be different. It made me feel a little better! ... View more

Hi there. I am in the same boat and I wondered how your situation was  resolved ...or did it resolve itself? At 3 months post op  I am swollen above my pubic area on the right side and generally feel very tight and uncomfortable. My PS says there is nothing wrong but I am a bit concerned be ause a friend who had the same double diep, had zero issues. My abs were tightened during surgery... ... View more

I am so sorry to hear that. I have read recently that a lot of women have problems with hernias and ab muscle healing after DIEP and go on to have further surgeries. Not as many as TRAM but still a concern. I will have to wait and see. ... View more

Hi there, i am in your exact position and wondered how your tummy situation was resolved. I am getting conc erned about the hardness and sweliling at 6 weeks. I had a skin graft on one breast last week and my PS also fixed my ab dog ears and checked for fluid. No seroma.  She feels its just normal swelling abd will lipo extra 'fat' at stage 2. But this feels And looks so hard. thanks. ... View more

Hi just came across this old thread. I am now where you were! How did things resolve for you? ... View more

Thanks so much for the reply. Since I wrote, the area did start weeping. Luckily we have access to a wound clinic and the nurse removed fluid build-up and showed us how to dress and cover it. It has started to look much better. I still have one drain in my abdomen after 2 plus weeks and shows no signs of letting up so things are moving slowly. I see my PS tomorrow and will inow more but am niw comfy in the compression bra. It was so great to hear from you and know that these glitches are just minor in the scheme of things. So glad you are happy with your result. ... View more

Hi, I realise this post is three years old. I wonder how you got on? I am 2.5 weeks post double DIEP and have known since I woke up that a 3 inch square patch below one one breast was failing and would require a graft. Its an annoying bump in the road but at least it will only be day surgery. Hope you are happy now that time has past. Vicki ... View more

Hi there. I am 10 days out from a double diep. I am doing well except for two small things. I will need a skin graft to repair a small patch of failing skin under the right breast, the one I had removed prophylactically. No big deal, we keep dressing it with flamazine. That will be done as daycare. I am interested in your post because of the redness/flakiness you experienced under one breast. In my case it is at the side of my delayed reconstruction breast, the one I had badly burned during rads. It is hot, five degrees warmer that the other side. So far no weeping or anything obvious. It is just bright red and hot. I tried cortisome cream but like you dont want to thin this delicate skin. I am on my third lot of antibiotics and nothing is helping. What sorted things out for you. Any advice?   cheers Vicki ... View more