DIEP recovery?

[fauxgypsy]

I am trying to decide when I am going to schedule my reconstruction and I would like to hear how you felt after DIEP surgery and how long it took you to recover. Please let me hear from you.

Leslie

[NEDenise]

Well, my surgery is this Friday (Oct. 7).
I'll let you know what I think next week. :)
Wish me luck!
Denise

[Soccermom]

Will call you Faux... Had oral surgery and am waiting for pain meds to kick in :(!
Marcia

[fauxgypsy]

Marcia, Thanks. When you feel better. It will be at least the middle of the week before they call me back.

[Pray]

Hi Denise,
I will be praying everything goes well on Friday. Gods blessings to you and your family.

Your Friend,

Nancy

[NEDenise]

Thanks, Nancy!
Prayer is just what I need! :)
Denise
PS - when you feel down, or need a laugh...check out the "keeping your mind off BC" message board. I did the other day, and there's some funny stuff over there!

[chekmark]

Good luck Denise, prays and hugs for you. Let us know how it goes. I will be having reconstruction in Dec. but will be having an implant. Curious to hear some stories on that as well. God Bless. Darlene

[Mary Jo]

Hi Faux......Had my surgery in June of 2008. I didn't find the recovery too terribly tough. The first few days are the toughest. Once I was up and about I was on my way. Slow, yes, but on my way, nonetheless. I walked a lot and thankfully had no complications to complicate things. For me the worst part was lower back pain.

Good luck to you....

[fauxgypsy]

Denise, I hope all goes well. Where are you having this done, if you don't mind sharing? I am looking forward to hearing from you.

[NEDenise]

Faux-
My surgery is at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP), in Philadelphia.
The surgeons came highly recommended. I'll let you know my opinion next week! :)
Thanks for the well wishes!
Denise

[NEDenise]

Faux,
Did you get the info you needed?
Denise

[alicem]

I had my DIEP surgery in Houston on Dec. 11, 2008. Below is a picture that was taken 2 weeks later on Christmas Eve. The first day or 2 in the hospital were the worst, but once I was able to get out of bed and move around things were much better. The hardest part for me was having to sleep in a recliner - I did that for 6 weeks. The doctor only recommended 3-4 weeks, but I am a stomach sleeper so I didn't trust myself in bed. I followed the surgeon's instructions to the letter, and was fortunate enough not to develop an infection. I was told not to lift anything heavier than 5 pounds for the first month, so my husband did all the cooking and cleaning. I was physically active before surgery, so it was important for me to start exercising again. I had to wait 6 weeks, but I was able to run a mile, and ride my bike for an hour by the end of Janurary. Feel free to send me a private message if you want to talk, I'd be happy to answer any questions ... to the best of my memory!! I hope all goes well for both of you, Leslie and Denise!!

~Alice
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/yvXyR60brlAUzX_AyMJPe3djCIDYtvJsQ8cMisPNSQc?feat=d irectlink

[rachelhmmd]

I had bilateral mastectomy with immediate DIEP reconstruction almost two years ago. I would say it was the easiest part of my treatment. The worst part was the uncomfortable surgical bra and abdominal binder that I was supposed to wear 24/7---and sleeping on my back. My plastic surgeon said it would be about six weeks before I felt like myself, and he was just about right.

Plus, the finished products are really nice. They look like what I had twenty years ago. When I show off my new breasts, friends marvel. Just wish I had sensation.

[fauxgypsy]

Thanks Denise. I am still waiting on some information. I have spoken with the patient advocate in NOLO and am waiting for some information from the patient advocate at PRMA in San Antonio as well. How are you feeling?
Alice, it nice of you to share your experience. 20 years, huh? I really do hate the loss of sensation, although I do have some where my mastectomy was performed. A "ghost" breast is a weird feeling. That is why I have such mixed feelings about a prophylactic mastectomy on my left side. I see my omcologist in November and I am going to discuss it with him.

[alicem]

Leslie,

It sounds like you are in my neck of the woods. You might want to also check out Dr. Spiegel in Houston. Here is her website link:

http://www.breastrestoration.org/

I highly recommend her. Her staff is wonderful and she is such a perfectionist that she does wonderful work. There is a photo album of before and after pictures on her website. She studied in Europe under the doctor that developed the DIEP procedure.

Also, not sure about your 20 years comment??

[patz64]

I had bilateral mastectomy and DIEP procedure this past August, with PRMA in San Antonio. I left the hospital in early September, and I'm now bike riding, doing yoga, and walking. My doctor doesn't want me running yet...probably not until December. The recovery was most difficult for my left side, because I had radiation on that side 4 years ago as well as a partial mastectomy, so i am very stiff on that side. I'm in physical therapy now working on stretching the muscles and skin to be more flexible. My abdomen nevr hurt too much...just feels tight, and its a bit difficult to close heavy windows...puts too much pressure on my abdomen.
I'd agree with the person who said the abdominal binder was one of the "hardest" parts of recovery...just very uncomfortable. All in all, it's really not too bad of a recovery. Although the drains are a pain in the neck too, but they come out soon enough! I'm glad I had the procedure.

[fauxgypsy]

Alice, I meant that comment for Rachel. Sorry. Please read her post. ; )