Update on DIEP vs TRAM flap procedure decisions

Balentine said:

Hey
Hello Babette,
I am doing fine. I will have my 4th and final chemo on 5/17...Yippee! The 3rd one knocked me down and I was totally fatigued and depressed for about 2 weeks but God as always has brought me through it and out of it and soon this journey will be over in just a few more weeks. How are you doing and where are you with your treatments and prognosis?
Lorrie Balentine

Balentine said:

Hi Joyce,
So are you happy with the results? And also how was the recovery, drains, pain, etc.?
Lorrie

jk1952 said:

I am very happy with the

I am very happy with the results, and I would highly recommend it. Recovery, drains and pain are all about the same as people described for the DIEP. It's a long surgery, so it does take a while to regain strength after being under the anesthesia for so long. I was amazed by how difficult it was to walk down the street, when I first tried. But, every day I felt better and better. I was out of work for eight weeks, and if forced, I probably could have gone back sooner. I was doing a little work at home when I felt like it after a couple weeks. But, it was sitting at a computer; it wasn't being active. You do need lots of help with housework and meals. I could take care of myself, but was appreciative of help with things around the house.

I only took the narcotics for two days after surgery and was able to control the pain with Tylenol or Motrin. The morphine caused a terrible flush, which was quite uncomfortable and I had a bad headache the day after surgery, so these bothered me more than the actual surgeries. Because I didn't continue taking the painkillers, I was able to start driving after only 2-1/2 weeks. I was told that if I could twist to see and felt that I could react if needed, I could start driving.

I had six drains initially: two in the abdomen and two in each breast. I went home with four, one in each breast and two in my abdomen. I wore loose comfy clothes and pinned the drains to the insides of my tops or to the wasteband. When I took a shower, I pinned them to a 'lanyard' around my neck. They were a pain, but the alternatives are worse. I had no problems when they were removed: I really didn't feel it.

Hope this helps. It is major surgery, but it was so good for my well-being to wake up with breasts. It really helped in my healing process.

Joyce

jk1952 said:

I thought that I had just
I thought that I had just posted a response. Fortunately, I had copied much of it from another post I had done a few months ago. Hope it helps. (The answer to your sepcific question is sweats and a loose, butoon fron top).

As far as the hospital is concerned, I'd take a toiletries bag with toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, tissues, etc. They'll probably give you everything that you need, but I'd rather use my own. You will want loose fitting button or zipper front tops, and you'll have to take loose fitting PJ's or sweats, since you won't be able to wear normal pants for a while. I took a bathrobe and did use that some. I love to read, but I couldn't really concentrate well enough in the hospital, so magazines were good, as was my iPod. Although some hospitals won't allow cellphones, mine not only allows them, they encourage that you use one. It's easy to carry and you won't have to try to reach for a phone. You won't want to reach for anything for a while. I didn't need any cash, but it's probably good to have a little. For a couple days, you'll probably be very happy to be in the hospital gown, so try not to overpack, since there is limited space in the room.

Onto recovery. With this surgery, you'll probably have six drains initially, although some may come out before you go home. Drains are a pain, but they are critical to your recovery, so don't try to rush them. While you are dressed, they'll be pinned to some of your clothing, but showering is a different story. I used a 'lanyard' around my neck when I showered, and pinned the drains to it. It didn't get wet and weighted down like washcloths or towels do. You'll have a hard time stretching and getting in and out of bed. I found a recliner to be very helpful. With time, I recovered the range of motion and could return to normal activity, without any type of physical therapy.

Unlike the reconstruction with expanders, you won't be able to bind your breasts, because you need to keep the blood flow unconstrained. I used camis and tank tops with a loose shelf bra for eight weeks before I was allowed to wear a bra again. You'll likely have an abdominal binder for a period of time. It really does make you feel better!

Things I would have at hand: at least four extra pillows (you'll sleep on your back and you'll want them to support your arms, legs and extra support for head), Tylenol or Advil for when you come off the painkillers, baby aspirin (my doctor wanted me to take it for a few weeks after surgery), thermometer (if you don't have one, in case you're worried that you might have an infection), antibiotic cream and bandages (they could come in handy), and a cellphone nearby. My husband did email updates to friends and relatives, so he didn't have to take as many calls, and he could let people know when I was ready for calls or company. He also ran interference with phone calls and sometimes told the person that I was resting or had crashed after doing too much (which I did often).

Joyce

Balentine said:

Hi Joyce,
So are you happy with the results? And also how was the recovery, drains, pain, etc.?
Lorrie

Balentine said:

Waiting til next summer to do surgery
I have decided to wait until next summer to do the muscle sparing free tram flap since I work at an elementary school and the surgeon said I could not do it this year until August because I finish my chemo on 5/17 so I am going to wait until next summer to do it. That way I will have the summer to recooperate. I also now can put off being scared until next year. Thanks for all of the information. I did look at some before and after pictures on some sites that people told me about and the end results do look really good. I hope mine comes out that good. The surgeon has done over 300 reconstructions and seems very confident so it made me feel alot better. Thanks and God bless.
Lorrie

DianeBC said:

Sending good luck and
Sending good luck and prayers to the both of you, Jean and Lorrie that you have a successful surgery! That is great if you both have the summer off to recuperate.


Hugs, Diane

jk1952 said:

I thought that I had just
I thought that I had just posted a response. Fortunately, I had copied much of it from another post I had done a few months ago. Hope it helps. (The answer to your sepcific question is sweats and a loose, butoon fron top).

As far as the hospital is concerned, I'd take a toiletries bag with toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, tissues, etc. They'll probably give you everything that you need, but I'd rather use my own. You will want loose fitting button or zipper front tops, and you'll have to take loose fitting PJ's or sweats, since you won't be able to wear normal pants for a while. I took a bathrobe and did use that some. I love to read, but I couldn't really concentrate well enough in the hospital, so magazines were good, as was my iPod. Although some hospitals won't allow cellphones, mine not only allows them, they encourage that you use one. It's easy to carry and you won't have to try to reach for a phone. You won't want to reach for anything for a while. I didn't need any cash, but it's probably good to have a little. For a couple days, you'll probably be very happy to be in the hospital gown, so try not to overpack, since there is limited space in the room.

Onto recovery. With this surgery, you'll probably have six drains initially, although some may come out before you go home. Drains are a pain, but they are critical to your recovery, so don't try to rush them. While you are dressed, they'll be pinned to some of your clothing, but showering is a different story. I used a 'lanyard' around my neck when I showered, and pinned the drains to it. It didn't get wet and weighted down like washcloths or towels do. You'll have a hard time stretching and getting in and out of bed. I found a recliner to be very helpful. With time, I recovered the range of motion and could return to normal activity, without any type of physical therapy.

Unlike the reconstruction with expanders, you won't be able to bind your breasts, because you need to keep the blood flow unconstrained. I used camis and tank tops with a loose shelf bra for eight weeks before I was allowed to wear a bra again. You'll likely have an abdominal binder for a period of time. It really does make you feel better!

Things I would have at hand: at least four extra pillows (you'll sleep on your back and you'll want them to support your arms, legs and extra support for head), Tylenol or Advil for when you come off the painkillers, baby aspirin (my doctor wanted me to take it for a few weeks after surgery), thermometer (if you don't have one, in case you're worried that you might have an infection), antibiotic cream and bandages (they could come in handy), and a cellphone nearby. My husband did email updates to friends and relatives, so he didn't have to take as many calls, and he could let people know when I was ready for calls or company. He also ran interference with phone calls and sometimes told the person that I was resting or had crashed after doing too much (which I did often).

Joyce