Hello Luskentyre1 and thanks for posting,

A DIEP flap is major surgery which isn't to be underestimated so I can see why the hospital may prefer you to have someone at home when you are discharged, but I can also understand your reasoning against having anyone to stay. I'm afraid I can't say what is absolutely essential in your case.  

Before you go home the physiotherapist will see you, so you should be able to talk over the sorts of manoeuvres that would help you to get out of bed if this is a particular problem which I think it can sometimes be with an abdominal wound.  But I suppose much may depend on how you're feeling at the time although you wouldn't be discharged unless you were judged to be medically fit enough go home.  Perhaps it would be a good idea to talk this over again with the breast care nurse to explain things from your point of view and see what they say?

Another charity, Breast Cancer Now, offers support and has an online forum where you might be able to get some perspectives about recovery from people who have had this type of surgery.

I hope you can easily get hold of the breast care nurse and that everything goes well with your surgery.

Please give us a call if you want to talk anything over. Our number is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open 9am till 5pm weekdays.

Best wishes, 

Julia

Thanks for your reply Julia, I appreciate it.

Any members got their own experience of recovery?

Hello,

You have posted this in the Ask the Nurses section, so it might be better to post it in the general section of cancer chat where more active users are likely to see your comment and respond.

Another UK charity Breast Cancer Now, also has a online forum, where users can share experiences which may be of interest to you,

forum.breastcancernow.org/

Best wishes,

Vanda