hello

Im in a bit of a dilemma, I am 2 years after masectomy, chemo and radiotherapy. Since my surgery I have been unhappy with how I look and wearing prothesis and it has taken me this long to really recover and get my energy back. I'm now feeling well and prepared to have the reconstruction surgery. I have an appointment with my Consultant on 4th Jan , I'm hoping to have the DIEP with tummy having read as much as I can about the procedures. I am an older person but still want to look and feel attractive! Here's hoping for a positive outcome....would love to hear about anyone else's experience of reconstruction 

Silver 

Thanks a lot Katherine for your reply. It is great to hear your journey. Fantastic that the nodes were clear that's another big worry of mine!

I feel very uneducated on all but hopefully that will be rectified once I talk to my plastic surgeon.

Initially I thought implant might be best to get faster recovery with less complications but there are pros and cons and the real skin element is a benefit. It feels like such a long time to be healing. How fast were you up and about in your home comparing to in bed as that thought really does frighten me. 

But you're right i have to remember the goal here.

Did your surgeon say there were pros and cons for where they take the excess tissue from? Worried about this too and having multiple scars. 

How  did you both handle the drains and did you get help in when you came home from hospital? Feels very daunting to me.

BTW Lovely to get the support from your daughter too, bet she's very proud of her Mom x 

Thanks so much to both you and Mickey 

SL 

I'm going through the same on the 15th of jan I also have an invasive lump. I have opted for DIEP is I was told if radiation was needed the implant would need to be taken out there for another operation. I find it all very daunting also. I hope the mange to get enough. I'm 44 and a size 10. 
Wishing you all well on your journeys 

x

Hi,

Just wanted to reply quickly to say that it took me agessssss to decide what kind of reconstruction I wanted and in the end I went with diep. That was 7wks ago and I don't regret the decision one bit. The first wk is obviously quite intense with everything but I can honestly say that it was nowhere near as bad as I imagined. I thought I'd be bed ridden and unable to look after my son but a couple of days in hospital and I was home and taking it easy, but walking fine etc! 

Whatever you go for just take time to recover, listen to your body and rest loads!

Sending lots of positive vibes your way and if you need to know anything then feel free to send me a message x

Morning, 

Im really pleased you've had some more responses on this now, that's fabulous and thank you to the lovely Katherine [@rine53]‍ who has kindly shared her experience with me since we can across each other just after her surgery. 

I get that now, with large areas of dcis they would have to check that none of it has turned invasive, I recall them saying something similar to me. I'm also praying they are clear. 

Thank you for your positivity re my results being delayed. 

Re the drains, again everyone's experience is different, even in the amount they have. I had two into my tummy from the very top of each leg and one to my breast. My mx was on the right. I had my op on a Tuesday and the right breast and leg drains for me were able to be removed on the Thursday afternoon and I felt much better when they were as it made it easier to stand, walk and go to the loo. The left one came out very late on the Friday and I went home on the Saturday. The left drain should probably have stayed in til the Saturday it wept a lot and I had to have the dressing changed three times during the night. It had stopped weeping so much by the Saturday, but the dressing still needed changing daily (although no-one told me that), that one has stopped weeping now too and they are all healing nicely. I do know some people go home with like a small drain bag that they can empty, but I didn't want that and opted to stay in hospital until the Saturday to make sure the last drain removal was ok before I went home (luckily I could). I was glad I did, everyone is different, but I would have panicked if it had leaked that much at home about replacing the dressings etc. 

Re your question re walking. I was home Saturday evening and I managed to drag my case on it's wheels (not allowed to lift) all through the big hospital myself. My walking was very slow, but stable. I rested pretty much on the Sunday and had my first outdoor walk on the Monday (day 6). I was very slow to start (maybe fear of falling also), but I was stable, I could really notice any inclines for the first time, but I was fine. I think I did 1.5 km that day and then built myself up. I have no problem now walking at my usual pace and can do circa 5k, but I don't always and I try not to push it as it does tire me later. 

I was surprised when I got home that apart from reaching high, lifting etc I was pretty self sufficient and could use the stairs and meet all my basic needs, but yes I have my partner home and you do need someone to do things that you can't. 

I think I've answered everything, but if not, don't hesitate to come back to me.  Please keep us posted it is a big decision for you and hope this all helps. 

Virtual hugs Mickey xx ️
 

Hi Silver, 

I think this thread gives a lot of info about my experience with the diep and hopefully that will help. This is Day 16 post surgery for me and all is going well for me. If you have any questions, I'm happy to help. 

Best wishes Mickey xx ️

Thanks for all the detailed responses! Much appreciated and the more responses gives context for all the different experiences that you have all had.

Good to hear about the DIEP too Mickey and the different areas and recovery and nb info on drains and dressings.

Fantastic that you are all pleased. 

Keep up the recovery... sounds you are all doing really well which is great to hear. 
 

xxxx 

Are there any products that really helped that I should think of that would be worth buying now? Like types of mastectomy pillows, bras or things that made it easier to sleep with? 
thanks everyone

Hi

I was up and about after 2 days. They encourage you to be up ASAP. The drains are fine you don't really notice them and mine where taken out while in hospital. You also have a catheter which again is taken out ASAP. Once that's gone then your up and walking. The more you do the better. I walked around my cubicle every couple of hours as wanted to get home as soon as poss. I did end up staying in 7 days as I got an ear infection! If all things. Once home I was up every day but did spend a lot of time on the sofa. Usually a little walk and then a rest. Recovery is on going and does take about 6 weeks as you can't drive and lift anything initially but I'm guessing it'll be something similar for implant. Tummy cut is big as it does go from hip to hip but that healed really well. You are left with a scar of course and mine is at the top of where my knicjerbline would be if wearing a normal pair of knickers. I wouldn't be wearing a bikini! But I wouldn't have worn one anyway! Lol. Tummy is numb some days but that is fading. They actually pull your skin down so your tummy is flat. Mine lost a how overhang from my c section scar so was a bonus! 
You need someone with you for at least a week as you'll not feel up to too much, my husband went back to work after that. I was grateful when he came home though and he did cook tea every night so I could rest. It is definitely a big op and will take time to fully recover but you are not bed ridden or anything like that. Hope that helps and to you all good luck with whatever ops you chose. 
xx