Diary of a DIEP flap bilateral reconstruction
When I was considering reconstruction options I went looking for accounts of people who had been through the process. There was not much there so I promised myself I would try to add to the informatio...
Forum Discussion
It is now about five and a half weeks since surgery. I am still tired and not at full strength but I am pretty functional. If I do too much one day I feel the tiredness on the next. This is my last week at home and I am due back at work on Monday (6 wks) which feels a bit daunting, I will aim to do half days for the first week.
Earlier this week I took myself to a good physio I have seen before just to remind me about appropriate exercises for arms/shoulders to regain full mobility and what I can do with my tummy. She gave me some very gentle things to do to switch on my abdominal muscles but i really feel them afterwards so I am approaching those carefully. Interestingly she said that scarring 'settles' (not the right word) between 6 and 12 weeks so it is a good time to be moving and stretching so that mobility is not diminished.
I said before that I am pain free when sitting still in my comfy chair but when I am moving or particularly when I wake up I the morning I am aware of all my surgery lines and the changed sensations of the nerves, my body is not settled/healed and does not fully feel mine yet, particularly my tummy.
I tried on my old bras but they are too big now. However, an old swimming costume that I had thought of throwing out is now possible to wear again now that i have boobs again, i am really pleased by this. I measured myself trying to work out what size I am now - borderline A or B cup I thought. I went and looked at bras in a department store but needing wire free meant I did not know where to look so a couple of days later I went to Colleens (post mastectomy) in Canberra to be properly fitted. I ended up in a larger size than expected but that allowed for tightening the back over time, an A or B cup worked depending on the style and size. There were lots of lovely soft cup styles to look at and the foam cups give good shape to my new boobs that are a flatter shape than the old ones. I am pleased to now have some 'proper' underwear, helps me to feel more ready for work.
Overall I am feeling happy with my new body and figure but also recognize that I still have a lot of healing to do and hope I can cope with work and all the home stuff and kids next week.