Diary of a DIEP flap bilateral reconstruction

I'll let you know how I get on. Janey xxx

Good luck for Tuesday. I will be thinking of you, and look forward to hearing how it goes. Just remember, everyday is better than the last. The first few days are hard but it's onwards & upwards from there, and you'll have beautiful new boobs to admire!! Kat xxx

Hi Sharona, It's really great to hear from you. So glad you are continuing to do very well. Back at work hey. Good on you. I'm not going back until the start of the new year. I decided long ago that work isn't a priority for me this year as it is quite stressful there with a review that has reduced the staff members and lots of extra work being absorbed by the rest. We can survive without to much financial hardship though. I just want to concentrate on getting well although I get really bored at home and I do miss actually working. I went back over your blob entries as I am due on Tuesday for my surgery. It's been so helpful to read of your experience and I feel calmer. So thank you once again for sharing. Hope you can do those sit ups in the not too distant future LOL Love Janey xxx

Just thought I would give an update on how I am going after two weeks back at work. It has all been ok. I did half days the first week and only desk work, that was fine but I got pretty tired by the weekend. Last week I did more hours including a full day training course and do not feel so tired as a week ago so my stamina is improving. I have been working on my shoulder/arm flexibility and it is much better but I still get some 'cording' down into my forearm. Finally all the marks on my skin from reaction to tapes have disappeared along with the remaining bruising on my new boobs. The scar lines are pretty bright but I guess that will last for many months. I vacuumed several rooms last weekend and my tummy muscles were sore the next day to remind me that i did too much. I have returned to a gentle yoga class of BC sufferers and it has been good to reconnect with that community and answer people's questions about what I have had done. My aim for the next few weeks is to get fitter and stronger but I still have to avoid heavy lifting ( and not try to do sit-ups yet). I will also continue to massage my scar lines and hope that my internal healing continues ans that my tummy will feel less and less strange. It is almost back to life as usual and as I recover further I feel more and more pleased with my reconstructed body.

Thanks so much for all the effort you have gone to in describing your experience - it is very helpful. I had a lumpectomy and then re-excision (so two surgeries) but background pathology of LCIS, and previous history of childhood osteosarcoma, means path after chemo not so clear. I am coming to the end of chemo and am currently going through the process of deciding whether to have 6 weeks radiotherapy or mastectomy. My reading so far and second opinions mean I'm thinking it will be a double mastectomy, but now I'm trying to find all the information I can about the various types of reconstructions. Obviously I will discuss this with my surgeon, but it's good to hear the first-hand experiences of the different types of constructions. After having 3 c-sections I'm not sure my stomach / abdomen would cope with your type of surgery, but all this is good to know. Thanks!

So glad to hear you're healing well. Go gently on yourself as you ease back into work. Best wishes. 

Thanks again for sharing your experience. Reminder for all of us to take things slow. Our bodies have been through so much and we need to be kind to ourselves. Exercises also important to regain full range of movement. that weworked hard to get following Mastectomies.

I admire your strength in returning to work after s uch a short time.

Kim

You are doing amazing. It is great that you can go back on half days. I am sure if it is too much you could maybe have a bit more time off. Thanks again for all the frank updates. Take care and take it easy. Paula :)

You are doing amazing. It is great that you can go back on half days. I am sure if it is too much you could maybe have a bit more time off. Thanks again for all the frank updates. Take care and take it easy. Paula :)

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.

Hi Kim I am having bilateral tram/Diep surgery also on 30 August at Westmead public. Dr Moradi is my surgeon. Are you going with dr Hassell? Good luck for yours. Will be interesting to compare notes.. Kat xx Ps I am starting to get very excited, but very nervous too.. Just can't wait for it to be over so I can start healing..