Diep Flap

Hi Diane,

Yes I'm done, its two weeks today since my op. I came home on Day 8 from Mac Uni Hospital. Doc Penn has done an awesome job. In the end, the plan was to do DIEP on the left (replacing the expander) and a right breast reduction (I was going to have a mastectomy and then an implant but changed my mind). ONce he was there it changed slightly. The best blood vessel was under a previous appendix scar so he had to use other b v in my abdomen. These were separated by muscle so in the end he had to remove some muscle with these b v, so I actually had a TRAM. He did say that was a possibility and that he wouldnt know what would be needed until he was inside me. He replaced it with mesh. 

my new boob looks amazing! Soooo much better than the expander. There is a small circle in the middle which is my tummy skin and thats the only skin I can see thats new. i already had 3D shape cos of the expander and he filled in behind. He also lengthened a scar under my arm to access blood vessels and that is quite tender. I also have a strange sensation down the back of that arm and I think perhaps that might be nerves. Hopefully itll settle down. 

He reduced my right breast and looks great although heaps smaller than before. It takes some getting used to.

Another lady I met who had this surgery with Dr Penn in may this year was raving about her results but one thing she said that I agree with is that his bedside manner leaves a little to be desired. He visits between 6.30am and 7.30am and perhaps because he's up early he was a bit gruff. Nurses agreed and said that he is a perfectionist but a bit impatient to staff and patients. That said though, I saw him last Friday to have stitches and dressings removed and he was great. Had a good chat, much better than the hospital. 

I havent taken any pain killers since I got home. Parts are tender if I bump or lie on them but if I am sitting down I don't feel sore. It's a bit hard to stand up straight (but easier since the drssings were taken off).

My surgery was 10 hrs, its pretty long. When I came out I had 6 drains, a catheter, a drip and a PCA pain control, and a binder around my abdomen. A word of advice about the binder. I developed blisters above it where it rubbed and they were really sore. I also developed an itchy painful rash across my back from the sweaty skin rubbing on the binder (It's pretty rough). If I'd known this was a possibility (and nurses said some but not all people get it), then I would have worn a singlet underneath the binder. Once I did that it was fine and the rash settled down. My interim measure until my husband brought the singlets was to fold a pillowcase underneath the rash. 

Three drains were removed on day 3 then two more a couple of days later. ITs not very pleasant to have them pulled out so take pain killers before if you can. 

all the best and feel free to ask more questions if you want to.

Heather

PS Every day I feel better than the day before.