Diep surgery recovery

Thankyou kmakm ....... I think the biggest shock was hearing the surgery takes approx 11 hours ( I had a bi-lateral mastectomy) so reconstruction on both sides.  Am quite enjoying not having big breasts actually but also do not like the caved in look.  Just want it to hurry up and happen before I chicken out lol. Have sent a request to join the Choosing Breast Reconstruction group.

Hi @"jackie 4". I am five and a half weeks post a bilateral mastectomy and DIEP reconstruction. I am not having the easiest recovery, from a slow start with low blood pressure issues, through to an allergic reaction to micropore tape, to now a persistent infection and dermatitis problem.

However I am pleased with having warm fleshy boob like mounds on my chest. They feel like they are part of me, not foreign. They jiggle like breasts would. And the tummy tuck is a happy bonus.

It's very early days so I can't say they look good naked, not that I ever really expect them to. Swollen, misshapen, spotty, vivid scars, and rash like spots do not an attractive chest make. But my plastic surgeon is unconcerned. He says it will be at least six months before he can properly assess them for revision surgery.

So far I don't regret it. For me, waking up flat was not an option, and I really didn't want implants. The biggest thing I can say at this stage is that the DIEP is a procedure and recovery that requires a lot of patience.

Have you joined the Choosing Breast Reconstruction group? Everyone there will be able to give you feedback.

Is there something in particular about the DIEP that's worrying you? Perhaps I can reassure you?

Good luck and let us know what you decide. K xox

I am still awaiting reconstruction (diep flap) and realise it will not be an easy few weeks.  For those of you already post surgery, do you think it was all worth it.  The longer I have to wait the less confident I am about proceeding.   I have four daughters all born via caesarean so I am not a stranger to abdominal surgery. 

@"Kiwi Angel" Thanks hun xox

@kmakm - sounds like a massive day - u will be stufffed!!  Hopefully u sleep well tonight. Glad everything is healing well and u for that new dress xoxoxo

The itching has finally slowed down. Such a relief. Today I visited my plastic surgeon  who called me in to have a look at the situation and was happy with what he saw re the dermatitis and reaction to the micropore tape (welts still visible even though it's been off my skin for a week). I'm to not even try to use it again and he's not bothered about using any tape at all. Just keep rubbing in the Vitamin E cream and massaging.

He also had a look at an odd lump which until now he's refused to engage with, despite me asking twice. My breast surgeon had a look at it a couple of weeks ago and thought it might be dead fat, aka fat necrosis. Turns out it is. I'm to massage it to help it soften.

Then it was off to the assessment for the oncology exercise physiology course I'm starting the week after next. Two lovely people, a physio & an exercise physiologist took me through an extensive series of questions about my cancer treatment. This churned up a lot of feelings rather unexpectedly. I had to rate my anxiety level on a chart at the end and put it at 7/10. I explained why and they understood.

Then it was off to the gym for the treadmill test. That was the fastest I've moved in a couple of years! Then some muscle strength and range of motion tests. My incisions held up better than I expected which was pleasing.

I'm absolutely shagged now!  :)

I drove today for the first time since the operation. Whoo hoo!



PS @"Kiwi Angel" I got that frock, a red one!  ;)

Fingers crossed @kmakm - thinking of u xoxoox

@"Kiwi Angel" I'm posting the recovery deets here.

Because of the insane itching, Nurse Lucy said today that I was to try going without the micropore tape, that I could be allergic to the adhesive. This tracks as I'm tend to come up in itchy welts with some bandaids. However the micropore didn't bother me with my wide local incision, so it's a bit of a mystery. The main thing is to keep it moisturised.

She was happy with the antibiotics the GP put me on, and I've sent off photos of all the incisions, so only time will tell. Fingers crossed.

Excellent news @ kmakm