Hi Ladies, My big op is just around the corner. Going to the big smoke for the week on Friday for a double mastectomy and DIEP flap reconstruction. I feel fairly relaxed, very happy with the teams and the hospital vibe so far. But also aware of a building sense of terror as the day draws near. I have read lots and prepared for post hospital care ie coobie bras, high fitting elastic underwear and bike pants to keep the tummy tight. Have made a long shopping list to help the kids with shopping over the next few months, done all the gardening and little jobs around the house I need to, have Ativan for the night before and something for the expected constipation after surgery, comfy pjs. My question is what helped you during your similar operation? What else could I do to prepare in that way? And....how were you emotionally afterwards? Did you take photos to remember what you were before or is it better to just move forward? How did your partner cope with the new look you? What did they do to prepare? I have this sense I'm running out of time for everything...like I can't see life beyond this operation. So I just can't sit still, like I need to keep busy every minute. I guess this is anxiety sneaking in. Any advice will be welcomed. Xxx Louie

I feel your anxiety,I would be the same.It's BIG surgery but it sounds like you are very well prepared.I haven't had it(too chicken)but my friend has.She had a double diep after living with a double mastectomy scar for almost 2 years.I don't think she took any before photos cos she hated her gnarled chest.She was so happy to have boobs again and was wearing low necklines with confidence.She said the first 3 days post op were awful but then she recovered quite quickly.She was driving her car after about 2 weeks.She is going back this month to have nipples made. All you can do is keep busy until the op - you will have the cleanest house! We will all be thinking of you so let us know how you are going. Best wishes and hugs,Tonya xx

Hi Louise, I am having mastectomy one side then double diep or tram reconstruction in about 3 months so I am interested in some things you said. Where are you having it done? I dont know anything about what a coobie bra is nor anything about special undies, so would appreciate knowing what you have already been told. All the best for your operation and recovery. Julia

That 3 months will fly by. I'm going to Westmead Public Hospital in Sydney, Drs Elizabeth elder breast surgeon and Thomas lam plastic surgeon. A coobie bra I have recently come across, I found the arh bra great after my recent other surgeries, these are like that but with thin straps, bit prettier. Ill let you know how they go. The underwear is no seams and high waist to cover the scar area. I read it's good to have some kind of compression wear until the scars heal. Again i'll let you know how they go. I haven't had any advice from the surgeons or nurses about what to wear after the op. Don't know about you, but I have found it really difficult to get good reconstruction info, so I'm very happy to share my experience if it helps others make their plans. L:)

Thanx Tonya, I'm working till Wed and out every night so won't have a spare minute to have an idle mind. Wow, your friend driving after just 2 weeks.....I hope my recovery is as fast. Louise

Hi Louie, Sending you my best wishes for a successful recon and a quick recovery. I hope others within the online network can offer you some quick tips on getting through. Shout if you need anything. Good Luck - Daina

Double Diep in a week | BCNA Online Network

17 Replies

LouiseTurner
Member
11 years ago
Hi Sherver, its been almost 2 years since my first reconstruction operation. I had a couple of breast conserving surgeries that we very manageable and the wounds limited to the breasts. With TRAM the biggest difficulty is the tummy area which was a good few weeks until I could walk upright or sleep flat. Its a big recovery compared to implants. I didnt have prior tummy surgery so cant really compare that.

Have a good read through the TRAM photo stories in the reconstruction group and I am sure you will find more information.

All the best, Louise
Sherver
Member
11 years ago
Lumpectomy auxiliary clearance and radiotherapy 14 years ago. Now the cancer is back. Need mastectomy . Was opting for implant, but now think ill go with Tram flap. Have had 3 cesareans . Wondering about the pain comparison.
Sherver
Member
11 years ago
Lumpectomy auxiliary clearance and radiotherapy 14 years ago. Now the cancer is back. Need mastectomy . Was opting for implant, but now think ill go with Tram flap. Have had 3 cesareans . Wondering about the pain comparison.
LouiseTurner
Member
13 years ago
Day 5 started emoitionally, but after accepting I will be here to Monday , another 4 days I decided I needed a change of attitude. So I got up and had a sort of shower and put on actual bed clothes. I rubbed off bits of sticky stuff left from surgery etc. I felt heaps better. I have a nice day with my son who took me for a walk outside into fresh air. Made a huge dirrerence. Then act to bed for a rest and my daughter arrived and my too kids entertained me the rest of the day. My big events today were a bm with a little help of an self administers enema, and being disconnected from the pole. So who knows what today will bring; pathology results and drain removal I hope. Louise
LouiseTurner
Member
13 years ago
Wow, what a ride this is. It's now Wednesday night, sleeping is still not great. I'm starting to get irritated by maintaining the shape and my back is starting to get sore. Its fair to say that this is exactly as difficult as described. I can't imagine doing it without a support person coming every day to do things like passing this and that, fetching cups of ice, rubbing legs and feet, supporting you in discussions with staff and doctors. It's been an excruciatingly emotional time too, crying outbursts, confusion, pain and the difficulty in adjusting to living in the hospital. And by today despite washing every day I STINK. I still have 3 drains, some weeping wounds. But the breasts themselves seem great. And very little dressing. And even a little sensation which is a big surprise. Still a funny shape though. I don't know why I bothered bringing any clothing at all to hospital. I have only worn gowns for access to drains and wounds etc. Also just way too hard to get on and off. I am looking forward to going home and having no drains and a really good wash ad some fresh hair. Ill probably be here for a few days yet though.
LouiseTurner
Member
13 years ago
Wow, what a ride this is. It's now Wednesday night, sleeping is still not great. I'm starting to get irritated by maintaining the shape and my back is starting to get sore. Its fair to say that this is exactly as difficult as described. I can't imagine doing it without a support person coming every day to do things like passing this and that, fetching cups of ice, rubbing legs and feet, supporting you in discussions with staff and doctors. It's been an excruciatingly emotional time too, crying outbursts, confusion, pain and the difficulty in adjusting to living in the hospital. And by today despite washing every day I STINK. I still have 3 drains, some weeping wounds. But the breasts themselves seem great. And very little dressing. And even a little sensation which is a big surprise. Still a funny shape though. I don't know why I bothered bringing any clothing at all to hospital. I have only worn gowns for access to drains and wounds etc. Also just way too hard to get on and off. I am looking forward to going home and having no drains and a really good wash ad some fresh hair. Ill probably be here for a few days yet though.
TonyaM
Member
13 years ago
Wow,didn't think you'd be blogging so soon Louise.So glad you are ok and over the worst few days. I'm sure when all the drains are out you'll recover in leaps and bounds.Take care and rest ++++++.

Tonya xx
LouiseTurner
Member
13 years ago
I went in Friday and was welcomed by the teams. It's Monday night now so true to say the first few days are a blur. Fairly emotional, but pain has been really under control. The breasts themselves seem great, the dressing is off the breast area and no support wear needed, tummy is a bit sore. The worst part right now is going to the loo, have been twice but with drains and other attachments it takes a good half hr. I am lying here having a blood transfusion though so that's not great. But I will feel much less tired after that. I'll report again in the next few days, I really didn't expect to feel so good, but I still have a way to go so shouldn't get ahead of myself. Louise
LouiseTurner
Member
13 years ago
Thanks so much ladies, your recounts are so helpful. On Thursday I'm having a body cast done to remember my beautiful breasts in a really creative way. I really appreciate you taking the time to respond when you are still healing yourselves. Take care Louie
JenAli
Member
13 years ago
Hi Louise, I was really anxious prior to the operation didnt help the registrar made a comment about" when you come back in for the other side to be done". I asked for medication for the anxiety but it didnt help and was crying all the way into the pre anaesthetic room, where they gave me something that did work and I remember no more.

I found i was able to mobilize on my own by the 4th day post op but was told that was impressive. I had wanted a nipple sparing and skin sparing mastectomy so they approached it from under the breast but pathology showed another focus of cancer under the nipple so they took that off at the operation. Unfortunately the skin died between the two incisions( the nipple area and under the breast. I was told this was because I was too thin. I am now 12 days since split skin grafting to the dead skin and so have another sore area the skin donor site on the hip as well as the scar across the lower abdomen.

After the operation I felt so much better emotionally but every now and again I have a really down teary day, then seem fine again the next day.. I think is partly boredom, I want to try try driving tomorrow. The lower half of my reconstructed breast looks like a patch work quilt and I felt really down about that yesterday and then I think well the cancer is gone and I already look normal in clothing, and tell myself to get over it lots of other women are worse off! I'm just looking at tamoxifen now.

Things I found helpful, big baggy loose granny undies to not press on anything to much. I still can't face the elastic pants but that is more so due to the hip skin donor site, being really sore. Target surgical bras have clips at the front and I leave the bottom clips undone so not too place to much pressure on the under breast scar. They are only $20. Ahh bras roll up and hurt the scar on me at least.

A friend gave me a flat soft "pillow Pet" mines a purple butterfly; that I wear under the seat belt it covers the scar from hip to hip and both breasts and has made travel much better ( i live in the country). A recliner chair has been really great to and lots of women sleep in them for the first few weeks.

Good luck this is masssive operation, don't push yourself too hard and don't try to stop the painkillers too early. I only got off the night time oxycontin a week ago.