Forum Discussion

Adelaide2025's avatar
Adelaide2025
Member
2 months ago

Preparing for DMX and DIEP Flap reconstruction

Hello and first of all I’m sorry that any of us are on this forum and going through the Sh-t Show….  I have surgery end of Jan 2026.  I’m going to hire a recliner chair, I’ll purchase button up pjs and shirts.  What else can I do? Does anyone have handy tips? High protein recipes that help with recovery? If you have a website of recipes that you can recommend that would be much appreciated. Is there any exercise I should be doing? With a month to go I’d like to do anything I can.  Thank you all and with my kindest regards. 

dcis
emotions
post surgery

7 Replies

  • Adelaide2025's avatar
    Adelaide2025
    Member
    1 month ago

    Thank youChristina_BCNA​ these groups are really helpful and thx for the links which I have listened to and watched.  I think it’s the fear of the unknown isn’t it.,.. surgery is long and you hope they can get all of the ‘bad stuff’ out so you can start recovery physically and emotionally….  I’m not sure if the hospital provides drain bags or other things that group members have mentioned. I’ll need to find out.  Thank you all x

  • Laramp's avatar
    Laramp
    Member
    1 month ago

    HiAdelaide2025​ 

    Sorry that you have joined the club. I had double mastectomy with immediate stacked DIEP and PAPS (thighs) reconstruction almost 3 weeks ago. I’m a side sleeper, and my physio suggested I get a full body pregnancy pillow (it’s like a U shaped pillow). I started sleeping on it before surgery to try to get used to it, and now feel it was a great investment. It keeps me from rolling on to my side and I can adjust the incline on the back and behind knees. I also did prehab and focused on strengthening my back muscles & increased protein intake (I’m not a fan of shakes, but I that was the best solution short term). Keeping healthy and active is the best you can do, and it seems you are on the right track! The DIEP feels like a dream compared to the PAPS, but very doable. Happy to share more about my experience if you would like. Wishing you all the best with your surgery!

    • Adelaide2025's avatar
      Adelaide2025
      Member
      1 month ago

      Thank you si much for your reply and tips. The pillow sounds great! Iim going to have a recliner to sit and sleep in and help me get up to the bathroom. I really appreciate your time. The pre surgery exercises - was that privately or at your gym? I font go to a gym so it’s just what I do at home which TBH isn’t much. I’ll look into a protein shake too, never had one in my life! I think it’s what I’ll look like, coping mentally, the drains which sound horrendous, no nipples… all of those things that I try not to overthink.    Wishing you a better 2026. X 

      • Laramp's avatar
        Laramp
        Member
        1 month ago

        HiAdelaide2025​ I’m lucky enough that my physio is also an exercise physiologist, so she created a small program for me. I have always been reasonably fit, and have been doing gym, plus reformer pilates twice a week. I think a lot of it can be done at home it’s just having the motivation (which is the hard part). Most doctors are pretty honest about results, and that it’s never one surgery. I realise I will need fat grafting to fix some of the contour, and I’m also considering a nipple reconstruction (definitely tattooing them). The best thing I did was to look up ‘after’ photos which helps manage what to expect (also made sure my husband saw them). It’s a process, but so far I’m really happy that I did the surgery (saving my life!) and I think the end result will actually look better than my original;) The drains are not painful at all, they are just a bit of non-sense. I could hardly notice the ones on my breasts and belly, the really annoying ones were right in the middle of my inner thighs (fun every time you need to go to the bathroom!) Being hopeful is all we have, and I think it also helps on our recovery. Wishing you all the best with your upcoming surgery, and sending you some positive and healing energy!

  • arpie's avatar
    arpie
    Member
    1 month ago

    Hi Adelaide2025​ 

    I am SO Sorry to see you join the club that no-one every thought they'd be joining 🙁

    The recliner is a top idea as it is very difficult to get comfy, sleeping, immediately after the surgery.  A small cushion to help support the arm is good too ... 
    Rather than high protein meals, post op - I'd suggest you start cooking & freezing meals that you love & enjoy - so that you have them 'ready to go' when you get home. xx  
    Re exercises - just keep doing what you normally do ... post op, it may be a little while before you can get into full on exercises - but starting off walking would be the go initially.  Your surgeon will tell you when you can go back to regular exercises.  (Reaching UP & DOWN may also be compromised for some time .... so doing the washing, hanging the washing, pulling pots out of a drawer/cupboard & reaching up for plates etc are usually off limits.)  Don't go Picking up children or pets either, until your surgeon gives you the OK.

    There's heaps of tips & info in the link at the bottom of the page xx

    Just try & keep yourself as busy as you can, doing things you love doing in the lead up to the surgery - I just went kayak fishing every day - it is my 'safe spot' and prevented my mind going off on wild tangents!  Then after your surgery, as you feel able - try & get back to what you love doing again.

    You've found the right spot here tho, for support & info from those who've 'been there, done that'! So hopefully we'll be able to smooth the way for your own story.  Whack up ANY question - remember there are NO dumb questions!!!  Make sure you take a trusted friend or family member with you to your appointments, as a 'backup set of ears', as it is difficult remembering everything that is said.  Also, consider recording your sessions on your phone, so you can go over it again later, for the same reason. 😉

    Mine was ILC (Invasive Lobular Cancer) - I was lucky to only have the one lumpectomy, rads & tablets .... and have recently finished with the tabs now!

    As you progress thru your appointments/surgeries ... let us know how you are going, by continuing to reply to this post ... it is a good way of 'keeping a diary' of everything you're going thru, in the one spot!!  I look back on my original post too (up til I started the hormone suppression) and am amazed at the wonderful support afforded to me, too xx

    This diagnosis can really muck with your brain too - so if you feel sad, angry, distressed - that is absolutely 100% NORMAL!  But you don't have to 'do it' on your own!  .... ask your GP (or your treating team) for a referral to see a counsellor .... or listen to Charlotte Tottman's podcast (link below).  You can also ring our Helpline on 1800 500 258 for a confidential one-on-one chat after New Year xx

    Try not to get ‘ahead of yourself’ with the ‘what ifs’ ….. as they may never happen - and going down that rabbit hole (specially if using Dr Google) will REALLY muck with your brain  :(  A lot of info on Google doesn’t relate to your diagnosis or is out of date - so put any questions you have, to your medical team (or here!) xx   Take it one day at a time, one hour, if needed ..... but keep trying to do 'stuff you love' too .... so you have good 'down time' as well!  I treated myself to a holiday on Norfolk Island after all my active treatment ..... as a 'Well Done YOU' for going thru all that stuff - as a reward!!!

    Charlotte Tottman  is a BC specialist counsellor who was diagnosed herself, also had a double mastectomy, so knows EXACTLY what we've all been thru, both emotionally and physically!  Her reaction to her own diagnosis was also quite different to what she 'thought' it might be, given that she'd been counseling women's reactions for some years before, so thought she 'new' what to expect!  She is VERY easy to listen to, too xx
    http://www.drcharlottetottman.com.au/my-podcast.html. 

    Raelene Boyle's video is also well worth watching! 
    https://www.bcna.org.au/resource-hub/podcasts/upfront-about-breast-cancer/upfront-about-breast-cancer/episode-21-raelene-boyle-on-pulling-herself-out-of-the-darkness/

    There is HEAPS of info in the link below to help you navigate the blog and also some tools to evaluate your own physical and mental recovery thru your ongoing treatment! xx.

    https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussions/general-discussion/a-big-welcome-to-all-new-online-network-members-/222737

    Take care & all the best for your surgery & ongoing treatment xx

    • Adelaide2025's avatar
      Adelaide2025
      Member
      1 month ago

      Helloarpie​ thanks so much for your time and great tips…. I’m fortunate my partner loves to cook, and I have daughters that will do drop offs, very lucky there. Def no housework (as frustrating as that will be, I won’t be able to see the washing hung all over the place on the line :-) and will be grateful it all gets done.  I try to keep busy in the garden, tending to the tomato plants which will hopefully be ready so we can eat some before end of Jan. you are right about letting your mind wonder, rabbit holes, and that Dr g.  I do try to source answers on here and in a very supportive fb page.  I talk to a counsellor online every two weeks (work stress pre diagnosis) and now this. The drains sound gross…. I’m not a sook but don’t like the sound of those, but remind myself I can get this done, I can be ok. I’m grateful about that.  I did ring my plastic surgeons office the other day and ask if I have an appt before surgery… and as lovely as they are, the PA asked if there was any reason? I said well u don’t want to be a pest or sound naive but I thought I’d see her shrine before showing up to have my breasts cut off…. So now I do have an appt in late Han with my breast and plastic surgeons.  A few days away with my partner before then… thank you so much x 

  • Christina_BCNA's avatar
    Christina_BCNA
    Community Manager
    1 month ago

    Hi Adelaide2025​ , thanks for reaching out with your query about surgery care. While we wait for others members to share their experiences, I thought you might like to give these resources a look: 

    👉 https://www.bcna.org.au/resources/surgery-and-breast-reconstruction/breast-reconstruction/prepare-for-breast-reconstruction-surgery

    👉 https://www.bcna.org.au/resources/surgery-and-breast-reconstruction/tips-to-be-more-comfortable-after-surgery

    👉 https://www.bcna.org.au/resources/articles/your-hospital-stay-for-breast-cancer-surgery