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!
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
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!
