Questions post op

Hi Rowdy,

Great to hear from you, thanks for your message. 

Had my first post op app last monday and despite all my worries plastics doctor said it's all perfectly normal and looks good. I have alot of bruising on the right breast and it's been worrying me a bit but they think it's fine so I'm happy! Breasts still feel swollen but not quite as bad as last week.

Next monday will be my third week since my operation. I haven't been quite as tired as I was last week but I'm still not able to do much. I've tried a few small walks and they've been OK but my back gets sore pretty quickly and my stomach feels stretched. 

It's been hard recovering over the school holidays, having the kids home and not being able to do all the things we are usually out doing. Everyone is bored!

I'm really pleased that your new nipple has turned out so well. I haven't thought much about that yet but I guess in a few months I will be. 

I've been keeping a bit of journal and writing things down most days, it's helped.

Wishing you a happy new year that is stress free and relaxed.

Take care xox

Hello Jane,

Thanks heaps for all that helpful information. After hospital my first aim was to get home, but once I was home you feel quite alone with it all and the anxiety sets in with every pain, lump, bump and bruise. I had my first post op app last monday and despite all my worries (my right breast is quite bruised) the plastics doctor assured me it was all very normal and all looked good. I've picked up a bit since then. She also told me that the binder needs to be worn for 6 weeks.

Next monday it will be three weeks since my op. I have done a few small walks outside this week but it doesn't take long for my back to ache and my stomach to feel stretched and sore. I'm still getting very tired but not as bad as I was last week. Slowly but surely!

Thank you again for your help, take care Olivia :) x

Thanks Karen, I do have a lovely breast care nurse and she has been great. She has called a few times since I've come out and has been very helpful. I had my first post op app last monday and despite all my worries about bruising etc the plastics doc said everything looked great and I wouldn't need to see them for another month if I didn't want to. I've picked up a bit since then. I do hate looking at all the bruising though, every ache,pain, bruise makes me anxious. Thanks for all your lovely messages, it really helps. Take care xox

Hi hope you are feeling good, it does take a long time to feel normal again.

I had mastectomy and tramflap reconstuction in August.

I wore the binder for 6 weeks day and night uncomfortable but got used to it, was nice when I could stand up straight

Sneezing and coughing not pleasant for a week.

The tummy feels numb alot, told it will settle but will always feel strange.

Driving 6 weeks

Sleeping slept on my back with pillows under my legs for first 6 weeks to stop pulling on tummy.

Housework didn't do any, husband did the lot.

Boobs swollen for a while, was strange as I had 1 perky boob and 1 saggy had to remember to put in bra.

In November I had a nipple put on my new boob and my other boob reduced and made perky. My boobs still swollen and tender at times. Waiting until I can go out and buy new bras, at the moment just wearing ahh bras, only thing I can tolerate as scarring still tender My new nippe looks amazing.

Hope you are feeling good take it 1 day at a time, I'm waiting for the new year and a new normal Happy new year and roll on 2015xx.

Hi Livvie,

You've been through such a huge operation that I'm not surprised you are feeling anxious and overwhelmed :-) You are actually doing really well considering how recently you had your surgery. I can absolutely understand the frustration of wanting to feel better and stronger as soon as you can (particularly when you  have a young family) but you need to remember that your body has just been through an enormous shock and it does take time to heal, both physically and emotionally.

I had a single mastectomy in 2012 and delayed (2yrs) DIEP flap reconstruction this year and while I am glad I went down the reconstruction route, the DIEP operation did knock me about and it was a good 6 weeks recovery period (although I did have a few complications, including a couple of infected areas on my tummy scar and underneath the new breast, as well as a seroma that needed to be drained).

Following the DIEP op, I was told not to lift anything heavier than a half filled kettle for the first few weeks and was able to gradually do some light housework around 4-6 weeks. The heavier stuff (like vacuuming, changing beds etc) had to wait another week or two, so hubby had to pitch in and get those jobs done. 

In those first few weeks I also made sure I did the exercises I was given by the hospital physio and did some walking to help with mobility. I slept in my bed when I got out of hospital but was elevated with support pillows and had a pillow tucked under my knees to support my tummy area. I think that lasted about a week or so before I felt ready to lie down straighter. I didn't have a binder on for too long, perhaps a couple of weeks, but I know other ladies have had theirs on for around 6 weeks, depends on the surgeon I guess.

It did take about 4 weeks for my breast to feel less swollen and I found my aah bras were quite good supports as I couldn't cope with anything that rubbed underneath. I'm now 8 months down the track and my new breast has probably lost around 1 cup size, so I recently had a breast lift on the remaining breast to provide better symmetry. Now I have matching B cups!

 Anyway, just want to wish you all the best with your recovery and let you know that you will get there, just be kind to yourself along the way :-) Jane x