Can anyone advise me about what to look for and what to expect after I return home form my DIEP flap reconstruction?

Sounds totally normal :) I was swollen for a long time after reconstruction but it goes down

did you only have the one breast reconstructed, and how was yr surgery, I wish you the best.

Yes, it's just one breast. The surgery was fine, it's the recovery that's kicking my butt. The reconstructed breast is hard and swollen. My abdominal is very tight and it's hard to stand up straight. I have my first post-surgical visit with the plastic surgeon's office tomorrow. Maybe they can answer my questions.

Hi Saylor. Good for you, iam so glad to hear that you are doimg well. Thank you for shareing your jounery with me, MY surgery is expected to take 11 hours, Iam having a mastectomy and then both breast re constructed. All ready had the left breast removed last year, at that time i wanted both gone but the dr. wouldnt do that. ( live and learn). Hearing that you and all the others that have shared their stories have done just fine, really does help. I pray that you keep me in your prayers My surgery is aug. 29. thanks and God bless

Hi Saylor, I am going to have the Diep done next month, December and Dr. Habash is my surgeon. I am glad that it went well, I am hoping for an easy time. I have handled the Mastectomy very well and hope for the same. (but I have never had my stomach cut) It was nice to read all these comments and then see Round Rock and Dr Habash mentioned. :)

Glad to hear you have Dr. Habash he is so wonderful! If you need anything please let me know! Staci

How are you doing? Haven't seen any updates-thinking of you!

Thank u, i knew about the tattooing, and ive seen a set of nipples done, to me the ones i seen looked to big and unreal for me , ...my nipples were never that big. thanks for shareing

Hello Stylin and welcome to our community,

So glad to know you are in the healing phase of cancer and that you have chosen to restore your body with a reconstruction procedure. I am sure your head is spinning with all you have to consider in these next few weeks. Rest assured we are here to help guide you through your journey. Kindly describe the type of procedure you have chosen and those of us who have experienced the same will happily chime in. Don't be bashful...ask anything that comes to mind. xo, Beverly

For me it was truely one of the easiest surgeries to date. I've had bilateral mastectomy, chemo, radiation, reconstruction - then unknown radiation burns surfaced, so my reconstruction had to be removed because of the radiation damage, so technically another mastectomy.

My surgery was 12 hours - I too was very apprehensive about the lenght of time, but it worked out fine. Just try to stay busy with calming things to keep your mind in a peaceful state. I personally believe in the power of prayer and that was my saving grace.

The first 10 days were tough - Its a big surgery and frankly your just bone weary tired for a few days. Just give in to the tiredness and sleep, sleep, sleep so your body can heal itself. Because of the bikini incision, I could not lay flat for about 3 weeks because it would pull. Also, when I layed flat, my new breast felt very heavy against my chest. I also had to have assistance getting up and down for about a week, My suggestion, would be if you do not have a recliner, at least rent one if you can't buy - and get lots of pillows to prop under where you need it. I found the little travel pillows worked perfect in the chair. I also needed help getting dressed for about 2 weeks because of twisting and pulling - but I basically lived in my pajamas during that time (even for the first checkup)
You probably will need someone to help you at home for at least the first week.

I'm 8 weeks post op and back to my normal life. We used my belly fat (plenty left over from 2 children). I've lost 2 pant sizes, and my "girls" look great. It has really renewed my confidence to have a flat tummy again.

Even with the pain the first few days, it was soooo worth it and I would do it again in a heartbeat. Best of luck and keep us informed with your progress.

P.S. Incase your dr doesnt tell you to, the day you get home, start taking stool softeners. The pain pills will cause terrible constipation, then you will have a whole other issue to deal with.

Hi stylin,
I have a double and the DIEP flap, honestly I was more excited than scared because I knew it meant the cancer would be out of me. Being under for that long was fine, that's what great anesthesiologists are for. Mine was 12 hours, i think more stressful for my family waiting than for me. Stayed in the hospital for 5 days which went just fine.
When you get home, just remember to really take it easy, do not push yourself, let people help you. Make sure you are sleeping not fully flat, given if you try, you will know not too. I actually went and shopped for moomoos to wear....house dresses. haha at 27 years old, that was a fun thing to shop for to say the least. but, it was the best thing i could have done. easiest to deal with for your drains. here is a great site with a lot of good things to have, was a life savor for me: http://www.pinxwear.com/
i think the drains were the most annoying part to deal with, but just one of those things you have to do. just try not to get frustrated with everything, take it one step at a time.
this is a great community too, please feel free to ask any questions you need!

Hi eringobragh,
Thanks for the reply, I too am having the same surgery the (diep flap). I had lose my left breast last aug. due to cancer, At that time I wanted the dr, to take them both but he didnt feel comfortable . afer 2 lumpectomy, he finnaly had no choice to take the one, Well any how... i am having the right one remove and both reconstructed. I to am excited , yes just last week i was told about laying down flat. thanks about the moomoos advice, i will check it out. How long were out of work, and how would u rate the pain, Did they use stomach tissue or buttock.
Did you elect to have your nipple done and were you happy with the results. sorry.. I said i had a lot of question, Thanks for sharing

Iam having the deip flap done aug, 29th, a little scard... dont like the ideal of being put to sleep for 12 to 14 hours... but talking with you"s have helped. how many days did you spend in the hospital,, they are telling me just 3. how long were you off work, and did you do th e nipples, thanks for your advice

Hi there!
I'm sorry about them not listening to take both..,some just don't like to do that. My surgeons were happy with me doing it. I used my belly fat for mine. I unfortunately ended up getting an infection on my incision at home and the incision opened so we had to pack that like twice a day for about a month. Because of that I just wasn't able to go back to work as fast because I worked an hour from home and the drive would have been horrible. I would have been able to go back after a month I think if it didn't happen. My job was cool so I actually started working from home 2 weeks after my surgery. I would say it was a lot more discomfort than pain because your nerves are cut when you hve the surgery. It's painful when you get up from bed I would say. I will have my nipple done later this year as well as a lift and a touch up. Just all when I have some spare time to take a week off from work. To me it was no rush especially because everything was done at once. I wanted to drop some weight before I had the touch up surgery.

Thanks , the dr. wanted me to drop some wight too... but that hasnt happened, i stress way to much.. i had a dr,( the first one i went to see) tell me she wouldnt do the surgery unless i droped the weight. good luck with the nipples

Hi Stylin!

I am about 21 weeks out and I can finally see & feel more normalcy over the past couple weeks! I can wear normal bras (have to search) and have been in a 2 piece all summer! I still have some hard spots on my right side and swelling when I've done too much or had a long day. I was out of work about 8 weeks even with my incision opening, but only went back to a desk job at that time. I have not returned to coaching gymnastics yet, but going back next month. I think it depends on the job you have. I've had 2 back massages and a Cellutox Ocean Wrap with Morpho-Lymphatic Drainage treatment at a spa! Absolutely wonderful, especially for those who are still have bowel problems. Taking probiotics is great too and highly recommended! We have 25 ducts under each nipple, so if one is diagnosed with DCIS it is unlikely that they will have a "nipple sparing" mastectomy. They wouldn't let me keep mine. I was in the hospital for 4 days including surgery day, went home the 5th day. They had me doing exercises and walking from day 1 (after surgery), lifting my arms, going to the bathroom by myself, emptying my own drains, etc... so I enjoyed a big comfy t-shirt and yoga pants! The drains pinned to the pants. Walking was harder on my lower back than anything. Constipation was the biggest issue for me, I think cause they gave me so much iron in the hospital cuz they said I lost a lot of blood and they wanted to avoid a blood transfussion. I see the PS next week and I'm hoping he will be ready to discuss the next phase of my surgery. His initial period was 6-12 mos post surgery. October will be the 6 month mark. I don't know if we can leave #'s on this site, but I have no problem talking with anyone by phone if they would like to call me! C: 301-481-1410 Blessings and Hugs, Munchie