eringobragh14

DIEP Flap Turned out Amazing - Los Angeles, CA

Hi Crystal, sorry no I'm not a sports person haha. You can always give a doctor from the Cancer Center for a 2nd opinion on aftercare and wound healing. It wouldn't hurt you know?

Yes the swelling is really normal...mine were Huge compared to before surgery due to swelling. Takes a few months to fully get down to size. Ugh I'm sorry that happened to you but you are only 10 days out so just let everything run its course and rest. I had a few gross complications but it happens and everything is perfect now. Where are you located?

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

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.

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!