Preparing for a DIEP Flap Reconstruction
Hi everyone,
I'm 2 months out from DIEP Flap Reconstruction. I'm doing a delayed reconstruction on the left (had a total left mastectomy 12/24) and also getting a right mastectomy and immediate reconstruction on the right.
I'd love any tips on what to have or buy to support recovery from this surgery. I understand that recovery is very difficult. Any tips on support with sleeping, moving around, showering, going up and down stairs, and day-to-day life in the weeks following surgery?
I have 2 little boys — at the time of my surgery, they will have just turned 4 and 6 years old. Luckily, my mom, dad, and husband will help with the boys quite a bit. I plan to take 2.5 weeks off from my full-time work-from-home job, which involves sitting at a computer. I'm much more concerned about my life with my kiddos than I am about my job, since it is literally just sitting.
Thank you!
Comments
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Welcome, @viehmannkl! We're so sorry you find yourself here, but we're glad you've joined this community and hope you find it to be a source of support and encouragement through this next phase of your treatment.
Recovery can be difficult, but it sounds like you'll be surrounded by an excellent support system! We found two threads that you may find helpful - they are threads focused on surgery prep and recovery, full of advice and info from community members who went through the same surgery. We're sure you'll find some tips that will be helpful in the days leading up to and after your surgery!
We're all here for you, now and during your recovery!
The Mods
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@viehmannkl Sorry for the late reply - I'm not this site as frequently these days. I had a BMX with immediate DIEP flap recon 5 1/2 years ago - I was 62, in good health other than the BC, but not very fit and had only quit smoking less than 6 months before the surgery. I did have some wound healing issues and a lot of post-operative sensitivity and nerve pain for several months but all cleared up in less than a year. Because of my issues I took off from work for 2 full months, then worked part time for a few weeks before going back full-time (desk job and work was 100% remote at that time during pandemic). Had fat grafting twice - note that you will not be able to assess the results and determine if fat grafting is needed for around 5 to 6 months - my PS wouldn't talk about revision, fat grafts until that point in time. Minimal discomfort, a little bruising from the 2 fat grafts which were done 1 year and around 18 months after initial surgery. Despite everything I am so glad I opted for DIEP, recon breasts look and feel natural to the touch (no real breast sensation to me of course, just skin sensation). A few recommendations - you won't be able to lift anything more than 5 pounds or raise up arms above shoulder for like 2 week - put whatever you need at counter height - I totally cluttered my dining room table and kitchen counters and very glad I did so. Accept all the help your family and friends offer - don't be 'strong' or 'brave' - you need to heal, then you can reciprocate when you are well again. If you don't have a power recliner chair consider renting one - I slept in mine for 6 weeks at least. Your insurance should pay for a walker - you'll need one for a few weeks, a raised toilet seat frame - you'll need that too, and hopefully visiting nurse and in-home physical therapy as mine did for a few weeks - the social worker at your hospital will be able to help, contact the social worker beforehand if you can to get things rolling. I stayed in the hospital for 5 days - that is the standard of care in UK and Canada and I pushed my insurance company to cover it and they did. I really think that helped a lot with the initial healing. If you don't already have a 'breast/chest buddy' type cushion and travel by car consider getting one - I didn't see that brand on Amazon anymore but saw this one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DDJ4TRR7/ref=sspa_dk_detail_0?pd_rd_i=B0DDJ4TRR7&pd_rd_w=WqBzJ&content-id=amzn1.sym.bbb3fb5e-28ad-4062-a3ba-1f7b9f2e4371&pf_rd_p=bbb3fb5e-28ad-4062-a3ba-1f7b9f2e4371&pf_rd_r=5EDK51H5C1HYEKJ7NSTS&pd_rd_wg=6zmgR&pd_rd_r=d4f6871e-9dab-457f-beff-66e599ff1d67&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWxfdGhlbWF0aWM&th=1 For showering you'll want a drain holder - I had so many drains...waterproof fabric is best for when you shower, hopefully you have this from the first surgery or are handy and can make one or find one online. I mostly lived in loose, flowing housedresses for the first 6 weeks, wore loose wide band yoga pants and loose button-down shirts when I needed to go out. Boy-cut leg, high-cut waist cotton underpants worked best, at least a size larger than usual. You'll be quite swollen in the belly as well as the recon breasts. This front-close bra worked best for me after I ditched the post-surgical bra: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00H9MWZ6E?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1&psc=1 I had to wear a terribly uncomfortable binder for many weeks post-surgery - I wore a men's large cotton T short under it because my skin and nerves belly area became very sensitive as I mentioned. I was allowed to switch to a spanx-like garment, high waist, for the compression - this one worked well for although I see current reviews aren't very good, again, get something like this assuming your PS wants compression, Order a really large size. My usual size in clothes is medium, at time of surgery I was 5'2 and close to 160 lbs to maximize available fat. I've heard there are some PS that don't require compression think that is rare, anyway here's the garment and I ordered size "X-Large to XX-Large" for reference - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07V535SSC?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1&psc=1
Hope everything goes well for you and please don't be put off by what I had in terms of healing - you are far younger, hopefully never smoked and with 2 young children very likely more fit than me, and I have even read about some women around my age who were back to close to normal activity within a month. Best wishes for a quick recovery and good outcome! Any question feel free to message me.
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