Not long to go till my surgery, the medics keep telling me it’s a big surgery with a long recovery so I’m feeling quite apprehensive and the countdown is on. Does anyone have any first hand practical tips for recovery or words of encouragement please? It’s all a bit daunting so in need of some positivity
Hi There,
I had the exact same surgery in April and I’m really happy with the results! It takes a while to adjust to your new body but it happens faster than you’d think.
Everyone is different but I personally found the stomach wound far worse than the actual boob. It really affected my mobility more than I thought, so bearing this in mind I would recommend buying a little pouch bag to keep all the bits and pieces you would like to have easy access to. I kept mine in the bed with me so I could reach it at all times…. Earplugs, eye mask, phone, book, lip balm etc. My mouth was REALLY dry after the surgery so I would also suggest packing some mints or sucky sweets!
Once I was home I invested in a wedge type pillow to use under my normal pillow to keep me upright at nighttime and an extra pillow for under my knees. Our loo is really low so we also bought a loo seat booster thing which was pretty depressing but helped so much.
I’m quite petite and my stomach was pulled VERY tight (the surgeon actually said ‘we had to yank you shut!!!) so it could be that I struggled with the mobility/core more than most.
That being said, it is a big operation and you need to be kind to yourself. Take advantage of the time it takes and really try to relax!
The new boob feels very alien and hard at first but once you’re allowed to massage it this really does help. It gets softer and softer as time goes on.
I hope that’s helpful and not to rambling!
Xx
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Thank you @fler-m this is a very encouraging and non rambling response. Thank you for the practical tips and positivity. There’s no getting away from this being a big deal but it helps in the run up to think there’s are things I can do to improve things. If not heard about the hard boob thing so great to be forewarned. Hope you’re feeling straightened out and back to normal now x
Yes it feels very odd at first as the tummy tissue isn’t as soft as normal breast tissue. It initially feels very solid, lumpy and stiff. But honestly the massaging makes a world of difference albeit slowly. I bought some really nice skin repair oil by Viridian which smelt really nice and I would (and still do!) spend the evenings watching tv rubbing away!
X
Hi, I had mine done on Thursday, smx and diep flap with opposite symmetry surgery, so writing this from my hospital bed.
The bag of essentials is such a good tip and one I wish I’d thought about.
I’m definitely finding the lack of movement the worst thing, the pain is manageable and actually less than I was expecting. The first few hours I did wonder what the hell I’d done to myself but every day is getting better now I’m able to get up and move round unaided. The hospital I’m in is over an hour on a good traffic day so visitors are limited for me and the boredom is the worst, so take lots to keep you occupied xxx
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Thanks @tori123 hope you continue to feel more and more mobile. The whole being stitched up bent and banana like thing has me completely thrown, glad to hear it’s not too debilitating. Wishing you a speedy recovery x
Hi, i got sent home today, a day earlier than expected which is great.
I’m not too bent over but i had plenty of stomach to work with which may have helped 
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Great news. Hope you’re comfortably settled at home in your own bed. I have a substantial spare tyre so hoping that will help me out 
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I had a mastectomy with diep 5 weeks ago and honestly, it was much better than I was expecting. I couldn’t move the first two days and needed help moving in and out of bed. I was discharged from hospital on day 3 and pain was completely manageable. I didn’t take any pain meds after day 4. Stomach felt tight and was a challenge for movement but you will see a physio after your surgery who will advise how to get in/ out of bed and exercises to do daily. You will also have limited range of motion in your arm so make sure you have some help around the house - just reaching for a cup to make tea isn’t as simple!
Armpit is very numb and I massage my breast daily as it feels hard and tight.
Life savers for me straight after the surgery: a rich lip balm, lidded sippy cup (so you can drink water whilst lying in bed day 1-3!) and an electric toothbrush as I’m right handed and that was my affected arm. Also slippers so you can walk about and not have to worry about socks. I’m still unable to bend and touch my toes right now so easy shoes to slip in and out off for when you are leaving the hospital.
I also wish I’d thought to be smarter with my hair during surgery. I used a bobble to tie my hair up over my head and there was a horribly painful sore spot on my head post surgery for a good 2 days where it must have pressed into my scalp for the 5-7 hours the surgery took. I would definitely invest in a silk scrunchie or something super soft.
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Thank you @zara_xo great tips and very reassuring. So happy for you that your recovery is going well. Did it take long for you to be able to get out for walks on your own?
Hi I’m day 7 and feel like I could do short walks on my own, except I’m notorious for overdoing things and have been threatened by my family not to go out without someone
Still struggling getting in and out of bed, and very swollen, but I can cope without pain killers most of the time.
@zara_xo can i ask how long it took for everything to look the correct shape, if you know what I mean?
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@tori123 that’s really good to hear thank you. Wishing you a speedy recovery and I hope everything settles down for you soon x
It took about a week - they will encourage you to walk as much as possible. I started slowly at home and then as my confidence improved I went out close to home, and started increasing distance slowly. I’m still walking pretty slowly (I was a fast paced walker!) and slightly bent over as my tummy still feels very tight but I try to remember it’s only been a few weeks. Good luck to you!
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The shape looks fine (fuller than my other breast but I’m fine with this, in fact wish my own breast looked as full but I was told swelling could last months). It’s bumpy and lumpy because of swelling in places, which I’ve been told to massage daily. Your reconstruction should loosely match your other breast.
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