I have just gone through a marathon of surgery of 15 hours at Royal Marsden Sutton. Apparently I am their first DIEP patient. I had a left breast SSM followed by an immediate DIEP reconstruction on 8th October. The surgery took much longer as I was told that my breast or chest perforators (veins) were small and not good enough for the blood flow. The micro surgeons had to harvest the vein from my left arm for a good result. I am very grateful for the dedication of the surgeon teams and their staff for battling this on. I know I am still a long way to be out of the woods, what with getting the pathology test result next week and whether the flap is all going to be OK.
My drains were removed on day 4 and I learned to walk therearter. I was allowed home after 5 days when the surgeons saw my progress, 2 days earlier than scheduled. I am taking it easy as walking and standing are still painful for my back because you hunch after the DIEP.
I thought to share a bit of my tips with those who are going to have DIEP. I would say, couging and sneezing are to be avoided - it is very painful for your stiches. Ask visitors with cold or flu to delay their visit. Drink plenty of fluid or water and take Vit C. Always put two pillow under your thigh when in bed, reduce stretching the stomach. Lots of big inhales and exhales to exercise your lungs. Roll on your side with bended knees when getting in and out from bed. Surprisingly, a bit of lipstick and make up would make yourself feel better. Takes each days as it comes. There are a lot of discomfort, but hopefully they would fade away in time.
My biggest problem is sleeping. I have not been sleeping well before and after the surgery. No amount of hot cocoa or horlick drinks would help. Any suggestion? I was given sleeping pills but it was only good for 3 hours per night. I think a good night sleep would help the healing a lot more. It is another 5 weeks before I can resume normal mobility.
Sounds a real ordeal but you have got through it. I have awful veins too so I can appreciate that is not a great help when it comes to cancer treatment
I also had 15 hours surgery for SSM, immed DIEP and ax clearance on 23 Sept at Addenbrookes Cambridge. I went in on the mon night and was terrified and almost changed my mind! The staff were great and gave me sleeping tabs, and woke me up at 6.30am to give me diazepam - wonderful stuff! I was taken down to surgery at 8am and woke up in recovery at 11pm. The worst thing was saying goodbye to my OH on mon night and not seeing him again until wed morning.
The reason why mine took so long was not my veins as they said mine were excellent, but my boob and nipple were on the small side, so it took them longer to work in and out of the small circle opening left by my original areola. The surgeons and nursing staff were so good to me and I was well enough to leave the next mon 6 days after op. I had to go home with one drain still in my tummy, but this was taken out the next week.
It took me a while to decide on this recon, as it is really scary when they tell you exactly how it works and all the things that can go wrong, but I am really surprised at how well and how quickly I have recovered. The first week at home was tough, especially with the drain still in, but after that was out I felt that I could do anything! They keep saying at least 6 weeks recovery, but after 3 weeks I feel great. I have to stop myself doing things and I do still get quite tired, and of course I am def not up to doing any housework!!
I got my path report 2 weeks after op, and start chemo on 5 Nov. I am getting really nervous and anxious about this, but am thinking that I expected the worst with the op, and it really wasnt that bad, and so mybe the chemo will be the same!
I have had trouble sleeping since my diagnosis, and have been on sleeping tabs since then. I tried not to take them one night and did not sleep a wink! I told my GP I was worried about being on them for so long, and she said if I need them take them as my body really needs the sleep. Have you asked your GP about trying a different one? I am on Zopiclone.
Glad to hear you recovered so fast. Sometime you can over do things, so take it easy. My plastic surgeons told me that it would take 6 weeks for the tissue to heal properly. One plastic surgeon warned me not to push it too much as she has stiches opened wounds of some patients. But great to hear your progress and that you are doing so well. How is your walking now?
I am sorry that you have to start chemo. But I am sure they will look after you well at the hospital, nevertheless I fully understand your anxiety. I would feel the same too.
I had my dressing changed today at Royal Marsden for the 1st time. All those horrible plasters were removed and my skin can breath. The nurse told me that my wounds heal well. I am so surprised to see there is no bruising at all? I can walk quite a distance now considering it was only 12 days since I was operated on, I must remind myself not to get too cocky about my mobility. Or my OH would stop nursing me and tell me to get on with the housework But I hope this would give encouragement to those who are going to or about to have a reconstruction surgery, that speedy recovery is possible and that despite the major trauma - our body can bounce back.
i have the same Zopiclone. it’s a bit bitter in the throat. Be careful not to take it too often. I am sleeping better the last 3 days, thank goodness. My body needs it. How about trying soft gentle soothing music with earplugs/MP3, not too loud, just soothing?
Am seeing the consultant and getting my path result tomorrow, am a bit worried too. Keep my fingers crossed.
Good luck with your chemo treatment, let me know how you get on. Big hugs.
I am about to have mastectomy possibly double and iv chosen to have DIEP FLAP RECONSTRUCTION SURGERY at the Chelsea marsden I have a reacurance of my breast cancer in the same right breast after lumpectomy and chemotherapy and radiotherapy 11 yrs ago I am seriously considering double as I just want no chance of this demon coming back! Please would anyone else give me there personal experience of this operation and what to expect I’m so worried .
But I hope this would give encouragement to those who are going to or about to have a reconstruction surgery, that speedy recovery is possible and that despite the major trauma - our body can bounce back.