Hi ladies,
I am post op 3 weeks today, had bilateral diep flap but they did have to use some muscle as well to get right side to reconnect!!!
The op was a massive 12.5 hours and then had bad reaction to the morphine, but im doing okay now out of hospital!
Just wondered how long it took for tummy to stop feeling havent given me binders or anything, and the new boobs are healing well, I have got two open wounds on tummy scar which arent nice at moment!! I am thinking I am rushing things but not sure how soon to be trying sleeping in other positions??? HELP!!
Also havent been told to do any exercises or anything yet???
Did anyone else have problems with their elbows as when i came round in recovery I was in agony and my arms had locked and still cant straighten them yet.
I am not a very patient person and with two kids (3 and 5) want to be back on my feet but am I expecting too much too soon??? have my mum ehre fopr another week but not sure if im going to need help after that. the school is a 5 minute walk but at the moment seems a million miles away!!
Hope someone can help
Nicki
I am surprised you haven’t been told to do any exercises. I had LD flap recon but was given the leaflet “Getting fitter, feeling stronger” produced by Breast Cancer Care. You should be able to download it from this website, or ring them up for a copy. I started basic exercises the day after surgery.
Have you told your surgeon or BCN about your problems? You could also ring the BCC helpline, I’m sure they could advise you better than I.
I hope things improve for you soon.
Julie
Dear Nicki
Here is the link to the publication which bluebird mentioned:
breastcancercare.org.uk/upload/pdf/LP_Exercise_booklet_v2.pdf
You can also order a DVD of the exercises.
Our Helpline is open from 9-5 on weekdays and 9-2 on Saturdays. The Helpliners will be able to give you information and support.
Very best wishes
Janet
BCC Facilitator
Hi Nicki,
Sorry that you are struggling.
I am also 3 weeks post surgery ( mx with expander recons). I am surprised that you didn’t get a physio visit when on the ward. You could ring your BCN and try to get an appointment arranged for you. The exercises I have been given have been really good and though I am still sore it is better each day.
I hope you are feeling better soon.
Sue
Hi Nicki
I had my reconstruction nearly two years ago and like you should have had Diep but they also used muscle from tummy for blood supply, so you may have actually had a Tram flap recontruction where they also put a mesh in the tummy to strenthen the muscle wall. I also had problems with morphine and a 12 hour operation and problems healing. It is very early days, recovery time for this type of operation is three months,sleeping can be a problem and I continued to sleep on my back until I was fully healed. Are your open wounds on the tummy being checked by nurse? They will take time to heal and for this reason you need to take it easy and take up all offer of help. As for exercise I was given simple exercises to do in hospital whilst recovering and continued to do them until I got stronger. I would ask for a referal to a phsiotherapist for your arms via GP or your plastic surgeon.
If you have any questions - fire away. I’m very pleased with my reconstruction even though I have had lots of problems - due to have a nipple reconstruction soon.
Very best wishes to you
Sharon
Hi there
Elbows were the most painful thing, especially with trying to lever myself out of bed post DIEP!!! It’s where your elbows were left in a straight position for 12hrs plus with no muscle tone whilst under anaesthetic.
I had a double diep and Mx in January. Fortunately I kept all my muscle, but they did sew up my rectus muscle where it had stretched during pregnancy. This was a bit uncomfortable for a while.
You should be doing gentle exercise with arms/shoulders to stop them stiffening up. In addition, I walked myself back to health by doing a bit each day and adding a bit more on a daily basis. That way I could see that i was making good progress on a daily basis. After a caesarian you can do simple tummy exs after 6 weeks. I used that as a guideline too and have been doing a few core strengtheners since then.
At 10 weeks post op I walked round New York for 5 days on a holiday and it was easily achievable. At 12 wks I had an ankle op and have been propelling myself around on crutches, using pectorals and abdominals to excess. Bit sore, but hey!
Seriously, do some exercises as they make all the difference to a good recovery, both for your body and your brain. Golden rule, if it hurts a tiny bit, carry on, if it hurts a lot, stop!
Good luck, Nicky x
Hi Nikki, hope you are doing ok. I had diep surgery to both breasts on the 15th April, so I am 2 wks post op. I am doing ok but like you I have 2 young children so I am wanting to run before I can walk. I was given some simple physio exercises to do but my biggest problem at the moment is how hard and tender my breasts feel at the moment. I had the dressings removed on Weds and I asked the nurse about it, she said she didn’t think it was an infection as they are not red or hot. She said that it is likely to be internal bruising. Have you had the same experience? I didn’t have any problems with my arms but I did have alot of fluid in my hands and feet due to the op being 11 hours. Let me know how you are getting on, take care x
Karen 39 xx
Thanks for all the comments ladies, I am now 5 weeks and doing okay, can now lift a kettle again yipee!!! as huge tea drinker!!
Ive now accepted it is going to take time, elbows are okay now still a bit tender, and movement in my arms is good.
Still got two open scars on my tummy and get so tired quickly!! But starting to manage to do little things again now.
It has been so worth it…
Thanks for all your comments xxxx
Hi karen, Mine were quite hard for a few weeks and this week I actually thought they are starting to feel like breasts again, i think it is all about time… I am still needing help with school runs as cant walk too far and still not able to drive, but am managing kids for breakfast and after school now, i had loadsd of build up of fluid and did take a few weeks to go, its all going into a bit of a blur now. But if its any consolation ive been out for dinner, went to swimming lessons this morning and am starting to live again but still need a daily nap!!!
Take care xxxxx
Hi sunnysmile,
I had LD-flap recon. But I remember my breast feeling hard for quite a while. It reminded me of how your breasts feel when they are engorged in the first mornings after giving birth. It gradually got softer and now, 3 months on, feels much softer, although it is still firmer and higher than my other. But all lools ok in a bra.
Julie
Nicki and Julie, thank you for your comments you have reassured me x glad to hear you are both doing well, it gives me strength to know that there is light at the end of the tunnel xx Nicki - is your tummy still swollen?
Regards Karen xxx
Nicki and Julie, thankyou for your comments you have reassured me and given me strength to see light at the end of the tunnel.
Nicki - is your tummy still swollen, if not when did it go down?
Glad you are both doing well xx
Take care
Karen xxx