Hello everyone
I have not posted on here for over a year and a half - although I do bob on quite regularly to see how everyone is doing.
This site helped me massively when going through left mast, chemo, radio, herceptin etc. (Shirleyspain if you’re reading this, how are you ?)
My question is has anyone undergone Diep recon at Wythenshawe hospital ?
I have just had my consultation with the ps and just awaiting the scan to locate the blood supply in my tummy. He said the op would be around late Summer this year (yikes).
I would love to hear about anyone’s experiences at the above hospital.
Thank you for reading and love and best wishes to all
Sue xxx
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hi,
yes, i had a DIEP at wythenshaw about 5 weeks ago.
happy to answer any questions you may have.
izzy xxxx
Hi Izzy
Thank you so much for your response - oh I don’t know where to start !
I’m with the same ps - he does seem very experienced - I asked him how many DIEPS he’d carried out and he said he’d lost count !
How was your treatment post op ? (only reason I ask is I had a bit of a bad experience at a different hospital following my mast, so slightly paranoid now.)
How are your results 5 weeks post op and how is your recovery going ?
I do realise it’s a big op and I know it does knock you for six but I’m sooo looking forward to it and it’s lovely to be able to ask questions and gain some knowledge from someone who’s been through it.
Many thanks again Izzy and I look forward to your response.
Sue xxx
hiya,
well, where do i start???
the care and concern from the ps downwards was great, no complaints.
the op itself, well, ouch ouch ouch.
the night before you get written on with a felt tip, very embarrasing but the ps has seen lots of flabby tummies!!!
when you awake…OOOOFFFFFF!!!
the first few days are agony and messy and sweaty. they keep you very warm and in bed.lots of pain killers, dont be afraid to ask for meds.
after a few days it starts to tighten up across an already bent over tight tummy.my breast looks normal except i have a circle of tummy skin where my nipple used to be.different colour and texture, i have a big tummy scar from hip to hip but already it is healing well. take care for the first month, it pulls towards evening so rest rest rest.
inside the breast is your belly flap so it feels very hard and weird.this is begining to melt away(literally i think).i had lots of drains when i awoke and little holes in me where they were.
you are in good hand with this ps and his team.its a long op but recovery has been fairly rapid, 5 weeks later i am beginning to feel well again and wear normal clothes.
sadly, i have to start chemo based on my biopsy results , but the surgery part…go for it.happy to talk on this subject more if you have any questions at all.
xxx izzy.
ps my tummy is as flat as a pancake.
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Hya Izzy - gosh it sounds like you’ve been through the mill and got a way to go. Did you have an immediate recon or was it delayed after a mastectomy ?
I’m the other way round and have ‘done’ the chemo bit etc - so maybe I could help you if you have any questions at all about that - just ask away.
You’ve described your experience with honesty and it’s much appreciated - you made me laugh with some of your descriptions 
Basically having done a bit of research, I kinda expected the majority of what you’ve said - I know what you mean about the embarrasing flabby tummy - the ps kept grabbing it and squeezing it when he initially examined me - I’ll be glad to get shot of it and well looking forward to a pancake tummy - bring it on !!!
You sound like you’ve done brilliantly with your recovery so far and if I think of anything else, I hope you don’t mind if I ask you and as I said if you want to ask anything about the chemo, don’t hesitate(I had 4 x FEC and 2 x TAX) - you’ve put my mind at rest and been really helpful.
Nite nite and take care
Sue xxx
Hi Sue x I am 2 weeks post diep flap op at Wythenshawe. I went into hospital the afternoon before the op, I met with the ps again and he marked my body with a felt tip. I asked for a sleeping tablet that night which they gave me as I knew I wouldn’t sleep. They woke me about 630am and I had a shower and put on my gown etc. I requested a sedative before the op which did help as I felt less anxious. I was in theatre for 11 hours but have absolutely no memory of it. I felt great when I came round. I was taken to a side room on the ward, they do this as they have to keep you warm to ensure the new tissue doesn’t fail. The heat was quite intense especially the first night, it was provided by a ‘bear hugger’ - much like an electric blanket. The heat was reduced gradually and by day 3 it was normal room temperature. I had 4 drains in 1 either side of each breast and 2 on my lower abdomen, I had these removed on day 4 and 5. I had the op on a fri and came out the following wed, it all depends on the removal of the drains. The staff were all fantastic and treated me with respect and dignity. I was discharged with anti biotics to take for a few days and some pain killers. 2 weeks on and I am doing ok, I have been chilling in the sunshine, covering my scars obviously but I am able to move around and do minimal tasks. I get tired in the evening so just chill on my bed. I am still quite tender and my breasts have felt quite hard but this appears to be quite common. My breasts are more lifted than they previously were and are currently around the same size, I am expecting them to shrink a bit as they are still swollen. My stomach is flatter than it has ever been!!! As advised I have been constantly wearing a sports bra and Spanx support knickers that come high up over my stomach which proves to be hot in this weather !! I went to friends party yesterday to watch the wedding, the change of scenery did me good. It’s still early days but I am pleased with the results so far and the pain was bearable and worth tolerating. Wishing you all the best xx any other questions feel free to ask xx
Take care
Karen xxx
Forgot to add, I had a tattoo of a fairy on my stomach (a moment of madness years ago) this now has replaced the skin where my nipple once was!!! The ps said I was the 1st one he’d done with a tattoo!! I may go down in history!! Lol x
Hi Karen
Thank you very much for your detailed and very informative post.
The more I read from recently post op ladies and their positive experiences, the more at ease and less nervous I feel - although I do realise it’s not all plain sailing, but the message that comes through very clearly is ‘it’s sooo worth it’.
I hope you don’t mind me asking Karen, but where did you get the advice about post op support pants and which sports bras were the most suitable ?
I read your post on another thread about how hard and sore your breasts are at the mo - I hope this is easing for you now and it does seem, reading other’s experiences, that it’s quite common and does ease with time.
Wishing a full and speedy recovery and so pleased for you that you are happy with the results.
Love and take extra care of yourself
Sue xxx
Forgot to add Karen - how lovely to have the fairy in place of your nipple ! I would have loved to be a fly on the wall to earwig into the conversation about that during your op 
Love Sue xxx
Hi Sue x When I had my pre op assessment the nurse advised me to buy a sports bra, I originally bought one from Asda but found it to be quite painful on the sides, I have ended up with a Sloggi one from Debenhams which cost £12.50 which is more comfortable. I was advised to wear it all the time (including sleeping in it) for about 6 - 8 weeks. My friend had a tummy tuck a few years ago and was given a bodice to wear so when I was in hospital I asked the physio, she said they don’t give them to patients but advised me to wear the support pants, I have found the ‘shorts style’ ones that come high up just under my breasts to be the most comfortable rather than just the knicker style ones. My favs are from Matalan, I keep them on all day but don’t sleep in them. When I visited the dressings nurse she was very impressed !!! She again told me to keep wearing them for about 8 weeks. My breasts are still hard and tender but my tummy is alot less painful now. Feel free to ask any more questions x take care x
Karen xx