Hi ladies ,Im now worried as I had my delayed Diep 5 weeks ago & my PS said he didnt ant me to wear a girdle or big pants.So Im now worried as my tummy is distended above the scar and everyone on here seems to have been in a girdle.Now I wonder if its too late please help/advise.Debs
Hi Debzz1
Each surgeon would give different advice, but generally I understand most of DIEP patients were told to wear girdles or stomach binders after the drains are out for support. Some hospitals issue a type of girdle some dont. I bought my own surgical stomach binder from a pharmacy shop in London as my PS told me to wear support. My stomach has no problem with bulging or seroma. Perhaps you need to see your PS immediately to get assurance whether you need to wear stomach support and to check your bulging. Good luck.
Hi Debs,
I had my delayed diep 18 months ago, I had a stomach binder whilst in hospital but my PS said I didn’t need to wear it or support pants once I was home. My wound healed without problems and I have a lovely flat stomach.
As misspiggy said each surgeon is different and has their own likes and dislikes, if you’re worried about the swelling then perhaps, as suggested, you should get in touch with your PS.
Good luck.
Claire
Hi Deb,
I wasn’t advised to wear anything special after my diep. My scar is very flat and i’ve had no problems. I was also told not to wear any sort of bra for the first month or so as this could alter the shape of the new breast and was particularly warned against sports bras. My PS then gave me some special bras that she got from US, like sports bra but front opening so less pressure. You can buy these from through her website justg google, Elaine Sassoon.
Hi Debs
I am in the same quandry as you are except further down the line. (6 months) I too feel as though I should have been given a support. However, from the responses you have got, it seems as though everyone is different in terms of recovery.
I think that it makes sense to wear a girdle and have now bought one from a surgical shop. I think it is probably too late, but intend to ask my PS.
Why not make an appointment to see your surgeon and mention your anxiety and the responses you have received to your post (tactfully.)
As most surgeons seem to advise wearing a girdle, the ones that don’t must surely have a good reason.
Keep me posted how you get on.
Lotty
When I had my diep, Elaine cut away the worst of the RT damaged skin. I get occassional itching of my scar but mainly the breast area and rarely my tummy. In fact I get more itching in my caesarean scar which is 25 years old! Ruth the reconstruction nurse is really nice. She may give you Anna’s number who may be able to organise other people to meet you at the hospital during the day. I haven’t had too much involvement with the group as I can’t usually get to their meetings but i know that Anna has met people travelling by train to Norwich for their operation. And also, if you decide to go ahead some of us can visit you in hospital and offer support if necessary. She will also give you some phone numbers of people like me who’ve been through it, just to offer support etc.
Sounds like i had similar treatment to you although I had my mastectomy first.
Hi Debzz
I wasn’t given or told about a girdle but on last day in hospital I was advised to wear cycling shorts. I have done so but certainly don’t wear them 24/7 and have had the occasional off day. I should have asked how long they should be worn for but am having a check up tomorrow and will ask. I think I would prefer to buy an M & S girdle thing - my stomach is still quite distended so again something I will ask again about.
Meanwhile I am a bit concerned about lumps on my abdominal scar - will start another thread with this.
All the best
Twinmummy xx
Hi there twinmummy!! Weve chatted before havent we but if I remember right youre in my birthplace of leicestershire…hope Ive got that right lol.We had our op around the same time didnt we,shouldnt say this but it is a comfort to hear that your tummy isnt flat yet like mine.Also Im off to see my PS tomorrow,ive had seroma in my tummy scar area plus collection of blood in the new boob both get syringed.I really fancy getting some cycle shorts but im so swollen dont know what size to get…how many sizes bigger did you go for?Great to be back in touch - hows your back doing? All the best,take care Debs xx
Hi Debs and Twinmummy
I bought a really good girdle from M & S. You get 2 for I think £8. I pair beige and one pair black. They are cotton and pretty firm, but comfortable to wear. As well as being much cheaper than some of the other control pants. I started with a larger size than I normally wear and went down a size later.
Lotty
Hi Debs. Sounds like you’re recovering ok. I wasn’t advised to use a girdle but found one helpful for abdominal support only in the first few weeks and this I got from the physios. However really didn’t use after about 2-3 weeks. My tummy was distended for several weeks post op - I think there was a small amount of fluid but not anything that Mr hart was worried about, and my tummy has gradually gotten softer with time. For weeks, I could only wear loose fitting and slightly oversized trousers as that was all that felt comfortable. Couldn’t stand the pressure on my tummy. Unfortunately, due to the chemo and lack of exercise, I have now put on about a stone since my surgery, so I can’t really say I have a flat stomach! I am however hoping to rectify that once all the treatment is over.
Twinmummy, I also had some lumps on my scar and was told that this might have been from deep stitches reacting in the skin/scar. I was advised to massage the wound firmly with moisturiser after my shower/bath. It is better, but some areas are still not as flat as others.
Take care,
Sofadoc
H sofadoc Ive been trying to get hold of you…if you forward scroll you`ll find a message from me lol.Thaks for the above advise,I never thought of asking the physio,but might follow up Lottys choice as they sound comfy! Thanks Lotty…how are you coping with the chemo S ???Look forward to hearing your news,I see Mr Hart each time now due to some complications I had.Anyway Im on the right upward path now as my infections have cleared up.Did you get the MEL LIFE honey,as its corrected my low blood count & its had such brill write ups.Best wishes Debs
Hi Debzz, Sofadoc
Thanks for the info Sofadoc about your lumps and bumps - I will keep massaging. I go get annoyed about conflicting advice from hospital and wonder if anyone else had same. After first checkup was told by nurse to use E45 and massage in, a week later was told to us chlorafenic (not spelt right) which they gave me, which is eye ointment but good for scars.
Have been doing well but today more achey than usual though did my longest walk ever yesterday since op so thinking this is just the consequence of that.
Debs, I do indeed live in leicestershire, your birthplace (though far from my own birthplace of Newcastle on Tyne). Sorry to hear of your problems post op too - here’s hoping we both have flatter tummies soon though in my case that will depend on me cutting out my ‘treat’ of maple and pecan danishes!!
xx