Hi All,
Hope you all had a good weekend and managed to keep cool.
Really pleased you are all doing well, it’s great to get all of your updates.
I had my appointment at the Lymphoedema clinic this morning. Saw a really nice nurse who did loads of measurements and asked loads of questions. He confirmed that my affected arm is over 13% larger than my good arm. Also he said that it can take 12 weeks for post surgery swelling to go down. So he has prescribed me a sleeve to wear and he is going to assess me again after the 12 weeks. He did let me try a sleeve on and it honestly felt quite nice to wear. It just felt quite nice to have some support on the arm. So I am hopeful that there might be some improvement still to come, fingers crossed.
Keep up the good work everyone.
All the best Angie x
Angie Beaniebaby
Good to know there is some light 
Hope he also told you not to lift weights with that arm! Glad you found the sleeve comfortable
Best wishes - take care
Liz x
hi ladies, hope you dont mnd me joining in. im due to have diep flap reconstruction on 21 st sept and im so scared. i have so many questions and would be so grateful to talk to someone who has been through it. After the op , how long was it before you could sit up or get out of bed? How long were you in hospital? and how long before you could stand up? Sorry for all the questions. Part of me is terrified and another part is desperate to get this brick out of my chest, i dont know what to think. thanks rita x
Hello Rita,
Welcome and great that you have got a date for your recon. You think that it will never happen and when you do get a date that is when the panic sets in.
I’m not going to lie Rita when I say that is a big operation to have BUT never for one minute have I regreted having done it.
I went down to theater at 8:30 am and was back on the ward at 9:00 pm, so a very long operation. From being back in a side ward (just 2 beds in) i was nursed constantly through that night. The new boob was checked, I think every 15 minutes with a small hand held ultra sound machine. You could hear the blood flowing through your boob which was very reasuring. I had a wonderful nuse with me all night who never left my side. I was on a special mattress that helped and had leg cuffs on to stop DVT. I remember being very comfortable and not in any pain, as i had a morphine pump which i could use. Also you have a catheter fitted untill you are more mobile.
The next day is a bit of a blur but i think they came and got me out of bed. As you might have several drains fitted depending on what your PS uses. The girl in the next bed had the same op. but her PS did’nt use drains and also used epidural pain relief.
The following day I had the catheter taken out and my drains put into a lovely shoulder bag (which i could carry round with me) and I was up and walking to the bathroom. You tend to walk hunched forward due to your abdomen op. This definatley did get better day by day and i was walking upright on my discharge day which was on day 6. Once you are mobile it gets easier for you.
There are some really good tips from all the other ladies on here who have been through the same op. and well worth reading.
I hope this has helped I would be more than willing to chat with you any time. It is so reasuring to talk to others who have been there and done that, so to speak.
Good luck and take care.
Angie x
Hi angle, thank you so much for replying. It’s so reassuring to talk to someone who has had the same op. I’m worried about so many things, as you say you wait for ever, (15 months, in my case) but now I have a date it’s real and I’m wondering if I’m doing the right thing. My daughter doesnt want me to have it done because it’s such a big op and I dont ‘need’ it, she’s right, I dont have to have it but can’t bear the thought of spending the rest of my life with this BRICK in my chest, I hate it so much. It’s good to know you don’t regret it. Also I’m probably quite old to have this surgery. I’m 63 but quite fit and there were no problems at my pre- op. When you woke up, did you have to lay flat or were you propped up? Did you wear a bra straight away? Was there anything you wished you had taken in to hospital with you? I actually feel a bit better now I’ve got all that off my chest, don’t think I’ve told anyone how scared I am. Thank you so much for talking to me, your answers were so reassuring best wishes Rita x
Hi Rita,
You are most welcome. I too had many comments as to why I wanted to put myself through such a big op. Well I felt exactly like you do, hated being without my breast. Every day in the shower I looked down and hated what I saw. Now every day I shower I just look at my new boob and love it!
Yes you will have to sleep propped up, but that is no problem in hospital because of the adjustable beds. When you get home you will need to stay propped up so will need loads of pillows to help. I invested in a V-pillow which was great. I can now sleep flat, just a bit uncomfy turning over. I am 7 weeks post op.
I didn’t have to wear a bra. I’m only B cup so it was fine for me. That was on my PS instructions. Also don’t let your age put you off. I will be 60 next year !
Have also brought some nice underwear, which I am loving.
If you get time to read back the previous posts you will also get lots of info. from the other lovely ladies on here. Very good info on what to take into hospital too.
I think thats all I can remember from you post. Sorry if I have forgot to answer anything else. Please ask me again.
All the best Angie
Rita you are certainly not old to have this surgery. I am only three years younger than you and had my diep last year. I felt just the same about the “brick” and like Angie love the new look. My family were unsure about my having this surgery as well but once they realised how much I wanted it were very positive too. I was extremely lucky in that my recovery from surgery was very good. Like Angie says it is a long op, mine was about nine hours but I can honestly say I was kept pain free afterwards. I had a morphine pump for the first 24 hours. I found the nursing care superb. I had constant attention for the first day as they need to check the blood supply frequently and you will need a bed bath for the first day at least. I was helped up the next day and sat in a chair. I was propped up in bed and also had a pillow under my knees to help the tummy wound. I had a single room for the first three days before being moved to a five bed bay. My catheter was removed on day 3 and from then on I walked around the ward and to the bathroom ok. By the time I left hospital I was almost upright when walking. I live alone so from then on I managed to do everything I needed just slowly and carefully. I absolutely have no regrets about the surgery. Pam x
hi thank you so much for your replies. petal5, im so glad to speak to someone who knows what i mean when i say i have a brick i my chest. i dont think anyone who hasnt had it can have any idea how uncomfortable it is. my daughter thinks i should just have the implant taken out and have nothing but i would hate that as much as the implant! at 63 you wouldnt think it would matter but it does. its been good to read all your comments about what to expect. im terrified on one hand and cant wait to get it over with on the other. i do feel more positive since you all replied .i had so many questions ,which you have answered. thank you so much for your support, i cant tell you how grateful i am. take care everyone, best wishes rita x
Hi Ladies
All is going well my new breast is softening and I love it!!!
I went to London yesterday for lunch with my daughters to visit friends and I felt so much more confident, I wish I had had this op ages ago.
Rita: I had the LD flap done with implant and had to have the implant removed, I was then just left with the flap and was not happy. You are the only one to make your decission but as you read the threads we all love our new breasts. I started this thread because I was so worried about the op etc, read my first comment.
Any help I can be just let me know, you will get great help from everyone on this site.
L
xxx
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Hi ladies I have been reading all your posts and am so relieved that you all seem to have no regrets. One of my biggest fears (other than not waking up from the anaesthetic!!) is that I would do it and regret it. I just can’t imagine how it will feel not to have the brick in my chest it’s sooooo uncomfortable. I just can’t wait for it to be gone. 21st sept can’t come quick enough for me as its on my mind all the time. I can’t seem to think about anything else. It’s very reassuring to read about other ladies experiences and I can’t tell you how much it has helped. Before I posted for the first time I felt so isolated so thank you for taking the time to reply to me best wishes Rita x
Rita
All you are thinking is what most of us thought prior to the op, and as you say we are all positive after the op
21st Sept will be here before you know it.
I have been driving and doing my housework etc (not as much as before op) but it makes me feel better. I have however had a couple of days when I feel tired and at night I start to wind down (as my OH says) so thats when I know to take it easy.
Referring to the past message re: sex, I still havent been able to get the motivation!!!
Hope everyone is recovering well and enjoying the long weekend
L
xxx
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I drove a car on Saturday for the first time since my op! I only drove a mile or so to the local shop and back but I did it! Didn’t hurt and I think I drove ok
How is everyone?
Hi Liz
Well done you, I was so looking forward to driving and when I did it was hard work!! I continued and am know back to normal driving around.
My wounds have now healed and I love my new breast and cant wait to have the next stage nipples!!! I am having another consultation in October sometime but whatever the outcome I want to wait until next year.
Littlerita
How are things with you, I hope you found help on the site
How is everyone else, I hope your all healing and recovering well and enjoyng the nice weather if you have it.
L
xx
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Hi All,
Hope you are all well and enjoying the sunshine (at last!)
Just returned from my 2 month check up with my Plastic Surgeon.
He was really, really pleased with the reconstruction. Seems I won’t need any further surgery to my other boob, as my new one is a very good match. Just going to have a nipple done later on. I have to go back in 3 months time for another check up when I will be put on the list for my nipple to be done.
I have a small lump near my armpit which hardened about 2 weeks ago. He seems to think it is fat necrosis, which I had guessed it was anyway. I am seeing my Breast Surgeon tommorow anyway just to be sure.
Well I am really pleased with things any way. I still have swelling in my arm and am going to the Lymphodema clinic on Monday for them to see if my sleeve fits correctly.
Hope every one is doing well too.
All the best.
Hi tinfish, I did find lots of help and advice on the site, thank you. It was helpful to read of other people’s experiences. I’ve just been away on a weeks holiday in Wales, trying to relax and not think about it. I nearly succeeded!! Came home Tuesday, and had a ct scan on weds at the royal free. Feels very real now, only a few more days and it will be next week!! I’m sure I will be fine but can’t help wondering if I’m doing the right thing. I keep thinking I might be uncomfortable in my chest but my tummy is ok, what if after the op I’m uncomfortable in both places? I’m sure it’s normal to have second thoughts, one lady saidthat she nearly did a runner on her way to hospital!! At least I feel prepared as I’ve bought all the things people recommend on the posts. Hope you are continuing to recover well, thanks for all yoursupport ,love Rita x
Hello ladies
Iweek going to be 6 weeks on Minday since my surgery andwounds healing well.
We’re in Cornwall enjoying the hot weather although went to local GP as had rash on my reconstructed breast.
Doctior said it was a heat rash and to take Piriton… I’m seeing my PS on Thursday so hope he says the same.
Will let you know how I get on.
Hope all ok.
Dani X
Hi all
Glad to know you are all doing well and that rash was nothing sinister Dani
I have got a question which I think I might talk to the BCC helpline about but before I do I thought I would run it past you guys…
Since my DIEP the area round my tummy wound is numb and for some reason this means that I can no longer tell accurately how full my bladder is - I asked the PS registrar at my 2 month checkup and he was embarrassed by the question and shrugged it off with a “it should not have affected that”. (making it seem like he thought I was deluded!) So what I want to know is whether anyone else is having same problem or is it just me? Maybe I need to go and see a urologist?
Good luck with your op Rita - try to hold on to the thought that you will have a nice boob and a cleavage
Best wishes all
Liz x
Hi Liz
From my experience of DIEP I can say categorically it has not affected sensation and I can always tell when bladder is full. Don’t be fobbed off by registrar and demand answers!
I’m seeing my PS on Thursday for 6 week follow up and need to know for sure if the rash was to do with heat as it’s now just a pinkish colour just on the side of the breast and not all around it.
Let us know how you get on.
Take care.
Dani
xx
Do I wait for my next follow up in 2 weeks or do you think I should see my GP and get things rolling now?
I would call your Surgeon’s secretary and try to bring your appointment forward. I would also call your GP for extra reassurance.
Dani
X