Hi all, last Saturday I had mastectomy with diep flap recon and I was just wondering when I may be standing up straight? I’m much better than at first but still hunched over a week on.
I’m not rushing the process, just curios. I have a post op meeting with my surgeon on Thursday and logistically will be hard walking around the hospital if I’m still bent over.
Thanks and sorry if it’s been asked before x
Hi, I had DIEP flap right side in April, and I will say this - so many people told me two weeks - nurses, other patients etc. However it took me more like 4 weeks. I say this not to alarm you I promise, just to say that everyone is different, I think different in terms of how much is taken away, if it was easy to access the blood vessels in your abdomen or if they had to rummage around in your muscles for them! I thought I was failing for a while until I saw an out of hours plastic surgeon for an issue with my boob, and I mentioned it to him that I wasn’t upright then. He explained what I just said there, everyone is different physically so it varies. Two weeks might be average or best case scenario but try not to worry if it’s a bit longer. For my first couple of trips to outpatients I used a wheelchair as it was too far to walk from the car. I wish you all the best for your recovery xx
Thanks @runnerjen for hats really helpful. I may get a wheel chair at the hospital Thursday. I think that may be easier!!
Hi 
I had my single mx and diep reconstruction just over 4 weeks ago. My walking is better now but what did help me to walk more upright and also helped my back was 2 walking sticks. Honestly they were brilliant. I’m practically upright now and no need to use sticks unless I’m walking a little further. X x
I was almost upright after the physios got me up, but i was told that it depends on how much fat you had because you might be tighter if you had less. I had ample tummy fat so perhaps not so tight. However, the physios probably gave you exercises to help you gently recover core strength and get moving. I found it hard at first, but by 2 weeks I think I was quite straight. In the first 2 weeks i tended to lean forward slightly, although i could stand upright, but chose to lean as it was comfier.
I had left DIEP on 28th August and still not fully upright! Like you I wanted to know when because the backache was something else from bending over - almost worse than the tummy pain.
Hang in there.
I had some good advice which was when sitting or laying, take some deep breaths all the way into your tummy to gently stretch. Don’t do it if it hurts though. Hope you’re doing better now x
Hi, I was hoping to get some advice from you all who have had mastectomy and reconstruction. I was diagnosed with breast cancer (left) last August and had a lumpectomy, which was to be followed by radiotherapy, then hormone therapy. Unfortunately my margins weren’t clear so I’ve had to have two further wide excisions, which are still not showing clear margins. So I will need a mastectomy. I’ve got an appointment with one of the oncoplastic surgeons to go through options, but really interested in your thoughts around silicone vs. DIEP (or other ‘flap’ types). I know everyone is different, but one surgeon had said a silicone would need replacing in 10-15 years, whereas I’ve heard from people who have had them for over 20 years with no issues. I know it will ultimately be my decision as to what’s right for me, but interested in others experiences. Thank you
Hi @sthur194 I went for diep flap reconstruction. My plastic surgeon said it’s the gold standard of reconstruction as tour body responds well to its own tissue and it feels just like my boob.
It’s a long recovery and although I had my surgery in August I’m still getting used to how my body feels as it’s not just your boob that’s changing. It’s your belly as well.
I 
so happy I went for this option. I bemeive it was totally right for me and I live how really my breast feels and looks.
It’s a big choice though so take your time. I never wanted an implant. I saw some in a show and tell session and I could see the ones which were implants and I knew it just wasnt for me.
Feel free to DM me if you want any specific details about the process x
Hi @motherducky thanks so much for sharing your experience and I’m so pleased that you’re so happy with the result. Yes lots of information to take in, but it’s really helpful hearing from people who have been through it. Wishing you all the best for continued positive recovery x
I know it’s a hugely personal decision but I chose immediate DIEP flap reconstruction and I am very happy with the outcome. It is a big operation to get over, I was in theatre maybe 10 hours, but I was surprised to find I managed on paracetamol as it didn’t hurt like I imagined it would.
I had a small area of skin that blistered after surgery, and it took longer to heal than normal as I had a hidden haematoma but even though it took longer to heal the result is brilliant. It might come down to the skill of your plastic surgeon and what they have to work with.
I had my surgery in April and the scars are fading now. I am doing distance running, training for a marathon and loving my flat tummy! I don’t know what the stats are like for satisfaction with this op but I am happy I went for it. I wish you well in deciding what to do, it is such a difficult decision with no easy options, I just wanted to offer my experience of it but not wishing to sway you either way. I hope you have the best outcome possible. X
Hi @runnerjen wow what an inspiration! Thanks so much for sharing your story and I’m so pleased that you’re happy with the result. It sounds like your recovery has gone well. I’ve been doing research ahead of meeting the plastic surgeon next week. Both yours and @motherducky experiences have been really helpful to read, thanks so much. Wishing you all the best with your marathon and continued recovery x
That’s another part I’m anxious about is the length of the operation. I have a fear of General Anaesthetic and although I’ve had 3 recently which have been fine, it feels such a long time to be ‘under’. It’s something I’ll speak with the surgeon about. How long were you in hospital afterwards? And how long did it take to get back to ‘normal’ (although accept everyone’s ‘normal’ is different). X
I had my surgery on a Tuesday and came home on Friday. They did suggest I go home on Thursday but I asked for an extra night. I was nervous about going home and the blistering on my new boob scared me a bit too! They were fine with me staying in another night.
The physios are amazing, they turn up the morning after the op to get you out of bed and walking and honestly I thought they were mad to even suggest it! But they are great and show you how to get out of bed and they had me walking to the toilet! They teach you how to go upstairs and advise how to get in & out of a car. I found a plastic bag on the car seat made it easier to slide / turn in the seat. Honestly I went from dreading seeing the physios to being so very grateful to them! I love it when I spot those two physios in the hospital now!
It took me about 4 weeks to be properly upright which was slow apparently. I was told it would be two weeks, and felt worried I was taking too long, but it felt too tight to be upright sooner. But one plastic surgeon I saw told me that everyone is different, it depends on how much they took away from your tummy etc and that it comes in time. So I was upright in 4 weeks. My abdomen felt weird for ages, I used to say I felt like I had been sawn in half but it didn’t hurt, just didn’t feel like me. Now I do feel like I am used to how it feels.
Have a chat about your anaesthetic concerns with the surgeon. I was reassured by my surgeon saying that she would take longer if needed to get the best result - she wanted my husband to know that if it took longer than expected not to worry!
I will say that the heated blanket treatment is horrible, the hourly checks are very annoying and I found the time waiting for the surgery alone in the pre-op room very lonely and scary. But I got over it all, and for me it was the right choice and I just knew I had to keep positive, take it one day at a time and eat all the protein and antioxidants that you can get!
@runnerjen such helpful insights. All of the info being shared is definitely helping with my thought process and also with questions to ask! Sounds like you had a great surgeon and physio team 
x
I have been so lucky with the whole team looking after me. I’m at Norfolk and Norwich university hospital and can’t praise them enough.
I’ll be honest it’s been a tough 9 months of treatment with surgery, chemo & radiotherapy. I’m just starting hormone treatment now. It’s a long slog at the time but already I feel like the surgery was ages ago, I’m onto the ongoing maintenance stage and while I’ll never forget how tough the surgery and chemo was, it’s behind me now and you’ll get there too.