DIEP OP _ CORSET?

Hi, I am booked for the 22nd November for a bi-lateral Diep and havent been told to bring pants, bras etc. I read about wearing a corset on these forums, does the hospital supply this? All I have so far are some Sloggi support pants and am hoping they are OK. How do you know what size sports bra to buy before the op?
Starting to get very close now and I am hoping not to have to send my husband out to buy these items :slight_smile:

Hi Biggypop

I had single deip op 18th Sept and recovering well. Hope all goes well for you on 22nd Nov. I was advised to take in sports bra, I just bought same size I normally wear which did fit but to be honest I do not fill a A cup well anyway, hospital supplied corset and a spare for at home. I took ordinary nicks in to wear with corset. Also make sure you have button front pyjamas or nightie as your new boobs will be admired often. I came out in joggers as tum was swollen. I did buy some maternity jeans from M&S which did well for outings. Also button fronted tops I found easier than over the head sort for the first few weeks. I have one boob larger than other so the fashion of waistcoats has been a godsend. If you have pre-op visit to hospital you should be advised what to take. After three weeks of corset I started wearing support pants, which I am still wearing

I suffered no pain but was uncomfortable for a while. I was continually offered pain relief if I needed it. I am still swollen but have been advised this will go in time.

I also spoilt myself with organic lotions and make up (not used on scar sites) etc to make me feel better - think these worked!!

Good Luck with everything, will be thinking of you on 22nd,

Linda

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Thanks Lindles for that information, I was a D cup before original op, and a C cup for my breast forms but who knows what size my tum will give me! Not too big I hope, this corset sounds uncomfortable I must say.
Were you able to wash your hair in hospital? Mine looks dreadfully lank if not washed every other day. I have one pair of button up pyjamas but will maybe get another pair too.

I am having my DIEP next Wednesday like you getting nervous and excited at the same time, be good to be re-united with my other boob after having nothing for a year. The Breast Care nurse at Salisbury Hospital advised me that they would use tubi-grip for my tummy and boobs (so good to be able to type boobs again in stead of boob!!!)

For nightwear I have bought cami nighties that I can step into as it gets so hot in hospitals I couldn’t stand pyjamas.

I know what you mean about not washing hair, mine is so wavy if I don’t use my straighteners, after having no hair for 6 months I know I should be grateful that’s its grown back.

Keep in touch we will have to compare notes!

Clare (S)

Hi Clare and Biggypop

I was unable to wash my hair or shower until day I left hospital which was day 8, I must say I definitely needed to by then. I did have good washes though and just put may hair up. On the other hand my hair was not too bad especially as at home I wash it every other day. I have noticed from other chats that other people have been able to wash their hair with the help of nurses so I guess it depends on the hospital. Hopefully you will be able to.

Corset was not too bad really, again I think different hospitals advise and have different things.

Good luck Clare with your diep on Wed, hope all goes well I’m sure it will.

Let us know how you both get on I will be thinking of you.

Linda x

Hi Linda

Thanks for your comments, cant imagine not washing hair for 8 days, I think I’ll have to book in at the hospital hairdressers and get some rollers put in!!! the hospital I work at only seems to have the over 70’s in for roll up. I keep telling myself forget about the short term and think of the long term.

Good luck Clare, I am going to Salisbury too so will be interesting to hear how you get on. Which surgeon are you with, I am with Mr Whitworth. After having no boobs for years it will seem strange to have them again :slight_smile:

Hi Clare and Biggypop,

I had my bilateral diep on 29th September, but was told to wear no corset or big pants, just ordinary knickers and no bra for the first 6-8 weeks! I was worried because this advice was so different from everyone else, but I stuck to it and I am overjoyed with how things have gone.
Don’t worry about hair - last of your worries for the first 2 or 3 days and I showered and washed my hair in hospital on day 4!
I took pj’s in, but wore the hospital gown for the first half of the week, it made the regular checks easier and it is sooooo warm in there they felt cooler too.

I am now back up to wlking 2 or 3 miles a day, driving everywhere, basically back to normal,so it can’t be that bad :slight_smile:

Take care, and the best of luck to you both

Jossie that is really good to hear. I was hoping to be fine for Christmas so I hope I am like you :slight_smile: How did you feel the first couple of days after the op? Were you able to eat? I felt sick for 2 days after the mastectomy though I wonder if it was the morphine drip rather than the op.

Hi Biggy,

Well, I must admit for the first couple of days after op, I did not eat much, was feeling very sorry for myself and could not believe that I was going to feel well again:) BUT, as soon as the drains etc., were out and I could move myself around, life seemed great again! Everyone is different. Someone I know said she would rather have a diep than give birth… personally, I would rather give birth to 10lb triplets! But having said all that, my op was on a Saturday and by the Wednesday I was walking around the hospital and even went for lunch with friends to the hospital restaurant on the Thursday.
I only used the morphine pump once and it made me sickly. I had no other pain relief at all - did not need it, but was offered it at every opportunity.
Like everything else, the anticipation is worse than the actual and I am so happy with how I look and feel now, I would highly recommend it:)

Hi Biggypop

My surgeon is Mr Tiernan, if I’m still in on 22nd (hopefully not) will have to compare notes!!! , my planned discharge date is 21st Nov so as I leave you will probably be admitted - what a coincidence.

Reading Jossie’s comments really perked me up as I am getting a little tetchy now the time is getting nearer.

Have you been for your pre-assessment yet?

Take Care

Clare (s)

Hi Clare(s) and Biggypop46,
I just wanted to wish you both all the very best with your forthcoming ops. I had a DIEP on Wednesday 19th September and by the Sunday afternoon was having a coffee in the hospital grounds (I couldn’t stand up completely straight but that wasn’t a problem!). That morning, one of the nurses helped me shower as by then I was desperate to wash my hair! I didn’t feel nauseous at all but did feel a bit rough on the Friday when they got me out of bed but that passed.
I am a 34C and took in sports bras from M &S at that size plus 34D and it was fine. I wore a bra after a few days and was told to wear support knickers asap and I’ve worn these since about 2 days after the op. I was driving very short journeys after 2 weeks (not supposed to and not recommended but I had to get to appts and there was no one to take me) and back at work after 5 weeks.

EVERYONE is different and I was advised that recovery is anything from 4 weeks up to 3 months and as I was initially diagnosed in June 2005 and haven’t been on any treatment, apart from Tamoxifen and Zoladex, for 18 months, I have felt fine to return to work.

I am wishing you both all the very best as for me, having this op has been fantastic and I would be happy to answer any questions.

Best of luck and I’ll be thinking of you both,
BethXXX

How reassuring to hear all these positive experiences, thanks so much for sharing them. Believe it or not my pre-op was back in June, no idea why they made me go long before the op date had been decided.
Clare, I will be thinking of you next week, and in the nicest way lets hope you arent around to meet me :slight_smile:

To Beth and Biggypop

Beth - your comments have gone a long way to reassure me on a day when I’m getting increasingly nervous - thanks

Biggypop - will log on as soon as I can to hopefully reassure you like Beth has.

Take Care

Clare (S)