Help me out ladies, DIEP surgery in a couple of weeks. Any recommendations for high waisted knickers? Any other advice or recommendations? Can’t wait but also bricking it 
Thanks in advance.
Hi Cosette,
I was absolutely terrified before my diep but it honeslty wasnt as bad as id imagined.
I was asked to wear control pants by my surgeon. I wore my normal pants with matalan control shorts on top. It was over a year ago now but think they came in a pack of 2 or 3; black, white & neutral.
More tips:
Big pillows or a pillow wedge (from amazon) to keep upright whilat sleeping
Loose/baggy trousers like joggers or cotton patterned summer trousers for wearing once discharged
Button up pjs as nurses will be in a lot to check your reconstruction
Put all the things you need after op in a rucksack and ask for the rucksack to go on your bed so you have access; water bottle, phone, snacks, phone charger.
Extra long phone charger is good as getting out of bed can be tricky
Plenty of easy cook/microwave meals so you dont need to stand for a long time cooking. I had a lot of microwave bakes potatoes the first week of discharge
Good luck and try to relax. Youve got this
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Hello @cosette
Hope you are doing ok!! It’s a nerve wracking time but you’ll be ok. I’m so happy with the results of mine. The team were so lovely and reassuring, and recovery is tough initially but you make significant progress daily which is very motivating.
Pants wise, I had to get a binder to wear, which did most of the hard work, so i just wore that 24/7 inc at night time, for 6 weeks, and then after that day time only.
I wore that with spanx or similar control leggings and normal comfortable pants. For me the seams on the control pants, and trying to get to the loo etc was really uncomfortable 
saying that I bet the matalan shorts mentioned above are a good shout, I wish I’d done that now!
It’s a big step for you but you’ll smash it xx
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I’m 2 years now and it’s the best decision. I still needed mammoplasty surgery so a long journey.
You are put under a very hot blanket blowing hot air so wear light cotton, button down top of nightdress. Take eye mask and ear plugs. Definitely extra long charger. I wasn’t in any mood to read and struggled to sleep in hospital so download films/series on an iPad (or similar)…with headphones (so as not to disturb others).
Good luck and I hope you will be as happy with the result. Dont push yourself to get up and about. Take it easy and allow yourself to recover. Imperative you don’t lift ANYTHING for a few months.
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Thanks for the advice, I knew my fellow warriors would step up 
The long phone charger is a really good shout I’ll get on that now. And thanks for the reassurance. Xx
Thanks Wrenny it’s good to hear that you’re pleased with the results. I hate my implant and it’s so uncomfortable since radiotherapy. So I’m nervous but excited for the result. I’ve ordered an abdominal binder but lots of other good tips here. Xx
Thanks for this I wouldn’t have thought about downloading things to watch so I’ll have a look at that and some podcasts maybe. Nice to hear so many positive experiences. I know the recovery will be frustrating but it’s the rest of my life so what’s a few months. Just get through it. Xx
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Hi @cosette
Good luck with your DIEP, I had a bilateral mastectomy and DIEP reconstruction 10 weeks ago, it was terrifying and all the felt very daunting, but in reality everyone I came into contact with was fantastic, reassuring and my recovery has been smooth.
Being a list person this is the list I drew up for my DIEP which I have added some notes to:
For hospital 5 night stay (I wore my hospital day clothes in)
2x cotton, front fastening tops, wrap, button or zip
Cardigan or hoodie
Elasticated day trousers
Pjs front fastening
Dressing gown
Slippers
2 x Front fastening bra’s (Bra band size bigger), Asda, M&S do great ones but they don’t need to be post-surgery ones as you won’t need the pockets, so a sports bra or tee-shirt bralette would be fine.
Big knickers
High-waisted medium support shapewear size bigger, wear cotton pants under to be able to wear a couple of days
Eye mask
Ear plugs (boots)
Sippy water bottle useful post-surgery as you need to keep drinking plenty
Toothbrush and paste
Simple shower gel or something like this and shampoo (some hospitals might supply it)
Mobile phone/ tablet
Long charging cable mine was 3m and so useful!
Wired earbuds (not wireless to likely to drop)
- Audiobook
- Podcast
- TV series - Grace & Frankie
- Music
- Book? (I couldn’t concentrate enough to read)
The main thing is to make things easy and comfy for yourself, at the hospital where I had my op I was out of bed the morning after my op and I was encouraged to change into my day clothes on the 2nd day after my op. My plastics team were relaxed about me wearing shapewear and suggested either light/med support, cycling shorts or leggings nothing too tight, likewise with the bra, but it is best to listen to your team as they will know best.
My concentration was zero so I watched easy to view tv series and listened to music and an audio book, the wired earbuds meant I wasn’t worried about dropping wireless earbuds (I am clumsy).
I stayed in for 5 nights with my hospital to try to get all the drains out, but many people are discharged after 3 or 4 nights.
When you come out of the hospital make sure someone can cook for you, maybe have meals in the freezer ready, accept help from friends, and if you are a tea addict like me watch out for the big milk bottles and full kettles as you shouldn’t lift either post-op (my husband decanted milk into a small jug for me).
I can say that following my DIEP I am really pleased with my new boobs and body, and it was worth it to be rid of the cancer.
Hope this is useful and all goes well with your op xx
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DIEP was a long, tough recovery but so worth it! Take all the help you can… I slept in a rented recliner for a month. Had meals cooked for me. Walk as much as you can as soon as you are cleared by your surgeon and be compliant. Don’t lift heavy objects, don’t work out until cleared and most of all, give yourself time to heal. It’s been 9 months for me and I still don’t have the strength, flexibility, or stamina I did pre cancer but I have a natural foob with no implant and a flat tummy! I wore compression garments as directed by my surgeon which was uncomfortable and tight! But I am improving everyday and so happy I underwent this major surgery. I knew my body would reject the implant as I had encapsulated the tissue expander and had so many problems with that. You will be fine and recover happily. Good luck!
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Wow thank you Summer Sunshine this is a really comprehensive and useful response. I am fearing the worst at the moment because I tested positive for Covid yesterday and I have been so careful. I suspect it means the surgery will be delayed and I’m gutted. I’ve worked myself up to it and made plans around it, I hope I’m wrong but I don’t think so 
When I do have the surgery though I will absolutely use this list so thanks and I’m really glad you are happy with yours. Xx
Thanks vissdoc I’m glad you are happy with the result and I really appreciate the support and advice. Having tested positive for bloody Covid I have a feeling mine will be delayed and I’m gutted. But when it does go ahead I have lots of useful tips. Xx
Hi I’m 8weeks post op now and doing brilliant. I had DIEP flap reconstruction and other breast reduced and all lymph nodes out at the same time. it took twelve hours for the op… Was up and walking the next day and went back down to thertre on the third day due to the end of boob dying. When they took the end off they was happy with the inside. So stitched me up the flap had took and was looking good. I came home on my 4th day… I didn’t feel like I needed bigger knickers I had a big vacume pk on my tummy scar so was well protected plus I had lost my cruise pouch (tummy tuck) 
I could have had one boob at a time done. But I thought about it and thought if I’m going to be in pain I might as well get it all over with at once and I’m so glad I did. Sleeping on my back wasn’t nice for 6 wks. I had button up pjama tops for easy access. Every thing feels tight in your stomach but there is light at the end of the tunnel when I look back at pics I’ve taken I think yes you are doing well and your are progressing it’s just a slow process listen to your body if your tired your tired your not lazy… I’m not into TV at all or reading so was hard for me. I Did lots of batch cooking before I went in for my op I live alone and was fully prepared. The pain killers and the constipation was bad at first but got that all sorted with senna night time and lactrolose morning & night. I had a rash on my back itching like mad with the pajn killers but sorted that with antihistamines. I’m now massaging my scars with Bio oil daily. And I’m back out walking getting my steps in every day. I’m now climbing the hills and now back dojng zumba 
which I love I’m still healing on the inside and my broken chest rib is still sore what they break to get your blood vessel to join to the tummy one. My stomache feels numb… And new boob feels numb. I’m happy with my cute little boobs and tummy tuck… I had to have this operation due to having breast cancer in 2015 and having had lumpectomy and radio therapy. I do feel nerve damage jumping about sometimes and my feet have been the worse nerve damage and developed planter fatiitus. So the walking helps me with that and rolling my feet on a bottle of ice water. All I can say is listen to your body and take one day at a time don’t over do it… And keep the meds under control with the side effects… Good luck on your recovery I’m driving again now so there’s no stopping me… PS… Take it easy with Internet shopping with bordem I got addicted 
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@cosette
So sorry to hear about Covid. It’s making a nasty recurrence this summer. So glad it’s not as dangerous or deadly as it was just a few years ago. Just continue to be super vigilant. We are/were battling cancer so we are somewhat “immune compromised”…not in the real chemo / radiation sense but we need to take extra care of ourselves. Schedule in lots of rest, naps, and breaks. It may be difficult if you’ve got young kids but you come first. Hope you get rescheduled soon and best of luck. See you on the diep side!
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Hi @cosette,
Really hope you’re doing ok and that Covid hasn’t messed up your surgery date? I’m 12 weeks post-op (unilateral mastectomy and diep reconstruction) and doing really well. My top tip is to check out maternity clothing! (I hadn’t got around to getting rid of mine, so raided the loft for anything useful!) Under/over bump = under/over tummy wound, easy access to boobs with front fastenings, not too tight so not uncomfortable on the stomach 
I don’t know why no-one told me, but I’m very glad I discovered it! While we’re at it, the massive pregnancy pillow was brilliant for sleeping on my back post-surgery Really hope you’re doing ok, whatever stage you’re at. Let us know how you’re getting on when you can. Sending best wishes x
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Thanks for your response and the tips. I hope you are recovering well. Unfortunately my surgery was postponed due to the Covid. I have a new date of in September. It was gutting but I’m counting down again. I just want to get it done.
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Dear Chilt7777 I’ve just read your reply and I’m just so scared of having the DIEP surgery. I had a mastectomy ,full lymph node clearance last Nov. Then chemo, Radio and to come 10 years of letrozole and 6 monthly zoldronic infusion’s.
Did you have the procedure on the NHS?
I’m asking because I had such an awful experience in the hospital that I can’t bring myself to go back god further surgery. I’m not well off but would even consider taking a loan to get it done privately. I’m so stressed right now.
Sorry I didn’t reply earlier. Just seen this. I had my diep surgery last Sunday and I’m feeling great. The foob is looking really good and I couldn’t be happier. My surgeon is a miracle worker. Hope you are well and thanks for asking.
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Not sure where you are based. I had the op privately on Sunday last week. It was private but at an NHS hospital because my surgeon will only use that team and wants all the emergency facilities. There were a few niggles around some aspects. But in terms of monitoring the flap they were very diligent. I’m not sure where your based and what your experience was but from working in the NHS I can say that even on different wards these things vary. You will be on a plastics ward which will probably be different. All I can suggest is you discuss your concerns with the surgeon and breat reconstruction nurses. You should only be in hospital a few days. For me it’s been totally worth it and I have no regrets but everyone’s different. I wish you well whatever you decide.
Oh wow, I’m so glad you’re doing so well. Brilliant news! And absolutely no need to apologise, I just remember you saying your new date was September so was hoping you were getting on ok. Great to hear things are so positive Sending best wishes x
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