How long after recon can I go away?

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Hi Ladies,
It’s been a while since Iv’e posted, tried to get back to normality, anyway the question to anyone is, How long after recon can I go on holiday? my op is booked for Jan 08 and I need to start booking for next year, shall I wait or what? any ideas please, stuck in limbo at the mo and does it hurt, I’m having a trans flap done with Mrs Brain at Wythenshawe Hosp.

Thanks

Lorri1

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Hi Lorri, i went off to france a month after i’d had my mastectomy and back flap recon, just took it easy, went by car, had five days away and totally enjoyed it, never did anything too strenuous it was great.

Alisonxxxx

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Alison, Thanks for that, was that including the trans flap?? I thought having two scars might make it difficult, and what about the pain, did you have any ?? sorry to be nosey. It’s just last year it cost me a fortune to wait until the last minute thing, and another question, sorry!! how long before the scars started to heal, and could you wear a bikini?? I wore a costume this year for the first time ever in my life, I hated it, felt abit consious with my padding!!

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yes it was, bit uncomfortable on my back being in the car for so long, but doable, i also have a four inch scar under my arm where they took the lymphs out, but that was two weeks before the mastectomy and recon, but thats been the most painful, my back now feels fine, i really don’t notice it too much now, i had my main op on the 29th of june, also, i had to have some dead skin removed from round my nipple, so had stitches in that up till the week before i went away. both my back and front are starting to fade scar wise, and i am going camping in france and spain at the end of this month for just over two weeks, and no, at my age i would wear a costume but not a bikini, i’m 45 Lorrie, like to act my age lol

Alisonxxxxxxxxx

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Alison, Your’e still young, I’m 47!!! feel like I’m 21 all the kids bar one have flown the nest, so it’s my time now,

thanks

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Oh Lorrie, even when i was a size 12 my boobs are quite small so never felt good in a bikini, now i’m a size 14-16 and got a nice high legged costume that i love, but only with a sarong round it lol, good for you for being so young at heart xxxxxxx

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Hi you two,

thought I would add my two penneth (if thats OK?)…I holidayed in France 3 weeks after my mastectomy and it was fine. I had my DIEP reconstruction on July 5th and went away for a long weekend 3 weeks after that by car and was a bit sore but fine, I then went to spain and a very long car drive (450 miles) and stayed on a boat for a week 6 weeks after my DIEP. No problems at all.

Holidays are great - I ALWAYS have one in the pipeline!!! I am 39 with an 8 yr old son by the way.

Enjoy the planning.

jan xx

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Thanks Jan,

Now at least I can start sorting out the hols.

Lorri x

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Well those comments have made me feel a lot better. Going for reconstruction in surgery in the morning. Its a DIEP procedure. I only wish that I was having reduction ath the same time to save on time away from work later on. Great to hear it went so well for you.

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I travel by air. My one dread is the jostling in the plane. I always discreetly ask to be boarded first and have only been “forgotten” once. I am a quick “settler” as I don’t ever stow in the overhead lockers (easier on the scar if I shove it all under the seat - bags, coats - not scar lol) so it is no inconvenience to anyone and even if it were …!!!
Had a grim experience at C de G last time - ignoring my sparse white hair and wrinkles they made me take off my boots, not even offering a chair in the Search area - tottered a bit but wish I had had the courage to fall flat on my face …
Always ask for LH window seat to “protect” my mastectomy side.
When wobbly steps have to be negotiated into the plane I get a hostess (or better still a host) to escort me up.
If they could have only seen me today - at the top of a four-step ladder, painting my bedroom wall - but VERY slowly and in small instalments
Best wishes to all
Shirley (72)