i will be going in soon for LD flap delayed recon. i wonder if you might share your experiences with me.
How long did you have to lay still in bed?
Could you use gadgets like ipads and phones in bed?
did you have a lot of pain relief?
How long before you were up and walking?
Did you have a catheter?
How long were you in hospital?
Did you have to stay in bed when you went home?
How long before you were driving again?
How long before you were back at work?
Are you happy with the result?
Did you have to be a certain wait to get the op?
I have had mx, chemo and rads in march 2013 and i expect this op in the next 6 months or so. Any info will help me a lot, especially about the hospital stay.
Hi Angie. I had an LD flap recon 6 weeks ago at the same time as MX and ANC. I was in hospital for 6 days and had a catheter for 2 days. I had 5 drains but 2 of these were for the ANC so only 3 associated with the LD recon.
Pain was managed really well. Morphine pump for about 3 days and then tramadol, paracetamol and ibuprofen. I was up and sitting in a chair as soon as the catheter was out, and walking the short distance to the loo, but felt more comfortable in bed. I took a V shaped pillow in with me and this really helped.
I had my phone and ipad with me. The hospital had a pay service tv and Internet access but I found it very difficult to use so I just tethered the ipad to the 3G on my iPhone and used that with no problems.
I had to rest a lot when I went home. I wasn’t in bed but I did have to keep moving positions and keep using the V pillow… the main problem was back ache. All very manageable though.
I am really happy with the result. Very soft, natural looking and feels like a breast. The nerve endings and blood supply are all there so it feels warm and has feeling in it when I touch it. It has taken till now for all the swelling to subside and feel more normal… But well worth it.
I was told that I couldn’t drive for 6 weeks or do anything much at all (no hoovering, tasking washing out of the washer etc) and even if I weren’t going through chemo now, I don’t think I’d be ready to go back to work. All depends on the type of job tho I guess.
I think your bmi has to be under 30 to get the op.
Think I’ve covered all your questions? I would certainly recommend the procedure on the basis of. Y own results.
Hope this helps. Feel free to pm if you want to know any more.
Mel xx
Hi Angie
I had LD recon with implant just over a year ago at same time as Mx and SLNB so don’t know about waiting time. In hospital 5 days, 2 of which were in high dependency, my blood pressure dropped after op. I had an epidural pain block in for 3 days which was amazing, catheter , 2 drains which came out after a week. In hospital didn’t feel like doing much, games on phone and trashy magazines you don’t have to read. Walked around in hospital with my infusion pump (tea trolley in corridor so great excuse to keep mobile). At home V shaped pillow, bed whenever I felt like it, shower with drains hanging on door knob. Walked the dog after a week, drove after 5 (right side, difficult to reverse), work from home for myself so started slowly. Very important to do exercises. Had a lot of swelling which took a few months to go down. Very pleased with result, scar on back doesn’t show and I don’t think about it. Recon is really nice shape, have cleavage, can wear almost anything. Sometimes still have aches and “pulled muscle” sensations and sometimes still wake if turning awkwardly in bed. Am still gardening, decorating, picking up 2yr old grandchild etc. Also had previous radiotherapy which apparently can affect recovery , scars slower to heal maybe but bio oil is wonderful and plain moisturiser. Have got to the point when I don’t think about it too much, was told it takes a year to fully recover and I think that’s about right. If you need any other info please pm. Helen x