Can anyone advised what I am to expect to wake up to, I have tried to look on the forums. I am having a LD Flap should I expect some sort of drain? would I have two one for my back and one for my Left breast. would I be able to go to the bathroom on my own or do they make you stay in bed for a duration.
I saw my consultant thursday and forgot to ask as it was a bit of a blur, now it’s all booked for the 18th I am starting to have the anxiety moments again.
Thanks everyone you are all such a comfort to people
I had an mx to left breast and an immediate LD flap + implant recon in January.
First of all - don’t worry! It’s a big op, but completely doable. All hosps/surgeons have slightly different methods/protocols, but my experience was:
Had the op late afternoon/early evening on the Thursday. Came round in the recovery room and was back on the ward by 9.30pm. I didn’t have any pain, just a bit of discomfort and felt ‘glued’ to the bed. They were all ready to set me up with a pump so that I could dose myself with morphine, but I didn’t need it - once the op meds started wearing off I just had diclofenac and paracetamol. I didn’t have any sickness post op either. By 11pm I was drinking tea and texting people!
My ‘new’ boob was heavily strapped and taped - they left a clear film over the disc of skin from my back where my nipple used to be - for the first few days they need to check this really often to make sure that the blood flow to it is good. They were doing very frequent obs for the first 12 hours as well. Basically, expect anyone medical who comes near you to poke your boob! Short, front opening PJ tops are a must.
I had 4 drains - 2 at the front and two at the back. They start removing drains as soon as the flow through them is below a certain level. I started getting rid of mine on the Sunday.
I was catheterised until the Sunday morning - they said that this was just to make life easier for me (and it did!). The day after my op, they just had me standing up a couple of times. Saturday I sat in a chair for a while. Sunday (once the catheter was out) I was walking the corridors (carrying my drain bottles in a bag!).
My surgeon didn’t allow you home with drains, so I was in for about a week.
HTH - do ask/pm me if you want anymore info.
Just an update DJ007 and anyone else who has replied to my posts
I have been asked to change my surgery appointment to this satuarday instead of Tuesday as another lady needs my space for a longer appointment. At least it stops me worrying to much as I am now dashing around getting all my bits ready for the hospital. Thanks for your help with the Bra issue. Hopefully I will be fitted with something comfortable.
I am going to start to write my diary of the whole thing tonight for my women colleagues at work, as they are all supporting me and they know my diary will be a humerous one. Hopefully helping anyone in the future with the difficulties they may face.
Hi summer
I had my ld recon in june. I had my op early in the morning, but dont cope with GA’s very well, so was out of it for most of the tuesday. I tried to get mobile as quickly as i could, i was stood up on the weds am whilst a nurse washed me, I had a catheter in until the thursday am, when they took my morphine pump out too. My boob wasnt as bandaged as i expected, just a dressing with a ‘door’ in it so the temperature of my skin could be checked. I had 3 drains, back chest and auxilla. I came home on the friday afternoon, and got one drain removed on the monday and the other 2 on the tuesday. The hospital supplied a front fastening bra. To be honest the operation wasnt as bad i was expected, and i now have full movement in my arm. Back at gym and unless anyone see’s my scars(and wonky boobs when i forget my padding!) you cant tell. I love my new perky boob and cant wait to get a matching pair!
Good luck with your op.
kerry xxx