HI…i am going into addenbrookes for MAS and RECOn today (surgery tomorrow…i am terrified and right now feel i need some reassurance from people who have or are about to go through same procedure…having DIEP surgery …
Hi Travel Lover,
Just spotted your post and wanted to send you a hug of reassurance. My surgery was different from yours in so much as I had an LD flap recon immediatedly with my mastectomy, but I can recall how scared I was at the time.
Make sure you tell the anaesthetist about your fears - mine was so wonderfully understanding, and I hope yours is too. She gave me sleeping pills for the night before and made sure I had a pre-med (anaesthetic was my big fear!) and I felt so peaceful it was amazing!
Do you know what they will do today? Mine filled out consent forms, took bloods, had an initial meet with a physio, a chat with the anaesthetist and then my surgeon drew all over me with a big black pen! There was a BCN on hand all the time, who was lovely, to answer any questions and to reassure. I was on a general plastics ward, not a breast ward, had a day in high dependency in a single room (so they could monitor the flap every so often) and then a week back in the general ward (I live alone, they kept me a little longer than average).
When I woke up I had four drains, an oxygen mask, a drip and had a catheter (joy!) but felt very warm and safe. I peeped down at my chest and found I looked ‘normal’ which was such a relief. Within a couple of hours I was munching toast and supping tea.
Pain relief was available but I can honestly say I had no pain, only soreness and discomfort… I hated sleeping on my back!
There are others on here who’ve had DIEP flaps and will be along soon hopefully. I hope you feel well supported at the hospital and that your recon is as good as mine, which is truly fab.
<<hug>>
Hi Travel Lover
Take heed of Rev Cat’s words - she is right! I had my mx and LD Flap recon in Jan last year and my experience was very much like hers - except I went to the hosp for all of the bloods and forms on the Tuesday, went back at 4.30 Thurs afternoon, just had time to ‘get my kit off’ and be marked up and I was on my way to theatre.
Every hosp does things a bit differently, but I hope your experience is as good as ours was.
Hugs and good luck.
D x
Hope I’m reaching you in time, or maybe even in your hospital bed! I noticed Addenbrookes has DIEP info on their website and it sounds as though their system is similar to the QE in Birmingham where I had my diep exactly six weeks ago today. Can you beleve all my dressings were removed on day nine and I haven’t had to go to a dressings clinic since? I only had stitches round my navel and they went with the dressings.
Here I am, flat tum already, boob looking pretty good, driving, cooking, shopping and even going to football matches since week four. It was hard for me to come to terms with drains and catheter but honestly they gave me no trouble at all and it ws a relief not to worry about getting to the loo for first few days!!!
I was petrified, you’re not alone!! I went in the evening before and no one was around to tell me anything so that was tough. Evidently the QE doesnt do premeds but i did get an anticoagulant injection the nght before and every evening afterwards to prevent clots.I had my own room, so had a shower in the morning, put on the gown and then they all came in to see me and mark me up. I was allowed to drink until midnight the night before, btw. As i was so scared a student nurse went down with me and also brought me back afterwards.
I went into anaesthetic room at 8.25 am, and the surgeon rang my daughter when i was in recovery at 3.30… The op tself took 6 hours which was faster than I expected. I had two doses of oral morphine then just paracetamol for pain as my Bp was very low and morphine can lower it still. But then, low Bp is quite normal for me and my flap wasn’t affected by it. Have to admit I threw up spectacularly the first night, just liquid tho and it wasn’t a problem. The next morning I ate an English breakfast…a bit tricky one handed!
So here you go on the next step on your adventure…nearly over the hump of it now…how fab to have got through the waiting. Look forward to hearing from you very soon and if there’s anything I can help with, fire away!! My big tips are : mint tea bags to release wind, cooling wipes for when you’re under the hot pad, a hand mirror to check your bits afterwards, and a front opening tummy support garment or binder for coming home cos struggling into spanx pants post op is eye watering!!!