I was just wondering if there are any of you out there that have had a mastectomy and immediate DIEP reconstruction at the Nuffield in Brentwood. I was diagnosed mid January and will be undergoing my surgery mid to late February. I am slightly worried about the length of the operation as I have never had to have any sort of surgery before. I have been told that my surgeons are amongst the best in this field and that the Nuffield is the best place to be for the after care. Would really like to hear about anybody’s experience, just to put my mind at ease?
Hi Natalie, I had a mx an immediate DIEP reconstruction at the Marsden in November. Sorry I can’t help with an experience of the Nuffield. It is a big operation ( it was 11 hours before I got back to my room) but I am delighted with the result. Everything has healed very well and I am back to normal activities (such as the chemo will allow.
Hope someone else will be able to help with an experience of the Nuffield.
Clare
Hi Natalie,
Haven’t you done well to have a plan in place? It must have seemed like a whirlwind but at least its good tovknow where it’s taking you.
I had a left mx and immediate diep at the end of November, mine was at the QE in Birmngham so again, a different place but same principles. Like you I’d never had any procedures done to me and the whole thing seemed very daunting. I was a bag of nerves the night before! Good news is that it doesn’t nec take as long as they warn us!
The length seems to depend very much on whether it’s one sided or two, obviously, and whether our bodies throw up any difficulties along the way. Also whether there are separate teams for the mx and recon. Luckily I was straightforward, so the actual op took only six hours (2 surgeons doing the mx and 3 the recon and sutures). On top of this, the anaesthetist told me it takes about 45 mins to get us ready for surgery once we’re under the GA then at the other end I recall my PS phoning my daughter from the Recovery room and that was less than half an hour after the op finished. I thought that was a nice touch rather than family having to wait and ring the ward much later.
It’s rotten luck that we’ve had to have treatment but I feel lucky I could have the DIEP and I’ve recovered well…my tum scar sits under the top of a briefish bikini and there’s just the circular flap scar on my boob…it’s still a bit bigger than my good one but the swelling is still going down. I do hope all goes as well for you and in six weeks time you’ll be on the other side of it. Happy to try to help with anything else you’re concerned about.
I’ve got a list if things I and others found useful to take to hospital which I’m happy to send if you pm me with an email address.
I had a DIEP reconstruction at the Nuffield in Brentwood last May. They were absolutely fantastic and the surgeon there is one of the best in the country and is such a lovely man. All the staff at Nuffield have so much respect for him. You will be well looked after there. Like you, I had never had any surgery before, but trust me you are in good hands. AFter care is good as well, including excellent physio. Since then , i have had chemo and radiotherapy, and am now on Tamoxifen.
Sorry for the delay in replying. i was in hospital for 6 days, but was up and moving about after 48 hours. Pain is not an issue at all. Once home, you can do everything except use the affected arm in case you damage the connected blood vessels. I had 26 lymph nodes removed as well, so this took a little longer. Physio signed me off after about 4 visits. As long as you carry on with the exercise you will be fine.
That is really reassuring, thank you so much keepyourchinup. I am also having nodes removed at the same time. So glad to hear that pain wasn’t an issue and that you were up and about after 48 hours. I think I would go potty if I was confined to bed for any longer than that. I have been told that patients of this particular surgeon do tend to recover quicker. Don’t worry I will make sure I do the exercises. Thanks again.
No problem, the first 48 hours are the worst, but you do sleep a lot of the time anyway, and as you are in HDU,you get one to one care from the nurses, who, by the way are all lovely!! They are all highly trained in caring for women who have had this operation.
