Pre DIEP flap nerves.

Hi everyone
Interesting hints about the supports garments. for the bra my hospital recommend Asda Sports bra ( a size larger than usual because of any swelling) they’re only £3 each apparently. I’m waiting for a date first as I’m trying to lose a stone and get rid of the midriff rollssss. I’m 2 stone overweight - first time ever the nurse told me not to lose too much… so I don’t know what size I’m going to be especially as I had a breast reduction on the non BX side and am sort of flat on the bx side, the prostetic boob is a bit bigger than my other one ( and I hate wearing it and resort to a large scarf draped across)
I think the bx side knows whats coming as its starting jabbing me again!
I can’t decide on the nipple and hadn’t heard or asked about procedure.
started the exercises, when I remember, thanks for those hints.
When I had the masectomy & reduction at the same time I had to get out of bed by using the nurses arm ( held still) and pulling myself to her, so I would know of any pain / pulling and stop if any problem. It was “easier” than I thought it would be so hopefully the tummy job will be the same, I hope, hope, hope
I was told op would be spring - when does spring start? bulbs are coming through… keep waiting for the postie to come.
regards to all Dolly

Good luck Dolly, Im aiming to loose a stone too, Op is on 28th Feb hopefully, can’t wait to not hide behind a scarf, so scared though x

Hello Lisa
Excellent to have a date. and we have been through the worst - the alien thing ( cancer) is gone and did we give much thought to the op? I didn’t - just wanted it OUT. and although the reconstruction seems like self inflicted it will help us feel more attractive even if just to ourselves. quite honestly I cannot touch that side as it feels so odd and pulling, I can’t wait for op - BUT i will be sacred as well! and it could costs a fortune privately to have a tummy tuck. on another side I’m wondering how long before the swelling etc has gone and we have our new size. A whole new wardrobe should be on order. And I never thought I’d say it but looking forward to wearing a bra!!!
Good luck for a months time
Dolly
PS where are you having the op?

ha know what you mean, sick of looking at my sports bras and been 2.5 yrs since went on list for this, had one op then 2nd cancelled and had lesser op and now eventually up for it, the worse bit is i was due to have it and nurse gave me a wrong tablet so had to lie next to a woman who had bad reaction to it, and be in the heated room, but Im hoping the swelling goes down within 9 weeks as i have a holiday to USA and im hoping to have some new clothes rather than baggy high neck, long tops with a scarf even in florida sun. just need to get rid of middle tyres…

Im having it done at Newcastle RVI xx

Lisa

You mention getting some florida sun, just take care in it, when I talked through the stages with my recon nurse she mentioned that you need to avoid getting scars sunburnt for up to a year after. She said if you do you can risk the scar being darker and more noticable. So factor high and don’t overdo it. But have a great holiday and relax and enjoy

Alex xx

Alex, thanks for the tips, didnt think about it but really useful. ha, dont think althought I will be getting any of my scars out lol!!! However, did think about getting sunburn through cossie etc but I will be extra careful, I usually am so self concious that i have a large cover up on, so it may still be the case, but thank you so much for mentioning it xx

I had my surgery Oct 17th 2010 (DIEP) and I can tell you I am so pleased with it. In fact I am doing zumba 4x a week and lifting light weights using also my bow flex. Going back to work after 3 years dealing with breast cancer issues. I got my tatoo done in mid Dec and nipples will be in March some time. I am looking forward to it all being complete.

A few tips for those thinking of doing this. Get a compression garment for stomach after surgery. The one they provide is not as good as one you purchase for a tummy tuck. Also was told to rub Vit E cream in circular motions around on top the scars. Makes a big difference.

Not regretting this surgery one bit : ) heads up girls

Wow that’s fab, havent been told to get a compression garment so will ask when go for pre-op. Wow, got me thinking that my holiday 9 weeks after is possible x

Hello. Yikes got my pre op date - for 28th Feb so will be thinking of you Lisa ! Managed to find full front opening button nightdress in Matalan, nurses aid it makes life easier whilst in the high dependancy ward, velco would be even easier. Need sports bra next but not pull on ones. good luck Lisa and all. xx dolly

Good luck, glad you got pre-op date, will be thinking of you xx yikes

Hello Lisa
Getting close for you! soon be over and then you’ll wonder what the nerves were all about.
I’m feeling very nervy - phoned the hospital to see if there was an Op appt for me after pre op done and was told the pre-op assess lasts for 6 months !!! now disappointed ! only looked at myself the other morning and thought longingly of a boob and not worring about not having the prostethic ( which I rarelt wear) in if someone calls in. so that prove that a self inflicted Op ( at 62) is in order and not cosmetic.
Let me know how you get on. be thinking of you and I’m really sure it’s worth it now.
all the best Dolly

Thanks Dolly, will keep you updated. They do say pre-op lasts that long but I think they do try and fit those in within 3 months so that they dont have to re-do everything xxx

Hello Lisa, hope you are well on the way to recovery. should be out of hospital shortly. thought of you… best wishes dolly

Ladies

I had my diep flap op 10 days ago and am over the moon with it, I know its going to take time to settle down and be able to see the final results, but really am happy with everything so far.

My op went really well, the staff looking after me were marvelous, morphine is a wonderful thing for the early days and now at home (since sat) pottering about trying to not overdo things.

Not been given any compression garments but my op didnt involve using any muscle only tummy tissue (eg fat!) so that may be why and have just been told to wear a supportive bra.

Tummy is rather swollen so make sure you have some clothes which are bigger then usual for first few weeks.

Good luck to you all, I hope it all goes well for you as well, I can honestly say it is the first time in over 2 years since I felt really good about my body and I feel back in control and loving having a cleavage again. Can’t wait until it settles some more and I can go shopping for new clothes instead of the cover ups Ive been living in

Take care

Alex xx

That’s excellent news Alex, glad it’s gone so well and you are already raring to go doing things !
I phoned Chelmsford hospital yesterday to see if they had a date yet but still not, I’m trying to be a patient patient but not easy. Seem to have been waiting for dates for 15 months one way or another.
At the pre assessment I was advised that Asda sports LOW impact support bras at £4 each are good.probably a size larger than usual to begin with.
I honestly didn’t realise how much difference a mastectomy would make as I’ve never liked my boobs (or body in fact) and of course panic doesn’t make thought easy
I’d so like to help newly diagnosed make a decision as which way to go. Hindsight is the best sight of all!
Keep up the recovery.
best wishes Dolly

Hi all,

lots of good news stories here, really pleased to read them. Im over three months post op and things have all settled down… Just back from holiday and flashing it all in a brief bikini…good job my tum scar is soooo LOW! Im looking forward to having my nipple and tatoo done before too long!!

in terms of a tummy binder, i was told to wear high line spanx pants for three months. the compression helps the swelling to go down smoothly and helps support your back as well as tum, while youre getting to stand up totally straight. (The physio told me your core strentgh is affected by the op.)

BUT is so hard to wiggle into Spanx when youve just had surgery, so Id recommend a binder. Ive found some on Amazon, if you google “deep abdominal binder and back support” you should come up with some. They have velcro so are adjustable, then some strong support sloggies or spanx type pants are probably a good idea after about a month when the scar has settled. Im not exactly a youth, but the physio was very impressed by my tum by four weeks, so I guess it was worth the effort of squeezing it all together! BTW I found an exercise leaflet online from a different hospital and it covers exercises not generally in leaflets but that my physio told me verbally.

Best of luck ladies, keep us posted with your progress.

Hi
Hope you dont mind me joining this thread. I had lobular cancer, chemo and rads three years ago and spent a lot of time on this site at the time. I have a diep lined up for 21st March 2012. It is heartening to read so many of you are pleased with the results and there does not seem to be too many issues with it. There have been six cancellations (two because of a small rash that was nothing but in the general area) so I still cant quite believe it is going to happen at last. I have not had time to read the whole thread but what has cheered me up no end is to see someone posting ten days after op. Anyway will pop in on here from now on and any tips (noted about the binder in last post) that you think I might have missed would be much appreciated.

Thanks
Linda

Linda,

Nearly there! What a long trail for you…but soon to be on the last stretch! Where in the country are you having your op?

If you’d pm me with your email address I can send you a few things that some other pre DIEP friends have found useful…we seem to build on each others experiences, don’t we?

Happy to help answer any questions that come to mind, too.

Hugs
Nonsuch

Hello nonsuch
Hope you don’t mind but I would be grateful of any tips etc and am not sure what "pm me " is ? I’m waiting for my date after having had pre op assess 2 weeks ago.
Yes it is good to hear so many positive comments about this op which do help quieten the nerves!
best wishes to all Dolly in Suffolk

Hi doly,
PM is our private message system whereby only yourself and the recipient can see what is said togther, similar to an email. To send a private message click on your user name to bring you to your profile page and you should be able to see where the message facility is.

Hope that helps a bit.
Best wishes,
J0, Facilitator