Pre DIEP flap nerves.

I’m day 14 post op. struggling a bit with tummy but boobs are causing no pain. I had double recon and when in there ended up with a diep one side and tram other side so bit painful. Unfortunately I had a blood clot so ended up back in theatre 5 hours later, however, this is only a very small number of people this happens too. My boobs are totally different sizes but trying not to bother until swelling goes down. I found the coming of drugs and dizzyness when sitting up and the heat the worst, once some drains came out and had control of my own bed and shuffling to loo myself I felt lots better. My stay was only 6 days in hospital and Im staying with parents to help with some things where I cant bend etc. im back to hospital tomorrow, had a horrid reaction to dressings so covered in blisters and possible infection. However I would say that I think it is amazing what they do, the implant i had was over the centre and up neer my chin so to have two boobs that belong to me is amazing and Im totally in awe of what they do and the care you get.

I think I underestimated how restricted I would be and im impatient, and I am realising that toward the end of the day i need to take it easier more as i get tired and need wee nap. Lots of people say it takes about 4/5 weeks to start to feel more active so im looking forward to that.

Good luck all with op, it is worth it !!! Im hoping to go on holiday in 7 weeks so something to aim for, bit I struggle with is knowing how much I should be doing.

Waffle over… xx

Wow Lisa,
You’re an example to us all!
The worst is over with now, just be patient and let your body use it’s strength to recover. Oooh that must mean eating lots of nice things( little) but very often…lol. I actually found I couldn’t eat a full meal as there wasnt room for a full tum under my stretched skin…all sorted out now though.

They told me to do nothing the first week home, and defo not to be opening the dishwasher, yes, actually told me that. Told me to be chauffeured out to lunch the second week i was home, if I felt like it, and maybe make a sandwich and use a small kettle… and not to touch a Hoover for 6-8 weeks. I only had one side done and no complications other than backache and a bit of a boob infection so you certainly need to take it easy and be waited on.

Looking forward to hearing about your progress, so pleased you’ve got your boobs back again,

Lynette xxx

I am 14 days out from op and 5 days home. Did anyone get occasional breathlessness? If so, anyone know what causes it?

Sid x

Hi steph,
Breathlessness isn’t something that affected me, despite various other symptoms. Perhaps give the ward or BCN a call?

Hope you’re getting along ok,

Nonsuch xxxx

Hi girls
Now 12 days out from op. Dont feel too bad, just a little bored and stir crazy. Also, cant stop picking and not all pieces of fruit or raw veg. (crisps and suchlike) Need to control myself and get back to WW sharpish when I am feeling up to it. Compression garment seems to be getting tighter…

I have my first outpatients appointment tomorrow. I am still wrapped like a mummy so will be interesting to see what is going on underneath (lets hope there is no infection x everything!!) I have to travel by tube and it is a bit of a trot to the station so had a short walk today to prepare for it.

Sid, I dont get breathless but my energy levels, as I expected, are severely diminished. This means I seem a bit breathless if I exert myself slightly. Could this be what is happening to you?

Anyway, cant wait to have a proper shower (or bath …sigh) so hopefully after tomorrow. Fed up with flannel washes.

Catch you all soon.

Linda

Good luck for appointment, very strange getting all dressings off but shower is fab!!

No breathlessness here but was so worn out anything took its toll but im just over 4 weeks on and can do much more.

Ive developed a bit of a lumpy spotty rash on part of my flap but i think its just because the whole area is drying out, hope so, only happened today mind did use a perfumed moisturiser yesterday and had a small sofie in when trying clothes on - hope it isnt my fault…

Good luck all, Ive moved back home today so looking forward to a good nights sleep in own bed xx

Lisaf

The rash happened to me think like you it may have been reaction to one of my creams, have just been using aqueous for last few days and it has all cleared. Having spoken to another lady a couple of days ago she advised to make sure that as my cancer was oestrogen positive (and am on tamoxifen) I should make sure not to use creams which contain these, seemingly they are in things like bio-oil and any creams with vitamin E. I will be checking for any other threads for this

xx

Your a lifesaver thanks very much, back to using dove but hadnt heard about not using certain creams apart from those with perfume in. What do we need to not use, no-one ever mentioned this to me, arggghh!!!

Thanks for message though put my mind at ease a bit xx

No probs Lisa, hope mthings have cleared up for you as well, the creams bit is quite conflicting some of the advice seems to be steer away from anything which contains photo-oestrogens and others have been told that they amount are negligible so ok, Jury’s out somewhat on the subject, there is another thread ongoing called “Bio oil” which has a lot of comments on it which you could check out

xx

Thanks Alex, on aqueous cream now so will stick to that for now xx