Hi everyone.
I got a diagnosis of DCIS yesterday and was told mastectomy surgery will take place. I opted also for DIEP reconstruction so I’m now trying to prepare myself for what’s to come next.
I’m putting a hospital bag together in preparation for surgery and wondering what i’ll need clothing/support wise. I’m assuming bras will be uncomfortable as it’ll be dressed and swollen, but I’ll need to wear something loose. Are vest tops the way to go? or stick to pyjamas?
What about after hospital? what does everyone else here post mastectomy and reconstruction do for the right support?
many thanks
x
Hi Nicola,
I am am two weeks post abdominal flap today! Mine was a delayed reconstruction rather than immediate but here are my suggestions. Incidentally, I had no dressings apart from the tape which held my three drains in place. I was glued together.
Summer weight front buttoning nightie - easy opening for hourly inspections of flap and will also accommodate your catheter. Post-catheter removal, I switched to summer PJs, also front opening to assist with the less frequent inspections. If you are lucky to get a side room, it will be kept stinking hot to assist with blood flow to your flap hence summer weight clothing. I also found it useful to have a packet of cooling facial wipes handy just to wipe my face with and to benefit from the brief cooling respite it gave.
Re support garments, each hospital I think has slightly different policies. I didn’t wear any until discharged. My bra was my post mastectomy non-wired one but I also had an M&S post surgery front zipping sports bra - really comfy. My support knickers came from Sainsbury’s (firm control and high rise) on the recommendation of my pre-op assessment team. If you are discharged with a drain, ask about wearing your support knickers as I found to my cost, it is a bit uncomfortable and I ditched them until my last drain was removed one week after op. I now wear my bra and support pants 24/7 bar showering, etc. I have to do so for the first 6 weeks.
Couple of other tips for you. I put in a small bag with drawstring (my primary school shoe bag no less!) a few essential bits and pieces like phone, tablet, book, whatever you really can’t do without! I left this handy in my locker so that I could ask the nurse to give it to me immediately post-op for when I wanted it - left on the table. I really couldn’t have moved to get it myself from the locker.
I found on You-tube, an American physiotherapy video as to how to get out of bed post DIEP. This is the action that I have found most difficult post-op and this video was useful. If you sleep on the wrong side of a double bed at home, consider swapping sides as rolling out of bed is the least painful way to go.
if I can help any further, please do ask.
Ezzie x.
Hi Ezzie
It’s great to hear you are recovering so well.
I was just reading the thread as I’m due to have a mastectomy in the next couple of weeks. Reading your post has given me hope that the recovery won’t be as horrific as I’m expecting!
Hi everyone,
Sorry for the tardiness in coming back to you.
Hi Ezzie, I haven’t got a date yet for my op but I’ve 3 hospital appointments this week. I’ve to see the surgeon tomorrow and then straight to the fertility clinic so the ball is well and truly rolling. I’m hoping to have more news in the next week or so about a date, after I’ve seen the surgeon. I’m glad everything has gone smoothly for you 
I really hope to have a similar outcome. This sounds awful, but I’m really too busy, too productive, and have too many young people relying on me keeping fit and healthy. I do a lot with my local Air Cadet squadron which I love doing and it keeps me sane. Dreading the down time to be honest lol!
Have been keeping myself busy, trying to clear the desk actually from all the things I’d signed up to pre-Christmas with these guys as have been told it’s likely to be first/second week in December! I’ve always been a “glass half full” person so I’ll keep going with that :) I hear what you’re saying about choosing to do 18 miles - fair play to you!! I had a cyst and an ovary removed through a laparotomy at the end of June and within 2 weeks I was walking a few miles round my local park with the dog trying to get back up and running. By end of August, I was still swollen but back with my squadron and training and the middle of September I was back in uniform as the swelling had gone down enough! I know it was because I was and still am stubborn/a little mad and the downtime was driving me mad! I needed out and up off the sofa! :D
Sammy, good luck with your operation! Positive thinking works wonders and a little activity certainly aids recovery!!