After the DIEP op you have something called a bear hugger for the first 24/48 hours which ensures that you stay warm and gives the recon the best chance of staying stable & successful. I find the best way to describe it is as a soft lilo with hot air being pumped in that you keep over you in place of a blanket. The reality is that it is not comfortable, however it is essential to the op outcome.
If you get cold your capilliaries constrict, limiting the blood flow. With this op it is critical to keep the blood flowing into what is effectively a transplant and you are monitored very closely via a dopler-type instrument to check for good blood flow.
It is not the most comfortable thing to feel hot but you have to deal with that. Plenty of fluids, a spritzer type spray, fan for your face etc are all ways of coping. The inconvenience is time limited and the benefits life long.
Wierd or each hospital is different - I had one of those on in recovery but once back in my room, this came off and ended up with heated radiators around me to keep me warm instead xx
Thank you for your responses and wow you both seem to have been pretty mobile even before you left the hospital !
You tend to read all the horror stories and they’re the ones that stick in your mind - so it’s lovely to hear of ladies who have been fine with the op and as you say mfb, you deal with the scariness in whichever way you can. You think we would be used to scariness by now after all we’ve been through
My hubby came with me when I went to theatre for my mast (which was 3 years ago) - but probably wasn’t the best decision as we both became pretty upset as he left me at the theatre door. There again that was a completely different situation having just been dx.
You sound like you were well looked after - just hope I have the same kind of experience.
Hope you’re both now well on the way to recovery (and anybody else who has had this procedure recently) and thanku again for the very helpful info.
Hi Ladies
What a brilliant site for those of us who are awaiting surgery for DIEP. Mine is going to be done on 19th May @ Addenbrookes, I have a meeting on Friday with PS, and I have to let him know if I want a reduction in my good breast - I think I might as well go for it!!
All of your tips are brilliant, and fortunately I have plenty of time to go out and stock up on sprays, calipso, front opening bras & nighties etc…
Could I please ask 1 question - have any of you ladies had rads after your DIEP? I am scheduled for rads 6 weeks after and wondered what the effect was with having had a DIEP. Thanks
Annex
Hi
Sorry I can’t help either I had rads when I had bc 16 years ago and could only have chemo 2 nd time. The rads caused me problems with the ls flap which came out, now waiting for diep but all my old skin will go I think
L.
thanks, ha I wish, i seem to have a thick middle and no waist which i think was due to my higher middle, also looks like im still going to need a prothesis for some time but then again what they have already done compared to what i had is totally amazing… xxx Been pottering again, managed a wee walk and a meal out.
It’s amazing how well you’ve done Lisa! still really early days yet.
I’m sure you will find your thick middle disperses after the massage and exercises. I can let you see a 4 month pic…it was my anniversary yesterday!
I was in hospital for 6 nights, went in night before and saw my PS who used the chart from the CT scan I had to find the best blood supply to write in different colour felt tip all over me (make sure you shower before you go in!). He cam round again in the morning before the opt o make sure all the markings were still clear and took photos for ref (no head shots)
The theatre nurses were lovely really made me feel that my dignity was important, sending other staff out of the room whist they were sorting things out, it was like, yes a lot of your body will be on show to do the op but no more or longer then necessary and not to people who don’t need to see certain aspect ie catheter
I was in a single occupancy room which they can make sure the temperature is kept up and had a sponge type pad across the chest to keep the area warm. I had the covers up off my feet it the new boob which needs keeping warm to keep the blood vessels open
You will probably have special leggings on which keep pumping up and down to ensure the blood supply is circulating in your legs and you dont get clots, once your up and about they get switched for compression stockings.
They keep a really close eye on you for the first couple of days which is reasssuring. I was somewhat nervouse when was 1st going for the op because of the time, but came to see it as yes its a complex op due to micro surgery aand yes it is also a long op because of that, but its not like my Aunties open heart surgery and once I thought of it that way I felt better about it, and I would do it again for how I feel about it now
Good morning all,
Back home after successfully diep op and omg what a difference it makes to see 2 breasts again. I havn.t stopped smiling and feel happy and much more like my old self again.
I was in stoke mandeville and everyone was fab. Pre op the week before followed by surgeons drawing markings the afternoon before the op. then home and back in for 730 the next day. Came round to the girls saying it looked like I had been on holiday rather than on op table. They were brill and new boob is great. I was kept hot and checked every hour for first night which they then slowly lengthen. I was up 2 days later when they removed the catheter and have been mobile since. Physio warns you to not walk further than loo and back until you can stand upright at about 2 weeks. Otherwise you will kill your back. I was in for 6 nights too but could have come home sooner buttrue rest is worthwhile. 1 week on I manage stairs and was sitting in the garden with friends. I have exercises to do which I am following. I can shower on my own. I am using paracetamol but more uncomfortable than great pain. I would definately recommend this op. it is a very positive experience. Being an active person the next few weeks restrictions of no driving and only pootling about might be hard but well worth it.
I see consultant next week for follow up so would be glad to hear the experience of others on what.s next like nipple etc. x
Hi ladies
Can’t sleep for some reason so decided to catch up, hope your all recovering well. Am looking forward to hearing your up to date stories and how your new boobs and flat stomachs are going. If I was posting this on any other site I would sound like a Perv. !!!
Ha good one. Well i got a pair of skinny jeans today (well stretcy ones with no zip) and chuffed, still have my big bulge all the way down but to not have the big belly at the bottom is great. My boobs well still both totally different due to masectomies at different times but hopefully they can sort me out with some filling temporarily for my hols till swelling goes down and work out next stage. Loved going for lunch today without a scarf!!! Happy days 4 weeks on xx
Sounds like you are doing well, can you believe you’ve had the op and out the other side.went to a shop yesterday with my husband and I said I don’t want to buy anything new until after the op
L
X x
hiya, I know, i must admit i had a bit of a hard time but looking back I cant believe 4 weeks on i feel like i do now compared to back then, in terms of clothing ive struggled, actually gone up a size as my belly swollen higher up and lost waist but i think that’s down to the size i was before.
my boobs are totally different sizes but i know each side had different complications but the size different is massive but i know with a small temporary prothesis i can cope until next op.
Even with the above i am so amazed by the results, i cant believe what i have is mine and belongs to me, no implants and third boob.
Happy days, cant wait until yours now, will be there for you xxx I actually cant believe how i feel now even to last week
The waist may start to come back soon my tummy is still quite swollen, but since started at physio it has been reducing quite a lot and am now starting to see more of what end result will be. Think once get the flexibility back in that area it will start to show more of the waist I had before.
Have been being quite strict about my exercises and whilst at first felt worse I am seeing improvement so will keep on pushing as fas as advised
Know what you mean about loving results, hope all the other ladies waiting for their op feel exactly the same once they have it
