Hi I am seven weeks post mastectomy and immediate reconstruction DIEP and back to normal in the physical sense. In answer to your queries I was advice to purchase a none wired, no seams bra so the type that is soft and goes over your head and can be bought from Sainsbury, Matalan etc not expensive I think £6 and I bought the XL as there will be swelling to the new breast. I bought 4 as you wear them day and night so easy to wash/dry and not worry. I moved to a type of sports bra at 4- 5 weeks for additional support and now just got back into my under wired bra - its been mostly about the swelling of the new breast which does increase in size as the day progresses and when you are more active. I did go to a specialist mastectomy shop to be measured about week 4 and to be honest paying the £40 for a bra at that time was not sensible as your breast is so changeable and glad that I had the confidence to say no. In hospital you need button front nighties or pjs but remember its hot in hospitals so fleecy can be to much as I found out in October. Front fastening as the nurses will be keeping a close eye on your new breast to ensure the flap is working and I was checked 15 minutes for 6 hours then 1 hourly for 6 hours then 4 hourly until discharged. So as you can see front is ideal and ensure the sleeves on pjs or nightie can roll up as you need your blood pressure checked on the opposite arm. Regarding pants I just wore my normal pants as they do not go through the muscles no need for support pants and just wear what feels comfy but the scar will go from hip to hip so you will not want the elastic sitting on the scar either. My tummy has never been so flat and its tight with a new belly button. Going home I bought jogging pants x2 for ease but tended to wear my pjs in week one at home as I was so shattered. Week four onwards just wearing normal clothes again so its not about buying lots of items. I was up and back to normal mobility by week three and no pain killers. Everyone said I look so well from week three and that is great but dangerous as it encourages you to attempt more........!!!! Remember its big surgery and I thought about getting to surgery and the process and not about the emotional impact i.e. as I had changed for ever and that came to me about week 5 as I was starting to prepare to return to work and I am working through the feelings now. I started to massage the scars at week 4 but this will be advised by your plastic surgeon as to when, how and with what as surgeons differ so much. I hope this provides an over view as you prepare for your DIEP and happy to answer any queries no matter how small as its really important to gain answers to prepare yourself.
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