sue diep flap

Hello Sue, I had right mx and diep flap 3.5 weeks ago in Stoke Mandeville, Bucks. The operation went well and I am really pleased with the result although I have had to be realistic about the time needed to recover - I'm not a very patient patient!
The hospital advised me to take pain relief rather than get into a position of being in pain which is harder to control and I had a pca (patient controlled analgesia) which allows you to press a button to recieve a shot of morphine as and when needed. I only needed this for a couple of days and then just took paracetamol. By the time I left hospital I only needed paracetamol when I woke during the night. I did struggle with back pain due to the time spent in bed and the strain of not being able to walk upright but this was a temporary thing.
For the first couple of days I was kept very warm to help the healing process and found it helpful to have a hairband to keep hair off face and neck, wipes to freshen up and squash/juice to help encourage me to drink lots of water. I spent the first couple of days in the hospital gown and then able to wear own (front fastening) pyjamas. I bought some dry shampoo, which did work quite well and helped to make me feel a bit fresher. I had the operation on a Weds and came home on the Monday. At home I found it helpful to surround myself with pillows in bed and to put pillows under my knees as you are not supposed to lie flat - useful to know in advance in case you need to stock up on pillows!
I hope that this helps - let me know if there is anything else that would be helpful to you. I found this site really useful. In the mean time, I hope that all goes well for you and send lots of positive vibes! x

Hi Sue. I am fortunate that I only live 20 mins from hospital but asked my husband just to drop me off at the hospital on day of surgery so that he could ensure that the children got off to school ok (and stop me from finding something else to worry about)and try and get stuck in to some work for the day to take his mind off things. I also knew that if he was there I was more likely to get emotional and I so I just wanted to concentrate on keeping it together!I went to theatre at 8.30 am and didnt come back up to the ward until about 7 so it would have been a really long wait for him if he hadnt had any distractions. He did come in to see me in the evening but there was a lot of activity around monitoring me and making me comfortable so he didnt stay for long.
One thing I didnt realise until admitted is that I could use my mobile phone both to make and recieve calls so it might be worth checking what the policy is in your hospital as this may influence your decision (and when you are visiting you can also make sure that you can get a good signal on your network).
Good luck with all your planning and preparations and anything else I can add, very happy to do so.

Very Best wishes June

Hi Sue,

What you are feeling is so normal. I was the same, OK one minute and a blubbing wreck the next. The Plastic surgeon that I had was marvelous, he explained everything to me, as no doubt yours will too. He went through everything with me, what to expect when I woke from the operation, the monitoring of the nurses etc. They are very skilled people and understand what you are feeling. Speak to your breast care nurse, she will understand you and give you more support. Dont be afraid to call them they work with patients like us all the time and they do understand your emotional state so much. It is quite natural they you feel emotional and anxious about all this, once you get the date for surgery that will be another thing ticked off the list. I was pleased when I knew the date for mine as since I was diagnosed it was literally 4 and a half weeks to my surgery very swift indeed, all I wanted was the BC gone and get the first partof my reconstuction done in one go. It is a big operation to undergo but I truly have no regrets. Have you got your bras yet? If not I have got a contact that my PS gave me of a company that supply them, they are very nice people and very sypathetic and understanding. Bras are not cheap but they are very good as you need the support post surgery. I did get some others from M&S sports type ones which are ok but I do find the MX ones better. Would you like me to send the details? I'll be happy to do so. Also I took in nighties that had front openings, I dont wear pj's and they may be difficult with the tummy wound too, so would suggest a nightie which would be more comfy. Try not to worry too much, easier said than done but we have all been there and here we are all are to help and support you, it really does get better.
Thinking of you, and take care, Chrissyx

Hi Sue,
I had my mx and diep reconstruction on March 17 this year so I'm now 9 weeks post-op. I agree with everything said so far but would also add that you should get some big pants. You want something that will reach up over your scars, including your new tummy button, which I found was more tender than the big scar across my lower tummy. M&S do a good range. I also got a few sports bras from them. Its worth getting one size bigger band size than you normally take to allow for the swelling during the first few weeks.
I was in hospital for 6 days and once I was home, took it easy for a couple of weeks. By four weeks post-op I was able to walk for a couple of miles each day. Now I can ride my bike, walk, swim (breast stroke, not crawl)and do most everyday activities. You just need to be sensible and do what you body tells you and rest when you are tired.
I'm waiting to see the PS in August for the next stage. I need a fat transfer to fill out the dips and hollows in the new breast and a reduction on the other side.
Good luck!
Jane

Hi Sue,

Hope all goes well for you today thinking of you.

Take care Chrissyx

Hi Sue,

Glad your meeting went well with the PS, another hurdle over and done with. Only the date to get now then you can prepare for it. Good idea from Jane about the bigger pants, my dearest friend went into M&S for me and got a pack of 5 I think, they were really good and comfy. When I came out of hospital the admission nurse said to bring in a really comfy pair of joggers or trousers with high elasticated waist, it dosen't matter what they look like, think COMFORT! I was pleased to have taken that advice. Take care, thoughts with you, Chrissyx

Hi Sue,

Glad to see you are being positive, getting the biggy knickers etc, good about the old joggers, you will find them comfy as long as they are not tight around the waist. I took a button up front cardigan in with me for when I went home it's easier to put on rather than trying to drag over your head. Also wore this to my follow up appointments as it's easy to get on and off for examinations.

As for me I have got a major panic on, I found another lump in my 'good' breast last night. Didn't sleep much, and have been calling my surgeon this am to try and see him in his clinic this evening, in fact whilst writing this the 'stand-in' secretary just called and she's trying to contact him to see if it's possible. I cant wait until next week, think I'll go mental with the worry. I see my PS next week so if I cant see the breast surgeon I'll speak to him about it. I only saw my breast surgeon on the 5th May so I'm sure he would have picked up on something them, perhaps I'm worrying over nothing, but this horrible disease does your head in. Anyhow will keep in touch let me know when you get you op date. Take care love Chrissyx
PS Just got phone call to say my BS will see me tonight at 5.00pm phew! Feel a bit more relieved now will let you know the outcome later.

Hi Chrissy, I'm so sorry that this has happened to you. BC is like a treadmill that once on it you can't get off and every now and again it takes you off in another direction. One consolation is that once in the 'system' you know how it works and can get seen quickly and it sounds like you are in good hands. Next Thursday must seem like a lifetime away but please let us know how you get on and in the mean time post on here whenever you feel the need.

Sending lots of positive thoughts, June x

Dear Sue and June,

Thanks so much for your thoughts and prayers, felt like nothing on earth Friday, with a lulu of a briuse to my 'good' boob. Thursday seems like light years away before I get the results, but I'm so lucky that my BS is a brilliant man and nothing is too much trouble for him. He said he just doesn't want leave anything to chance. If, and I sincerely hope it's not bad news, at least they can act quickly on this one. It's just the dread of going through all the palava again. Hubby took me out to dinner last night which was really nice, a favourite pub that we go to in W.Sussex, always good food, and I eally enjoyed it as haven't felt like eating much since Thursday. I'm seeing my PS Tuesday re the tattooing, Lord alone knows what he's going to think about my other boob! At least I can prime him if I need anything else done, he's also a brilliant man and I feel in really safe hands with both these men. I consider myself lucky to live where I am and to have access to these doctors. Anyway, do let me know Sue when you get your op date and thinking of you for that. June not sure where your at at the moment with yours, but hope all ok. And again thanks for being there.

Love Chrissyx

Dear Sue and June,

Thanks for your support, not looking forward to this evening, well I sort of am and sort of not. At least I'll know one way or the other. Had a rotton night's sleep woke at 3.00am with a bummer of a migraine, it's gone now thank goodness. Just the worry I suppose. The only consolation of this is that my BS is a brilliant man and I have every confidence in him. Saw my PS Tuesday and he was surprised at this outcome on my 'good' breast as said that they did biolateral mammo last October and nothing evident then. Plus all the tests I had done, bloods, bone and CT scans and Onco type DX Assay (in the States) so I would have thought that something would have come up. You dont know with this wretched disease do you. Up side my PS was very plese with the results of my recon and i see him in 6 weeks time with a view to tattooing. Presently I'm nursing one lulu of a bruise to my other breast!

June: You have gone through the mill, poor you. Dont you go doing too much and worrying about going back to work, just get yourself well and then think about things like that , you are the important person here, blow the work! and thank you for your hug, another big one coming your way!

Sue: Hugs to you too, hope you get your date soon and you can get on with the journey.

Love Chrissyx