Diep flap reconstruction, how soon can you walk straight?

Thank you so much Tingk. This is so helpful and reassuring too. Knowing what to expect does take the fear factor away. And I'll keep you in the loop as I progress. Thanks for inviting me to badger you with questions/advice – I'll be taking you up on that.

In the meantime, I'm so pleased that you're mending slowly. You've been through quite a rigorous treatment programme and the fact that you sound sanguine about it all is joy.

Keep healing…

Fx

Thank you - this is really helpful!

where did you have your op?

how long before you could straighten up?

hope you continue to heal and improve!

XA

Hi AnnH,

i am in North Tyneside so had surgery at Northumbria specialist Emergency Care hospital. It's a pretty new hospital. I am able to walk pretty much straight now 4weeks after surgery so back pain is gone! 

Everything is going really well for me, I'm definitely one of the lucky ones and I never forget it.

take care and stay strong 

x

It is good to read about the successful DIEP reconstructions on this thread. Mine (if I get one) will be delayed but I don't suppose this makes any difference to discomfort/recovery times.

What I would specifically like to know is whether anybody had any 'dog ear' type 'extras' either side of their abdomen after the surgery. I am rather worried about this as I have such a 'dog ear' on the side where I had the mastectomy - hopefully this can be incorporated into the DIEP. Also, I have met one woman who had the DIEP who told me that she did have 'dog ears' either side but that these were removed during later surgery (she was private - not so sure this would be available on the NHS).

The other things I would like to know are: 

1. How soon could you go up the stairs? I have an upstairs bedroom and downstairs bathroom and would want to keep the up and down business to a minimum. There is a chance I could have a put-down bed in the front room but this is rather low and I'm wondering whether this would make it difficult to get up and down. (I find it quite difficult due to my knees to get up and down at the best of times.)

2. Did you have somebody around for a good few weeks after the surgery? From what I have read here one could be out of hospital as soon as three days after the surgery. My sister would come up to help for two or three days after this. Other than that I will be on my own. I'd need to be able to answer the door at the very least if I was to get friends/paid help in to assist. Does this sound workable?

Thank you.

P.S. I am getting anxious now (even though nothing has actually been promised) especially as I initially had an implant but got an infection and this had to be removed. I am scared of getting an infection through the DIEP and all going wrong. I don't know how I got the infection of course but I needed to keep my drain in for 13 days because the bottle kept filling beyond a certain point. It seems as though you all only had your drains for three or so days (at least in the posts I have read).

Hi

I had an immediate diep just before Xmas 2017 so just over a year ago!!!

You can have scar revision on the NHS. I had a small dip filled from the middle of my abdominal scar when they did some lipo modelling and nipple reconstruction. 

Re the stairs. I came out of hospital on day 4. My drains went by day 3. I was very doubled up and could only shuffle short distances. I coped with the stairs by either going up and down very slowly sideways with both hands on the banister. However, I tried not to go up and down too often to begin with but I did have family members around to do my bidding. 

Re help - My husband took a few days off and then my teenage daughter was on school holidays. I needed help to get out of bed and walk about as my tummy was so tight. I was bent double for what felt like ages which made my back muscles really hurt. I also needed help putting on socks or shoes and to pick something up. A litter grabber would have been useful for this!!!! I was absolutely fine if I sat on the sofa with my feet up and didn't do too much. I was lucky as I had my family around to run around for me. You do improve quickly and in theory I could have answered (shuffled slowly) the door after a few days. But, you do need support after the operation once you're home. A deip is worth all the hassle if you can face it as you have a very natural looking new boob. It is doable. Hope this helps!!!! Xxxx

Hi AnaE, I am now 5 months post surgery, I have dog ears which the NHS will repair if I wish, I am likely to have some further minor surgery to even up my breasts a bit more so probably do it at the same time. 

Before I was allowed home the physio in hospital had to be satisfied I could manage stairs and also getting in and out if bed unaided though it's a bit tricky to master at first!

 I am lucky enough to have hubby and family around but really I managed most things within a few days for things like making a cuppa. You develop skills for getting up with as little pull on your abdomen as possible using legs and good arm etc. Be as prepared as you can with anything you can to make life easier, ready meals, grabber stick, phone number of friends! I had no hair after chemo so no worry there but showering is tricky so lots of wet wipes. 

Infection is always a worry but there's not much you can do bar the usual precautions. Own tissue in my mind feels like a safer option as you're not introducing a foreign body into your body. 

Its a big surgery even if it's 2 phase but having come this far I have no regrets even if I was left exactly how I am now with dog ears and slightly uneven boobs.

I wish you all the luck in the world going into this stay positive and strong, you will get through it with your own strength of mind.

Tingk

x

AnaE

I had a failed DIEP reconstruction Sept17 but successful recent reconstructiin using LD flap and liposuction 

Re dog ears - i had these removed during recent LD/lipofill  reconstruction (NHS). I hadnt even asked for something to be done about them but when my surgeons were doing the lipofill from my thighs they did some from the ends of my DIEP abdominal scar too 

1. Re stairs, I had to demonstate I could use the stairs before going home. Once home I tried to remember to bring everything down with me for the day that I needed. I have a downstairs loo and my hubby was around at the the time.

2. The more mobile you are the better. Unfortunately because my DIEP failed I was pretty immobile for the first 5 days as I was in and out of theatre to try to save my reconstruction. Once home I was as mobile as I could be, increasing my step count each day, but was still floored by a pulmonary embolism and chest infection 3 weeks post op. Most things possible on your own but avoid any heavy lifting/ hoovering etc. Friends helped out by walking the dog and taking me to appontments. 

There's usually no obvious reason for infection. Drains have to be in as long as medics deem depending on volume rate. 3 to 5 days is the norm but may be soomer or longer. Just keep everything clean and redress wounds regularly.

Having gone through DIEP (failed) and now LD reconstruction, the former definitely takes longer to recover from and get back to normal because of the abdominal wound. Recovery from the LD is quicker but getting full range of movement and strength back in the shoulder takes longer.

Wishing you all the best with your op and recovery.

This thread is being marked for retention by the moderator, as some members are still finding this useful.

Wow ,you must be psychic-this thread is really interesting for me ,as I saw the consultant yesterday to discuss surgery after my chemo finishes and I opted for DIEP .So obviously, all the info and tips on here is so useful to me .

Hi

I had my DIEP 5 years ago now and don't regret it. It's a big operation and post-op recovery can be slow but it is worth the hassle. You will have a new boob that hangs naturally and is warm to touch. I wear all the same clothes - underwire bras etc just as I did before. You will also have a very flat tummy..... My large abdominal scar (it is very very scary to look at to begin with) healed to just a thin white line. I did have nipple recon, tattooing and some tweaks to the shape. Good luck with your operation and I'm pleased the thread has been useful as it is a big decision. Xxxx