Diep flap reconstruction

Hi, I just noticed you've not had any replies yet as the site is quite busy.  I can't help you myself, but my answer will bump your post up to the first page again and I hope someone with the right experience will be along soon. 

MichD27

Sorry to hear you are feeling the way you are atm. I did a diep flap reconstruction in November 2nd. I had a sort of tummy contracting and swelling for some weeks. So, It sounds like what I went through. I mentioned it to my surgeon who arranged ultrasound, which showed there is accumulation of fluid (seroma). I still felt the contraction/swelling after the seroma was drained for about 2 weeks. My surgeon said it can take weeks/months before it gets settled. So, I only do a genle massage of the tummy when it happens. Thankfully, that aspect is settled now and I know it will be settled soon in your case too. I hope others with similar experience will still come around. However, it worth getting your surgeon's opinion.

Best wishes 

Hi MichD27, I had diep on 20/12/21 I haven’t experienced the same but my whole tummy area is still a bit swollen and feels tight. It is a massive surgery and my nurse said that there will be lots of healing going on underneath that we can’t see. This can take months. I find mine “loosens up” if I keep active. It sounds like yours is in one place though so may be a seroma like Abi said - I’d  give your plastics nurse a call.  They might want to check it out. 
I hope you get it sorted. 

Hi, I had the same surgery on the same date. I had lots of swelling after two-three weeks and when I pushed one end of my tummy it jiggled like a waterbed. It was seroma but they couldn’t find a localised area to aspirate it and said it would go down. The Seroma has gone but one side of my tummy above the incision is still quite swollen and feels harder than the other. I do get a bit of swelling above naval too especially after eating, I was told it’s just your tummy recovering. The evening bit may be due to you relaxing and sitting down more? I know that happens to me, active all day, sit down for a bit and I still struggle to get back up again with the tummy feeling tight. I was also told gentle circular motion massages and now I’m able to cream the area. I make sure I do that and it helps. 
Mickey xx️

Thank you, I’m due back a the plastic surgeon within the next couple of weeks.I have got an op on 1st feb to remove lymph nodes in the armpit so need to get that out of the way first x

Sorry to hear about the auxiliary node clearance. I hope that op goes smoothly for you next week.  Hopefully your apt with the Plastic Surgeon is just after that, but don’t wait if you are uncomfortable ring the plastics BCNs they saw me and reassured me about my Seroma and tummy tear. 

My lymph nodes were clear, but MDT do now want radiotherapy and so I’m worried about the impact of that on my reconstructed boob, but am struggling to find anyone else who has been in that situation. 

Virtual hugs Mickey xx️

Hi, my oncologist said it can causes changes but not in everyone. How she described it to me is that reconstruction can go hard and tighten for a while however, then will soften again over time but I haven’t had my treatment yet so couldn’t tell you first hand.

Thank you MichD27 for sharing that with me, I really appreciate it. Do you know how long after your auxiliary clearance you have to wait before you can have radiotherapy? If I’m first I can keep you posted if you would like to know? 
Hugs Mickey xx️

Hi Mickey , that would be great. I don’t know anything till I have had my op. I will be having both radiotherapy and chemotherapy but not sure which comes first or if they are both together. This is a whole new ball game to me and just going with the flow
Hope your treatment goes and keep me updated.

Michelle

Hi Michelle, I’ll be thinking of you next Tues when you have your op and keeping fingers and toes crossed all goes smoothly and you get further detail shortly afterwards. Sorry, you’re going through the mill with this. What a rollercoaster this is. I will keep you posted how my reconstructed boobie copes with the radiotherapy.

Did you ring your BCN about the swelling? I hope it goes down soon for you. 

hugs Mickey xx️