Double Mastectomy and reconstruction

Hi, firstly well done for getting through the chemo, it feels so good to get that part done. 
As for what to take to hospital, I would definitely recommend clothing that opens up at the front, as you will be constantly getting checked.. Other than that, just the normal stuff to keep you entertained. 
Good luck and the thought of what you are about to go through is much worse than the reality x

Hi Sogotthis,

Thank you for your reply, perfect that will help me work out some items of clothing I can pack.

Thank you, I have to say I’ll be pleased to get this next part done so I can get things back on track again x

Im planning my bag too and got these from a Facebook group for recon. An extra long charging cable as you may find bed is away from wall. Water bottle with long straw. A light dressing gown for walking round the ward. Downloaded stuff on phone/ipad to watch or listen too as hosp wifi might not be great and ear phones. Slippers with decent soles to avoid slipping. And lots of positivity ! Hope it all goes well xx

Thank you Flosk for your reply, I shall add these things to my list. I hope that everything goes well for you too xx

I had a single mastectomy and diep flap reconstruction at the same time. I was in hospital for 5 days and probably should have stayed one more but really wanted to come home. 

I totally over packed for my stay. Personally I was happy to stay in the hospital gown for most of the time as for most of the stay I was in bed anyway and they needed access to my reconstruction often. I don't know if you are having implants or a diep flap. They wouldn't need to check as often if you're having implants as they do with the diep.

When I eventually started wearing clothes I had a slightly larger than normal bra with adjustable / removeable straps from cancer research uk and it smelt quite a bit so I had to change it daily. My nurse recommended bicycle shorts to help with the stomach wound so I had 2 pairs of those. I bought trousers that were elasticated and easy to get on and off and 2 were enough. I bought larger than normal tops that buttoned up but ended up just putting them on without undoing buttons as they were large enough to manage them on and used about 3 of those. 

Change of underwear for each day. Other than that you don't really need any other clothing. I wore the hospital socks as they were non slip, warm and easy to get on and off as with my stomach wound I couldn't bend over. If you have long hair make sure you take hair ties. You will also need toiletries. I recommend the small ones you take on holidays as they are easier to manage. 

I definitely recommend downloading content as the wifi can be patchy. A long charging cable is definitely useful and someway to stand your phone /tablet up is useful so you can watch it while lying down. I took puzzles and my kindle but found concentrating difficult so videos were better. 

I think that's everything.

Regards H 

Hi,  I haven’t been on here for some time but to cut a long story short I had a mastectomy with implant which has become encapsulated.  I’ve been offered a diep but I’m not sure if I could cope with the surgery.  Can I ask you how long it took you to recover and how you are now?  Tx

Hello Hides,

Thank you for your reply, I will definitely sort some of those things out to take to the hospital x

I was recovering fairly well but then had radiotherapy so that is affecting me at the moment. While I was in hospital I was a mess. I even spent 24 hours in recovery because they couldn't get my blood pressure up to 50 and wouldn't move me until it did. Once home I feel like I recovered pretty quickly. The stomach wound was definitely the most difficult to recover from and I couldn't really stand up straight for about 2 weeks but by week 4 when I had to see my breast surgeon he said that I was walking much straighter than most people at my stage. I had a few stubborn spots on my stomach that took forever to heal and ended up with an infection that had to be dealt with but everything seems to be ok now. After 6 weeks I went back to driving and doing normal things at home but I was glad I took the time off work. I am very happy with the results of the diep on the whole (unfortunately they had to remove my nipple and it is slightly smaller than my natural breast so it looks a bit different to me) because it looks very natural. It doesn't look artificial at all and reacts the same as my normal breast. I don't have any feeling in it but especially under clothes it doesn't look like I have had anything done. Someone I work with even asked me if I had had the operation yet. I have an appointment with my plastic surgeon in April so we'll talk about breast reduction and what to do about the missing nipple then. I was on a ward with someone who had the diep six months after her mastectomy and she seemed to recover much faster than me because it is a shorter operation than when you get it all done at once. 

All that to say that I feel pretty good, am back to doing normal things and would not do anything different if I had the choice again. 

Thank you so much for replying.  I don’t think I could go through with a diep.  I congratulate you for your strength and ability to get driving at 6 weeks.  You must be so strong.   Saw my surgeon last night and asked him to take out my encapsulated implant.  He’s having none of it and assures me I won’t accept going flat.  I think he’s right.  Surgery booked for end of March new implant and bi-lateral uplift at the same time.  I feel I’m inside a washing machine.  I don’t have to commit he’s keeping the date for me!  Best wishes xx