Delayed DIEP flap reconstruction

Hiya, I had an immediate diep reconstruction and I’m now 5 years on from that operation. I work as an LSA in a primary school and I returned to work 12 weeks after the operation, that was good, I was ready, I’d healed and although I had a phased return, I almost immediately went back full time school time, it’s a physical job so I needed to recover fully. I guess if I’d had an office job I might’ve been able to go back slightly earlier but tbh it is a big op and you need time to recover. Yes the first two weeks were hard, it was tough to sleep and I pushed myself a bit too hard. How old are your kids? I had a 12 year old, I’m divorced, and I had my mum here for a week but after that I was here on my own. I could potter about fine, I walked my dog with a rota of friends as companions but I didn’t leave the house for the first 9 days really. I had drains still in for the first week. I could do most things for myself other than loading the lower level of the dishwasher but it was all done very gingerly. I have absolutely no regrets about the op, I’ve had a good outcome, in a swimming costume nobody can tell. The boob puts on weight and looses weight (in my dreams!) with me. It was hard but worth it. After 3 weeks I improved quickly week on week. Take the strongest painkillers they’ll discharge you with and take them at night, don’t push yourself to hard and don’t think you should be getting better quicker, I didn’t cut myself enough slack. Happy to answer any specific questions you might have x

Thank you for sharing your story! My kids are 4 and 10, just about the age to be more independent! I will have help from my parents for the first 3 weeks and then I have my parnter here with me! Did your tummy became very week? (if you used tummy tissue) and did your body felt it looked nice with all the scars and changes? I know nothing is perfect but sometimes I feel it is not worth doing it! I had 3 years to think about it and time can magnify everything! I am happy you recovered so well! :D 

I haven’t noticed my stomach being weak but I confess I’m no gym bunny! I have an active job and I’ve not noticed it in that. It is absolutely crazy how much my scars have healed. I have had a beautiful floral tattoo over my reconstructed breast, and around my natural breast, the reconstructed is very good but they somehow didn’t match when naked. It’s always going to be seen that I’ve had surgery but it’s not obvious at all after the tattoo which I’m so happy with.I’m happy to share my before and after tattoo pics with you if you’d find it helpful or interesting and wholeheartedly recommend the amazing Rosie Todman in Cheltenham who did them for me. She has done many other post surgical breast tattoos, look on instagram. I did post them here but they were removed. My stomach scar had faded so much, I can really see it but others have mistaken it for clothing creases! I was shocked when I first saw my scars but they did heal and start to fade fast. The op does give you a flat stomach to go with the scar and I’ve definitely appreciated that!! X