Mastectomy with immediate reconstruction

Hi what reconstruction are you having ? X

Hi sorry you have BC. I had a single.mastectomy and immediate recon from my stomach a.diep flap it's called

My op was 18 June, its a long one but I felt the rigjt one for me. They will sort u a bra out initially as you will have swelling amd won't have your true size for a while.  Button down nighties but I wore the hospital gown most of the time. Also a.dressing gown that has pockets as you will have drains from your wounds. Recovery is about 12 weeks.but you must.take it easy if your having recon from stomach. No lifting pulling or pushing.  Make.sure you do the exercises they give you . Amd.keep.drinking plenty of water to keep your blood pressure up . Xgood luck 

Hi, I had a mastectomy with immediate reconstruction on my left breast using implant about 3 weeks ago.  The recovery time/experience will be different depending on if you had reconstruction using implant or your own tissue. I only stayed overnight and left home with a drain attached, which was removed 5 days later. Didn't have much pain but did take the prescribed painkillers for about 2 days. It was just uncomfortable more than anything especially with the drain attached. I did take my PJs to the hospital but ended up just wearing the hospital gown for that one night, just found that much easier to be honest. I did have special bra from M&S but I found my slightly loose fitting sports bra type more comfortable but this will also depend on the range of your hand movement also. Maybe take your favourite snacks, I was definitely glad my friend had put some in my hospital bag :). I was able to go for short walks, super market trips etc after two weeks but still taking it easy. I work in dentistry so I had decided to take the whole month of July off. I was told the recovery time for reconstruction using your own tissue would be much longer, hence I went the implant route. so your experience might be different to mine but regardless wishing you all the best and sending you hugs xx

Hi, DIEP flap with tissue from my tummy

That's what I had . 2 drains from your boob and 2 on ya public area for your tummy wound. First off have a bikini wax cos them sticky plasters they use are a nightmare.2 drink plenty to keep up the blood flow and blood pressure. You'll have.a.catheter so u can drink loads and won't need to worry about peeing . They came round to ultrasound my new boob every hour.  I had the most pain from my tummy muscles not my boob as you'll find it's numb under my a is still mum 5 weeks on . But I am.driving now not lifting not pushing.or pulling xx

DeeKay2 Hi, I had a DIEP flap from tummy, one breast in August 2019 and I took a long time to recover, if you want to fully recover back to normal, but I had chemo afterwards and that hit me for six, so I’m still trying to recover now, from the exhaustion of that.  Everyone is different, but as for recovery from the op, it will pass quickly.  I got shaved by hospital before the op, I didn’t know about it till afterwards and he hair still has not grown back which is good for me.  The op took around seven hours and I was immobile for a couple of days, but you soon get going again, you just have to keep at it and do all the exercises the physiotherapist tells you, don’t skip them, as it will take you longer to regain your muscle tone otherwise.  If you have any more questions, just ask me and I’ll do my best to answer.  Good luck.

I had already had a mastectomy and implant, and this was changed to a diep. I think most people (myself included) find the tummy part the worst. I am no 20 months since my op and my tummy is still numb in places and I think that is how it will be now. 
Every hospital has their own way of doing things in terms of underwear, for me , I kept the hospital gone on all the time, much easier for them to check and no need to be trying to dress yourself. A long phone charger lead, and a skippy cup for drinks were really the only things I was glad I took with me. I came out with one drain in, which was removed after a few days, and put my drain in a carrier bag and hung up whilst I showered at home. The very Best Buy was a long pregnancy pillow, you won’t be able to lie on any side or on your front for quite some time, but this allowed me to move around a bit and still be supported. I went back, physically to work after six weeks.

Having said all of that everyone is different and you just need to take your own steps when you feel ready.

My top tip, given to me by the physio- when you are sat and wanting to stand up, hold in your pelvic floor muscles whilst you are standing up, and it will be much easier to move, I found this a revelation once I knew!

jowoomot Hello Jowoomot, how long were you feeling exhausted from the operation and/or chemo?  I’m two years past the op (tummy feels fine, but recon still heavy, even though it’s only a 36A and always will be numb) and still feeling fragile after the chemo.  I am 68 years old and fed up not being back to normal fitness.  Might be stress and the coronavirus lockdowns contributing.

Hi

I had chemo in 2016/17 , then mastectomy and implant , replaced in December 2019 - I was due to have the Diep when I initially had my mastectomy but had had enough of treatment by then , and so waited a couple of years for the DIep, to be honest I am really glad I did , and I do think women who have the full lot of treatment and the Diep all in one go run the risk of becoming really fatigued , just my opinion , but reading and speaking to other women this seems to be the case. My boob is numb but doesn’t really feel heavy , but my tummy is still tight ! I have just had part one of a roper tattoo on my boob , and mentally it is the best thing I have been done, I now see a beautiful flower instead of scars , and I do think it has also physically helped me to move on, I’m sure you will understand what I mean ? 
It may be worth asking your GP for some blood tests , as you may be lacking something which is just making you feel worse? 
Jo x

I had a right mastectiomy and DIEP flap reconstruction back in 2010. I was off work for nearly 9 months after my operation mainly because I needed radiotherapy after. I was in a trial to increase fitness which included diet and exercise, A good tip is to have a soulder bag for your drains that can easily be carried around. FAmily and friends were a great support.