DCIS and IDC…..Mastectomy and immediate tummy flap reconstruction

Hi Eltwins

Welcome to the forum and sorry to hear that you have been diagnosed with DCID and IDC. While I don’t have the answer I notice that you haven’t had any replies yet so I thought I’d check in with you so that your post will be pushed to the top of the discussion in the hopes some one will be able to answer your question.

Wishing you the best of luck with your operation and hopefully someone will be on here to answer your question soon.

Best wishes

Daisy53

Hi

I had a mastectomy and immediate reconstruction by DIEP (tummy flap) 3 years ago. I had a large area of DCIS only, no node involvement  so no chemo. A DIEP is quite a big procedure and it will take you a while to recover. In hospital, you will not have much sleep due to the obvs they have to keep doing - every hour for the first 24 hours then every 2 hours for the next 24 and so on. I spent only 4 days in hospital including the op day and came home completely shattered. You don't need to take anything much for the op - I used the hospital gown all the time, you are given a clean one each day. You will need a dressing gown or some other cover-up and a pair of push on slippers etc (I used a pair of Crocs) You also need your post-op surgery bra which they will put on you in theatre. I had my own room and my own TV but didn't watch anything as I tried to cat-nap between observations. You will be given pain relief and a hand held morphine pump for any top up. (I didn't use mine that much.) Once home I used mostly paracetamol - but do keep on top of pain relief as things can creep up on you especially in the evening. The abdominal surgery is the worst bit. The tummy wound is super scary to begin with but it does fade to a thin white line - I hardly notice mine now. The reconstructed boob is pretty amazing. I have had a couple of tweaks via lipo suction and nipple reconstruction and mine looks really quite natural. But, to begin with it will be swollen and you need to wear you post op bra 24/7. Good compression knickers also really helps with the abdominal wound. Once home you will need help and you must not lift anything on the affected side. Also no repetitive actions for 6 weeks such as vacuuming. It took me a while to straighten up and I stooped for a while and had some terrible back ache.I had stools placed in strategic places so I didn't have to stand. Be patient with yourself, take it easy. At six weeks post-op I was back driving and doing most normal things albeit a little more slowly. Do your exercises religiously and once able go for walks as this really helps healing. If you have any questions, please ask. The op is worth the hassle.......Good luck.XXXxxxx