Advice needed pre TUG flap operation

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Hi Everyone,

I hope you’re having a good day.

I am due to have a double mastectomy with TUG flap reconstruction on 22nd November, I’m having all my left axilla lymph nodes removed too as the grade 3 cancer is in some of them too. I’ve finished 6 rounds of chemo over the summer. I have the BRCA 1 gene.
I’m not looking forward to the operation and hospital stay (why would I be other than obviously get rid of all traces of cancer..!)

I would love advice about things I need to pack with me or have ready at home to make recovery easier.

i have a maternity (long and thin) pillow already and I’ve bought cycling type shorts and a couple of front fastening bras but thats it… no special drain equipment, no special creams etc. i don’t really have a lot of spare cash so I’m wondering if you could tell me what I’ll need or can adjust to existing clothes etc at home to make life easier.

thank you in advance! Xx

Daisy53 over 2 years ago

Hi RachieRonks

Welcome to the forum and sorry to hear that you have been diagnosed with breast cancer and that you have to have a double mastectomy. You should also have a front fastening top. You don't really need any special creams. While I didn't have to have drains as I only had a lumpectomy I know others who had them and used a drain bag for the drains.

Wishing you the best of luck with your surgery.

Best wishes

Daisy53

RachieRonks over 2 years ago in reply to Daisy53

Hi Daisy, Thank you for your reply and best wishes. I’ll have a look at what a drain bag looks like, I wonder if I can borrow. One from the hospital if I need to. I need to get out my tops and see which ones will do for the next month or so. I have a few front fasteners. I have a feeling I might look a bit dragged through a hedge backwards for a while! I’ll try to embrace it

Take care Xx

Vanilla over 2 years ago

Hi RachieRonks

I am sorry to hear you have cancer and I know preparing for surgery is a worrying time.

I had mastectomy with DIEP flap reconstruction 10 days ago and am feeling a lot better than I thought I would be.

My tips are prepared to be too hot, so take in with you moisturising wipes for your face and lip balm. If you can find a battery operated hand held fan that may help too.

You will be checked very frequently so front fastening nightware in a light material is practical. You will be drinking plenty so a bottle of squash if you get fed up with just drinking water.

For coming home have a cushion in the car to put over your body so the seatbelt doesn't hurt.

At home have several pillows to prop you up.

Hope these help and will be thinking of you on the 22nd.

Zerotoon 15 hours ago

I noticed you've had the tug surgery by now I'm due to have it. I would really appreciate details of what it was like for you?

I hope you are doing well and thankyou

Vanilla 13 hours ago in reply to Zerotoon

I had surgery over 2 years ago and am doing really well thanks. The scars are practically invisible now.

While I didn't have your procedure I can tell you that recovery took me 3 months before I was back to normal. Be kind to your body, do your exercises but also remember to rest when you need to.

Hope all goes well for you

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