DIEP surgery

Hi, you should get a compression garment which covers from mid-thigh to just under the breasts, then a compression bra. I got 2 of each, one to wear, one to wash and the front fastening bra was the best. Stick to your usual size, the first couple of days it may be a squeeze to get in due to post surgery swelling. I ended up wearing a normal crop top style bra at first then moved into compression about 2 days after going home.

Vinted was good for 2nd hand compression if you don't want to pay full whack x

Hi, Some hospitals provide the bra, mine did although I wasn’t expecting them to. I was advised to buy a sports bra so I bought 2 of them. The underwear I bought was from Matalan although plenty of other shops sell them, I was advised firm to medium controI pants high waist, I also bought a compression belt from Amazon because I read that someone else had used one and they said it was a god send and it truly helps. Good luck x

Hi Skye30, you will likely be discharged in a bra but I bought an additional one from M&S who have special front fastening bras especially for mastectomies. I didn’t need any more than that. I also used just normal, non underwired bras from both John Lewis and M&S (still to this day!). It’s interesting because there’s so much conflicting advise given from consultants, something we often all comment on. I was also discharged with a wrap around Velcro corset thing to use while walking. I personally was told specifically not to buy any control pants, my consultant said they can cause post surgical issues as they are too tight so just normal midi pants I was told and the corset thing they provided. I know this is different to other advise people are given but it is what I was told, I really don’t understand why the advice isn’t uniform. Two pairs of front fastening loose pyjamas was enough. Take a phone charger too, if you have a longer length one that’s handy as sometimes the sockets aren’t as close as you’d like, dressing gown, slippers, lip salve, hand cream. All the best, I’m 4 years post surgery with no regrets, it’s hard at first but once I was recovered I didn’t regret it x

I'm relieved to say that today I've been accepted for DIEP flap reconstruction.  Still daunting to say the least, but it was my first choice.  The recovery is all longer than I'd expected, but it is what it is.  No excuse for the kids to pull their socks up and help now ;-)
Starting to feel like I'm regaining a bit of control - although I'm seeing the breast surgeon tomorrow and will find out about the PET scan results.  So I'm terrified about more bad news.

My PET results were clear, so I'm having my surgery on 23rd now :-D

That’s brilliant news. All the best with your surgery x

Good morning! I haven’t posted here for a few weeks now, so I thought I’d update you all.

I’m day 15 post surgery for dmx and DIEP at the Royal Free. The care there was amazing, although the first 48 hours were tough with the hourly checks etc. All too hot and noisy for proper sleep too, so hugely relieved to be discharged on day 4.

I’m catching up on sleep now I’m home and healing well physically. I’m almost walking upright again when I have my ‘Bridget Jones knickers’ on, and have woken up a couple of times (on my back!) but without the extra pillows propping me up.

Emotionally, I’m more down than up - not helped by lots of headaches in the first week home and then an upset stomach this past weekend. Finding it odd watching everyone else do stuff for me, frustrated not to do more, but don’t have the energy or concentration to do much either! 
So a bit if a mixed bag!

And we’re seeing the breast cancer surgeon today for the results - scared stiff is an understatement! 

I hope everyone else is doing ok xx