I had bilateral mastectomy and DIEP in January 2014. I stayed in the hospital for 5 days. My incision was from hip to hip and slept propped up with pillows under my head and back plus legs. I took off 6 weeks of work but couldn't lift anything heavier than 5lbs. Had 4 drains in 3 came out after 10 days. Last one after 2+weeks. The first 4 weeks I became easily exhausted doing small tasks around the house. I couldn't drive for almost 3 weeks. If you have a recliner that would be easy to sleep in also. First 10 days had to walk bent over also. I don't regret my decision and I am back to normal

I had a bilateral Mastectomy and DIEP flap surgery all at once. The recovery was very similar to Mary Hollis' recovery. I do, however regret having the DIEP flap, because it failed - I believe because the doctor did not check on me, and while the machine I was hooked up to, to measure blood flow and oxygen to the transplant kept BEEPING constantly, they just kept saying "don't worry, it's just ultra sensitive". Well, now I have 2 implants. It would have been so much easier to just do that in the first place. The "tummy tuck" I tried to tell myself was the "silver lining" of the whole thing, is really miserable. I don't feel any slimmer, the fat comes back in weird places, and the scar really is hip to hip. I had to have additional surgery to fix a "dog ear" on one hip, and the scar is NOT below the bikini line, because they raise your belly button so high, the scar is way too high to wear a bikini. I don't think I will ever get used to my stomach. The nurse described it like this . . . "a large area of fat was removed, and now the area above that and below that are joined. It's hard to get them on the same plane". So my scar is like a dividing line. My tummy feels lumpy, like my intestine is pushing out from where they join. It's not herniated, I asked my doctor. But the reason I went for the DIEP flap was because I wanted my natural tissue, not foreign objects in my chest. I was also under the impression that it was a "One Shot Deal". I wasn't told that there would be "touch-up" or additional surgeries, like with implants. That was wrong. I wish I had known to ask. There will usually be touch ups in either case. But especially after a mastectomy, the plastic surgeon can't do too much, because of all the trauma to the area from the mastectomy. Where I'm from, the doctors all push to get it all done at the same time. It probably would be better to wait, if you can handle it emotionally.
Best of luck. One thing I can say is Time Heals! It was a very tough journey for me, but now that it is done, I'm fine. I finished my 7th surgery in July 2014.

I'm willing to answer any questions specific. It really helps! Feel free to ask away!

I'm just shy of 3 months out from my flap. I wouldn't change my decision, but I will say it is a slow recovery. This procedure is much more serious than we realize. The recliner, smaller containers of food, and accepting help. You will get through it, just allow your body to heal and rest. It is a fascinating procedure and thankful for the advancements. Hugs to you!

@A MyBCTeam Member. I had a right mastectomy, left reduction, and flap from abdomen almost 3 weeks ago. There really is a big range of recovery stories when you hear from others about how they did. I am so very lucky that I did well with pain and getting around. My doctor thinks it's because I've lived with chronic pain from herniated discs for many years.

After surgery, I spent 4 days in hospital and was off pain meds about one week after surgery. After I ceased the pain pills I did some light work for the office on my laptop. My job is at a computer so I am lucky because I began full time 2 weeks after surgery - but I worked from home. I do get tired and winded easily and need to rest often but my life is much more normal than I had anticipated. I am working on my stamina but it's frustrating for me.

Driving, per se, isn't a problem - it's the jarring to my surgical sites from bumps, uneven roads and pot holes that hurts. Holding my abdomen like a splint does help a little. But I don't want to be in a car for more than a few minutes at a time.

I was anxious before surgery because of the unknown. I found this book called "Preparing for surgery, healing faster" which came with visualization exercises and guided meditations. This did help me with the anxiety and I think it helped me accept the surgery better. I was ready for surgery and didn't fight it on any level. That might have helped me.

Best of luck to you. Please let us know how it goes.

Mentioned Users

A MyBCTea...