Things to buy before heading to the hospital: a recliner (I couldn't sleep in a bed for 3 months), a shower chair, pockets to pin to your clothing to put drain bulbs in (I liked Pink Pockets - I got them off the internet), bras - front hook, supportive (leonisa has a great one, I still wear it three years later), a long handled shower brush, a pillow to put over you torso when in the car, a fan ( a really big fan), a stool softener such as Senna S (the narcotics and lack of activity will cause significant constipation - start them as soon as you get home), loose fitting pajama bottoms or sweat pants and tank tops. I like to wear my husbands button downs over top - they were nice and big on me. Some good slip on shoes - I liked crocs they were light weight - it was winter so I got the ones with fleece trim. They have good grip too. A small rolling computer table - you can roll it to wherever you are and put everything you need within easy reach. A lot of different things to do. I could only watch so many movies and read so many books. I just kept moving from computer to tv to book, to knitting, etc..... variety is the spice of life. I hope this helps.

I had a single MX followed by chemo and rads. 8 months after treatments were finished I had the remaining breast removed and had bilateral DIEP done in June 2014. Because one side was delayed recon and had been radiated, it was smaller than the other side. It is a rough surgery but I would do it again even knowing what I know now. I was in pretty good shape going into the surgery and that made it easier getting up in the beginning because my PS didn't want me pushing off or pulling up with my arms, used mainly legs to get up. Yep, granny panties were helpful, kind that don't have side seams, those seams hit the end of my tummy incision. You will need help for at least the first week you are home. I was lucky, my PS allowed me to shower even with my 6 drains but there is no way I could have done it by myself, husband had to help. It was such an ordeal and exhausting that I think I only took 2 the first week I was at home. We have a fully adjustable bed and I slept with the head and foot raised for several months. I really wasn't in too much pain but I did take my pain meds for a few days at home and then was able to take less. I had horrible constipation and that was with taking a stool softener twice a day beginning with the first post-op day. Two days after I got home I had to take a laxative and that took many hours before working (and I usually am never constipated, usually have issues at the other end of the spectrum). The nurses had me walking several times a day once I was in a regular room and disconnected from the catheter (was in ICU for 2 nights and then regular room for 2 more nights). Once my drains came out I tried to walk every evening, very slow and not very long at first but got better with time. I was told to eat lots of good protein that it helps with healing. I also walked bent at the waist (just enough to take the tension off of my tummy cut). A small area on my tummy cut had to be restitched because I started standing straight too soon, lesson learned, that's why I walked bent for a while. I was off work for 6 weeks. I had my first revision surgery in April 2015, two small implants were placed and fat grafting to fill in dents and the dog ears at the end of my tummy cut were fixed and 1 nipple was created on non-radiated side (other one will be created later). I had hoped to avoid implants but radiation made that impossible, if I wanted symmetry. The radiated side is looking much better, still smaller than the other side but not as lumpy. I had my second revision on December 8, 2015. This involved more fat grafting and nipple creation on radiated side and a lift and slight reduction on the non-radiated side. It is now February 2016 and all is looking good and I don't plan on having any more surgery. They aren't alike but neither where my originals.

@A MyBCTeam Member, I had bilateral DIEP in June 2014 and I also didn't have a lot of stomach fat. No one told me that I couldn't have any caffeine for 5 days (other doctors restrict it for longer). I also wasn't expecting multiple revisions. I had an adjustable bed which was good because it was several months before I could lay flat. One of those electric, help you stand up recliners would have been handy to sleep in also. You will be surprised at how difficult it is to get in and out of bed, off the couch/chair etc without using your arms and abdomen. My upper body strength was reduced to next to nothing, I wasn't cleared for all exercise for months and then each revision I was knocked back again. Strong legs will help, made getting up without arms a bit easier. Try to keep tension off your tummy cut, especially being thin, it will be tight, mine popped open at on end and had to be stitched up. If I went in with the expectation of "getting a tummy tuck" I would be very disappointed, again because of my size, scar is ugly but has faded a bit. I'm sure I have forgotten some of the negatives, surprises. I would do it again, even knowing what I know now. I will post some notes I have about my DIEP experience. Feel free to ask if you have any questions, I can answer based on my experience.

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A MyBCTea...

I worked on my abdominal muscle prior to surgery. Made them stronger so moving post surgery was as difficult. Mens tshirts ( i was instructed not to wear a bra), comfy socks. Big mug cup with straw ( got mines from 7 eleven), easier to hold

Why would you have it done again if there is so much pain and discomfort? Does it look natural now? What did you do about the nipples?