Had DIEP 2.5 weeks ago. Where should I be in recovery?

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jperry
jperry Member Posts: 49
edited April 2018 in Breast Reconstruction

I know recovery is different for everyone, but I still would like to know what is "normal" for recovery after 2.5 weeks.  Every day is different.  Yesterday I walked 1/2 a mile and went out to dinner.  Today I haven't gotten out of my pjs.  I quit taking the pain meds a couple days out of the hospital.  I was taking Tylenol every 4-6 hours and have cut down to once or twice a day because I don't think it is healthy to take it around the clock for a long time. 

I am now sore around my sternum.  Is that normal?  My scars are healing around the breast area, but the tummy tuck area is still scabby.  I got my drains out a week and a half ago.  I am standing almost straight.  I can help with light chores like folding laundry and dishes. 

Do you think I am where I need to be or do I need to push myself more?

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  • swimangel72
    swimangel72 Member Posts: 1,989
    edited December 2009

    JPerry - you sound great - do NOT "push" yourself more..........no pushing, pulling or heavy lifting allowed until about 6 - 8 weeks after surgery (according to most DIEP surgeons). The soreness around your sternum sounds normal too, especially if your PS attached your Diep perforator to the vein there - he probably had to remove a small piece of cartiledge. Each day you'll feel stronger - just take it one day at a time - when do you go back to see your PS?

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  • Patrish
    Patrish Member Posts: 251
    edited December 2009

    I think that you are right on track, and shouldn't push yourself.  it sounds like you may have overdone a bit yesterday, and now your body wants to rest up.  the pain in your sternum...this is from your doc  cutting into the cartlilage there in order to connect the blood vessels in your chest (which are under the cartilage) to the blood vessels in your new breast.  this is a very sore and achy spot, I remember! but it is normal and it heals.  it sounds like you are doing very well, no this is not a time to push your body, but to rest and heal, and so some gentle stretching and light walking.  be good to yourself. 

     ps, I had my diep in May of 2007, btw.  also did herceptin.

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  • jperry
    jperry Member Posts: 49
    edited December 2009

    Thanks.  I completely forgot about the cartilage removal.  It still is not as bad as when I had the dbl mast.  That was terrible pain.  I guess I am impatient and ready to get all of this behind me.Wink.

    I saw my ps when I got the drains out and he told me that I was doing so well that I didn't have to see him for 3 months.  I will call them if I notice anything is wrong.  I have already called the nurse to ask questions and they have been helpful.

    Patrish, do you feel normal now after 2.5 years?  Have you gotten your energy back after taking chemo and herceptin?

    Silly question-did you get full quicker after eating after your surgery?  I feel like I get full much faster now.  I am not complaining at all because I gained 40 lbs after chemo.  I hope it continues.

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  • NatsFan
    NatsFan Member Posts: 3,745
    edited December 2009

    I found that after the 3rd week there was a marked improvement, so in another week or so you may notice a bigger step forward in your progress. 

    I agree with everyone else - DON'T PUSH YOURSELF!!  (Yes, I'm shouting.)  Let yourself heal.  It does sound like you did a tad too much yesterday and your body is telling you it needs to take a few steps backward to recover.  Walks are good, but don't power walk - longer slower walks are better.  And let everyone else do the laundry and dishes - you are the DIEP queen for now - let others do the work while you pamper yourself. 

    Good luck!

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  • Gayleebug
    Gayleebug Member Posts: 166
    edited December 2009

    Gee, nobody told me about cartilage removal!  I was worrying some too because of rib & sternum pain -- this site is sooo fantastic.  Thank you, Swimangel & Patrish!

    Gayle

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  • jperry
    jperry Member Posts: 49
    edited December 2009

    I didn't power walk.  My 6 year old was telling me to hurry up.  She is usually the slow one.  Thanks for all of the advice.  I like hearing all of this from people who have gone through this and not just what the ps or nurses say.

    I can't wait to sleep on my side!!!  I am counting down the weeks. lol

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  • Patrish
    Patrish Member Posts: 251
    edited December 2009

    jperry,

    I will be 3 yrs out from my uni-diep in May.  my stomach still feels tight.  my doc said I barely had enough fat for the job-one "B" cup.  he almost didn't do the surgery.  (altho, he assured me I had fat, just not in the right spot, thank you!).  my belly is still numb.  but, I have just gotten used to it.  I do look alot better without my tummy pooch, that is a bonus!

    as for the energy level, I did not have a "typical" recovery.  in Jan '08 I was hit by an SUV while walking and broke both my legs.  I really did not need that!!  so I had that recovery on top of things.  now, I am feeling much better, walking well and feeling good.  I do think it takes awhile to recover from chemo/herceptin, I will admit that my sleep cycle is still messed up and my nose still runs!  all my best to you and my diep sisters...Pat

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  • NatsFan
    NatsFan Member Posts: 3,745
    edited December 2009

    jperry - agreed about the bilat mx being a lot more painful than the DIEP.  I also hear you about sleeping on your side - it was wonderful when I finally got the go-ahead to do that.  I think it was 6 weeks out when the ps said it was OK.

    Cool that you got your drains out!  What a relief that it - no more worry about accidentally catching the tube and getting a painful yank for your troubles. I too had the "full" feeling after eating for several weeks but unfortunately your body adjusts.  Frown  But I did drop a few of my chemo pounds during that time, so hopefully you will too.  At least I had plenty of ab fat for my DIEP!  

    Patrish - can't even begin to think what it would have been like to try to recover from two broken legs after everything else you'd gone through.  I bet you were glad to wave good-bye to 2008!

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  • jperry
    jperry Member Posts: 49
    edited December 2009

    Patrish, that is terrible.  2 broken legs.  I could not imagine. Thanks to both of you for your responses.  So far I am loving the results.  I had my TEs for 2 years and it feels so good to be rid of the "rocks" on my chest.  My tummy area is numb two, but I don't care.  I love not having to "tuck" my tummy into my pants anymore. 

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  • karmi2az
    karmi2az Member Posts: 42
    edited December 2009

    Hi Pjerry,

    I had DIEP, bilateral in early Sept.  I agree with Natsfan, 3 wks is a big improvement in regards to feeling better and a little more predictable.  I could not sleep on my side until about 2 months and by 3 months you will feel good enough that is not on your mind everytime you try and get back to a normal activity.  It is hard to be a patient patient.  Sleep when you can, you do not want to risk anything at this point that will set you back.  Hang in there!

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  • Patrish
    Patrish Member Posts: 251
    edited December 2009

    thanks, friends, for your kind words.  sure took my mind of cancer, tho!!  p.

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  • jperry
    jperry Member Posts: 49
    edited December 2009

    I have another question.  Did any of you wake up or develop strange blood blisters on your heals?  I thought they were regular blisters in the hospital and thought they might be from using my feet to push my self up in the bed.  I noticed when I was able to shower after my drains were removed that they were blood blisters.  I tried popping them, but the skin is too thick.  They aren't round, but long about an inch on the side of my heals.  I really want to get a pedicure because I can't really reach my feet because of surgery, but I don't want to risk infection either.

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  • Gayleebug
    Gayleebug Member Posts: 166
    edited December 2009

    jperry,

    My heels hurt like crazy after my DIEP but I didn't get blisters.  As a matter of fact, the first 2 things I said as they were wheeling me out of surgery was that my lips were dry and my heels hurt.  Whine!  My PS later indicated that the heel pain was from the way I was positioned during the surgery.  I assume she meant:  lying on my back, toes up, heels down, on a hard surface.  I was in surgery about 7 hours.

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  • jperry
    jperry Member Posts: 49
    edited December 2009

    My arms hurt too when I woke up because they were stretched out for 14 hours.  Maybe that is why I have blisters.  I hope it goes away soon or my toenails will be clicking on the ground like my dog's. lol

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  • GreenIguana
    GreenIguana Member Posts: 12
    edited January 2010

    You are doing GREAT!  Had mine mid-Sept, went back to work part-time mid-Nov, & full-time 2 weeks later - you've got to watch that lifting, though!  I didn't realize how much I lift at work, and the muscles along the sides of the breasts to the back got very sore!  The first couple days after surgery, I only took the meds at night, and only for the first 2 weeks.  I lived in my pj's (various pairs, not the same ones!) for the first month, then went to pants with stretchy middles and sweatshirts.  My opinion : Walking is good, lifting is bad, sleeping is the best thing you can do.  And get one of those little bells from Staples - that's what I did to ring for the hubby (although I also called his cell phone from the bedroom as well).

    Mary

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  • 2z54
    2z54 Member Posts: 261
    edited January 2010

    I had blm and immediate diep a year ago Jan 22, and I thought I did fine post surgery. But I definitely wasn't able, willing, or ready to walk 1/2 mile and go out to dinner 2.5 weeks after surgery.  I think you're doing great!  But, like everyone says, you maybe should lighten up and relax a bit more, if you can.  I know that when I did start gettting more active about the 4 -5 weeks, my abdomen started swelling a bit from possible truncal lymphadema.  At that point I started wearing light compression and seeing my LE therapist. 

    I was also still taking pain killers (percocet) during the third week, but not as regularly as the first two weeks.  And by the fourth week, it was only on an as-needed basis. By week 5, I was only taking ibuprofen (except maybe at night... to help sleep), because I was trying to get ready for driving in week 6.

    It sounds like you're doing great. But like everyone says, don't overdo it! Sounds like you have a great attitude to, and that helps!   Best wishes for the rest of your recovery!

    Sue

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  • Patrish
    Patrish Member Posts: 251
    edited January 2010

    my heel hurt like crazy after my diep, too!  just on one side.  everyone acted like I was crazy, but it really hurt.  plus my left arm & hand was completely numb for 2 days.  throw in the puking from the anethesia, really a fun coupla days!

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  • blondee327texas
    blondee327texas Member Posts: 23
    edited November 2011

    HI everyone, 

    I was amazed at these posts.  I had a DMX 092911 and it has been exactly 8 weeks.  My left armpit area has just woken up...My belly button still hurts.  My tummy never felt asleep really after the painball came out.  (WHICH I LOVED)   I was in surgery 10 hours, and in the hospital 4 days.  My sternum hurts like heck today...  Guess I am doing too much.  I originally took off 4 weeks, but ended up  taking 6 weeks and went back gradually, 3 days, 4 days, off week for Thanksgiving, then back full time this week...

    I have to say, I actually feel great this week except the sternum area.  I will have a revision on 12/22.  Looking forward to fixing some shaping issues and some fill in the upper chest area and nipple area.  Did anyone have a revision???  If so, how did it turn out?

    Did ya''ll have nipples tattooed or built??? I am having them built then tattooed, although I am not really excited about the tattooing process.  Please advise.

    Thanks for all the positives. I love this site.  So much information, So many women in the same boat. 

    Deidre'

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  • JannoD
    JannoD Member Posts: 29
    edited December 2011

    Blondie327Texas: I had to have two revisions...one minor one the week of original DEIP and then 2 weeks later a bigger one. I had NSMX and unfortunately...although my flap did GREAT...my own nipple went south on me and I had to have it removed. Things went well after that and I had my state two a couple of months later where my PS reduced the DEIP breast ( it had done TOO well and was a tad too big), lipo'd the dog ears on my abdomen and built me a nipple and areola from scar tissue from the abdomen scar. Turned out fabulous. Since my natural areola was very light to begin with (almost skin color) I did not need any tatooing and now a year later, everything looks wonderful. Best of luck and take it easy. I went back to work full time at 3 weeks because I didn't have any more leave...but my work was supportive and I took it easy. I really think I would have felt better if I had been able to stay out 6 weeks. I would say I was back to 'normal' energy at about 8 weeks.

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  • Mcmartin
    Mcmartin Member Posts: 1
    edited April 2018

    I just logged on for the same question. I am two weeks out in 2 days and today and yesterday I feel worse than any other time. My abdomen is sore and stiff and frankly I feel like crap. Is this an adjustment to the healing within? Tired of my recliner! I know this will all be worth it.

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  • Lula73
    Lula73 Member Posts: 1,824
    edited April 2018

    hi McMartin- it’s kindof like the dark before the dawn. It’s at about 3-4 weeks that most of us turn the corner and really start to feel like our old selves again and are able to do more and not feel bad. However, doing too much can make you tired so don’t push through the tiredness as your body is trying to tell you it needs a rest.

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited April 2018

    Welcome, Mcmartin! Yes, Lula73 says it correctly. Take care of yourself, and listen to your body. It all takes time. We are happy you found our community!

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