DIEP 2011

In the hospital they gave me most of what I needed. I had to bring a lightweight robe and slippers, but I could have used a second gown as a robe if I hadn't taken one. Need the slippers to walk around when you get up to it. They asked me to bring my own inhalers and nasal spray prescriptions.

I did ask for lip ointment from home. It was very dry and I was also reacting to the formaldehyde in the hospital disinfectant (am very sensitized to it). I also asked for a box of lotion-type kleenexes instead of the scratchy hospital kleenexes because the formaldehyde plus the dry air were giving me nosebleeds. I didn't really ask for anything else other than magazines, a cookie, and fruit.

I didn't bring my going-home clothes with me. I had them brought on going-home day, but I packed them before I went in: a soft cardigan and Lululemon pants. I have lived in cashmere-blend cardigans since coming home (other than PJs).

redninrah - the top of page 117 has a good list for surgery and stuff for home, as well as some comments by some ladies who went through the surgery recently. 

micheleboots - I echo everyone else, no shoveling.  Also if you will be in the hospital for 3-5 days, you might want you dh to take the following week off and not the week you are in the hospital, although most of us have said have someone stay that first night with us was invaluable.

Yes, ReadingMama is right -- the hospital week is boring, but you don't really need help then. The week off would be better starting with the day you go home. My husband worked at his office while I was in the hospital. His office was near the hospital so he would pop over because he could but he basically didn't need to take much time off until I went home.

Can he get the kids off to school and then go to work?? Or can a friend help?? My son went to a friends house for a week while I was in the hospital.

Hi redninrah,

Good luck with your surgery!  I have a 6 month old baby and couldn't hold/lift her for at least 2 weeks (5 pound restriction for 4 weeks). My 9, and 5 year old were gone for 2 weeks and that helped a lot.  My DH took care of me and the baby.  You need someone to help with showers and food when you get back from the hospital.  I couldn't turn on the shower nob and couldn't really dry myself (a robe could help) It takes time to heal but you will get through it, just take it one day at a time and be patient. I am 6 weeks out and sooooo happy I did this.

I agree - the kids (or pets) that can't control themselves have to be controlled. Mine is 16 and she could not be less interested in being held. Similarly the cat. That's a toughie - even sneezing really hurt my abs. I can't imagine being pounced on by a preschooler.

My mother in law is staying with me and kids go to school 9till 5

And I'm back into my jeans! Still swollen in the abdomen but not so much I can't do them up. I think I have lost about 4-5 pounds, 1 lb of which is the mastectomy and the rest I guess is due to the reduced portion size that can fit into my tighter belly space.

I'm shaped TOTALLY differently now. My work pants (button up slack types) are huge on me now (with the belly gone) and some of my other pants fit strangely, as my belly is gone, but my butt is still there. I think I'll have to find new styles of pants that fit me well. I HATE shopping so I'm not looking forward to this, but it's a ways down the line anyway. Not ready for shopping yet I'm still changing shape and all. I do wonder how long it will take for my shape to settle down and not change so much. We'll see. Anyone have any insight?

Good luck tomorrow Red! I will be thinking of you.

I had swelling that came and went, and in fact very recently and my surgery was in August. I am not sure if it has anything to do with what I eat or what the story is. Maybe that area will always be prone to swelling. If anyone has any information, I'd be interested in hearing it as well.

Thanks  SeaShelly & kay1963

Today DH and I went out and bought me two under garments to wear instead of the stupid binder they gave me at the hospital. One was from Frederick's and one from the Maidenform cart. The fredericks one has about a billion hooks and eyes and the other is a step in. We'll see which I like better.

-Judy

I was not swollen after stage I but now that I am past stage II, my upper belly swells, especially by the end of the day.. I look 5 months pregnant. I have worn compression.. for one month after DIEP and 6 weeks after stage II... now I wear it when I want to keep the swelling down and have tolerance. I bought a Marena brand... very comfortable in comparison to some.

Michele... I did not drink before surgery

I drove 2 weeks post surgery

Went back to work 9 weeks post BMX/hip flap surgery, but I had a complication... but 5 weeks post DIEP

 Bought a real bra for 2 weeks post DIEP, (7 weeks post BMX)

Didn't have much pain

Was in the hospital 5 nights after BMX/hip flaps, and 7 nights post DIEP (but I was not allowed to leave without an escort and the hurricane interfered)

I was told nothing to drink after midnight. A drink would have made it easier to get the IV started because man alive, I am so dehydrated after NPO. If you drank water before going to the hospital (e.g., 5:30 for 6:00 admission) by the time the anaesthesia starts at 8:00, clear fluid has cleared the stomach, whereas food takes longer (I consulted Dr. Google on this) but most hospitals have a full NPO after midnight out of an abundance of caution related to aspiration. You're lucky if they let you drink water! Unless they are planning to ultrasound you, I am pretty sure it is okay to pee.

I bought bras today, 3 1/2 weeks postop. I don't really need it for support passively but for walking etc. I think reducing the jiggle will be more comfortable on the skin as it is still healing. 

The pain management method varies and the American ladies seem to have different pain med administration than we have in Canada. I had a nerve block drip in the abdomen but it was a clinical trial and might have been placebo. I also had a patient controlled anaesthesia and oral tylenol. I did take the tylenol but not that interested in the PCA. I had more pain from the headache (reaction to hospital disinfectant) than the abdomen, even without using the PCA. That said, I was weak and wobbly the first day I had the Foley catheter out and had to walk to washroom but it got better every day. I did not find it anywhere near as painful as a C-section, for example. Sneezing and coughing are NOT things I want to do, even now. My skin on my chest/cleavage kind of smarts, like a sunburn, but I wouldn't call it "pain".

My surgeon projected 4 sleeps in hospital but I developed a skin infection and although I immediately got IV antibiotics, I was really tired the first day I had it, and that delayed getting up to walk and I stayed an extra day.

I don't plan to be driving for a while because I don't have the concentration to do it well. That's more how anaesthesia affects me, I think. I had the same after the lump/mx surgeries. I have a replacement for my active work duties for 8 weeks, and nobody seems to care about the other duties, beyond lipservice. I will resume other activities as I am up to it but this time I am not pushing myself like I did after lump/mx. However, becaues of various factors, I did a few 3 hour meetings at about a week after surgery. Those involved walking a block to and from as well as sitting and using the computer. I walked on the treadmill for an hour at 2 weeks. 

Until the tummy skin stretches out to cover the area taken out, your front is shorter than your back. I knew it but didn't really internalize the meaning until I experienced it. I'm still slightly stooped over.