DIEP Post-surgicall care??

Foot girl, try reading a few pages from Diep 2015-  everyone is different on how they react to surgery but I found I was quite capable of being by myself during the day. The one thing I wish I had was one of those long handled grabbers because if I dropped something it stayed there until someone could pick it up for me! I also got an inexpensive shower seat which really helped for a couple weeks. Your not allowed to raise your arm higher than shoulder height so washing my hair sitting down was much easier. There is lots of good info on the Diep 2014 thread as well. Good luck and positive wishes for easy surgery and quick healing!

Prepare your house in advance. Put everything within reach, both bending and stretching will be difficult. My first time home alone I got thirsty. The juice was in a large container on the bottom shelf of the fridge, the glasses were in a cabinet and I could reach neither. I felt so helpless. Luckily dh wasn't gone long.

Having help your first day or two is good if possible, someone to wait on you, bring you food & drinks and help you get out of bed, but if you have to do it alone you probably could if you prepared meals in advance and had everything you need within reach, including meds(with caps that are easy to get off), gauze pads, a bottle to drain your tubes into. Lots of pillows help with getting comfortable. It is hard in the beginning, you are very tired and weak.

Have someone there when you shower, just incase. I liked having a shower chair. 

While you might be up to taking care of yourself, taking care of others is another story. I truly relied in my husband to take care of the dogs. I would not have been able to let them out or feed them plus ours are big and I worried they would jump on me. We kept them in the garage the first two weeks. It was at least a week till I was able to even attempt cooking something simple. Is your daughter able to help with cooking and household chores?

I finished chemo just a few weeks before surgery, so I'm sure that added to my fatigue.  

Good luck to you.

fotogirl - I also had DIEP recon on 9/8. I hope you are doing well!

Ccandme - yikes! So sorry about all the failed reconstructions! I really hope the third time is the charm for you! When are you going to try the TRAM flap?

I live in North Carolina near Cary. I have had silicone implants for 13 years post BRCA. I had an injury and now have lots of pain in my breast area neck and back...I think the submuscle implants are preventing healing and my left breast continues to burn.

I am considering DIEP at Duke with Hollenbeck or NOLA (Breast Center in New Orleans). I would love input from women with completed DIEP type surgeries from Hollenbeck. I have had lots of input about NOLA but would love any input for Hollenbeck at Duke.

Thanks to anyone with information or tips where I can gain info.