Sent home with antibiotics after DIEP reconstruction

I had a mastectomy with DIEP reconstruction. I was sent home with pain meds, which I only took once because I did not have a lot of pain.

When I received a copy of my surgical report and hospital reports, it states that I was sent home with pain meds and an antibiotic.

I never developed an infection nd I haven’t seen my doctor since I received the report, I’m just curious if most DIEP patients go home with an antibiotic or not.

I was sent home with a round of powerful antibiotics after my implant surgery. No infection. Bleh. I dislike taking them, but I followed instructions to the letter. Of course that was seven years ago.

Mavericksmom...I had the diep flap surgery on June 4th. I now have an open wound on the bottom side of my breast after my PS removed some black scab (maybe some necrosis). He is having me use Xeroform dressing to treat. It looks so bad to me, even though he did not seem to concerned. Are your wounds healing and if so how was it treated?

Thank you for sharing your experience. I hope your are healing well and are happy with your surgery results. : ).

Iva did not he radiation. I’m not sure why the slow healing. I also had nipple sparing mastectomy and developed necrosis on the nipple, so it was removed a few weeks after mastectomy. The Xeroform dressings are pre moistened gauze (some antibiotic ointment and Vaseline type substance). I have to put a strip directly in the wound, then cover with not adherent bandage. Change twice daily. I guess I just don’t see how this could heal staying moist at all times? It has only been a few days since he removed the scabbing.

I kind of got the impression from my PS this could be a long process.

Thank you for the reply. It helps knowing someone else that has been through this. I think I have been worrying that I would need the entries transplanted breast removed!

YES! I also don’t have much patience. I want everything to be done and have some kind of normal back. I am constantly told by my PS that I’m only 7 weeks out from my surgery. Seems like long enough for me!! Lol Some of my friends (some of which are nurses) has told me to do as you said. Go with the flow. Rest and low stress and lots of protien and I may heal faster.

I will keep in touch and let you know how it goes!

Have you had your second surgery yet? Did your stomach area heal nicely? I feel like that part was a breeze....

My lower surgery healed, but I am not happy with that either. One side is great, the other has a huge bulge. I thought it was a hernia and asked the PA when I saw him April 1st. He checked, had me stand and cough, but I didn't have any pain so he said he didn't think it was a hernia. He had a fellowship person with him too. My PS only checked that incision once after the surgery and the rest of the few times I saw him he only looked at my breast. That was my main focus and I honestly didn't think to bring up the bulge again.

I had a bad experience with the surgery. I am obese and have lymphedema in my left arm and side. No one said anything about swelling or how I would look after surgery. I spent four days in the hospital and didn't actually see my body until 8 days afterwards. I gained 20 pounds in fluids, I looked hideous! I thought I looked bad before, I looked so much worse afterwards! I freaked out! The swelling and weight did come off after a few weeks but no one even mentioned that could happen. I had two huge round areas at either end of the incision, where the drains were. My belly button was so huge, the square area around it seemed to be about four inches square. That also shrunk back to a more normal size, but is discolored where the stitching was and doesn't look great.

I don't even know why they move the belly button up. I kept forgetting to ask. If it is for blood supply I get it, if not, they should ask the woman before assuming she cares about her belly button. I can completely understand why a young woman (and some older women) would want to have the same kind of look she had prior to surgery so she can still wear clothes and bathing suit that shows off her body. I am LONG past those days and the only one who sees that area of me are doctors. Sorry, I digress.

My MO wants me to see a gastroenterologist at the cancer hospital I went to and I have an appointment with her August 14. I am going to ask her about the bulge.

I am joining a local gym that I used to go to on August first. I know I need to make diet and exercise a priority. I went back to my healthy, balance diet, but I have a lot of trouble eating. I get bloated after I eat anything. I don't eat much at one time, I couldn't if I wanted to because of the abdominal pressure. I'm lso telling the gastroenterologist about that. I did increase my protein intake until I was healed, which again was about 6 months.

These kinds of surgeries are so hard because most of us have no idea of what to expect. I had a great PS, but he didn't explain much to me and I didn't know to ask many of the things I encountered. In all fairness to my PS, I was in shock when I saw him before surgery and I don't really know if he never explained things to me, or if I didn't "hear" him after he spoke a few words. I was actually blindsided. I saw the BS who informed me they wouldn't take off my healthy breast, (I wanted a BMX), then he told me I should have the reconstruction and he called the PS in to see me right away. I know he wanted to save me another trip, (the hospital is an hour away) but I had no time to process what he said let alone what the PS said. Hind sight, always 20/20!

Definitely stay in touch! I will too!