Recent Diep surgeries all and any info welcome

Hi Janet - I had skin sparing BMX with immediate DIEP recon June 23. There’s tons of good info on the “2018 DIEP” Thread on this site but will share what were some key items for me - I choose to stay 5 days in hospital and glad I did. My husband is pretty helpful but not good with medical stuff. I was able to get around with a walker second day after surgery. Once nerve block wore off needed strong pain meds for several days then tapered down to a combo of ibuprofen and acetaminophen. Do not stretch your arms or bend more than they tell you is permitted- the incisions must be allowed to heal. Put everything you use that is normally stored higher than your shoulder or below your waist on you kitchens counters and table before your surgery. The 4 drains suck - I bought 2 cheap, stretchy tie-front shirts on Amazon and that got me through the trip home and very limited outings. Get a seatbelt pillow too. You’ll be very swollen throughout your torso for several weeks too - buy a size larger yoga pant or 2 than you usual size. I also bought a few loose, button front ‘old lady’ (I’m 63 so can say that 😊) housecoats - comfort is key.

I had a few wound healing complications (I’m a former smoker in addition to my age thing) but am very happy now overall with how I look and that sensation is returning (I had nerve grafting with the DIEP which I think is pretty standard these days). Scar is fading nicely (using silicone gel)

All the best to you for a great outcome and fast healing!

One of the flaps failed during surgery so I ended up with expanders. Plastic Surgeon called my daughter during surgery to have her make the decision whether to do one flap and on expander or to just do expanders. She and my daughter in law who is an ob/gyn were concerned about symmetry so they had him place expanders on both sides. He is still concerned about the side that failed and how soon we will be able to start the expansion. Not what I wanted but still the best decision