DIEP post-op question

[thenannie]

I am almost 3 weeks out from my Bilateral DIEP, and was wondering what is normal for the chest/flap area, meaning, how much discomfort and tightness outside the flaps is reasonable. I have tightness/hardness above the flaps, toward the center of the chest up approx. 2 to 3 inches, going out from the center, but the flaps themselves look and fell fine-where the elliptic scars are..  What kind of symptoms, about three weeks out, do others have around the flap areas. My stomach, at this time is doing good!

thenannie

[zouzi]

Hi,
As I mentioned to the original poster, I have no experience about breast reconstruction, but I heard from many women complaining of chest tightness following surgery such as you had and it’s normal.The discomfort should ease off within 3 to 6 months.
Always follow your surgeon's advice and bra recommendations during the healing process.
Your doctor will recommend the best type of bra for you, post-surgeries.
Best wishes…

[Justinecastille]

I had diep flap a month ago and still feel tightness around the chest flap area. Do you still have the feeling of tightness? The sports bra i am wearing i think make it worse.

[zouzi]

Hi,
I have no experience about what you describe, but there may be a number of explanations for your symptoms. I heard that tightness, stretching and pulling of the pectoral muscle is not uncommon after breast reconstruction and it’s unusual to feel chest discomfort once everything has healed which would take approximately 3 to 6 months after surgery.
I am sorry if I cannot be more helpful and I hope someone who has experienced your same symptoms can answer your question. But I think your best source of information would be your breast reconstruction surgeon.
Best wishes and I hope that you’ll feel better soon.