Surviving Bilateral Mastectomy & Reconstruction Surgery

[PapaNewsGirl]

I was recently diagnosed with DCIS and after all the tests results came in  have decided to move forward with a Bilateral Mastectomy and DIEP Flap reconstruction.  My surgery is scheduled for November 26.  I am trying to prepare now.  Line up help, purchase items to help me through the recovery process, etc.  

Any suggestions on surviving the first few weeks post surgery?

[zouzi]

Hi,
Here are a few more posts by Sue Young who had Diep Reconstruction with   excellent results.
Joining my friends Japdip and bb on wishing you all the best!

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Breast-Cancer/Breast-Reconstruction/show/1463854

[bluebutterfly2222]

Hi,

One of our members, Sue Young55, has done some excellent posts about preparing for mastectomy in the following thread:

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Breast-Cancer/How-can-I--prepare-for-my-bilateral-mastectomy/show/1227057?personal_page_id=384050#post_5678838

I hope some of the suggestions will be helpful to you,

Best wishes,
bluebutterfly

[japdip]

I can only speak to the Mastectomy part as I did not have reconstruction. Everyone has a different experience with any type of surgery just as we all "feel" pain to a different degree. The mastectomy was a relatively simple matter for me ... there were drains to contend with but the experience may be quite different for you if you're having immediate reconstruction. Clothing might well be an issue post-op so I would suggest that you contact whatever Medical Supply Co. in your area carries post-mastectomy products. There are a number of options to help with your comfort following surgery. The American Cancer Society has tapes or CDs that can be of value when it comes to exercise that may benefit your post-op recovery. All these things would need to meet the approval of both your Breast and Plastic Surgeons. Your Plastic Surgeon's office should be able to tell you what activities you would be allowed following your reconstruction and thus you would know what help to line up for your immediate recovery period. I admire your actions to prepare ... you remind me of myself; I even investigated breast forms (prostheses) well before I had my surgery. Being well prepared will certainly be a valuable asset in your recovery. Kindest regards .... I'm sure you'll receive some responses from our women here regarding the reconstruction process as well.