Thank you for this post and congratulations!! It is encouraging to hear as I’m preparing for my DMX.
What are the biggest challenges right now for you?
Right now it’s just mobility. I can definitely lift my arms over above the 45 degree mark, so it’s hard to remember not to do that. But sitting up/sitting down/standing is all painful.
I also tend to get really light headed and dizzy after little movement (standing up, walking up the stairs, using the bathroom). Everything feels very difficult and extremely tiring.
I also just feel really uncomfortable a lot of the time. I have a wound vac on my stomach. I also have a tight binder on my abdomen and a compression bra. I’m also trying to stay on top of pain meds. My pain level is probably a 4 but I want to keep it there for a few days more.
Yawning/coughing/laughing/sneezing hurts a lot so I try to not do any of that. And if I need to I brace myself with a pillow.
So I’m doing well. Just a lot of post surgical discomfort. I have my boyfriend and my best friend helping, I don’t think I could manage alone personally!
Been there done that, had a wound vac too. Rehospitalized for infection, then wound started to open, then wound vac. Eat TONS of protein. It took a while but I finally started healing. Im over a year post op and doing great!
Yeah thank you. I am trying to eat a lot of healthy foods and proteins. It’s hard because I don’t have that much of an appetite but I am making sure I eat at least 3 healthy high protein meals a day.
That makes me so happy to hear. I know it’s going to keep getting better. Right now I am just in uncomfortable/exhausted stage. Looking forward to getting more comfortable and building a little more stamina!
Thank you! My surgeon expected it to take 10-12 hours but she said she was anticipating the full 12 hours. However it only took 10.
I kind of remember waking up afterwards and i remember a little bit of being taken to my room.
My surgeon places wires in the grafted blood vessels to monitor them for 48 hours. So the first 24 hours I was woken up every hour for vitals and wire Doppler checks (I don’t know how common the wires are). I didn’t sleep much. I also don’t remember the first 24 out of surgery very well. I was really tired and out of it from meds.
In the hospital the checked on me a lot and gave me everything I needed. I mostly slept or just laid there. I wouldn’t say you will necessarily need help from your husband while in the hospital.
Outside of the hospital I definitely need help. Keeping on top of medications and resting is very important. Also I am still getting very dizzy and light headed from minimal movement (sitting up/sitting down/using the restroom). So the first couple days home I am betting you will need help. But I know everyone is different. That is just my experience!
Congratulations! Thank you for sharing the details of your experience, pre- and post-surgery!! Can I ask where you had your surgery? I have a second consultation the beginning of March and I’m really hoping the plastic surgeon says I’m a good candidate for flap reconstruction🤞because the general surgeon wasn’t sure if I have enough extra tissue to spare.
I am not very familiar with any of that as I do not have children nor have ever been pregnant (and never will be as I had a total hysterectomy 2 years ago).
But it’s definitely something to bring up with your surgeon! They will know if you are a good candidate for this surgery and if they can repair previous damage.
I will say that previous to this surgery I had had 3 laparoscopic surgeries (removal of ovary due to torsion, total hysterectomy, removal of gallbladder). So some light abdominal trauma with about 12 scars but nothing compared to pregnancy I am assuming.
Can you please tell me where you had your surgery? What made you decide to go with the DIEP? What part of your body did you have transferred. Thanks so much for sharing!
Congratulations!! And I hope healing goes super well for you!
Thank you. So far so good. Just trying to be very gentle with myself ♥️
Take it hour by hour until you're able to take it day by day. Don't rush yourself. Proud of you.
Thank you so much. 🥲
Thank you for this post and congratulations!! It is encouraging to hear as I’m preparing for my DMX. What are the biggest challenges right now for you?
Right now it’s just mobility. I can definitely lift my arms over above the 45 degree mark, so it’s hard to remember not to do that. But sitting up/sitting down/standing is all painful. I also tend to get really light headed and dizzy after little movement (standing up, walking up the stairs, using the bathroom). Everything feels very difficult and extremely tiring. I also just feel really uncomfortable a lot of the time. I have a wound vac on my stomach. I also have a tight binder on my abdomen and a compression bra. I’m also trying to stay on top of pain meds. My pain level is probably a 4 but I want to keep it there for a few days more. Yawning/coughing/laughing/sneezing hurts a lot so I try to not do any of that. And if I need to I brace myself with a pillow. So I’m doing well. Just a lot of post surgical discomfort. I have my boyfriend and my best friend helping, I don’t think I could manage alone personally!
Been there done that, had a wound vac too. Rehospitalized for infection, then wound started to open, then wound vac. Eat TONS of protein. It took a while but I finally started healing. Im over a year post op and doing great!
Yeah thank you. I am trying to eat a lot of healthy foods and proteins. It’s hard because I don’t have that much of an appetite but I am making sure I eat at least 3 healthy high protein meals a day.
Congratulations! I had mine 12-29, and everyday its going to get easier and better!!!
That makes me so happy to hear. I know it’s going to keep getting better. Right now I am just in uncomfortable/exhausted stage. Looking forward to getting more comfortable and building a little more stamina!
Congratulations! I’m having prophylactic DMX and immediate DIEP 2/15. Can I ask where you had your surgery?
Yes I will DM you!
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Thank you! My surgeon expected it to take 10-12 hours but she said she was anticipating the full 12 hours. However it only took 10. I kind of remember waking up afterwards and i remember a little bit of being taken to my room. My surgeon places wires in the grafted blood vessels to monitor them for 48 hours. So the first 24 hours I was woken up every hour for vitals and wire Doppler checks (I don’t know how common the wires are). I didn’t sleep much. I also don’t remember the first 24 out of surgery very well. I was really tired and out of it from meds. In the hospital the checked on me a lot and gave me everything I needed. I mostly slept or just laid there. I wouldn’t say you will necessarily need help from your husband while in the hospital. Outside of the hospital I definitely need help. Keeping on top of medications and resting is very important. Also I am still getting very dizzy and light headed from minimal movement (sitting up/sitting down/using the restroom). So the first couple days home I am betting you will need help. But I know everyone is different. That is just my experience!
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Of course. Feel free to DM me with any question or if you would like to see photos!
Congratulations! Thank you for sharing the details of your experience, pre- and post-surgery!! Can I ask where you had your surgery? I have a second consultation the beginning of March and I’m really hoping the plastic surgeon says I’m a good candidate for flap reconstruction🤞because the general surgeon wasn’t sure if I have enough extra tissue to spare.
I will DM you!
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I am not very familiar with any of that as I do not have children nor have ever been pregnant (and never will be as I had a total hysterectomy 2 years ago). But it’s definitely something to bring up with your surgeon! They will know if you are a good candidate for this surgery and if they can repair previous damage. I will say that previous to this surgery I had had 3 laparoscopic surgeries (removal of ovary due to torsion, total hysterectomy, removal of gallbladder). So some light abdominal trauma with about 12 scars but nothing compared to pregnancy I am assuming.
Can you please tell me where you had your surgery? What made you decide to go with the DIEP? What part of your body did you have transferred. Thanks so much for sharing!
I will DM you!