My Unilateral Mastecomy - Journal of a DIEP Operation in Pictures

I couldn't control what was about to happen to me but I could control how prepared I was, which I found really helpful to focus on :) These things that made my life easier.... The hospital stay: Bra wise you will come to in a bra and have to sleep in one for the first few weeks (I think I had mine on for 6!) I had a terrible hospital issue one that was so uncomfortable and scratchy, ugh the memory. I would suggest a post surgery / maternity, seamless, front fastening one with pads. I ended up getting this one although it is really expensive, it was SO much better. It's made from bamboo of all things and is really soft.  There are probably cheaper alternatives so might be worth hunting around: https://www.amazon.co.uk/THEYA-Healthcare-Peony-Fastening-Surgery/dp/B074HD2NPS As far as what to wear is concerned you will want to have button up pyjamas or a nightshirt.  I bought these and wore them and my jamas both in hospital and at home for the first few weeks....

Whilst researching my mastectomy options I learnt so much and put so much work in I thought it might be helpful to write up a cheat sheet for people to refer to in the future re options available. *PLEASE DOUBLE CHECK EVERYTHING ON HERE WITH YOUR SURGEON, THIS IS MEANT AS A GENERAL GUIDE AND KEEP IN MIND I GOT MY INFORMATION FROM THE INTERNET!! ALTHOUGH I NOW HAVE FIRST HAND EXPERIENCE WITH THE DIEP*   That said, this is what I found out..... Reconstruction Options: I mmediate Reconstruction They do the mastectomy and reconstruction all in one operation, generally with 2 surgeons, an oncology surgeon and a plastic surgeon. In other words you will be put under anesthetic with a breast and wake up with a breast. Delayed Reconstruction You will wake up flat and after a period of time you will then have a reconstruction (or not depending on your choice). Mastectomy Types: Nipple Sparing You will get to keep your nipples Non Nipple Sparing You will lose your ...

The morning of the op and being marked up - the orange peel segment is to become the 'stuffing' for my new boob, the skin of my right boob will remain but my nipple will go. I can feel the sadness radiating off this picture, I remember it so well. I asked both the surgeon and oncologist, who were both in the room at the time, if I definitely really needed to have this done. It was a resounding YES. In hospital a few days after the operation, I could shuffle to the loo in a bent over fashion.  If you look at the picture above and the section they took out of my stomach it's amazing I could get anywhere near as upright as I did!  The skin is very elastic (think how it stretches in pregnancy) and it was only a few weeks until I was completely upright again. The first few days post op I was bed bound so you have a wee bag (can't remember what they are called) and you are hooked up to everything going, drips, bleeping monitors the lot.  My partner told me he was co...