There are several steps and preparations to be made for DIEP flap surgery, phase 1. We spend a lot of time preparing for the actual surgery but it is important to think about what it will be like when you return home. I will share my own personal experience and give you some helpful hints and preparations if this is the type of reconstruction you have chosen and what I did after DIEP flap surgery, phase 1, and returning home.
Protect the Work of Art
It does not matter if you travel to have your reconstruction, as I did, or if you will be having it done in the same town that you live in. You are going to need support from either friends or family when you return home from the hospital after your surgery. Remember, you are going to have an abdominal incision that runs from hip bone to hip bone. You will have incisions at the breast area as well and they may be large or small depending on the flap that needs to be put in.
This is what I tell many women who ask about how much help they will need once they leave the hospital. You have just had an amazing surgery to rebuild your breasts. I tell others about this surgery and if they have never heard of it they are always amazed at the process and that your tummy actually becomes your new breasts. So, treat it like that, an amazing work of art done by a gifted surgeon. Rest and be good to your body for the few short weeks it takes to protect this intricate surgery. Do all that you can to make sure you don’t undo the hours of labor performed by you skilled plastic surgeon.
Assistance with Meals
If family members, church groups, book club or whoever volunteer to bring food, let them. If it makes you feel better to prepare food ahead of time and put it in the freezer, do it. Cooking and preparing meals involves lifting, bending and being on your feet for long periods of time, none of which will allow you to heal properly. Some spouses/partners are able to take off work to be home with you as you recover to cook, clean and take care of the daily chores. But if this is not the case, you are definitely going to have to rely on others for that assistance.
Letting Go of Control
Women are hard-wired to take care of others. Start thinking about letting go of that for the few short weeks it will take to heal your body. You’re going to have to let go of other things that are normally in your control, too, if you still have children at home. My husband and I have been married for over three decades. Sheesh, when I put it that way it makes me feel ancient! We also have two grown sons who are on their own. But, when “momma” came home from San Antonio they both wanted to be there to help out. It was December when I had phase 1 so it just seemed like a wonderful time to be together. That said, my standards for cleaning and organizing the house are different than theirs. I love them to the moon and back but all I can say is, LET IT GO LADIES!!! There will be dust bunnies, smeared cabinets that aren’t wiped off the same way you do them, some piled up laundry at times. All this can wait to get back to normal and to your standards when you are better. Turn a blind eye to those things. They are trying their best to do what they can for you so let them do their job and don’t critique. They are out of their element as much as you are so…. Deep breath and relax and things will go much smoother.
A List of suggestions
People you work with, church or family members may ask what they can do to help out. Here is a list of some suggestions:
- Preparing meals to bring over on a scheduled basis
- Gift cards/certificates to your favorite restaurants
- Gift card/certificate for house cleaning
- Letting family or friends come over to clean your home
- Arranging for dry cleaning pick up at your front door with delivery to your home when it is done
- A ride to the grocery or out to lunch until you can drive. Just make sure someone goes to the grocery to help with the bending and lifting of the groceries in and out of the buggy and car.
Suppose You are Single
It is worth mentioning that if you are single and have few resources for home help there may be benefits on your health insurance for home care but this will depend, or course, on your individual policy. It is always a good idea to at least check. It may take a bit of gumption to make the call but I suggest calling a local church and let them know your situation. Perhaps they have a group at church that services individuals who are home bound for various reasons. You might be surprised at the resources available to you when you reach out.
Arranging Clothes
One of the best pieces of advice a friend gave me after my double mastectomy is to arrange my clothes at waist level. It’s not any different after DIEP flap surgery. You won’t want to reach up high in your closet for shirts and pants. Have comfortable button up shirts and pull on pants easy to get to in your closet. Have a few soft, cotton cami’s to wear under, YES, under you bra. When your drains are out, you will be able to start wearing a good support bra. However, it takes a few weeks for the incisions to heal. Putting that cami on first allows you to #1: wear normal clothing & #2 protect the incisions.
Purchasing Support Garments for after Surgery
This is a tough one. You don’t know exactly what size of bra to buy or what type of support garment will fit so purchasing ahead of time can be tricky. I know everyone heals differently but believe it or not, I took a family member out to go shopping for bras and abdominal support garments the week I flew home from surgery. So, it was three weeks after my surgery and I was honestly glad to get out of the house. Make it a short quick trip. Do some research on-line before you go or make phone calls to the store you plan on shopping at to see if they have what you’re looking for. And, most importantly…. buy cheap!! I don’t mean buy poor quality. You need the support but places like WalMart, Khol’s and JC Penney will have the items you are looking for.
Where to Sleep
If at all possible sleep on the ground floor. Steps are OK as long as you take it slowly. We have a nice, wide, long comfortable couch downstairs close to a restroom. The couch was low so it made it very easy to roll out of it on my own when I returned home. If your bed is unusually high, or up the stairs, it adds an added challenge. Your abdominal muscles and tummy incision will need to be taken care of. You take those muscles for granted when you sit up in bed every morning until you’ve had that hip bone to hip bone incision. Rolling off of that couch was very easy for me and protected those incisions. I did not have a recliner at home and truly this is the best option for recovery when you come home but I made due with my couch and my own situation. You can rent recliners from durable medical supply stores. Additionally, I had one in my vacation rental and asked to make sure I did before I left. Some hotels also provide recliners for guest upon request.
Rest & Relax and Let the Healing Begin
I will continue to add more suggestions but I hope this will be a good start! the most important thing to remember when you get home, take the time you need to rest and relax after surgery. Keep phone numbers near by for help and also for your surgical office and nurse. You will have questions.
