Many women travel for breast reconstruction surgery. Why? Access to a plastic surgeon in your town may not be available. It was not for me so I decided to summarize a list of what I recommend you will be packing when traveling for DIEP flap breast reconstruction.
Why Patients Choose to Travel for DIEP flap
If you are having autologous breast reconstruction, like DIEP flap or any other type of tissue reconstruction, finding a microsurgeon to perform your breast reconstruction is important. Microsurgery is a specialty of plastic surgery. These surgeons perform tissue reconstruction. Tissue reconstruction has warm blood flow in the transferred tissue used to reconstruct the breast. It requires great skill and additional training beyond plastic surgery training to tie the tiny blood vessels together to achieve the blood flow in the newly reconstructed breast making it feel more like the native breast tissue removed from a mastectomy due to being affected by breast cancer.
Items to Consider Packing for DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction
This is by no means an exhaustive list but will give you an idea of what I hear from other women who travel for their reconstruction and what I included in my suitcase. Consider the climate you will be traveling to and adjust your wardrobe accordingly.
- A 3-6 pack of men’s soft, cotton t-shirts a couple of sizes larger than your normal t-shirts.
- Cut these up the front to make them open. You will wear them under your surgical bra if your surgeon requires a surgical bra after DIEP flap. Check with your surgeon. Some do and some do not.
- 4-5 button front shirts. Placing your arms over your head the first couple of weeks is a restriction to allow healing to take place.
- A surgical recovery shirt you can order or make yourself. I took a zip up hoodie with pockets, and it worked fine.
- Loose, easy to pull on pajama pants with pockets for your drains with a top that has a button front shirt. These are great to wear around your hotel or Airbnb when you are released from hospital and recovering.
- Loose easy to pull on pants with pockets for wear to your follow-up appointment or out for an errand. Bring an extra pair.
- A soft, squishy neck pillow to place against your face in hospital and after at your hotel. Side sleeping is not allowed the first few weeks. This mimics side sleeping by having the pillow tucked up against your face.
- You can bring a robe but honestly, I never used it in hospital or at my Airbnb. Packing lighter is better so this is one item I did not feel was a true necessity.
- Some ladies bring a drain belt they made or purchased one online. You generally have four drains after Diep flap breast reconstruction. Two at the breast and two at the abdominal site.
- Easy to slip on shoes with a non-skid bottom and of course socks to keep your feet warm.
- A long-handled gripper for reaching items. You can purchase this online or at larger big box stores.
- 2-3 lanyards with easy clips to hang your drains on for showering. One will stay dry while the other you can use in the shower.
- Moist toilet wipes to easy in self-cleaning when you have a bowel movement.
Smaller Toiletry Items to Consider Packing for Diep Flap Breast Reconstruction
When you are packing these items in your checked suitcase, heavy duty Ziplock bags are idea to prevent leakage in your suitcase. They are great for organizing your items for individual use as well. I prefer using the gallon size and quart size. I am not sure how this translates in other countries but understanding the idea of buying assorted sizes is important.
Toiletry items for the hospital:
- Colgate wisps or any other disposable preloaded toothbrushes to use in your hospital bed.
- Chapstick or your favorite lip moisturizer.
- Your favorite throat lozenge to help with the dry, raspy throat from the tube inserted to assist with breathing during surgery.
- Gentle, face wipes to cleanse your face while in bed.
- Earplugs and eye mask.
- Phone charger with a couple of binder-type clips to attach to your bed sheet for easy access.
- A portable charger pack for your mobile phone… as a backup.
Medical items to pack:
- Hibiclens or a similar antimicrobial skin cleanser as prescribed by your surgeon to use the evening before and morning of surgery.
- Bag of prescription drugs. Take these in a Ziploc bag in your carry on. You want to keep these nearby during travel.
- If your surgeon uses ERAS protocol, they will require some type of clear carbohydrate drink the evening before and morning of surgery. Check with them on what type they recommend for your individual case.
Last Minute Tips for Packing When Traveling for DIEP flap Breast Reconstruction
I suggest downloading a meditation app to your phone to use before, during, and after recovery. Headspace is one I like. For further information check out this blog on traveling for surgery. When I began packing it was the final stage of preparation for a huge decision I made to have my delayed DIEP flap after a second breast cancer diagnosis. Give yourself a big pat on the back. You are on your way now! Safe travels and happy packing!
