The days before Phase 1 of DIEP flap or any breast reconstruction surgery puts many women I’ve spoken with through mental gymnastics , present company included. You have arranged for child-care if you have children at home. If you are traveling for your reconstruction surgery and your children will be traveling with you, chances are you’ve scoped out child-friendly venues in the area. This will help their care-taker keep them occupied while you recover in hospital. You have packed your bags. You probably thoroughly cleaned your home knowing it will not be done, at least by you, for a bit. All of the incidentals are what keeps you busy and occupied before you leave. These are all good things.
Mental Clearance Sale ~ Everything Must Go!
Whether traveling out of town for your surgery or having it done in the same town you live in I suggest getting those “ducks in a row” a few days in advance. The day or two before your surgery should be a time you set aside, if at all possible, to regroup. My mantra is, “Mental clearance sale! Everything must go!” Don’t cram last minute planning into the day or two before surgery.
Arrange for Comfort While Recovering
This is harder said than done but it is my personal advice. We arrived on a Friday afternoon in the town I had surgery. We traveled by plane over 800 miles to the destination my DIEPflap surgery would take place. I had surgery bright and early Monday morning. This allowed us time over the weekend to purchase necessary groceries and sundries before the day of surgery. We stayed at a vacation rental so I was able to arrange all my clothing, prescriptions, and comfort items so they would be easy to retrieve once I left the hospital and came back to the rental for a week of recovery.
Routes and Parking Garages
We also mapped out our route to the hospital. The morning of surgery, the last thing you want is to get lost on the way to the hospital. Know what parking garage you will be parking at. Ask about the fees for parking. In my case, I found it was cheaper to purchase a pass for a week rather than to purchase them each day. The reason, each time my husband entered and exited the hospital the rates started over. By purchasing a week pass he could come and go as he pleased to visit me in the hospital and go back to our lodging to rest.
Allow for R & R and Distraction
We took time to enjoy some of the sites around town. It was good to get out and be among people, shop and explore some restaurants. Just be sure you stay away from smokers if you are out and about. Don’t hang around in places where there is wall to wall people to avoid germs. Enjoy some fresh air and good food and stay hydrated. The distraction of being out helped pass the time. It took my mind off of the long surgical procedure about to take place.
The Last Supper… for a While
I enjoyed a delicious Greek meal the day before my surgery. My husband actually couldn’t believe how much I ate! It is some of my favorite cuisine and I knew I wouldn’t have any solid food for at least a couple of days. But, I made sure I ate the big meal at noon. The evening before surgery I went really light eating a piece of fruit and some yogurt. I didn’t want to see anything I ate the day before surgery when I woke up after surgery!!
UPDATE!!! Since writing this blog, PRMA is now using ERAS (Enhanced Recovery after Surgery) protocol. You will be drinking a carbohydrate drink the night before and morning of surgery. It has fantastic benefits for patients. Read more about it here with a video included from my plastic surgeon, Dr. Minas Chrysopoulo.
Go Ahead ~ Cry ’til your Dry
The night before can be nerve racking. It’s normal. I cried the night before, quietly and to myself, but I cried. I needed to. It helped cleanse me of the last minute, overwhelming fear. The concerns of anesthesia, the length of the surgery, the immediate time in recovery, the success of surgery are all thoughts running through your head. Don’t think you’re losing it or weak because you cry or are nervous. It’s normal. I really didn’t sleep well the night before but I convinced myself it was not an issue. I knew I was in for a nice long nap the next day and lots of rest for the remainder of the week.
Music and Meditation
Take some soft music on your chosen electronic device to help you relax. Do some mind-full meditation. Whatever anyone tells you about focusing on your breathing is worth a try. There is truly some magic in breathing deeply, slowly, in and out, as you lie in bed to oxygenate your body and help it to relax.
Squeaky Clean
I took a shower the night before and cleansed with the prescribed anti-bacterial cleanser, Hibiclens. I washed my hair the night before. The morning of surgery I showered again and styled my hair but using no product or hairspray. You want to go in to surgery pristine clean! I thought I’d at least do my hair one more time because I knew by day 2 it would be sticking to my head. ARGH! No deodorant or lotion either. Clear nail polish for your fingers and toes is ok but nothing they can’t see through. They will be squeezing your finger to watch for the capillary refill to make sure you have good blood flow and are hydrated. Those were my orders. Squeaky clean body, ladies.
Shut your eyes. Lay back and relax. Tomorrow is go time.
What a helpful, calming, reassuring post for anyone to read. Complete self-care. Many of these tips would be useful even at times when you’re not going into surgery, and most of us don’t do enough for ourselves on a regular basis. Something to keep in mind after recovery, too.
Breast Reconstruction is a process that needs to include calming, reassuring activities. Thank you for pointing that out, Alene. As a health coach you know full well what those benefits are. I’m glad you enjoyed reading the post and I appreciate your comments. Thank you.