I'm new to this site and just discovered the Q&A section, so sorry I'm coming in late. I also had a unilateral mastectomy with DIEP (last year). I'm 110% happy with the results. It is your own tissue, warm & jiggly. As mentioned, the first 2 weeks are the hardest, but a mastectomy even without reconstruction I suspect would have been difficult. I took 2 weeks "vacation" from work for the surgery & recovery and was back to work by the 3rd week. I was instructed to sleep in a recliner, which I dreaded, but it wasn't bad and made it easy to get up & down. You are also required to sleep only on your BACK..and I'm a side/belly sleeper, so the recliner kept me from accidentally rolling over in my sleep. I have feeling on some of my new breast, most of the skin except near the new nipple. I have feeling in the skin on my belly, but not in the underlying tissue. It's hard to explain, but if I lean against the sink to wash dishes, I can feel it on my skin but it feels like there's a pillow between my belly & the sink. I do have a scar at the bikini line, but I'm too old to wear a bikini anyway! BTW - get yourself some "granny panties" until your suture line heals because bikini panties will hit EXACTLY on that suture line. And get some stretchy-waisted pants & skirts to wear until you've healed. I'd be happy to answer any questions! I only found out about DIEP by accident, but am so thankful I did!

@A MyBCTeam Member, that's excellent news! The first week is pretty rough, mostly because of the abdominal stitches .. and those ugly drains... but the 2nd week will be easier and the 3rd week even easier. And the best part is, it's your own tissue, so when it's all healed it will look as close to a natural breast as you can imagine. You will probably have to go back for a final revision, but that 2nd surgery is EASY.

Mentioned Users

A MyBCTea...

Thank you @A MyBCTeam Member I had my DIEP surgery this past Friday. It's been rough but each day is getting easier and I'm already so pleased with the results so far :)

Mentioned Users

A MyBCTea...

@A MyBCTeam Member

I'd say the DIEP breast is mostly numb. I have normal feeling in my armpit and under the DIEP breast. Numbness begins about 2 - 3 inches below collar bone. The tummy numbness is about a 6 inch diameter around center of ab incision.

I'd worry about recovery with little ones too. There are weight restrictions and I tested them and felt it. If I remember correctly, the restriction was no lifting over 10lb for first 8 weeks. I wanted to babysit my 1.5 yr old niece but couldn't because I wouldn't be able to pick her up.

At some point during the first 8 weeks I carried a 7lb bag of cat litter home from the store and ug did I feel it in my side abs for days! The lifting restriction is no joke. My trainer explained to me that it doesn't matter that I'm in good shape. Soft tissue takes 12 weeks to heal - that's the standard for all adults. I had to accept that. At the 8 week point I tested my ability to carry with dumbells and once I could lift and carry a 25lb dumbbell on my hip I knew I could babysit my niece! So yeah, that would be 8 weeks without being able to pick up your 3 year old.

Taking care of myself during the first two weeks out of hospital was a challenge, I can't imagine taking care of others too. I think you would need help 24/7 for at least those first two weeks. One because of movement and lifting restrictions and two because you must stand and walk bent at the waist. That took a toll on my back and I used a walker to make it easier. Once I had the walker I was zooming around my neighborhood but imagine preparing meals bent at the waist, everything is just trying in the those first two weeks. Then when PS gives you greenlight, you get to start walking upright, and your ab skin is so tight, it's a frustrating challenge and takes 2 - 3 weeks to feel comfortable in your "new skin".

I've read comments from others that their recovery took 6 to 8 weeks. There is a forum here with lots of info.

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/top...

Mentioned Users

A MyBCTea...

Thank you so much for all the info @A MyBCTeam Member!

Is your breast and surrounding area completely numb as well? How much of your tummy is numb?

I'm pretty nervous about recovery because I have a 3 year old and a 5 month old. I have been warned it js a huge surgery with a hard recovery. But my goal is to have the most natural feeling results. (I will just be doing my left breast)

Mentioned Users

A MyBCTea...