Hi @mkefighter !

I had the DEIP Flap done on my right breast. For my first surgery to get the tissue out and put in an expander I "babied" my arm and so my shoulder was partially frozen when my 12 week lifting restriction was up! Oops but PT got it back.

PT helped immensely as did the meds. I have a bit of cording and my abs were very weak post-surgery, but are pretty good now.

I was most surprised by the aftermath of the surgery itself - every hour on the hour they were in checking on it, so I got less sleep than I thought I would.

I slept in our 40 year old lazy boy recliner and that was great. My husband was well trained in cleaning and changing my drains.

I would say today, 3 years later I am not back to 100% - my right arm still lifts less than my left by about 20 pounds - but I have a lot of life stuff that I think has more to do with that (I had just had a baby pre-diagnosis, and I had some extremely rare nerve damage from radiation to deal with).

I'd guess, from what you are describing with your eating and martial arts, that you will rock this surgery and be back to yourself in 6 months or less, with good PT and support from friends and family.

All the best!