Diep Flap Surgery: What should I know about recovery?

Go up in the search area and put Diep Flap Mayo.

@linabazzi28
Welcome to Mayo Connect and Breast Cancer group.

As previous person mentioned, you can search on Connect for previous discussions:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/?search=DIEP
To find a caregiver while in Rochester, you can contact Mayo's free Concierge Services for suggestions. Here is how to contact:
• By phone 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central time, Monday-Friday: 507-538-8438
• Email: concierge@mayo.edu
• Online - https://www.mayoclinic.org/patient-visitor-guide/minnesota/concierge-services

You may also want ask Concierge Service about Hope Lodge in Rochester: https://www.cancer.org/support-programs-and-services/patient-lodging/hope-lodge/rochester-mn.html

Have you already had a mastectomy? Or will that be done at same time.

I had a DIEP flap attempted and conjunction with a VLNT surgery, so my post surgical issues were more complicated. The DIEP flap was not successful for me, and only for me, because they could not locate enough arteries to use to provide blood supply to the flap. So one day later, the flap was removed. My total recovery time was well over 10 days, when I reached the 30 day mark, I was cleared to return home as my surgery as well was out of state. During the 5 1/2 weeks I stayed near the hospital. I had health nurses come in at least once a week and my husband was with me the rest of the time. part of the recovery time is because of the need to harvest the tissue, for me from my abdomen. In addition to the surgical activity on your chest, you also have surgical activity on another part of your body so you have two separate areas that need time to heal. I would double check to make sure that your window is only 10 days. We rented an Airbnb and stayed there for a six week window.

Yes I had my bilateral mastectomy Last June & finished my radiation in August.

@linabazzi28, I'd like to add my welcome. I'm tagging fellow members like @sharonemma @sedonadreaming @clynnford @seathink @mari @jillianb who can share more about their recovery from deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap surgery.

Lina, have you found accommodation and caregiving services for post surgery? What questions do you have as you prepare for surgery?

Definitely agree with your plan to get a caregiver and nurse. It will be very helpful to have someone there to help you with showering, getting dressing, getting food or heating it up, help with meds and going to the bathroom. Getting the binder on and off to go to the bathroom takes some effort. My sister stayed with me a few days post release from the hospital overnight but I had people come and go and check on me for days after that. See if you can get a recliner in your stay. It’s easier to use than the bed at the start. Let me know what questions you have.

Hi Colleen, not yet. I’ve been exploring different options. Most likely will stay at the Kahler hotel. There’s a private company that provides special care & requesting a minimum of 3 hours to come &check on me. (65-75$ per hour) which is kinda costly. I’m just wondering if I’m able to be on my own after I’m discharged.