What should I expect after Diep Flap surgery?

They will provide a removable wrap for you to wear. I highly recommend you wear it as much as possible. I had my DIEP Flap on January 10. I tried many different after surgery bras and kept going back to the wrap. There is a silky front closure pink drainage bra on Amazon that is more comfortable than the wrap, but make sure you have nice compression. Mine is a little big so I pulled the velcro tighter onto the fabric and it stayed put😀. Feels nice. You are going to be just fine. Be kind to yourself and don’t over do it. Rest even if you don’t think you need to.

Thank you Connie

Hi Wendy, I have been through the surgery. It was helpful to get a robe intended for those going through this surgery. It has pockets for the drains along with a reasonably comfortable bra. There are also camisole tops you can wear in the hospital as well as afterwards. They also have room for drains. I used scar tape as well as gel. I found the gel easier to deal with. You won’t need that for a while.

Keep up with the pain meds. Take them and don't fight the pain it just makes it harder to rest and heal. I am 5 weeks out from double with a DIEP flap reconstruction and I am struggling with pain. Good luck and take time to heal, rest and recover mentally and physically.

Thank you ladies. Helpful info - best wishes for a speedy recovery to you all.

Hi Wendy, I've been through this surgery, and I brought a robe with pockets, a comfortable bra ( they have some great zip front stretch bras on Amazon), and comfortable slippers. The hospital will provide you with all the compression garments for your stomach; I got some extra ones from Amazon for when I got home, so I had enough to keep washed. I also got a stepper, the little exercise steppers that people used to use in the 80s to help me get in and out of bed. And I used a walker because you really can't stand up straight, and at night, getting in and out of the bathroom late at night was a little tricky for me. So it helped me a lot. I also got a grabber because you just can't twist and bend and reach for things, and it was very helpful. It sounds like all golden girl things, but they all worked. Remember to honor yourself every day for how strong you are and what you're going through, and nobody can give it to you, you have to honor yourself. So please remember that you are a brave, strong, beautiful woman.

I just went through it 2 weeks ago. Mastectomy on the left plus 10 years ago on the right. This time I had diep flap reconstruction on both. I was given a compression vest for fluid. They pinned the drain bottles to the vest. I had sweat pants and a zip up sweat shirt to come home in

DIEP flap recovery can feel overwhelming to prepare for, but connecting with others who've walked this path can provide valuable insights and reassurance. Many community members have shared helpful tips about comfortable clothing, post-surgery care products, and what to expect during the healing process - hopefully some will chime in with their experiences to help you feel more prepared for your February surgery.