I’m officially eight weeks post surgery, and I went back to work today. I was exhausted and sore when I got home. And running a low grade fever. Maybe I overdid it or maybe I have something going on. Last night the incision on my left breast started weeping. I sent a message to my surgeon’s office and they suggested I don’t use the hot tub anymore for a while. I’ll also need to keep an eye on it for any signs of infection. So frustrating.

So…aside from all that, here is how I’m doing at two months for anyone interested or considering diep flap reconstruction:

My incisions are (mostly) healed but still red. There has been some fat necrosis on the left side of my chest, so there is a section of hard, immovable skin, which sits on my tight tendon. Physical therapy is helping with the tightness and massaging the necrosis section is helping it move a little. The transplanted skin from my stomach is a different color than the skin on my chest, so that’s disarming. My doctor said it may get less noticeable over time.

My stomach still feels tight, but I can stand mostly straight now. There is still swelling which means my stomach has no “give,” and I can’t wear anything that’s too tight. No squeezing myself into jeans. Also, the longer the day goes on, the more swelling seems to happen. Swelly belly is what a lot of women who have gone through this surgery call it. In addition to that, my stomach skin is SUPER sensitive to the texture of fabric. I’m trying to wear normal clothes again but it’s hard. I ordered belly bands and hope they are thin enough that I can wear them under my clothes without adding a lot of bulk or warmth. They have to be better than the abdominal binder I no longer need to wear.

I am able to lay on my side, although I can’t stay there too long before it feels weird. I also was able to lay on my stomach during physical therapy, which I haven’t been able to do in two years. It was glorious. No pain.

I can lift things heavier than 10 pounds now but I still do so carefully, using my knees and all that. I can’t sit up without turning and pushing myself up. Engaging my stomach muscles for anything feels really uncomfortable, although I’m slowly adding some exercises to my stretching routine. Sitting too long makes my stomach feel weird. Twisting feels weird. Notice a pattern? I suspect my stomach is going to feel weird for a while.

I still get random sharp pains or a dull ache in areas where the nerves were cut. It’s tolerable. And my new belly button is still red but looks like my old belly button.

Would I do it again? Yes, assuming nothing goes amiss at this point. Otherwise I’ll probably wish I had taken out the implants and left it. I’m thankful that my reconstructed breasts are soft, and the heaviness of the implants are gone. I’m thankful that even with the tightness I still have, my range of motion is better. And I’m grateful that although I’m scheduled for revision surgery in April to make everything look better, I don’t have to do it. I can change my mind.