How can I reduce stress before breast reconstruction surgery?
Before most breast reconstruction surgery, patients experience some level of excitement and nervousness. This is normal! After all, your life and body are about to change forever!
Eliminating stress before surgery can help ensure a positive mindset and ease the recovery process. Here is a list of ideas to comfort your nerves before the big day:
1) Get answers to your questions. One of the greatest causes of pre-surgery anxiety is fear. As your surgery date gets closer, you may begin to have questions regarding your surgery, recovery, and expected outcomes. When questions arise, write them down so you do not forget them. Contact your doctor’s office to get answers to your questions from trained nurses and physicians who are familiar with you as an individual. Seeking answers via Google or other internet sources can become overwhelming and lead to further confusion and anxiety. Your surgeon will answer any questions to help eliminate pre-surgery fears.
2) Prepare your nest. It is important to ensure you have everything you needed for post-operative care. Pick up your prescriptions from the pharmacy and place them in an easily accessible place (on your night stand or next to your bathroom sink). You may also want to have disposable plates, utensils and bottled water handy to eliminate the extra work of dishes for yourself or your care taker. If you plan to have drains after surgery, have a measuring cup stationed nearby. This will ease emptying and tracking your drain output.
3) Have a support team lined up. Most women are very independent and focus most of their energy on others’ needs. You will not be able to do everything for yourself after surgery; it is important to have someone with you for the first couple of weeks. You will need to rest and recover properly without exerting yourself.
4) Pamper yourself. If you can, take some time for yourself in the days before your surgery. A pedicure, a massage, or even a night out to a movie are all great ways to relax and take your mind off of your anxieties.
Breast reconstruction is a life changing experience and should be approached with a positive and relaxed frame of mind. By preparing yourself, your home, and your support team, you can ensure a steady recovery.
Author: Dr. Minas Chrysopoulo and Courtney Floyd
Before most breast reconstruction surgery, patients experience some level of excitement and nervousness. This is normal! After all, your life and body are about to change forever! Eliminating stress before surgery can help ensure a positive mindset and ease the recovery process.
Leave Comment
1. If you use your own stomach fat / painful by the way / ask what happens if blood vessels are not effective on both sides. As it turns out I have what I call one belli boob and one implant. The belly boob will continue to grow because it is fatty tissue. Something I never thought to ask. 2. They like you to sleep reclined as in a recliner, luckily my incredible mom came over everyday to babysit so I could use the bathroom, take the dog out until my husband got home from work.
July 20,2020
Sign Up for Our Monthly Newsletter
Continue Reading
Hospital Stay After DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction: What to Expect
Hospital Stay After DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction: What to Expect December 09, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin Following DIEP flap breast reconstruction, patients are typically in the hospital for about 2-3 days. During that time, patients often wonder what they should expect. Here is what a typical hospital stay for PRMA patients entails… Flap […]
Breast Reconstruction Surgery and Your Period
Breast Reconstruction Surgery and Your Period December 02, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin During our pre-operative appointment with patients, a topic that occasionally arises is menstrual cycles. It is completely normal for women to experience changes with their periods throughout breast cancer treatments. These can be temporary or permanent. Periods can be unpredictable following […]
What Bras and Abdominal Girdles to Wear After Breast Reconstruction Surgery
What Bras and Abdominal Girdles to Wear After Breast Reconstruction Surgery November 17, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin When preparing for breast reconstruction surgery, many patients want to know what types of bras and abdominal girdles they should plan to wear after surgery. Although every surgeon has slightly different preferences, we have put together […]
My 5 DIEP Flap Realities | A Guest Blog From Julie
My 5 DIEP Flap Realities October 28, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin Hi everyone, my name is Julie from It’s a Bosom Thing. I am so happy to be here as a guest blogger and have this opportunity to share with you a few thoughts about life after DIEP Flap Surgery. I was diagnosed […]
PRMA’s BRA Day Virtual Event Recap
PRMA’s BRA Day Virtual Event Recap October 22, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin Yesterday we celebrated Breast Reconstruction Awareness day! Although we missed seeing everyone in person this year, we were still able to spread education and awareness on ALL reconstructive options through our virtual efforts. We were also able to share information on […]
Second Stage DIEP Flap Surgery
Second Stage DIEP Flap Surgery September 08, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin DIEP flap breast reconstruction is typically comprised of at least two stages for the best outcomes. The second stage of surgery is commonly referred to as the “revision” stage and is usually performed about three months after the initial reconstruction. The purpose […]
If ‘Flaps’ Are Such A Great Breast Reconstruction Option, Why Doesn’t Everyone Get Them?
If ‘Flaps’ Are Such A Great Breast Reconstruction Option, Why Doesn’t Everyone Get Them? September 08, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin Flap-based breast reconstruction procedures, like the DIEP flap, offer patients a safe, natural implant-alternative option to reconstruction after a mastectomy. Flap surgeries are permanent and are associated with fewer complications after radiation when […]
What is a Skin Island and How is it Used in Breast Reconstruction?
What is a Skin Island and How is it Used in Breast Reconstruction? September 08, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin What is a “skin island”? The term “skin island” is used to describe the remaining visible skin from a transplanted “flap” of tissue. In the setting of DIEP flap breast reconstruction, the skin island […]
Comparing APEX Flap and DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction
Comparing APEX Flap and DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction August 10, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin We have been receiving numerous inquiries about the “APEX flap” recently. Patients want to know what it is and how it differs from the DIEP flap. APEX is an acronym that stands for “Abdominal Perforator Exchange”. Many patients believe […]
Monitoring the Health of Your Flap During & After Surgery
Monitoring the Health of Your Flap During & After Surgery July 21, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin Autologous flap (or tissue) breast reconstruction procedures represent today’s most advanced options for rebuilding a breast(s) following mastectomy. The most commonly performed method of flap-based reconstruction at PRMA is the DIEP flap. During this procedure, surgeons transplant skin […]
BRCA Positive and Proactively Confident
PRMA Named San Antonio's Best Places to Work by the San Antonio Business Journal for the Second Time
Barbara
1. If you use your own stomach fat / painful by the way / ask what happens if blood vessels are not effective on both sides. As it turns out I have what I call one belli boob and one implant. The belly boob will continue to grow because it is fatty tissue. Something I never thought to ask. 2. They like you to sleep reclined as in a recliner, luckily my incredible mom came over everyday to babysit so I could use the bathroom, take the dog out until my husband got home from work.