Are you packing for your DIEP Flap hospital stay or traveling for a DIEP flap surgery? I had a double mastectomy and DIEP Flap at the same time (immediate reconstruction) and these are my recommended items to have at home and the hospital. This list is also relevant for delayed reconstruction. Many of these items are also relevant for alternative flap surgeries like SGAP.
What to Pack in Hospital Bag for DIEP Flap
- Extra Long Phone Cord
- Eye Mask
- Toiletries
- Glasses Case
- Button Up shirt to go home in
- Loose-fitting comfortable pants
- Slip-on shoes that work with socks
- Waist Drain Belt
- Compression socks (if flying home after DIEP)
- Notebook and Pen
Recommended Recovery Items After DIEP Flap at Home
- Shower Chair
- Protein Powder – You will need up your protein during recovery. Ask your doctor for the recommended amount. (I liked chocolate Ka’chava protein powder mixed with banana, nut butter, ice, and water).
- Fragrance-Free Antibacterial Shower Gel – I was taught how to shower in the hospital. Consult with your doctor on showering. I used a clean white washcloth with antibacterial shower gel for my incisions, sitting in a shower chair, back faced away from the water, with a light stream coming over my shoulders. I used separate washcloths for body and incisions and cleaned washcloths after each use.
- Shower Mesh Drain Bag – This was one of my favorite items. When showering, I put my drains in a shower mesh drain bag, which quickly dried after my shower.
- Button-Up Pajamas – Nice to have a few button-up pajama shirts for easy access to the chest
- Button-Up Shirts – I recommend going to a consignment store and getting a few soft button-up shirts
- Comfortable Pants – Comfortable loose-fitting pants to wear at home. I found some scrub pants that fit the bill at a local consignment store.
- Bidet or Peri Bottle – I had trouble wiping after surgery (not everyone experiences this), but I recommend using water as your friend for wiping. Bidets are nice to have and range in price from inexpensive bum guns to full-on heated seat bidets. An inexpensive Peri bottle is also effective. This is relevant for phase 1, but note that phase 2 DIEP may require full body compression and not be relevant.
- Oversized underwear – Size up a size on underwear and wear this to hold ABD pads in place over incisions (just need a few extra underwear)
- Leggings for Compression – When your drains are pulled and you are no longer wearing pads on your incisions, recommend having some tight-fitting leggings for compression
- Laxative and Stool Softener – Consult with your doctor on what to take, but it’s good to have a laxative on hand like Senna-S or Miralax to help with your bowel movements at home. Being constipated after DIEP is not a fun experience.
- Seatbelt Pillow – This helped protect my chest in the car and I traveled with mine for surgery. These often come with a mastectomy pillow.
- Scar Gel or Scar Tape – Ask your plastic surgeon for their recommendation and follow your Doctor’s orders regarding when to apply
- Surgical Bras and Binder – These were provided to me by the Center for Restorative Breast Surgery. Ask your plastic surgeon if you need to buy these in advance or if they are provided.
Optional Nice-to-Have Items
Not every item is mandatory but here are a few nice-to-have items to have during your DIEP Flap recovery at home.
- Electric Lift Chair – You don’t need to buy this unless you want one long-term. Look into a furniture rental store like Rent-a-Center that can rent a chair for the month. I slept in an electric lift chair for a month after surgery then returned my chair to Rent-a-Center.
- Wedge Pillows – These are great if you want to use them instead of a recliner, as they can go on your bed or couch.
- Robe with Drain Pockets – A robe with pockets for drains is nice to have. I bought one but only used it for a few days. Alternatively, look into Pockets for Hope hoodies (hoodies with drain pockets) that are free for patients undergoing a mastectomy.
Additional Reflections
I bought too many drain items. I bought specific clothes/shirts etc for drains and realized I just needed the waist drain belt. I flew to the Center for Restorative Breast Surgery in New Orleans (note they do free remote consults) for my double mastectomy and DIEP flap and they ended up loading me up with supplies including medical supplies for home, a binder for compression, compression socks for flying home, drain belt, and Silagen scar gel. I recommend asking your doctor what items they recommend purchasing.
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