Ever have Diep Flap Reconstruction (with additional implant)?

Lpsf

I'm looking to connect with people who've had the diep flap to find out more about the experience and positives/negatives about it. I am considering this surgery but the doctor said I may not have enough fat in my belly to make the size breast I need and so he suggested doing a 2nd surgery at a later date and adding an implant to make it match my other breast. Hoping to find people who've had this experience? thank you!

39andhip

Lpsf - I just had DIEP recon on 9/8, after much concern that I would not have enough fat, either. I went with DIEP because I didn't want an implant, but my PS did say that he could go back in later and do a fat transplant. I don't have large breasts (B cup) so my flap breast is actually bigger than my other breast - right now, anyway. I'm happy to answer any specific questions you have about DIEP, from my perspective. This article also offers a good overview of the pros and cons: http://community.breastcancer.org/blog/breast-reco....

CarolinaAmy

I had no idea implants were even an option with DIEP. I've only discussed it with my BS very briefly (at my first and only meeting with him so far), but he indicated that I only had enough to get maybe a B cup. (After years of struggling with my weight, I do find this hilarious in a frustrating way.) While I do want to go smaller if I do a BMX, I'm not sure I want to go that much smaller than my current 34F/G.

MEG2

I had a DIEP/TRAM reconstruction on my left breast in November of 2014 followed by a lift to the right breast along with a nipple and areola recon on the left in July 2015.

I made the choice to do just a single MX early on in the process and also only had enough fat, tissue, skin for the single recon. I chose to do a lift on the right side with a nipple and areola recon done using the skin removed from the right breast. I am very pleased with the results; the symmetry is not perfect but very close. In all reality none of us had perfectly symmetrical boobs anyway...

I had several meetings with my PS prior to surgery and there was plenty of discussion about options; I was told that doing recon and an implant wouldn't make for a great result due to where the implant sits compared to where a recon would sit. I believe that if you do a BMX it makes more sense to do implants because both sides can be made to look close to "normal".

I know that they can add or take away fat from either breast, thighs, buttocks to help achieve symmetry as well. Based on my experience I would suggest doing some research on your options, making a list of questions for your PS. Mine has before and after pictures on his website plus a number of pictures that can be reviewed on an office visit. I also spoke to my breast surgeon and Oncologist for advice as well. I had a fantastic experience and believe I had the most committed, and well trained and respected PS who has developed several procedures that make the DIEP a much easier surgery for both patient and surgeon (I had a pre-surgery CAT scan that showed the surgeons where my blood vessels were, which were large enough to move from abdomen to chest and gave them a "map" of how to surgery would go). Pre and Post care were great and I had no complications or side-effects from any procedure. Make sure you have complete trust in your PS.

My positive list far outweighs any negatives, although that may not be the same for everyone. You might check out the DIEP/TRAM threads to get some insight into a varied set of experiences. The hospital stay can be 4 - 5 days and the recovery period lasts 4 - 6 weeks and those would be on my negative list. I was glad to no longer use the fake breast and worry about how that was sitting in my bra, if it would move or show beneath my clothes, it was great to feel and see the breast after a year of seeing the MX scar and having a more "normal" look. I would recommend the surgery for sure but make sure you educate yourself fully about the entire process.

Please feel free to private message me if you have specific questions. Best of luck to you on this continuing journey!

Mary

Meow13

I was worried because I was 123 pounds when I had my Diep apparently they did have enough material. I knew I had extra skin. I just had left side done. My new belly button looked so much like my old one. The old one is on the side of constructed breast, I am happy to say scars have faded significantly after 3 years.

MEG2

Meow13...my old belly button is on my left breast too, interesting to know someone else with a similar surgical path. I'm not quite a year out and think the scars look pretty fair but am anxious to see how they look down the road.

Meow13

Meg, it keeps looking better. My scars are very faded and I am still gaining more feeling in the reconstruction.

The1toC

LPSF I am glad you are considering the DIEP flap.

I had bilateral stage 1 may 2014 then 2 a and b finished by dec2014. I set the intervals due to travel in snow and childcare issues but could have done the process faster. My surgeon was Kozlow at UofMich and I credit him &his team with giving me back my life. It is the closest I have felt to my self in a long while. I first consulted lteb2013 and spent the winter cultivating my belly with nightly chips &dip and ice cream.

the first part post op is hard but really not so bad if you keep in mind that you chose to do it and the discomfort is temporary. I actually found it far easier than b/l mstectomy.

before surgery find a recliner you like as it is the most comfy place to sleep for 3 was once discharged. Also a stool to use in the shower. Stop smoking now if you do. Ween coffee/caffeine 2 was prior to surg.

I am really pleased with my outcome. I wouldn't change a thing. Including the sequence of events. If I had had immediate recon with Diep, likely ALOT of the cancer certainly would have been missed.

MEG2

Wow, meow13 you are getting some feeling back? That's amazing, on occasion I have some sensation under my arm and on the side of my breast and I was curious if that was nerves regenerating after surgeries and radiation. You've given me some great things to loo forward too!

ohiobecky

I had left DIEP in June. My revision is the end of this month. I have a 700cc round implant on the right. My doc is planning a small implant on the DIEP side to fill it out. Also some fat grafting on the left. The right side will be a lift and a switch to a teardrop implant.

Tasal

I am curious if you had the DIEP and then the additional implant? I had a free tram flap bilateral recon myself and I too have been told by my PS that I should consider implants in a secondary surgery. I originally had B cups, I'm not an A and would love to get back to a B (I'm a smaller framed gal). However, I'm only 10 weeks post op and the idea of implants at this point seem so daunting as I feel like I'm stuck in a bear trap and this burning! Would love to hear from anyone that's had implants after a tram to see how that went!!