DIEP Reconstruction without using tissue expanders?

denisel

I had a double mastectomy 7 weeks ago and ready for the delayed reconstructive DIEP. Has anyone elected to have the DIEP without tissue expanders first? My PS prefers to use tissue expanders but due to my need to return to work he can do the surgery without the use of TE's but said the look is a bit more natural when using expanders. I am afraid my paid FMLA leave will be unpaid while I have the expanders in for two months prior to the DIEP surgery so I will need to go back to work. I have a high stress job and would rather do the surgery sooner than later. Any input on this?

Chris13

I didn't know they used tissue expanders for DIEP. They took from my stomach, which had plenty to work with. They did the mast and DIEP at same time, however.

jbdayton

the biggest difference is in looks and shape. With TEs you will only have football shaped paddles on each breast. Without stretching your skin they will have to make almost the entire surface of the breast with stomach skin so the incision will go around the entire breast mound. It also usually has more girth and less projection when done this way. It can be cosmetically improved with fat grafting during stage two. I was also told a small implant placed in each breast under the flap could improve projection as well. Good luck with this decision.

denisel

jbdayton .... thank you so much for the information. I asked my surgeon for after pictures of DIEP with and without TE's however my surgeon just started using TEs with DIEP therefore he doesn't have any final pics yet.

denisel

Hi everyone,

I am new to the forum and just am so thankful to have found this support to lean on. Learning from others and supporting each other has been missing for me. That is all I wanted to say today.