Will DIEP feel like permanently attached silicone prostheses?

BlackBear

Sorry I haven't done a proper profile yet. I had a unilateral mastectomy in 2014 and am getting ready to have the other breast removed prophylactically (sp?). With my mastectomy in 2014, I had major healing problems (no radiation or chemo, decent oncotype score, but dead tissue nonetheless) and wound up having to have a skin graft. I had never considered myself a viable candidate for reconstruction until I started reading about DIEP reconstruction. I saw my plastic surgeon yesterday who told me that it would definitely be an option for me. Before I put myself and my family through a 12 hour surgery, though, I want to know what it feels like. I'm not talking about pain after surgery. I expect that. But with my silicone prosthesis, the very first thing I do when I get back home from going out somewhere is take the bra off! I hate the feeling of the prosthesis pressing against my chest. Will a DIEP reconstruction feel like a bra that I just can't take off? Or do you eventually just pretty much forget about them (the reconstructed breasts).

Thank you!

NancyHB

Hi BlackBear,

I chose DIEP reconstruction (unilateral) for the very reason you described - I was terrified of the "perma-bra" or "iron bra" feeling I've heard described with implants (I have some sensory issues and knew it would be a challenge for me long-term). I am about 7 months out from surgery and can tell you - I often forget I've had reconstruction. My DIEP breast feels just like my non-recon breast, both inside (my own internal feelings) and outside (it's soft, warm to the touch, and looks very similar to my other breast). I am so grateful I was a candidate, and had a highly skilled DIEP PS nearby (Univ. of Michigan).

With all of that being said...the 12 hour surgery was, for me, the easiest part. The recovery is long; a 5-day hospital stay (typically), significantly reduced physical abilities for at least a couple of weeks (I needed help from my husband for the first few days home, then gradually was able to do things like bathe by myself about a week later). I ended up with an infection in my breast that required two hospitalizations - but infections are (supposedly) pretty rare, and a potential with any surgery and reconstruction. Even with all of that - I wouldn't have done it any other way.

There are a couple of DIEP threads on here, one for 2016 surgeries (so you can follow along with how it went for all of us), and the 2017 thread (for those with recently completed or upcoming surgeries). I spent a lot of time reading the threads so I knew what to expect, and felt very comfortable with my final decision.

Let us know if you have any other questions. Good luck!

Moderators

Hi BlackBear, and welcome to Breastcancer.org! Sorry your circumstances has brought you here but we sincerely hope that it will be a source of great information and support to you.

Here are the threads that Nancy mentions, both under the reconstruction forum:

DIEP Flap Reconstruction 2017

DIEP Flap Reconstruction 2016

Also, you may find some helpful information on this procedure in the DIEP Flap Reconstruction: What to Expect section from our main site.

Hope this helps! Let us know how you're doing!

The Mods

Denise-G

My sister had DIEP in October, 2016 and just yesterday, 4 months later, was able to go back to work. It has been a long and grueling haul. She had a 9 hour surgery then an emergency 3 hour surgery. Also, she needed a skin graft. She had a well-respected surgeon for her DIEP but stuff happens. It is a LONG recovery process. After 4 months, she said she feels like she is at about 65%. She is 56.

She said she hates the feeling of "these aren't my breasts" and has the perma bra feeling. She has reached out to other DIEP patients to see if this is long lasting. So far the responses she has gotten have varied. For some woman, those feelings go away rather quickly, and for others they can experience it for a very long time.

Do read the DIEP posts on these boards! GREAT advice.

I had a unilateral mastectomy 5 years ago and now have to have the other breast removed because of a genetic mutation. DIEP is not for me. I made that decision watching what my sister went through. But some women do much better. Sending my best!

Scwilly

I had my DIEP surgery in April 2015. I didn't want to have implants. I am very happy with the results. It now really feels like my own body and I am delighted to have a cleavage back. I had a UMX in April 2014 followed by a second MX during my DIEP surgery. So one breast (left) has the football shape scaring and the other (right) just scaring replacing the nipple and lines below.

I do have loss of feeling on both breasts, and sometimes that feels weird. Remember that you usually get stage 2 or 3 surgery to correct things if necessary after the first surgery has settled down. During this I had lipo on the sides of both breasts and the edges of my stomach incision to flatten and shape. Also I had a lift and reduction on my right. I am a little smaller by choice (DD to C) I have yet to have the next stage and have nipples created, something I hope to do this year. The feeling of numbness has reminded and I don't expect to ever feel the same as before. However, I am absolutely happy I have had reconstruction.

Its a big operation and recovery and not for everyone.

coachvicky

SCwilly

I have some feeling return when I use caffeinated scrubs and creams. I wish I had started them earlier.

Coach Vicky

LilacBlue

Blackbear, for me, the feeling of the breast afterwards is not a chest compression, it's the sensation - physical feeling of something hanging off your chest (and I'm small - 36A cup) - a new, suspended weight hanging off my chest. I wondered how long it would take me to get used to it and told 6 months. It was longer than that and wore a soft sport bra 24/7 (sleeping too) for about 18 months after initial surgery - that helped me feel more secure and over the course of time, slowly got used to it. If your tummy fat is harvested (like mine), it's also the hip-to-hip incision, that includes belly numbness, and I'm still fairly numb, that is another new bodily sense to get used too. I wanted to go with diep as there was no way I'd have an implant and no one was touching my right healthy breast, imperfection et al, thank you very much. Time is what works best for diep; it's not a quick fix. Wish you all the best in whatever you decide.

debiann

For the most part my diep breasts feel warm and natural, however I did have problems with swelling and pain in the right one for the first two years. I recently had a revision and the PS cleaned out the area, which seems to have solved the problem. He said there was a lot of necrosis. I also have to be careful about what kind of bra I wear. Anything with a thin, snug band causes swelling. I have some lymphadema in my arm and trunk.Overall I really happy with my reconstruction.

BlackBear

I want to thank everyone for their responses. I've been going back through the DIEP forum threads a bit more systematically and the one thing that really strikes me is how many women acknowledge problems -- pain, long recovery, infections, etc. -- but still indicate they are happy they did the DIEP surgery. You'll always see some horror stories, but the overall sense I get is quite positive about DIEP flaps, particularly given the alternatives.

BlackBear

Coach Vicky, I've never heard of caffeinated scrubs and creams. Are there brand names you could pass along

Falconer

coach Vicky- was wondering the same thing