DIEP Flap after taking out textured implants? Anyone?

niffer291

I have been thinking about getting my textured implants taken out due to the worries of lymphoma - I know it is not a large risk - but I have never been happy with the implants and was wondering if anyone has done flap surgery as a alternative to putting in smooth implants.

Any opinions would be appreciated.

Moderators

Hi niffer, and welcome to Breastcancer.org,

We're sure others will be by shortly to weigh in with their experiences on swapping implants for autologous reconstruction. In the meantime, you may be interested in checking out the main Breastcancer.org site's section on Autologous or "Flap" Reconstruction, to give you an idea about these types of surgeries, which may be right for you, and what to expect.

We hope this helps and we look forward to hearing more from you soon!

--The Mods

exercise_guru

I am very interested in your post . I had ask my plastic surgeon if he thought it was possible and he said yes. I do not live in an area where I could get a DIEP consultation. please do start a thread in the DIEP forum and update it as you find out more information. I would like to connect with other BC survirvors considering the DIEP after removing implants.

niffer291

Hi Exercise Guru,

After seeing some articles about textured implants and how some are leading to lymphoma I figured I might want to take mine out and do diep flap instead. I had radiation after my implants were put in and I have always been tight on my right side. I also hate how they feel cold all the time. I am 10 years out from diagnosis and ready to make a change. It also doesn't hurt that I have belly fat that could be used for something good instead of making me feel fat.

I was treated at Sloane Kettering in NY and they are consulting with all the patients with textured implants and inform you of your choices

1. leave them in and get an MRI every 2 years to check

2. Take them out and replace with a smooth round implant 3. go flat 4. Or do DIEP flap

I meet with two plastic surgeons this week. I want the one that cares about the cosmetic results now that the cancer has been taken out - not only in my chest but in the belly area too.

I will post again after I see them. Do you also have textured implants?

mymaree

Have you made your decision? Im in the same boat sort of. textured 410 done 2014. all of a sudden one is swollen not sure why( rupture,contracture,infection?) but Im reading ahead to know what my options are. having an Mri done on monday. was curious what you and your PS decided on .

Moderators

Hi mymaree! We want to welcome you to our community here at BCO. We know there's a lot of discussion surrounding textured implants at the moment, and we hope you've found some helpful information here. Best of luck with your MRI on Monday, please keep us posted with what you learn!

The Mods

DesertPup

Adding that I too am interested. BMX in January and definitely not happy with the implants. They're too big (I asked for a B - got D's) They're in the way, feel weird during exercise, uncomfortable during sleep and over all "iron-bra" feeling. Curious if DIEP feels natural and more normal? I will definitely be seeing a few surgeons and researching.

Yuuki

The best I can offer is that I am six weeks out from stage II DIEP after removing 16+ year-old implant reconstruction that failed after recurrence and radiation. They were not textured, but there was a lot of scar tissue to contend with.

I had had no serious complaints about the implant reconstruction, but - even though I am still healing - having reconstruction with my own tissue already feels more like a part of me than the implants ever did. I hardly noticed before, but I appreciate it now.

It’s hard to say what I would do with textured implants were I to have to make that decision now, with no problems. For me, DIEP wasn’t really optional but ended up being a good trade-off - the silver lining in my recurrence.

Wishing all of you the best,

Yuuk

Joy-Joy

Hi all,

I've just found this site and am so grateful. In 2007 I was diagnosed with L sided breast cancer. Given my huge family history of breast cancer, I chose to go with a bilateral mastectomy with implants. I have had textured implants since 2007 and although not perfect, I've actually grown to think of them as my breasts. On Monday Aug. 5 I learned from my surgeon at Memorial Sloan-Kettering that I would have to have my textured implants removed due to increasing numbers of women developing lymphoma related to the implants.So here I am again, feeling like I have to have my breasts removed. My surgeon showed me both the saline and silicone gel implants but never mentioned DIEP or "going flat". I have always been small breasted and have never had to wear a bra (I truly know how lucky I am) and don't really want to start wearing one now. If I have implants I think I will like what I see when clothed, but how long before they rupture or have to be replaced?? I don't want to keep having surgeries! I don't know if I can stand to see myself in the mirror totally flat, not to mention how I'd feel in public. I know I am strong and can get through whatever I have to get through but I need some help. I feel like there is no great option. Thoughts?

I really appreciate being able to just share my story and knowing that you all will understand!

Moderators

Dear Joy-Joy,

Welcome to the BCO community. We are sorry that your present circumstances and need to make decisions once again have brought you here. We hope that you find some information that will be of help. In addition to this topic you may want to take a look at DIEP Flap 2018 thread and the Living without Reconstruction forum. There are lots of shared experiences here. We hope that some will be of help. Let us know if we can be of help too.

The Mods