mi-DIEP at Pennsylvania Hospital

Moonshapedpool

Hello,

I'm a candidate for mi-DIEP reconstruction at Pennsylvania Hospital. I'm having BMX, and was fairly certain I would go flat, but a consult with the PS (Dr. Kanchawala) about mi-DIEP kind of made my head spin. Like it's too good to be true. (I'm a skeptic by nature, so "too good to be true" makes me nervous).

I know that this procedure isn't available in many places. In fact, it may only be available now in the Penn system. I haven't found a lot of resources about it on line, so it's hard to do my due diligence. Anyone out there have experience with this procedure and this doc?

Thanks!

Mavericksmom

I never heard of that procedure so I googled it. It is only a Penn procedure to make the operation opioid free.

First, not to belittle the opioid crisis, I have had many surgeries that used opioids in recovery and only had an issue (constipation) once. That said, I am not big on any medication including pain medication so I see this surgical approach as a good thing.

I had DIEP reconstruction at Fox Chase in Philadelphia and I had no pain issues. I was in the hospital 4 days and was given pain medication but once home I didn’t need anything other than Tylenol and I think I only took that at night a couple of times to ensure a good night sleep. I didn’t really have pain issues.

I wanted BMX and to go flat, but the policy at Fox Case is not to remove a healthy breast, so my request was denied. Of course since they refused to remove my right breast claiming it is healthy, I am refusing mammograms because if it appears in my real breast now, I want a mastectomy, so I will wait to feel a lump! Research indicates no difference in outcome as far as dying from the disease. They can’t have it both ways, either there is a risk for me or not. If having breast cancer twice and a very strong family history, mother, two of my three sisters and at least one cousin on my mother’s side wasn’t enough to remove my healthy breast, they must be very sure it won’t show up in my healthy breast, I am BRCA neg. I don’t think I would go back there for any more surgery anyway due to distance and aging. I have some outstanding local hospitals closer to my home! I am also not having any revision surgery.

You are in good hands at Penn, but make sure you want the surgery (DIEP surgery) as it is major surgery. If you decide you do, then going to Penn is the place to have it done! The location is what kept me from going there, too much traffic. Fox Chase has excellent doctors, nurses, technicians, housekeeping, receptionists and it is in a safe, quiet area of the city, with ample free parking. I use back roads to get there and it is actually a very relaxing drive. As long as a BRCA newoman doesn’t want a BMX I would recommend Fox Chase. All others should go elsewhere.

Mamasita2020

hi there. Same boat. Same questions. What have you learned since your post?

Thanks!

Rachel

Angbassani821

Hello,

Did you end up having this procedure done with Dr. Kanchwala? I have a consult in 2 weeks.

Snowflake888

I messaged moonshape , thinking she might not see this old post. I too am curious, since I am probably having a revision at UPENN hospital next year of my subpec implants and looking at diep flap options. If I hear from her, I will alert her to your post

exbrnxgrl

The op has not signed in for just about a year. I hope that someone who has had this procedure will respond

Suburbs

Hi. Just saw this. I had a BMI with diep at PH with Dr. K. Four years out and I have no complaints about the work. The reconstruction was beautiful. Unfortunately for me, I had just completed neoadjuvant chemo and had an infection that plagued me for two years. It happens though it is rare. The ICU staff and nursing staff at the hospital were excellent.

Private message me if you have any questions.

ChrisJack1

I consulted with him as well and he simply said I wasn't a candidate for diep or any of those surgeries and only could do implants. However he only does implants above the muscle but didn't say why really, except to say that most ppl w sub pec implants have pain even years later and the implants jerk when I flex a muscle. Since he only does implants above the muscle for everyone and conceded that I would even have much more rippling etc that way, and that everyone I know who got breast augmentation as opposed to breast reconstruction following bc had implants placed under the muscle, I went w a different PS in the same system who does both kinds. Now I'm worried so I'm very very interested in everyone's views