Skin grafts after DIEP

marjie

I am heading back for some surgery this week. I am 5 weeks out from DIEP but have to have skin grafts and wound closure after the mastectomy skin flaps went necrotic. So gross!!

I'm just looking for anyone who's had same to share their experience and provide recovery time line and tips.

abigailj

Hi Marje - really sorry to hear you’re having necrosis issues. My post-DIEP wound healing issues were necrosis on part of the bikini line incision, close to 6 inches long - had to use silvadene on it for a few weeks after the procedure to clean it out and I also had an infection in the lower part of one of my recon breasts like a month after that - lost some of the transferred fat, enough to leave a divot I’m going to have fat grafting to smooth out. So, in my case it was a different incision had that issue but it did heal well eventually

Like my PS told me when I was considering immediate DIEP recon with my BMX “it’s a process over several months, could take close to a year for you to seethe final optimal results “ I’m older (62 at time of surgery) so odds are that you will heal more quickly than me. Best wishes, Abigail

marjie

Interesting! I'm 57 and happy to hear of someone closer to my age.

It's definitely a process for sure. I'll be happy to get my breasts closed up. My belly incision has been healing well.

msjag

Margie!! It’s Been years! , I came back to check in with any in our March rads 2011 group, and saw your recent posts. Hope you are healing well, sorry to see you had to go through these roller coaster emotions and decisions, but sounds like you are on the highway of healing and kicking bc to the curb. Be well and sending positive energy your way!!