flap surgery vs. breast implant which is better

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motivatek
motivatek Member Posts: 9
edited June 2014 in Singles With Breast Cancer

I'm new to this. I would like to know answers from young adults 36 and under for helpful advice.

I have good and bad about having the implants- discomfort. I am familiar with the flap surgery-tummy tuck- their is discomfort and pain, but it is your tissue. I'm not sure which is the best way to go or not even having reconstruction at the time. Looking for answers from others. Thanks 

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  • lbrewer
    lbrewer Member Posts: 766
    edited January 2009

    I'm not under 36 but I had a diep flap 2 months ago and am very satisfied.  Pain was not bad..I was off pain meds in a week.  Implants fail in about 50% of the cases and have to be re-done.  Your diep breast will also gain/lose weight as you do.  SInce no muscle is involved, you can still do the physical things you do now.  Had to wait 6 weeks before going back to the gym!

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  • pod1257
    pod1257 Member Posts: 262
    edited January 2009

    I am not young either, and had my GAP surgery at NOLA at 49, 2 yrs ago. I am very happy I did the flap, as the breasts are fairly soft, symetrical and look like the real thing. I love the thought that I will never have to switch them out, as you need to with implants. For me it was the right decision.

    Recovery from effects of the surgery/anesthesia took about 2 wks. For GAP my hip drains had to stay in almost 4wks, which was tedious. (The drains for DIEP stay in a much shorter time i've heard.) But anyway, looking back it all seems like a dream and in the scheme of things, for breasts that will last, for what I hope will be a very long life, it was totally worth it.

    You might want to post on the reconstruction site as well, to get even more input on this subject. Best of luck with your decision.

    Julie

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  • car
    car Member Posts: 492
    edited January 2009

    I'm an elderly 54 and implants encapsulated from the git-go. I think that an autologous procedure is the best long term, especially since implants have a life expectancy of around 10-15 years. I do think that moving muscle is not good and there are so many new procedures that do not require this. You might want to check out http://www.breastreconstruction.org. I love my DIEP and I was dicey as a candidate--small, and thin (5'2" and less than 110 lbs). It gave me my life back--I mean it.

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  • motivatek
    motivatek Member Posts: 9
    edited February 2009

     I will be having the DIEP surgery. The doctor's told me that I would not be able to work for 6 weeks or drive a car. I believe that I will be having drains also.  With this kind of surgery will I have abdominal tightness or muscle weakness in the future?

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  • sbmolee
    sbmolee Member Posts: 1,085
    edited February 2009

    Are you having uni or bi lat?  If a uni, the issue with the implant is that it will not increase or decrease in size as you gain and lose weight so you breasts may not stay symmetrical even if you initially have an adjustment to the good breast.  If bilat - with implants - you stay the same size whether you gain or lose weight - also you never have to worry about sagging breasts with implants.  I had bilat and chose implants for a variey of reasons.  No complication and love the results.  Recovery from the mast was the most difficult, the fills and exchange surgery were a breeze for me.  Good luck 

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  • lbrewer
    lbrewer Member Posts: 766
    edited February 2009

    After my DIEP I was able to work by 4 weeks.  I waited until 6 weeks to drive, but was off pain meds within the first week.  Aspirin only.  DIEP has no muscle involvement so you don't have to worry about that as you grow older. Yes the DIEP drains came out a LOT faster than 4 week.  Usually within a week from coming home.

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  • motivatek
    motivatek Member Posts: 9
    edited February 2009

    Thanks I brewer. Everyone heals differently. When does one start chemo? Once your healed. Is it 6 weeks later? I found out about this like like 4 weeks ago. Everything was told to me very quickly and alot of information. I'm handling it well. Some days I get emotional and cry. I was thinking the worst with the DIEP, Thought they took muscle and may need a transfusion.. Thanks for the honest words. Are their bandages on the areas that are opened or just drains?

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  • motivatek
    motivatek Member Posts: 9
    edited February 2009

    Thanks sbmolee, I may have a bilateral once I get the results from the BRACCA 1 and BRACCA 2 gene testing. I'm not good with foreign objects with me.  I've heard good and bad about the implants.

    I want to be feminine, however I want to be cancer free first. I chose the DIEP procedure for the long run. Thanks for sharing your words.

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  • Blumz123
    Blumz123 Member Posts: 1
    edited March 2009

    Dear Motivatec,

    I was diagnosed at age 24, had bi-lateral mx and found out 11 yrs later, I never had cancer.  However, I managed to live many yrs as a single mom.  Two yrs ago I had a tram-flap, I am very happy with the results.  I have no visible scars which is a miracle. If you are a candidate for this proceedure, be certain to find the right doctor.  I spent 40 yrs never removing my bra and now ...WOW!  But the right surgeon is imperative!

    I recently designed a line of lingerie for breast cancer survivors who are unable to have reconstion. The proceeds will aid in treatment for those who can not afford it.  I wish you well.

    Blumz123

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  • blissidbee
    blissidbee Member Posts: 8
    edited August 2010

    hi motiv -

     i am 35, dx this past nov.  had DIEP surgery in dec, and am thusfar very happy w/ the results.  while i have a belly scar, it feels like my foob is going to be invisible.  of course i'm numb and sore-ish, but have the vicodin, which helps a lot. 

    one of the reasons i picked  DIEP is because I am (was?) naturally a 36D, and really have no desire to be bigger.

     additionally, one of the most fun aspects of my DIEP was the tummy tuck!  we're going through a lot right now, and having a little extra help in the plastic cosmetic department has helped me stay positive. :)

     from what i've heard, expanders tend to be more painful.   kind of seems like w/ DIEP, all the hard stuff is taken care of in the beginning - while hanging out in the hospital after the surgery was no fun... i was all tubed up and under a very, very hot blanket (a bier hugger), and partched and greasy for two-three days, i was lucky enough to have wonderful family and friends, and i made it through!  what is the saying?  suffering brings wisdom?

    it seems like the expanders require a longer, more drawn-out process.  the only surigical steps nec. after the intial DIEP surgery are pretty minor - adjustment, nipple creation, and aerola tattooing.  

    my plastic surgeon is awesome, too.  during one of our conversations he said that he noticed i have of tattoos (3 - one largeish, two small), and that if my belly scar felt too cosmetically icky, i could always tattoo something over it.  while i had planned to tattoo over the portocath scar when chemo is finished,it never occured to me to do the same with the ab. scar.  ink fever, seriously.

     best of luck in your decision and outcome.  xoxoxo

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