implant after diep flap reconstrcution

My diep breast is a size b cup and my natural breast is a size d cup.  My ps said that he could put an implant under my diep to help with protrusion at stage II.  Has anyone out there experienced a diep and an implant? 

bump,  I'd like to revive this thread.

I had DIEP with some necrosis and my PS mentioned a small implant.  I want to know what is involved with this.  Expanders?  Or not needed for the flap?

hmmm, I dont know!!! but I am interested too.  I might like a small implant when I get to that stage.  I would love to get it right when i go in for stage 2...i dont wanna wait...and then go back for another! surgery. 

Since I have to get rid of these old saggy d-cups...I want perky d-cup foobs...like I had when I was 20!!!  

 I want a lot of  'jiggle' but also a bit of 'juggle' to them.... LOL, if that makes sense.

Lots of questions and not too many answers.  Somebody? 

Shouldn't need expanders, as an implant post-flap should go under the fat tissue, and not the muscle. At least, that's my take.

Ok Ladies, I just came from my PS pre op appointment for implants after DIEP that we had talked about earlier.  No TE's, he will make an incision under breast, regular implant on the non-DIEP side which goes under the muscle on the DIEP side it will go under the flap.  He will insert a temporary implant and inflate to determine size and then replace with the implants.  That's it, no fills, outpatient surgery approx 1 & 1/2 hours.  I will have it on Thursday October 6 and can go back to work on Monday.  It was either this or go smaller and I did not want to go smaller.  I have always wanted to be one size larger and now I have the opportunity to do it and I feel I deserve it.  November or December we will do nips and lipo to perfect.  Now if I could just get these 30 pounds off I gained during chemo and I will be a new person. 

Thanks for the info.  My DIEP is less than satisfactory after over 3 months.  I don't want any more sx but the noob is still hard and not shaped like a breast.

This is very intersting as I will be having a BMX with diep and am very thin and having to gain weight.  Even with the weight gain I worry if I will be big enough and especailly after surgery I intend to loose the added weight.  I would love to hear more from you all.

Oh wow!  And so....???  Please tell me everything.  I am pretty sure that this the way I am going to go.  My uni DIEP noob is so hard it is like body armour or something.

Thanks Marci.  How long will you stay out of work?  Are you happy with the results so far?  Or too soon to tell?  I wouldn't mind being a size larger but going under the muscle scares me.  Mainly I just want to be even.  I am worried that so much of the DIEP flap will have to be removed that I will mostly have implant, then if I lose weight I will be larger on the implant side then the other side....

Thank you for posting your experiences. I am scheduled for a stacked diep in early january. I had a mastectomy with tissue expander placement in early July. I also am on the thin side and my PS has gone from saying Im a good candidate for a DIEP to saying maybe I should try an implant first. I am having a terirble time with my TE and pain so I know an implant alone is not the right choice for me. Did your PS tell you to gain weight? My PS also said she would do fat grafting to increase the size. A free tram is also an option but really dont want to lose any muscle. Also my docs say I shouldnt have any pain but I do. Thanks for sharing!

llr10200  Did Marciroberts in this thread have done what you are talking about? http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topic/747808 

I had a DIEP (unilat.) in Oct. of 2012. Then had a complication 6 days after surgery. I did not lose flap although, it was touch and go for two days in ICU. I ended up with a good deal of fat necrosis which my ps was able to break up with reverse liposuction.

I had a fat transfer in Sept. of 2013 with some improvement to the volume but, it is still not large enough. Although I am small breasted, I still want a matching pair so I don't have to wear a padded bra. My ps suggested we do another round of lipo. or put a small implant under the flap and also put a small implant under my native breast. At first, I was going to go for another round of lipo after thinking about it I decided I may want to try the implants. They will be small but give me more projection than I will get with fat transfer, as some fat is generally absorbed and very few people retain it all.

I will have another consultation in Dec. with surgery currently scheduled for Jan. 21. He said he has had wonderful results with the implants under flaps. I will post after consultation.

hi mammalou,

Still trying to decide about implant under DIEP . I am concerned it is going to feel very tight on that side. I realize yours was only done recently and you may still have some tightness. Can you update as you progress as it will help me make a decision about what I am going to do.

Thanks,

Janet

Thanks for your reply. You have been through a great deal. Hope you are doing better and getting stronger.

Surgery take a great deal out of you, even when you feel strong and fit going into it. I've had five in the past year and I always considered myself in good shape but, it takes its toll. I think the anesthesia is rough on my whole body, even my hair became dry and frizzy.

Keep me posted on your progress with the implant. I do have a choice between more fat graphs or the implant. I will see my PS on Dec. 12 but, can always change my mind before Jan.21.

Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving and sending healing thoughts your way.

Janet