Diep 2012

We're debating it over on another thread so I figured I'd ask here.

Have any of you had a mammogram on your DIEP breast? My BS says yes, but I've yet to find someone else who has had it done. Thanks!

After all I've been through to get these babies there is no way they're ever seeing the inside of a mammogram machine. MRI, ultrasound, ok if I really need it. No way are they getting smushed.

PS and onc both said no to the mammogram. Fine by me. I have two more Zometa treatments for a 3-year clinical trial that will end in October and I need to ask what the plan is for the future.  

I didn't have the shooting arm pains with this surgery (Stage 1 or Stage 2), but I seem to remember something like that from my original MX and node removal back in 2009. That node removal was wicked.

I forget who asked about it and I'm on the next page now but the BS- "The Knife"- I would no longer be a patient of hers. I don't expect my doctors to always agree with my decisions or my desires even, but I do expect them to treat me with respect and acknowledge that I am an intelligent person who has researched my options and made my decision based on what is best for me and my situation. If they do not do the procedure I am interested in, I would expect them to suggest some surgeons in my area (or elsewhere) that do and I would expect them to treat their colleagues with respect as well when discussing them. I would want to have the least amount of surgery possible.

I am one week out from Stage 2 and it's kicking my butt a little more than I thought it was going to. I think I seriously underestimated this surgery. It was only an hour to an hour and a half long- I'm not exactly sure- but I still have the anesthesia effects. Not nearly as bad as after my 9-1/2 hour Stage 1, but definitely feel the effects. And pain. I do have some pain. Mostly in the area where he fixed my dog ear. He removed the excess skin and now I have a new scar, new stitches and it hurts. He also "tweaked" my belly button. He told DH that he wasn't happy with it and thought he could do better, so he tweaked it. He's quite the perfectionist. It looks good, but I thought it looked good before. Now it's stitched again. And he had said he was going to lipo from my abs, but he had to use my hips also. I'm bruised and sore. And back to not wanting to wear anything tight on my ab scar because he did go in two places there and now I have stitches in that also. It's not horrible pain any of it. Just pain and I guess I wasn't expecting that. Oh, he also fixed the area of necrosis so went back in that scar too. Heck, no wonder it all hurts! lol

Great News Today!! I had an appointment with my surgeon and he said I am ready for Stage II. For me this will consist of some reshaping and lifting of my breast, fixing a few incisions that are pretty wide, and lipo on the dog ears....Thank the Lord. I feel so blessed to be one step closer to being done with all this. The support has been amazing for me but every appointment is just a constant reminder of all that I have been through....a rough journey, but one that made me a much stronger and better person! I now value the little things in life and I am so thankful everyday for all the opportunities I have...Well, Im just excited and I wanted to share some positive news!

NO mammos for me either (or MRIs or Ultrasounds).  MO & BS agree on this one.

I am in radiation but need recon at some point. Looking for doc referrals in the Southeast if possible. Any suggestions?

 Has anyone had issue with radiated skin being too damaged for surgery? 

I'm worried about that.

to all you DIEP peeps:  I am sitting here feeling sharp pains and/or a squriming movement inside my breasts. Does anyoe else feel this.  At times it's frequent and many, it's hurts!!!  Does that go away soon??????????? 4/23 surgery date, 3 weeks 2 days since.

Ladies, I had radiation treatment on my breast 4 years prior to my DIEP and ended up using some ab skin to replace my breast skin. The boob looks great and the scarring is almost invisible. I used pure vit. E on the scarring. When you are doing rads make sure that you slather on pure aloe Vera gel immediately after your treatment. It's a bit slimy but my rad Onc suggested it and I never got any blisters or rashes from my treatment, just a dark tan. I used it at least 3x per day but never before my treatment only after.



All that weird tingling is nerve regeneration. Some women get super itchy too. I didn't have that problem but I did get some strange feelings in my new breast and under my arms every now and again during the first 8 weeks or so.

Hallelujah Betsy!

Hi Jenifer.. How have you been with your decision making?

For what its worth.... I had a lumpectomy first, and it was a very easy recovery and can't see the scar at all... I am glad you have a suggestion from Dr Stolier as well.. it must add some comfort. I just spoke with him tonight on the phone... he called to give me the results of my MRI... All thumbs up.

Just scheduled my pre-op appointments!   Yikes, it is really happening.   I am excited and ready to be on the other side of this surgery.

Personally I would not want to do a delayed immediate DIEP. One surgery, one recovery. I can't think of any reason to do 2 surgeries a week apart. My BMX/DIEP was 7.5 hrs. What is the reason given for the delay? Just curious.

I agree with snobird.. I would not have wanted a week between surgeries... the extra anesthesia alone is an issue... I would maybe get a second opinion... Just my opinion.

irina, my plastic surgeon recommended the same thing for me: BMX and DIEP three weeks later. if patients are strong, he said it was his definite preference for best results. and i got the same responses on this forum. :-)



julianna, congrats on your dates! you asked about pre-op tests. mine consisted of abdominal CT, doppler ultrasound to map the perferators, EKG, chest film, bloodwork. tomorrow, i have pre-anesthesia phone consult. oh, and i also got typematched in case i need a blood transfusion. whew!