Diep reconstruction

shianne, I had a unilateral Diep, chemo and then radiation.  My outcome was great.  I waited several months -- longer than my PS said I needed to -- after radiation to have my Stage II Diep, just to be sure my skin was as healthy as possible.

As you may know, Diep normally requires a Stage II surgery for asymmetry.  In some cases, a PS or the rad onc will want you to do that before rads.  My PS was very comfortable working on radiated skin and wanted me to have the rads first, which is the way we worked it out with my rad onc.

If you're going to have a Diep and also know you will need rads, be sure to talk to your PS about that need and find out when he/she would schedule Stage II.

I'm glad you've found BCO!  Good luck with your Diep!   (((Hugs)))   Deanna

Hi Shianne,

I had immediate DIEP reconstruction following my BMX in Nov 2011.  It was a long and difficult surgery and recovery, but very manageable.  Surgery was followed by chemo and rads.  My reconstructed breasts did just fine during rads.  I see no difference between the pre-rad and post-rad left breast.  The right side was not radiated so that one is just fine.

My PS wanted me to wait at least 6 months before doing any revisions.  I waited longer and am scheduled for stage 2 in Feb.

I am glad I took care of the BMX and reconstruction at the same time.  I knew I would be tempted to not reconstruct if I delayed the surgery.  While it has taken more than a year to really feel good, I think it was well worth the ordeal.

I had surgery first and then chemo, so radiation was scheduled 6 months after surgery.  I don't think it has to be that long.  I think they just want you fully healed before they consider beginning radiation.  My recovery from surgery took close to 2months.  Part of my abdominal incision took forever to fully close.  My PS would not consider scheduling the second stage for at least 6 months after radiation.

I agree about delaying the surgery.  I just wanted to be done, so immediate reconstruction was my preference.  Both my PS and MO were fine with this decision. 

I found chemo to be a challenge as well!  I was hospitalized twice while on AC and Taxol did a number on my toes.  I still have a little bit of black on two toenails and I still can't feel parts of my toes.  On a positive note, I have hair!  Today is the first anniversary of my first chemo tx.

 Good luck tomorrow!

Shianne, hope you're still reading, it took me a while to come back to read this thread!



Like Janet I had chemo before rads, so roughly 5 months between surgery and rads, but I feel like during chemo my body just went on hold as far as healing went, so I wouldn't exactly say I was what would usually be a 5 months of healing.



Another thing, at my post rad appointment with my PS he told me to massage the radiated side and I swear it seems to have loosened up and unshrunk, so that's also good.



Good luck with it!

Shianne, that is absolutely fabulous. 

I did dose dense AC and weekly taxol for 12 weeks.... Was supposed to do dose dense taxol but I read something that said weekly is same dosage, just as effective and side effects are less...same dosage just less per week...docs are saying my tumor is shrinking but I don't know.. I definitely am feeling something going on in there.. Like a sensation at tumor site.. Sometimes a pain.... I know I had some node involvement bc they tested one at diagnosis.. Wasn't enlarged and didnt show up on pet scan either but one looked funny on MRI.. Really want good response just not trying to get my hopes too high. I guess rads would depend on response in nodes.. Did you know of u had positive nodes before chemo? Were u going to have rads on nodes or breast.. Doesn't matter anyway because you had such a wonderful response... I have 6 more taxol left.. Done march 1st.... Then onto surgery.. So what kind of surgery r I having.. Wait this is the diep section, so I guess that is the answer..haha

So the MRI was before surgery but after chemo? Think that is my plan too.wheb do u get ur path report? I am going to do diep as well, but have lumpectomy first in order to c what is going on in the nodes first. Bc if I need rads then we will delay the diep with mastectomy and just put expanders in until radiation is done....it all makes me quite anxious to b honest..

Taxol is not too bad.. Achy a little the following two days and jus tired a bit but nothing too bad...

It just feels never ending

Ohmigod... You sound just like me! About everything! Waiting for Normal and realizing that it will soon be a new normal.. But also just hoping for everything to not always feel like its about breast cancer.. THat I am not sleeping eating and breathing it.. People tell me it will get better, and it wont be so forefront on my mind always, but when?

Good luck on path report.. Keep me posted if you would like." I like chatting with you.. Pm me too if u like or we can just keep talking here.

So when ur path report comes back, that is when u will decide if u need rads...? Am I correct with that.. I guess I am just trying to get a sense of if I should have rads... I feel that if there is nothing in the nodes after chemo then wouldn't radiation there b overkill .. I dont want rads but if I need them I will do it.. Do what I got to do..... Let me know what ur path report says and what route u r taking.. Can keep u updated on mine too.. Go thru the journey together.. Good luck with everything