BRCA1+ DIEP flap vs implants: which is better for me?

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Lquirk29
Lquirk29 Member Posts: 5
edited June 2014 in High Risk for Breast Cancer

I am 28 (almost 29) years old and am BRCA1+.  I do not have breast cancer, but have decided to undergo the bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction within the next few months.  I have been given the two options of implants vs. a diep flap reconstruction.  I'm leaning towards the diep flap but am not 100% certain yet.  I am in good health, so the recovery doesn't seem like it would be a problem - just lengthy.  I do, however, have three young children and am a VERY hands on mom, so not being able to function normally for 6-8 weeks scares me a little.  I don't like the idea of having to worry about implants for the rest of my life if I did decide to go that route, either.  If anyone else is in the same or a similar situation, I'd love to discuss this.

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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited January 2013

    Hi,

    I know you have already faced a tough decision by opting for a pbmx. I think there are pros and cons to both types of recon. BTW, with your situation you may be a good candidate for a one step nipple and skin sparing implant procedure, no TE's. There are many good threads on both DIEP and implant surgery on this forum. Be sure to look at the most recent posts for the latest info.Why would you have to worry about implants for the rest of your life? Best wishes for you.

    Caryn

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  • Lquirk29
    Lquirk29 Member Posts: 5
    edited January 2013

    Hi Caryn,
    Thanks for replying. I'm actually not a good candidate for the nipple and skin sparing procedure; the doctors I saw yesterday determined that.  What are TE's?  I'm new to this webpage and forum, so I'm not up with all of the acronyms yet.  As far as the comment I made about worrying about implants for the rest of my life, the doctors I saw yesterday both said that implants don't last forever, and that most likely, I'd need additional surgeries later in life to repair or replace them.  Apparently 50% of all implants have some sorts of issues - whether it's 5 years down the road or 30 years down the road.  I will look into the other threads in the forum; I have so many questions and would love to find someone who is in a similar situation.
    Thanks!

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  • ckmoss
    ckmoss Member Posts: 613
    edited May 2013

    In reference to Lquirk29 posts..I would love to know what you decided.  I have just decided to have massectomy and am looking into both option in ref to reconstruction.  I am leaning toward implants as surgery and recovery sound a lot easier, but my plasic surgeon is like yours with not liking the inplants.  However, I have talked to some people that have had inplants and are fine and happy with them.  What did you decide to do?

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