Anyone have an implant and a flap?

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Lipglossmommie
Lipglossmommie Member Posts: 44
edited September 2014 in Breast Reconstruction

I just had a Diep in Aug and my left flap failed, my right flap is about a small b cup size, I was hoping I could be bigger. Since I have two babies at home and this diep recovery has put me out of commission longer than I had expected, I don't think I want to do another flap, this time it would be taken from my back.  I was wondering if anyone has an implant with their diep or one implant in one and a diep in the other? Of course I will be asking my ps when I see him in two weeks. But was wondering if there was anyone out there in cyber world with this already? 

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  • Sooty
    Sooty Member Posts: 5
    edited September 2014

    Hi Lipglossmommie. Last June(2013), I had a DIEP flap on my left side that failed hours after the flap operation. My PS replaced the failed flap with a TE which was removed a week later because a corner of the TE was poking up from underneath, causing me pain. I had the reconstruction a month after my mastectomy and my torso frame is small (I'm 4'10"), so by the time the TE was inserted, my chest was pretty irritated and the TE didn't fit. Everything was removed so I could heal for chemo treatment.

    Fast forward to this June (2014). My PS didn't want to try another free flap because my anatomy caused the DIEP flap to fail, so he performed a latissimus dorsi flap with a smaller TE under both the chest muscle and LD flap. Originally I was planning on a bigger reconstruction. Since I had to go though the mastectomy I figure I might as well get something nice out of the process.  The DIEP flap was very nice until it failed. The LD flap alone was not enough tissue to form a breast size comparable to my non-bc right side. My ps knew I desired a larger reconstruction, hence the TE. I didn't expect to have one. I guess if I didn't want the option of going bigger, he would have removed the deflated TE. I'm in the process of inflating - trying to decide how big to go. 

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  • LuvSnow
    LuvSnow Member Posts: 229
    edited July 2015

    Hi,

    I had hip flaps with small silicone implants (smooth round) done in NOLA.  The implants are over the muscle (unlike my originals that were under, and very uncomfortable). I am heading back in December for some minor revisions to even things out, but they look and feel great. Overall, I am very happy with the results.

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  • Lovemysons
    Lovemysons Member Posts: 31
    edited September 2014

    I had a BMX on 9/10/14 with immediate DIEP recon.  Right side failed in the OR so they put a TE in on that side. Since I'm not fully healed or expanded yet I can't really say that I'm totally happy with it. Plastics said they can remove the flap at anytime and replace with a TE if I'm not satisfied with the final outcome. 

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  • gale1525
    gale1525 Member Posts: 232
    edited September 2014

    I have  a DIEP  and one side and an silcone implant on the other. I like the Diep better but my surgeon did a good job of matching. They and both pretty level the implant is a little smaller and firmer. If you p.m. me I would be happy to send you a picture. Where did you get your surgery? I got mine at UCLA with Dr. Festekjian.

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  • Lipglossmommie
    Lipglossmommie Member Posts: 44
    edited September 2014

    Gale- I had mine at Ucla with Dr Crisera! Fancy that, that hospital and Staff were amazing. 

    That's good to know that it can be done. I do want to go bigger I hope I can get an implant in my flap side too. Thank you all sisters! 

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