DIEP 2014

Thanks jmb!

Tan, I have a lot of "side boob" also and my breasts are a lot larger than I ever wanted (F cups rather than the small C's I have asked for). I am tempted to call it good enough. After 6 surgeries (including 2 Lx), I am over it! BUT, the out-of-pocket is paid and I'd planned to have Stage 2 this fall. I'm not sure if it will be worth it. My scars are healing well and my larger breasts are symmetric. However, I have an old dog ear from surgery #3, my belly button is off-center, and I could get these breasts sized down to the point that I could finally wear a button-up blouse that doesn't gape open. It's a tough decision. When is it good enough? I had a girls' weekend with my gal pals that I hot-spring with and all gave the thumbs-up!

It's ridiculous! I had F cups to start with, so at Stage 1 I think the PS just used my ample hips to fill the breasts. It's easier to go smaller at Stage 2 than larger. However, this is a problem since there is research that shows that the larger flaps are more prone to necrosis, and I ended up with extensive necrosis on my left side. The necrosis was not dealt with at Stage 2 and the breasts were not reduced as I had requested. I went to a different PS for my uni-DIEP to repair the necrosis and she matched the new left the right side (which is great since the necrosis had caused my left side to shrink at least 2 cups sizes and all my shirts pulled to the right). So after all this surgery, I still have F cups.

Hi all --

I am scheduled for a DIEP on 5/21/15 on Long Island, NY. I had a right lumpectomy and re-excision in 2011 for triple negative BC (stage IIA) followed by ACT chemo and rads (25 plus 5 boosts), a robotic complete hysterectomy for uterine cancer in 2012 (stage i), and right breast scar revision and left breast lift in 2014. After my breast MRI last month, I was told I have LCIS in the left breast), which is a high risk marker for BC in either breast. I want peace so I am opting for a BMX followed by immediate DIEP reconstruction. I'm 61 years old and am terrified that the recovery will be very difficult. When can I expect to go back to work? I generally sit at a desk/computer 8 hours a day. I would appreciate any helpful tips and reassurance. I am wondering about range of motion. Do you get back full range of motion? Thanks.

Susanella -- Long Island, NY

jmb5,

Thanks for the shout out post on April 21st! It made me laugh when you wrote that the nipple reconstruction didn't hurt, but it looked like it should!

I had my nipple reconstruction yesterday, with some fat grafting and a nipple eversion on my left (natural) breast. I was surprised things hurt as much as they did.  I am a light weight when it comes to the pain management drugs, and most of them just make me nauseas. I'd rather have a little pain than nausea. So I found that if I take half of the minimum dose at the scheduled time, that manages the pain, and cuts way down on the side effects.  I feel pretty good today, so am finding it really difficult to rest. I am also very surprised to find I am anxious to get back to work.  All in all, good news.

I've had a bit of concern due to tenderness/pain on left side. BS said it is a bit of necrosis and to massage. I had worried for nothing

Tay72,

I too have the side boob look and feel, but it has reduced somewhat. i was due to get this pared down once I had a benign result for the nodule I found on the mx scar. Just about to book me in and I showed her that another nodule/bump.lump has come up more to the centre of the cleavage this time. I have to now wait for its removal and biopsy before I can go ahead to get the next stage done.

Anybody else get this? the ps said she had not seen this recur twice since working on her current team and that it was unusual. She did say she was not concerned about it.

Caligirl93

I don;t know the medical term used. but in essence it seems it was some kind of fat necrosis. It seems this is the same, both lumps look a little bit pearly, neither is/ was sore. It's really irritating when these things happen after you have just seen the medic as in my case too!

Honestly Caligir,l my advice would be to go back and get it looked at, I would request a biopsy, even if they don't think you need it. There was no hesitation in arranging this second one I am currently waiting for. The doctor's words 'you have had cancer, let's get this out' Although our treatment here is free on The National Health Service, it is at times grindingly slow. So I wait.

Can areas of necrosis cause pain? Ihave a small area right under the skin that has suddenly become painful.

I never had pain around these lumps. I do, however get pain in the recon breast, sometimes it's momentarily sharp and other times it is persistently and intermittently sharp for say half a day and then it goes.

Still waiting for my letter about this second biopsy...

I am debating between no reconstruction at all or a diep? I am very scared of necrosis and complications I am 48 should I wait more? I am2 years out of diagnosis and chemo your thoughts?

Momofthrees, The decision is a personal one that requires a lot of thought. I am 47 and i just wanted to look normal again in a shirt or bathing suit. I was really tired of taking off and putting on my "stuffing". The DIEP was the best thing mentally I've done since my journey started. I had the Diep in July 2014,4 weeks recovery to function again like i felt i should be able to and in December 2014 i had a revision, 2 week recovery. I actually took a 12 hours drive to Texas the week my drains came out...lol (Stopped overnight), no complications with either, had a bit of necrosis with the 1st, but PS cleaned it up with the revision. My PS did some other "touch ups" for me during the revision and I'm good with the results. He was awesome. He told me they have someone training to do the 3D nips in his office, but I'm leary with a new person doing that anyway, so I'm now researching 3D tats for my nips, not sure if i want 3D nips or Flowers... I am extremely happy with what i have and they are my own tissue so they are me and mine! the scars are fading, but i think i may go the flower tat route to cover a lot of them up.

LAstar, I had some moodiness after each of my last few surgeries(6 total) and i am told its from the anesthesia

It's so nice to know that, if i'm going crazy, at least I'm in good company! It really does help to know that this is in the range of "normal" and others have experienced it. I feel really happy to have this latest surgery behind me, and my results are nice enough that I'm thinking of not bothering with Stage 2. I am getting regular exercise and feeling strong, so it's been confusing to have this dark cloud following me. I am so annoyed with everyone and feeling really bitchy. It feels hormonal, just out-of-the-blue blues that there is no concrete reason to be feeling. Oy! Hormones run the show!

Ridley, I'm not taking AI's or anything else. Thanks for checking on me.

Just got home from my stage 2 lift and feeling kind of sad. I think he reduced too much. I was always a B cup, but after the diep I was a C+. I was really enjoying having cleavage for the first time in my life, but I think its gone. At least they're not saggy.