DIEP 2015

I did neo chemo and I did Delayed DIEP. I did end up having some hiding DCIS in the original tumor bed against the chest wall, the IDC tumor had about 5mm remaining and a micro area of inactive cells in one lymph node. I ended up doing 5 weeks of radiation. My PS likes to do immediate but any chance of rads he likes delayed. I was also a former smoker so I wanted more time smoke free before the DIEP.

Good luck with you and your PS's decision. One fewer surgery would have been nice for me.

I have another revision this coming Monday. I am hoping this is the last one before nipples.

knightzoo, I didn't have a stacked DIEP, but I did have a mini tram on one side because my perforator was too small. I didn't ask which side was DIEP, and which tram, and I can't tell the difference on my belly. He did say the amount of muscle was smaller than a postage stamp.

Hi Awesome Ladies,

I am brand new to this post. I just scheduled my delayed DIEP surgery for July 22nd at Northwestern University hospital (Dr. Neil Fine). I am wondering if anyone has had any experiences with Northwestern? I would love some advice about optimal weight. I am 5'8" and 165 lbs. I would love to lose 20-30 lbs, however my ps suggested that I don't going into this procedure, so that there was enough to work with. It seems like there are women quite a bit thinner than me who have done quite well with DIEP. I only want to go through this plastic surgery once, so I'm wondering if it is better to get closer to my ideal weight in order for the tummy to look it's best afterwards? (I am fine being quite small=breasted after all is said and done). Also, I am wondering about the pubic hair issue. I read some earlier posts from ladies who felt like their hair was raised pretty high after all is said and done. I'm considering having some lasered off of the top before my surgery. Has anyone done that? Sorry for all of the questions! I look forward to talking with all of you and to helping other pre-diepers in the future!

callgirl: thank you so much for responding. Hoping for the same results.

Trinity--thinking of you and sending a hug your way.

Has anyone experienced weight gain? I know that I allowed myself to eat a lot since my September Stage I, especially stuff like bread and sweets that I normally limit or eliminate. The weight gain seems worse since Stage II in April. I have also had some thyroid ups and downs. Doc had me go up on thyroid med before Stage II and now I have to go back down. I'm pretty miserable with my 15 pound weight gain plus the remaining swelling. I'm still wearing compression.

Just a plug for the DIEP Facebook group. I've received so much support from BCO in the past (and still do!), but for DIEP and other tissue transfer procedures, I also recommend the Facebook group, which I just joined. Thanks for those on here who recommended it, I didn't know about it before. There are simply more women on there who have undergone these complicated procedures, and already I've received great, personal advice there.

I am home. My husband says all went well. I will update later when more coherent. Thank you for your prayers, now I need prayers that this procedure solved all my issues and I heal with no complications. Ready to move on.

Hi Jlstacey

The one I belong to is the DIEP Flap Support Group. I think I have heard of another one that might be called DIEP Reconstruction

So I had my DIEP over a month ago. Everything is faa-aa-aa-bulous, except one of my abdominal drain holes hasn't closed up. The drains came out a little more than 2 weeks ago now, and I've had some breakouts in the area due to strange allergies to certain kinds of bandages. Just when I thought I turned the corner on the breakouts, the thing turns kinda white. No fever, not hot to the touch, no pain (although I'm numb in the area anyhow). It's a little smaller than a dime and hasn't really changed size. Help????

Keb2006: I can understand your frustration with delayed healing.

My reconstruction operation was on April 6th. I have an area on the incision down the underside of my right breast where I had my mx and have just a small circle from the deep (think these are referred to as crop circles) Its has been taking its time to heal up. I had not noticed it for a few weeks as I don't have any feelings there. So now I've been giving it more attention. Also, I think my swimming sessions softened it up too much and Ive stopped going for a while. This meant it kept opening up so complete healing was prolonged. I then saw what looked like an infected bit on my crop-circle. I went back to the hospital and the physicians assistant dug around both areas and found a few pesky knots from the stitches which was causing irritation. Now I am trying to go bra-less if I can so as to avoid any friction and so the ares can get air. This proved a little risky today as I had forgotten I had a landscape contractor coming around this afternoon. Hopefully my now more perky boobs didn't look as if they were too free! I also feel my belly button is taking it time - and I think it is getting irritated by pressure from my tourers/shorts. Have you been back to the surgeon/hospital to have yourself checked?

Susanella - Thanks for the update. I too had c-sections over 30 years ago and wondered how the surgeries would compare. I was guessing the DIEP might not be as bad recovering time because I won't be going through all the hormone changes and taking care of a newborn.

Scwilly - After my hip replacement I had a spot that just wouldn't heal. It turned out to be stitches that hadn't dissolved and as soon as they were trimmed up everything settled down.

Wish me luck on my surgery tomorrow. We leave tonight as I'm scheduled at 7:15 in the morning and it's a 4 hour drive. I'm so nervous I can't stand myself but really looking forward to getting the TE out after almost a year and a half. I wouldn't have gotten an hour of sleep this week without sleeping pills. Guess I'd better go pack my robe and slippers!

Good luck GraceB1, wishing uneventful surgery and quick healing! I had 2 C-sections and found the abdomen pain very similar. Holding a pillow against incision helped getting up. I felt 100% better after a month but the first couple weeks were pretty difficult. Keeping up with Tylenol helped and I quickly learned how to roll out of bed and prop myself up. You will be great and I'll tell you, seeing your new breast will make it all worthwhile!

I was just wanting to introduce myself in this forum. I've spent the last week reading through this forum and much of the 2014 one. You are all so amazing for sharing your stories and experience.

I was diagnosed with DCIS in April and was planning a lumpectomy with radiation. However, genetic tests came back positive for a mutated BARD1 gene and both my initial doctor and my 2nd opinion consult at MD Anderson said I should have a bilateral mastectomy. I am wanting immediate DIEP but because I wasn't planning on a mastectomy I wasn't looking at a flap reconstruction . . . so I had to see a different PS. I'm finally seeing him tomorrow morning (on my 3rd trip to Houston).

Thanks to this forum I have a much better idea of what I want and what I should be asking. I've researched enough to know he does a lot of DIEP procedures and it a big proponent of them. I'm just hoping he thinks it is a good procedure for me!

Thank you all again for sharing here.

Lynn

Mollymd: Last year I had a lumpectomy with bilateral reduction and lift. I was reduced from a D cup to a large B cup and the results were super. After surgery I continued with a fitness and wellness program and lost 30 pounds, my breasts did sag and droop as a result of the weight loss and I was little disappointed about this - wished I had time to loose the weight pre-op but I was freaked out by cancer and wanted to get it done asap.

I had a recurrence Spring 2015 and I had unilateral mastectomy with immediate DIEP reconstruction 17 days ago. I am 5' 8" and my pre-MX & DIEP weight was 140. I was pretty happy with my pre-op stomach, felt I had more extra skin than fat, but my PS assured me that I had enough fat on my stomach for one A or B cup to match my natural breast.

If you have the surgery and loose more weight, your breasts may droop a little. I don't know about the stomach skin though, OMG, they pull it so tight I feel like I'm wearing a leotard that is 3 sizes too small. I've only been working on standing straight for 3 days, I've heard it can take a week, a month or more for your ab skin to fit comfortably.

I wish going in I had been more clear about size because my reconstructed side is way bigger than my natural side. I understand that it is still swollen and PS said it will take 3 months to settle but I'm really wondering if it's going to match the A cup on the left side.

With respect to bikini line - I told my PS that I really wanted to wear a bikini without the scar showing. She had be bring my bikini bottoms on surgery day and I wore them while she marked me up. She worked with me in getting the scar line low even though my blood vessel was high. That made me feel good.

Belly button position is also interesting. I don't know how much flexibility there is in placement, but I feel mine could have been placed a little higher. Another thing to review with PS pre surgery.

It sounds like you've reviewed your goals with you PS, but my advice would be review and review again, make sure to dig down into each detail and get your surgeon to work with you for the desired outcome.

My very best wishes to you!