DIEP 2014

Have to update my last post. Feeling much better about the recon, I think they are going to very nice, although one is still looking smaller than the other. Perhaps there is a fix for that down the road. My crop circles have been reduced greatly and I can envision where the nipples will be. I have to admit I was very emotional the first two days. I think seeing my body all bruised and cut up again just pushed me over the edge.

Debbiann I felt the same way. Didn't realize how distressing it would be to be scarred once again. It has been 10-1\2 mos since my DIEP on one side, reduction on the other and only now I am ok with the body in the mirror again.

My biggest complaint is that I lost all sensation in my healthy nipple on the reduction side. All the drs had to say was that it shouldn't have happened and it would probably come back. Never did. However, I am ecstatic to have all-me, no more artificial implant! Breast cancer involves loss and we just have to grieve and move on. I have been working out with a personal trainer and feel pretty darned good. Life does go on, hallelujah!

Hi everyone...it has been a long time since I've checked in here. Most days I have returned to my old life. Today is different...it's my 1 year anniversary. One year ago today was my surgery. So today I reflected and remembered all the wonderful ladies that helped me along my journey. Thank you all. I hope you are all well. I don't know what I would have done without you.

My stage two involved a breast lift/reduction to both DIEP breasts, plus he fixed the dog ears on my ab scar. He removed my port too (yay) and did such a nice job closing up the incision I will hardly have a scar! It was a 3 hour surgery, but I did not have to stay overnight. My original parts were pretty saggy, it is amazing to have boobs back up on my chest where they are supposed to be, lol.

I'll be getting my nipples in a few weeks, that he does as an in office procedure. He made it sound pretty easy, a couple cuts and stitches. He may lipo the one breast a little too, its a tad bigger than its partner. The tattoos can be done six months after nipples. They are available in my PS office, but I'm going to a tattoo artist instead.

It sounds like you are ready to skip right to the nipples. I do think flat spots can be fixed with some fat transfer, but I don't know if that's an in office procedure. Good luck!

Thanks for the information Debiann!

He never mentioned anything at my check up in September, so I am good, I guess? 

My nipples will take so long, as it is Ontario.  They are free, but a good 13 month wait from when they booked it last August, after my last plastic surgery check up! 

I can't complain, between diagnosis and surgery, it was 6weeks, so pretty good for OHIP, I thought!

I wonder if he does the tattooing, or if he send you elsewhere?  I was so focused on the cancer/reconstruction last year, and those things were the last thing on my mind to ask!

I will ask about the flat spot, but I think I can live with it.  It looks like a dessert plate was pressed in between, and they kind of settled that way.  But after a reduction, and then this, they still look not bad to me!  My intial reduction took off a ton of breast tissue (I can't remember the amount, but I was very large), so to have the girls stay in place, and not run around the back (big, then nursing 5 kids did not help!), is great!  I am still able to go braless at times, in just a cami, which is weird. 

pollyanna5 -

Seems that Stage 2 varies widely from hospital to hospital, country to country. I'm in Toronto, and I'd never heard about Stage 2 until I read about it here. My PS just told me that they could make small adjustments, if necessary. In the end, I needed to have my dog ears smoothed out, which I had at the same time as my in-office nipple reconstruction.

The most painful part was the freezing (for the dog ears) but the nipples were virtually painless. I still don't know exactly what the procedure entailed - but I had a surgeon on each breast and it was all over in under an hour. In fact, I kind of enjoyed it. It was a chance to chat with my surgeon (who I love) in a fairly relaxed environment for the first time. And I walked out of there with a smoother waistline, and a brand new pair of nipples!

Recover (for me) was about 24 hours, and I had no trouble going back to work. I had to wear nipple protectors for about six weeks, which were a minor inconvenience, but nowhere near as bad as drains, bandages, or the other major inconveniences we've been through. After a few weeks the stitches (in the nipples) came out. And a few weeks after that, the nipples started shrinking down to the size they are today.

By the way, I was ambivalent about the whole idea of any more procedures, as I was content living with my smooth nippleless Barbie boobs, but my surgeon gently urged me to continue as his patients have been so happy with going all the way. And he was right. I love them. They are the cherries on the icing on the cake.

My hospital (Toronto General) also does the tattooing. I haven't done that yet, but it's the next (and last) thing on my list. Good luck with everything

Janet

PS Here's another icing on the cake - since the nipples reconstructions pulls from your own tissue - it reduces the crop circles! Yay!

Pollyanna5 I live in Ontario and my PS said that there is a lady in Peterborough who apparently does 3D nipple tattoos if I wanted to go that route. I'm going to have to decide when to have stage 2 done as I'm not sure the amount of time off work I will need. At my follow up visit my PS pointed out all the things that were bothering me - small dented ridge, flattened protrusion (fat grafting needed) , dog ears at abdomen and one at scar where scar revision was done. She said these would be corrected at stage 2, then I am opting for a nipple. I've been concerned about the 'headlight' effect, but have noticed that my natural nipple slightly protrudes most of the time anyway. My PS showed me some pics of her nipple work and she does a lower profile if suitable!

Best of luck with your upcoming surgery!

Hi there, I am having DIEP in Sept., I had a double MX last November with direct to implants.  Since then I've had 5 revisions.  They are still not right.  My right pocket keeps stretching out and my implant floats a bit down and to the right!  I hate the feeling of them and the look of my muscles contracting! 

How long are you really laid up?  I've had 2 c cections, does the abdominal pain compare? 

I still have my nipples so won't need them done but will probably need some lipo after my PS said,  I booked a trip with my family on Thanksgiving to the Dominican Republic, it will put me about 10 weeks post surgery, am I crazy to have done this?  I'm feeling worried.

Any input would be great, thanks.

Hello friends! I haven't been here for a while because of some new diagnoses. Had to put the breast reconstruction on the back burner for a bit. I had my DIEP in Sept 2014. Just had my first revision on May 13 of this year. They did the fat grafting and lipo to fix the dog ears. I have done fine with that so far. I do have a question for the folks who have already gone through the nipple reconstruction. Are you glad you had it done? I am 53 years old and liked my God given nipples but not so sure I want to deal with having to always be concerned with covering them. Not having to wear a bra very much has been wonderful:) I do want to get the tattooing but just not real sure about the nipple thing. And if you have the 3D tattoo why would you want to have real nipples? I am wanting to finish all this year but I am really struggling with having the nipple reconstruction and regretting it. It's not like I'm going to enter any wet t-shirt contests in the near future:) Also does insurance cover a tattoo person doing this or just a medical facility? I would appreciate any input from you guys:) Thanks!!!

I am 5 months out from my DIEP and about 3 weeks ago I started having some pain in my left hip near where my drain was. The tissue just beneath the scar might be a little swollen and it is definitely very sore. The area just above feels like it doesn't have much tissue under there. I'm going to see my PCP but I am wondering if anyone else experienced this. It's a little concerning so far out from surgery.

LAstar, I had similar sensation and was told it was nerves waking back up. I am 9 months out from DIEP now and no longer have the hip pain. Hope that's all it is for you too. I had my side boob reduced and re-lifted 5 weeks ago, now dealing with an opening under the right breast and dressing changes ugh... I keep telling myself it will all be back to "normal" soon. Still happy with the results and glad I went the DIEP route.

hi everyone...I had stage 2 on Tuesday. I wasn't sure what to expect so I am quite pleased with how I feel. I thought I would be down and out for a while but I'm doing well. I had nipple reconstruction (origami style but I haven't been able to take a peek yet since I'm all covered up till I see the PS on Mon), a lift on my natural right breast for symmetry and fat grafting to fill in divots on my left side. The only discomfort I have is from the lipo and it is quite painful. I still get various aches and pains from the surgery but I get more feeling in my abdomen every day. Overall doing well and still have absolutely no regrets. I'm very happy with the outcome. Wish everyone well. You are the best!