DIEP 2015
Comments
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thank you all for such great details & suggestions! I have DIEP scheduled for January 5, I'm very excited, my reconstruction has been kind of an ongoing nightmare, my implants are heavy & I can see my muscles contracting in my chest, I hate them! I am looking forward to getting these out! I have had multiple revisions since my BMX in 2013. I'm in Boston with a breast specialist, actually 2 will do the surgery at the Brigham & Women's a Hospital.
I've had 2 C-sections, I'm thinking the abdomen pain might be similar?
From the sounds of it everyone is happy with the DIEP? I'm so looking forward to natural breasts. I def. have more around my middle than I did at the time of my BMX since I've had my ovaries out, hello menopause! They tell me I'll be a small C- I don't really care! I'm exercising now to try to get as strong as I can before January.
Thanks again for sharing!
Carol
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Carol who is your plastic surgeon at Brigham & Women's? I'm having a delayed unilateral there on October 21st, Dr Caterson is my surgeon.
Kathy
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I had two C-sections. I didn't find the pain to be similar at all. This time it was more of a tightness. I really had very little pain. I am not sure but I think during the C-section, they cut muscle. Here, they didn't. I had breast implants in 1985 and found that recovery much more painful than this one. The hardest part of this one was A) the machines on your legs to keep you from getting a blood clot (loud and kept me awake), painkillers gave me nightmares so I wanted off them ASAP, but then you get moody and depressed. I had a hard time peeing at first but I ALWAYS felt like I had to and I always did eventually. They pumped a ton of fluid into me so it was all coming out. I was constipated when I went into the hospital because they had me come early both the day before and the day of. They gave me stool softeners, warm prune juice, my prescription med and Miralax. It took about 3 days to kick in and once it did, I was fine. I have since learned the cure/prevention for it is 250 mg of magnesium after dinner every night. My constipation problems finally seem to be done.
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Best wishes to you tmgilbert1071. Have a great day today and a successful surgery tomorrow. Smile!
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tmgilbert1071,
May you wake up tomorrow with beautiful foob, and your recovery be uneventful.
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What a wonderful thing to say! Waking up to beautiful boobs : )
I am having a bilateral mastectomy next month and meeting with PS this week to decide on reconstruction. I really want diep flap but everyone i talk to says go with TE. I do not want implants. My sister had her surgery in August and opted or TE ;
It is so hard to decide and get excited about having reconstruction when so many women say go with implants and cannot fathom why i am willing to go through a longer surgery. I am worried i won"t have a support group if i have problems. I guess i need to hear over and over that there are successful dieps.
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new__me, I think we all have to tell ourselves the story of how we got here over and over! Justifying our decisions to others is often frustrating and doubt-instilling. I just told friends that breast cancer is a endless set of choices between Crappy Option A and Crappy Option B, and I'm doing my best to research and find the choices that work best for me. It's not a clear path ahead unless you never question what your doctors tell you. I've been pretty open with sharing with my friends what I am going through because, being diagnosed at 42, I know I am just the first of many, sadly enough, and I want my friends to know what options are available. I love the surprised looks on their faces when they hug me or see my reconstruction and can't believe how real they feel and look! It's a long recovery, but when you are done you are DONE. No fills or exchanges or iron-bra syndrome. Best wishes to you and your sister!
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new__me - Go with your gut. If you don't want implants, you don't want them. That's a good enough reason to not get them. Hopefully people will support you in your decision, and understand that the possibility of having problems exists no matter what type of reconstruction you do. As LAstar said, all the options pretty much suck, but ultimately, we go with the one we feel sucks the least, and the one WE can live with the best. Good luck!
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thank you for reminding me how i got here and how maybe both options are crappy but i can't keep my breasts and have to decide on ne or the other options or go flat. I need to at least give something a try and i think diep is what i want but i wish people would quit telling me how unsafe the long surgery is. I had a 3 hour hysterectomy surgery last month and came through fine. I have been told i am selfish to "endanger" my life for cosmetic surgery. I am hurt and rattled by that and find myself second guessing why i want diep. Is the surgery really that long and dangerous?
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New: I heard from several people including a PS and my manicurist (who had the DIEP) how long the recovery was. I was really worried about lifelong debilitating pain. But I had implants and didn't want them because A) they are hard and cold (at least mine were) and
it is uncomfortable to lie on tummy for massages and C) it is hard to image. As I researched the DIEP, I saw women talking about going to NOLA. At first, such a thing seemed unnecessary to me. I live in a major metro area. Surely, I though, they have great surgeons here. As I researched, someone on one of these boards told me to ask the PS what his/her conversion rate was. I had no idea what that even meant. But I did. The doctor here said 85%. I asked on Askthedoctor.com if that was ok and the doctor on there said no way. ONly 0% was acceptable. What did that mean? It mean they convert on the OR from DIEP to TRAM. I guess TRAM uses muscle. I found out later that doctor whole told me to to stay away WAS on of the NOLA doctors. I went to NOLA. My recovery has been much easier than I was led to believe. People who get implants often have to have multiple surgeries and TE's can be painful. The most important factor in the DIEP is who your doctor is, IMO. -
Sorry for the typos. The longer I type, the harder it is to correct. If you have any more questions about recovery, don't hesitate to ask.
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Hi,
Kathy, my original surgeon for my BMX was Dr. Golshen (sp?), My PS's doing my DIEP are Dr. Pomahac & Dr. Halversan, both at BW.
Thank you trvler, you're right, C-section cuts muscle. Thats good to hear that its not as bad. They need to use a small amount of my muscle on one side, I don't have a big enough blood vessel.
new_me, you are not selfish! It's your decision, there is a lot to think about, thankfully for this site you can find all kinds of info.
This is my experience; back in 11/2013 I was diagnosed with Triple Neg. breast cancer, I needed to have chemo after my BMX, also at the time did not have enough abdominal fat to have a DIEP. My PS encouraged my to go the implant route, because of the quicker recovery time and I would be very small with DIEP. I went with direct recon, my surgery was about 4 hours, recovery was was about 5 weeks and I started my chemo in Dec. I have since had 4 revisions, one of the pocket kept stretching out and I needed fat grafting. They are still not even, one kind of slips to the side and I can feel my chest bone, I'm a little flat at the top. The implants sit under the chest muscle and I can see the muscle contracting when I do something as light as washing my hands. I can also feel them through my skin, I still have my nipples, they look fine bur for me it's the feeling in my chest, a constant tightness, like I'm wrapped up, and they are heavy. I have a co-worker who has none of these problems, except the tight feeling. My doctors think the DIEP will be a better option for me, they say although the surgery is long, there is not a lot of blood loss or direct organ trauma.
Carol
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I should add that while the DIEP can be a long surgery, NOLA uses 2 PS's at the same time, while others often use a PA. The goal is to get you off the table sooner. I think mine took around 7 hours.
I don't work for NOLA or anything.
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new__me - I don't know, but it sounds like the people who are telling you that you are being selfish are being selfish themselves. It's a big decision for sure, but if you weigh all the options and decide it's what you want, how is that selfish? The surgery is definitely long - mine took 9.5 hours (!!) though there were some extenuating circumstances there. (There were supposed to be two surgeons and there ended up being only one, but even with two, the plan was anywhere from 5-8 hours.) I don't know that it's particularly 'dangerous' though. I agree that the surgery really depends on the surgeon, and would definitely shop around for PSs and discuss options with them. The thing is that a lot of PSs don't do DIEP, so they are obviously going to recommend the procedures they do over DIEP. My suggestion is to find a surgeon who specializes in DIEP and set up a consult with him/her. Fortunately, this is pretty easy with the Internet. I had to go out of town to find a PS, but it was worth it to me, because I was dead set against an implant, and I knew I would need a surgeon who understood that and was willing to work with me.
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New_me I had multiple complications with implant, and multiple surgeries over a short period of time which never corrected those horrible complications. Seems like some of those surgeries took about as long as my 6 hour diep flap surgery. Wish I had the option of starting with diep flap (and NOLA) but I did not in my town and I did not even know what it was. I only knew to travel and I only had the support of those around me to travel after I clearly ran out of options in town. (Then some were critical of me that I had not traveled sooner. Sometimes you just can't win.) Thank heavens I found this forum. Was well worth it to travel for diep because now I'm finally recovering after only ONE more surgery and can see light at the end of the tunnel to get my life back. And my foobs look more real and are actually beginning to look lovely after not even 3 weeks. I've scheduled my revision surgery and can't wait to get the tattoos after that. This is not the worst reconstruction recovery I've been through. Please learn from experience of ladies on this forum and be SURE you go to a PS who does ONLY Breast surgery and LOTS of it. Some have been identified on this forum. I pray you find the right solution for you. Love.
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new__me, I was 64 years old when I had my DIEP. I have known heart disease and glucose intolerance, yet I was assigned a nurse anesthetist because the surgery didn't require the deep, balanced anesthesia of some surgeries. I was asleep for about 12 hours and didn't have any anesthesia complications.
I also don't consider this cosmetic surgery, just as I don't consider a PS repairing scars from facial burns, or a cleft lip, etc cosmetic surgery. It is restorative surgery.
I actually stopped telling people ahead of time whenever I was going to have surgery because I noticed how people seemed to always have heard some horror story about the surgery which just scared me.
My recommendation is to let people think what they will about your selfishness, cosmetic surgery, death threats, whatever, but listen to your heart. If you want to go back to being as normal as you can after this ugliness of BC, then choose a flap surgery, such as a DIEP or mini-TRAM (My PS had warned me after my CAT scan I didn't have good enough vessels and I might need mini-TRAM. I did, on one side, but haven't noticed a difference between the sides). I look at my foobs (ignoring the fading scars) and feel whole again. I'm glad I did the reconstruction.😊
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mefromcc - THANK YOU! I needed to hear all of that. I am 60 and sometimes feel 'too old' to go through reconstruction but this is what life has handed me so i want to make the best of it.
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Even though I did not have implants prior to my DIEP, I had the really tight awful feeling across my chest. That is pretty much gone after DIEP. The surgeon (Dr. Massey operating at NOLA) really cleaned up things around my pectoral muscle.
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hello everyone, thanks for the well wishes for tomorrow. Just catching up on the posts that I missed and wanted to tell a little bit about my pre-op. Today went GREAT! I really like Dr Wise (NOLA) he made me feel like there was a chance that I could look in the mirror again without feeling depressed over what I've been through. I was unable to get the CTA for evaluation of the vessel harvesting but he used a Doppler (ultrasound) to get good flow sounds. Now I'm marked up like a football play chart in a locker room. More to come later.
New_me, I just wanted to add that the doctor told me today that my process would take 6 hours. My BMX with implants in 2012 took 5 hours. This is microsurgery and while yes it is long, it is important that they take their time to reconnect the vessels etc. we are blessed that we live in such a time as we have the technology to monitor everything so well. Ultimately this is your decision but I want you to know personally I looked into the DIEP in 2012 and for timing and $$ reasons I went the other route.
Tomorrow is my DIEP surgery in NOLA. Ive been through so much before now (not everyone has the same problems) but I never forgot that I originally wanted DIEP so here I am. I will continue to post here my thoughts and journey. I wish you well with whatever you choose because we are all in this together.
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tmgilbert110
I am humbled that you took time tonight before tomorrow's surgery to reassure me! I wish i could afford to go to a place like NOLA. I know my fears stem from not knowing a PS skilled in diep. It's all implants around here : (
I will be holding you in my thoughts tomorrow. You have been an inspiration!
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Prayers,love & hugs Tmgilbert. Looking forward to hearing your success story. 😊
Also wanted to share that a dear friend and BC mentor of mine had a diep flap surgery this year at the age of 73 and she is doing amazing. Stage 2 is scheduled at the end of the month. She went to PRMA.
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Hello! I have had a radical shift in my thinking in the last few days - was all over getting implants and forgoing the DIEP because I was worried about the bigger surgery, even though my PS prefers and loves to do DIEPS... But the thought of my (tiny) pec muscles needing to sit over an implant and possibly bothering me with all kinds of activities, made me think again, hard! So, here I am. Thanks for your wisdom, all, there are a lot of pages!!
Phoebe58, sounds like you are an island girl too. We are in Vic. Wondered who your Vancovuer PS was? I have heard great things about mine here in Vic, but what made you go to the big city?
Spookisgirl, sounds like you are in my city too...I am hoping for my surgery in Feb.
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Hi all, just catching up here, as I have been out at the lake for a few days [with no internet]. Yes Zinny, I was born and bred in Victoria, [and remain an island girl in my heart] but now live in the central interior of BC.... so had to travel regardless to get a Diep. Someone I know up here had gone to Vancouver and was coincidentally [I had already chosen Dr Sheina Macadam] her first diep patient in 2008.
39andHip - so cool you are doing the BRA day too! ....Zinny, if possible, perhaps look into coming to Van for it - eve Tues 27 Oct at VGH. 3 great PS [including mine] are speaking on the whole process of different recon procedures, and you may get some insight to help finalize your decision. You can check it out at www.bra-day.com -- go to Vancouver event.
Best wishes Tmgilbert tomorrow!
And new_me I soooo concur with the others -- no such thing as selfish, just the best choice for you. I am 58 and easily managed the 11 hour Diep surgery -- it's mostly just fancy sewing! Yes, there are a couple of extra weeks healing up, but then you have the gold standard of results - warm, soft, and natural.
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Best of luck tomorrow, TMgilbert!
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New_me: Marga Massey does some work in Chicago. When I contacted her office in March, she wasn't due in Chicago again until December. I don't know if Chicago is an option to you, but I thought it might be worth mentioning. As far as NOLA, is your concern the cost of the surgery, the travel costs or both? There are some options for both. NOLA can work with you to some degree.
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Thinking of you TMgilbert and wishing you a speedy recovery.
And New_me good luck with your decision - just make sure you call your own shots and you can't go wrong. My PS admitted that most of this surgery is "fancy sewing" as phoebe58 says.
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I am home recovering from my 4th stage 2 (Oct. 1). I am really praying this is my final adjustment. I think it is looking like it might be. My current goal was just to get fairly close to being able to wear a bra without having to add a prosthesis. My PS was also able to remove my left hip to even up my body since he had to use my right hip to make my right breast.
Maybe I can get nipples for Christmas.
My prayers are with everyone with upcoming procedures. May you have perfect results and great healing. Please share with us. We love hearing your successes and will support your challenges as well.
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TallyLassie - thanks for posting your photo, it is very encouraging, you look awesome! I am having delayed unilateral DIEP in Boston on October 21st and so far I had only seen pictures of bilateral. My scars will be different because mine is delayed. If my foob is a little bigger I'll be fine with that, I never was the same size because I was born without a pec muscle on the right side and all my life my left breast has been at least one cup size larger so if the left foob is larger it'll be what I was used to before. Dealing with a prosthesis the last 6 months has been a real pain, it can be really uncomfortable at times.
Again - thanks for your post.
Kathy
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jbdayton hope your recovery is both smooth and final. I am also thinking of finishing up with nipples for Christmas. Funny, I never though I would say that! I'm sure the same is true for you!
I haven't done my homework on nipples, I was just enjoying being done with everything else! The PS wants to use skin - also wants to do some fat grafting - something I have ignored up until this point. I will read the boards to learn.
Do you mind sharing what type of nipple procedure you are planning?
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I haven't discussed the particulars with my PS yet. I think we will use the origami method. I have been moving forward one step at a time and not jumping ahead. When I got too far ahead I was disappointed when things did not work out as planned.
Dismay15 good luck getting through by year end as well. My fat grafting has been the gel that held everything together.
I am pleased with the progress we made the past two fat graftings.
I don't want to scare anyone, I was not the usual case so don't think multiple fat graftings are normal. But be reassured if you do have complications multiple fat graftings may be the solution to an aesthetically pleasing result. Never give up hope.
Maybe by this time next year we can both say we are completely through and totally healed from our reconstruction.
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