DIEP 2014

hi Janet,

I am in the same boat. 7 surgeries and my two sides are still not the same size. I did my nips and tats and decided to wait awhile before trying anything else.

I will probably get a second opinion just to know if there is a fix. Then I can decide. My real issue is I really didn't want to go through all this to have to wear a prosthesis if I want to wear a bra. I also have not been able to find any swimsuit to look ok. I live in the south near the beaches so this is really causing an issue with my life style. My husband is still an avid surfer.

But I am cancer free.

Janet, you have the best bits of wisdom. Love your "there is no wrong decision--just another adventure" saying from your mom. That gives me great comfort as I continue on the path I have before and behind me!

JerseyMomOf3 -

How exciting!

I don't know how many different types of nipple recon there are - but in my case it was sort of an 'origami' style, which took 45 minutes with a local anesthetic. I drove home immediately afterwords without any discomfort. I had stitches on both nipples and they were covered with gauze, and nipple protectors. The gauze was about 2" x 2" with a hole cut in the middle so the nips won't get squished. My protectors were made from the bottom of a plastic pill cup, and were slightly larger than the screw top of a wine bottle. To be honest - I expected something a bit more high-tech, but I got a kick out of watching my highly skilled (and very handsome) PS trying to cut the little cup with his scissors.

Immediately following the procedure I drove home. I don't remember any significant discomfort and the seat belt wasn't a problem. I wore a lightly padded bra while my breasts recovered, and even in a T-shirt, the protectors were practically unnoticeable. I can't remember how long it was till I showered, but I think I took baths for a few days. And I do remember changing the gauze a couple of times - there was a little bit of bleeding but it was minimal, and I just wiped the area, reapplied the gauze, and taped on the protectors back on. Piece of cake.

As for the gym - I wouldn't know!

I will say this. My routine wasn't affected by this procedure. I went back to work the next day - absolutely no problem - and my job is active. I walked my dog and I went to yoga. But - my guess would be that you wouldn't want to do a vigorous activity which would cause a lot of friction. I was fairly well bound with a good bra - and I didn't do anything too physically ambitious. Again, I'm just speculating, as I wasn't doing any heavy duty cardio stuff. And my dog is a basset hound, so my walks are moderate.

The day I got my stitches out was thrilling. As I may have mentioned, I was lackadaisical about the whole process and was willing to live with my Barbie boobs, but my PS said that nipples were a good idea, and he was right. I love them.

I'll be thinking of you tomorrow. Good luck, and congratulations.

Janet

JerseyMomOf3,

Wishing you well with your surgery tomorrow! I had my nipple reconstruction surgery in October 2015. I am very happy I did. My PS used a nipple reconstruction cylinder (a type of graft material) which has helped me retain great nipple projection. It came with nipple shields which made it easy to protect them from flattening. As far as the gym, I also had fat grafting to fix irregularities so I had to refrain from vigorous physical activity for about 1 month(this was so the fat that was grafted could establish a good blood supply). The nipple reconstruction part was not difficult at all. I was able to shower after my post op visit (about 3 days later) after the PS took the bandages off. I would just let them air dry, then apply an antibiotic ointment, then the shields. I was able to drive as long as I wasn't taking any narcotic pain medication. I totally understand you not wanting to have more surgery done. Before my surgery I had just gotten back into a good workout routine, was losing weight and starting to see results, then I had to stop. It has been really difficult getting the same momentum going again. I hope you will be pleased with your results. Just be prepared that when you first see them it is a bit shocking, because they appear so big. They will shrink. When my PS first took the bandages off, he must have seen the look on my face because he said, "what? you don't like the large headlights look?" we had a good laugh. He reassured me that they would shrink to a good size, and they have. If you have any more questions please feel free to ask me.

Haven't been on this board since 2014! Just had my nips done last week and, for the most part, everything looks good....except that lefty protrudes a bit more than righty. Righty almost drove me around the bend the first 30 hours because the tip of the nip itched like a SOB.

Anyone have slightly different size nip projection that evened out after awhile? I was awake and watched the procedure, hubby took pictures too, so I know the nips were created from the same "mold" so to speak.

I'm thinking it is the typical radiated vs. non radiated skin reaction...

I went for 2 nd attempt at nipple recon. Is just as flat as the first. Waste of money I'm happy enought too. It is amazing how well balanced they are so feeling good I do have a flat spot near my cleavage that looks funny when I flex but that too I can live with.

Heidi Too,

So great that you're happy with your new headlights! It's always so exciting when someone posts with happy news. I was ambivalent about my tattoos as well, but went ahead upon the urging of my surgeon. I love them. It's the best 'normal' that I'll ever be.

Here's to your new whitewalls!

I had a uni-DIEP last year after one of my SGAP breasts failed, and it is a lot easier to have only one side done. You still have one arm that you can use during recovery, which is nice! I think symmetry is a challenge in general and sometimes requires some follow-up tweaks. If you might have to have implants anyway, it might be unnecessary to have a bilateral DIEP. If the existing implant is uncomfortable, you might have a bilateral DIEP and go smaller. After 6 (!) surgeries throughout this BC process, my personal feeling is that good enough is good enough and less surgery is more!

Hi Ladies! I have not been here for some time. I had a Bilateral DIEP on Feb. 24, 2014. I have had some issues with healing and a PE in my right lung. That being said, my Stage 2 reconstruction didn't get done. Now, things have finally settled down and I am getting the second step done on June 2, 2016. PRMA did the first surgery. The plan was to have stage 2 in Chicago in Oct. 2014 but due to the blood clot it was canceled. Now, she doesn't want to do it and I respect her choice. I have a Plastic Surgeon here in GR, MI that has been doing flaps. Since she has more experience since Feb. 2014, I will have her finish up. I am totally ready to get this done but the scary willies are being felt. Please, please pray that it all goes like it should. Oh, the 2nd chemo I had, really messed up my hair follicles. The longest it managed to get was just above the shoulders so I have it just about an inch longer where my ears are. My top back is so so thing. I tried the biotin route for 1.5 and it didn't help so,it is what it is.

My husband, Stan and I are doing fine. We added two rescue kitties to our home.

I hope ya'll are fine and in good health. Kat

hi, I found this post when researching flaps. How has your experience been so far - recovery wise? I had a left mastectomy with tissue expanders. Will need to decide on implant it diep flap after chemo. Thanks

You might want to ask this question in the DIEP Flap Reconstruction 2016 thread for more responses.

It has been two years for most of of us here in this thread.

My recovery was a challenge due to some complications but two yeas out everything seems to be working out. Most people tend to finish up within one year with amazing results. It is a major operation, the first couple of months are tiring and things seem to turn the corner. Most women need a modification surgery 3-6 months later.

Even with my complications I would do it all over again. Implants were not an option for me since my breast was radiated. That said, I knew I could not live with implants after having tissue expanders for several months. I did not want anything under my pec muscle.

Good luck making your decision.

Hello Janet. Did you have Dr. H. from TGH. If so we chatted in 2014. A year after DIEP and alot of healing issues I developed incisional hernia which he fixed with mesh a week later readmitted with staph infection. Everything was great till late 2017 when hernia came back on right side. It was painful this time so my gp ordered ct found a large 9 cm cyst on left ovary but MRI showed no ovarian cancer. Cyst and ovaries removed April 2018 Pathology found bc in both ovaries so now stage 4. Started Ibrance and all scsns have been clear. None of this related to DIEP but just needed to touch base and vent a little. Hope all is well with you

To all the DIEP ladies. Having this surgery was one of the best decisions. Gave me back my self esteem