DIEP and BM Advice needed.

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sweave
sweave Member Posts: 4
edited September 2016 in Breast Reconstruction

I'm having a double mastectomy soon and was planning on immediate reconstruction with TE/implants.

Problem is.... I hate the thought of the long process, and the TE discomfort. I also hate the idea of something foreign being in me. For this reason, I'd like to consider DIEP.

At this point, I don't feel my surgeon wants me to (so I'm looking to get informed elsewhere). Anytime I bring it up, he talks me into feeling better about the implant process. Once I'm off the phone I'm doubting implantsagain.

I know DIEP is a long surgery, but s it possible to have both breasts done at the time of mastectomy? Or would this be a multi stage process? I'm really struggling to find a reconstruction option I'm comfortable with, and I'm currently scheduled for surgery in 18 days!

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  • Annie-B-7-14
    Annie-B-7-14 Member Posts: 52
    edited September 2016

    I had DIEP And I'm glad I did. Many surgeons don't have the skill to do it. Maybe get a second opinion? They can do both sides at once. I will have a stage 2 surgery to make it more symmetrical, but if I didn't care about symmetry, I could totally get away with no stage 2 surgery, nobody notices except me.

    Good luck! And check out the DIEP board.

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  • LAstar
    LAstar Member Posts: 1,574
    edited September 2016

    Plastic surgeons will only suggest the procedures that they can perform. I recommend finding a DIEP surgeon that performs many of these. Dr. Marga Massey performed my DIEP in Charleston, and she did amazing work. I travelled from Oregon, and it was worth the trouble. My breast is very natural looking and feeling. I had my original flap reconstruction (long story) in two stages. Stage 1 moves the flap from the donor site to the breast (4-6 week recovery). Stage 2 involves shaping, fat grafting, and making them pretty (2-3 week recovery). Stage 2 is done at least 3 months after Stage 1, if ever. Both breasts are done at the same time.

    Where are you?

    Best wishes in your decision! It's YOURS to make!

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  • jenjenl
    jenjenl Member Posts: 948
    edited September 2016

    i had DIEP done for the same reasons you've noted and im so happy i did it. I was flat for 6 months then decided i didn't like being flat and had the DIEP done by Dr John Robinson in Charlotte, NC. Any specific questions let me know!

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  • glendag
    glendag Member Posts: 53
    edited September 2016

    Just a thought, could you have temporary expanders placed during the bilateral mastectomy? Then you can decide implants or flap later. That would give you time to weigh all of your options. I had GAP surgery with Dr Massey in NOLA 4 years ago to revise reconstruction that was done 7 years ago with a local doctor. I am so glad that I went with the flap reconstruction. Are you having radiation? That can significantly effect implant reconstruction. Also, I don't think that implants are forever, they may need to be replaced every 10 years or so. Temporary expanders would save all of that skin and give you time to consider and research all your options.

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