Delayed DIEP question

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nash
nash Member Posts: 2,600
edited September 2017 in Breast Reconstruction

I have a newly diagnosed friend who is considering delayed DIEP

I know with delayed reconstruction, often the surgeon will leave extra skin behind after mx for the PS to work with down the road. But is that only for potential TE/implants? I wasn't sure if delayed DIEP was in the same boat. Basically my friend wants to know if potential DIEP down the road affects how her mx is done now.

Thanks in advance.

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  • Lula73
    Lula73 Member Posts: 1,824
    edited September 2017

    from my understanding, they can do a skin and/or nipple sparing mx with or without tissue expanders in prep for a delayed DIEP or do a standard mx and the microsurgeon who dies the DIEP will reconstruct the breast pocket with skin from the harvested tummy tissue. Just curious if your friend hasn't had the mx yet, why she wouldn't opt for immediate DIEP at time of mx. That's the route I took and I couldn't be happier

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  • nash
    nash Member Posts: 2,600
    edited September 2017

    Thanks for the feedback. I'm glad you've had a good outcome.

    It's a timing issue with finding the right surgeon regarding immediate DIEP, and part of her decision making process is wondering what modifications would need to be done during mx to set her up for delayed DIEP.



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  • CarolinaMommy
    CarolinaMommy Member Posts: 18
    edited September 2017

    it is helpful to have extra skin if possible, and mine was delayed and still used TEs. If possible to find your diep surgeon, he/she can certainly tell you what they would like ideally. They CAN find skin elsewhere, but it looks better to use as much breast skin as possible and you'd have less to stretch too. Hope this helps.

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  • jbdayton
    jbdayton Member Posts: 700
    edited September 2017

    I had a mastectomy, skin sparing, with tissue expanders placed for future DIEP surgery. I was not a candidate for immediate reconstruction because I needed to have radiation to my chest wall.I did chemo first, then mastectomies, then radiation. 6 months later I had my first flap surgery.

    By doing the skin sparing mastectomies I only ended up with small football shaped skin paddles.

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  • nash
    nash Member Posts: 2,600
    edited September 2017

    Thanks for the input. I will pass this information along to my friend.

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