Assymetry after bi-lateral DIEP???

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mitzi458
mitzi458 Member Posts: 64
edited March 2018 in Breast Reconstruction

I’m hoping to get some feedback on this...i’m a little over one week out from my surgery and I know there is swelling, but it seems that the swelling went down and I’m at least one cup size smaller on my left side. It’s also a completely different shape. (One looks like a hamburger bun, the other looks like a saggy water balloon).

How easy is this to fix in stage 2? I had three different opinions from three different PS, and I went with the one I WANTED to believe - that it was possible to do a bi-lateral DIEP instead of doing a uni-lateral DIEP with an implant in the other side, or all fat grafting on the other side. I had a lat-flap done in 2007, and one PS said, “You do not want to put a flap over a flap.” The other doc said I did not have enough fat for a bi-lateral because he would not be able to make them match hence the implant suggestion. The one I went with, who people were calling “The Flap king” said both of those other PS were crazy.

Has anyone else had very bad symmetry after Phase one? Is this common?

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  • Lula73
    Lula73 Member Posts: 1,824
    edited March 2018

    hi Mitzi- trust me when I say you still have ALOT of swelling going on. Stage 1 the big concern is just getting the flaps in place and establishing blood supply. In stage 2 they will nip and tuck and lift and shape and work on symmetry. My left was onewgat bigger than my right and now after stage 2 they’re they’re equal and perky. Time is your friend.

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  • mitzi458
    mitzi458 Member Posts: 64
    edited March 2018

    thanks Lula!

    If I still have a lot of swelling going on, then I’m not going to have much of a boob left! Lol!

    So I guess they do fat grafting to make the other one bigger? Where do they take the fat from? I have plenty on my butt and thighs so I hope they take it from there.

    Can they usually do it in one go or does it require several surgeries to get them even?

    One more question...until I get to stage 2, how do you hide the fact that they are so different? I had a prosthetic before....do I need to add something to fill out my bra on the small side?

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  • Lula73
    Lula73 Member Posts: 1,824
    edited March 2018

    Funny, Mitzi!!🤣 definitely don't put anything in your bra to make the breast appear bigger. You don't want to risk compressing blood vessels and causing necrosis or lose the flap altogether. Yes they will fat graft in stage 2. Typically they take it from hips/thighs so you'll be good to go. Did they give you a bra they wanted you to wear when you were at the hospital?

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  • mitzi458
    mitzi458 Member Posts: 64
    edited March 2018

    Yes, I had to buy a post op bra (I bought two and they lost one in the OR so I had to buy a third!).

    But I can't imagine trying to wear this under my clothes and go out somewhere. It's big and baggy and bulky, and REALLY shows the assymetry.

    I don't want to complain because I finally have two boobs. My first day back at work has to be April 16 and it's a big huge event. I wonder. If I will have enough time to do Stage 2? If not, I will have 3 weeks in May in-between my work travels to hopefully get it done. I’ll just have to wear my giant mumu!


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  • Lula73
    Lula73 Member Posts: 1,824
    edited March 2018

    did they spec what kind of bra to buy? Interesting. Is it compressing and uncomfortable? I can only speak from what NOLA desired in a post-op bra but they were very light support that did not compress - freeblood flow is important. At 4 week I alternated between a genie bra and the full coverage pocketed bra from the make merry collection at www.anaono.com . Hope this helps!

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  • mitzi458
    mitzi458 Member Posts: 64
    edited March 2018

    Well, they told me to go to Refections which is the little store at the hospital, to get fitted. They knew exactly what I needed. No compression but Velcro support underneath and buttons in the front.

    I still am not sure what to do about the assymetry when I get dressed but I’m sure I’ll figure it out

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