Mtg w/PS in the AM re: DIEP/implants. What questions?

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StAuggie
StAuggie Member Posts: 52
edited September 2019 in Breast Reconstruction

Help! I always think of questions after I leave the Dr's office! LOL...I'm trying to avoid this.

I'm meeting with a different PS this time, one who does the DIEP and other autologous tissue reconstruction procedures. Their office also does implant reconstruction, so I can ask all the questions in one place. This is nice, because the other PS I saw only does implants.

This PS, from what I understand, works with my cancer surgeon also so it appears that we can coordinate and do this in one surgery. I would not pursue DIEP, I think, if I had to have two separate surgeries.

Please help me with questions that I should ask! I have read a lot here on the forums, but I know there is still much to learn. And I have no idea what to ask him tomorrow. Thank you!

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  • Quirky74747
    Quirky74747 Member Posts: 16
    edited September 2019

    one thing: I believe that DIEP surgery often has 2 surgeries involved to get it right. If that affects your decision

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  • Meow13
    Meow13 Member Posts: 4,859
    edited September 2019

    I had my DIEP surgery 4 months after mastectomy. I had a big 10 hour reconstruction and lift on other side. It came out great. Then I had fat grafting in office a few months later. I kind of wish I didn't have to wait 4 months but my ps schedule was really booked well into the future. That was 7 years ago I am still hsppy.

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  • OCDAmy
    OCDAmy Member Posts: 873
    edited September 2019

    Ask how many procedures they do and ask to see photos. You want a PS with extensive experience. Ask about recovery, how long you will be hospitalized and will you wear a binder afterwards. How many pf their patients require a stage 2 surgery. Most of us who had DIEP had a stage 2. I would also ask about surgical protocol. My PS uses ERAS protocol and my pain was well controlled.

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  • Meow13
    Meow13 Member Posts: 4,859
    edited September 2019

    Yes I can't agree more check the ps out. Mine was really arrogant but he did a great job.

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