Elective Mastectomy and DIEP flap surgery scheduled for June 4th

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Lefty_Lucy
Lefty_Lucy Member Posts: 50
edited May 2020 in Surgery - Before, During, and After

Hi! I had extensive DCIS in my left breast, had my mastectomy in January. All has gone fairly well physically in recovery.

I saw two different surgeons, both recommended getting the right breast removed also, especially if I want DIEP flap, which I do. I was initially scheduled to get the second surgery in April, but obviously it was postponed.

I got the call last week that I can get my surgery June 4th. I was sort of shocked; I'd expected more of a delay. Now that I'm working through what it will all mean, I'm wondering if I should do it? It's allowed, but is it smart? I will be alone in the hospital, have a shortened hospital stay, and need to be tested for Covid beforehand. Am I rushing it?

I'm desperate to get it done, especially as I've started having bothersome pain in the right breast (I know logically it's probably nothing, but once you've had cancer all throughout one breast, logic is less of a comfort). Summer is not the most ideal time for us (my husband is a teacher who does extra stipend-based work over the summer; this cancer has been devastating for us financially and he won't get leave, it'll just be more lost income).

On the other hand, if I wait until the fall Covid may be back and worse? It's very hard to decide. And I'm very anxious just to get over this.

Any thoughts or advice welcome.

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  • RedemptiveSufferer
    RedemptiveSufferer Member Posts: 242
    edited May 2020

    Lefty Lucy, I wish I had some good, solid, advice. Just wanted to share that I too planned on having DIEP but not until fall. I'm fairly certain due to COVID that I'm probably looking at next year now. I had an implant placed in 2017 following my mastectomy a few months prior, then discovered last year that my implant had been recalled because it can cause another form of cancer. I want it out but it's not as urgent. I can understand you wanting to move forward as quickly as possible in your situation. Would it help at all to postpone until the end of summer? Maybe by then some of the restrictions will be lifted and you'll at least be able to have people with you in the hospital. I certainly wouldn't want a shortened stay with that particular surgery. I'd be tempted to delay it at least by a month until I had more clarity on the situation and then go from there. ~ Kim

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  • Lefty_Lucy
    Lefty_Lucy Member Posts: 50
    edited May 2020

    Thanks for your thoughts, Kim. I get to do a Telehealth pre-op appointment on Friday, so I'm going to ask my nurse all these questions. Sorry to hear you're dealing with this too!

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  • Sachiko333
    Sachiko333 Member Posts: 1
    edited May 2020

    Hello! I am scheduled for clearing margins from previous right mastectomy and now electing for left mastectomy and DIEP flap 6/1 and not worried about rushing. I only learned of my diagnosis late March and then 3 weeks later had mastectomy and only 6 weeks post-surgery, going in for the hopefully final "cut."

    I am a teacher myself and a single mom with 4 kids and while it would be great to have support in the hospital, I am used to being made of steel and handling my business solo. I guess the silver lining of having a contentious ex-husband is my fearless strength and new empowered self : )

    I am wondering what your plans are for reconstruction..? I already have expanders in right side with fillers as we assumed my right mastectomy was the all I needed. Now I'm looking at bilateral and DIEP flap but because I'm so small I don't even know if I can fill up my boobs.

    Anyone have any idea or suggestions? I was also curious about implants - is that even an option with DIEP flap? The reason why I'm having flap surgery is that my DCIS cancer is so close to skin and nipple so they need to remove my skin and I thought I know exactly where they can get some extra skin and tissue and then some!! Another silver ling.

    If I don't hear back from you- good luck everyone!!

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