Flap or Implants?

I had DIEP flap reconstruction at the same time as my bilateral mastectomy. I had a couple of hiccups, including a collapsed lung, but overall my recovery went really well.

I'm 5'4" and weighed about 150 at the time of my surgery. The microsurgeon who did the DIEP flap called me obese - which I wasn't. (Great surgeon, terrible human being). I did, however, carry all of my weight around my midsection. They were able to construct two D/DD breasts. I wanted C's, but that's another story.

It's a very big surgery. Mine lasted 12 hours, even with two of the best microsurgeons in California working in tandem. The recovery period is somewhat longer than for implants. That's the downside.

The upside is that I woke up from my mastectomy with two warm, natural looking and feeling breasts. I never felt "butchered " the way many other women have. Once I get my nipple tattoos, no one will ever be able to tell my breasts are not natural natural. They are that good.

I wish you the best. I hope whichever surgery you choose gives you exactly the results you are looking for .

Trish

Hi LizLynne. Last year, I had a nipple skin sparring bilateral mastectomy with TE’s immediately expanded. I was a D cup at the time & PS said I had a Iot skin. I absolutely hated the TE’s and radiation only worsened that. I am currently recuperating from a Diep & Lap flap. I’m 5’2 & weigh 150. It was a 12 hour surgery. I spent 5 days in SICU and 1 day on a regular floor. My PS really doesn’t like doing implants when radiation has occurred. Of course he would,if implants are what the patient wants or where flaps are not doable. I’m currently a DD but PS said I will lose about 25% when all said & done. Healing is going well & looking forward to getting back to normal activity. Whatever you choose, it’s a very personal decision. Best of luck to you on your journey.

I am 27 months post DIEP. I had double mastectomy with tissue expanders in Nov 2018 and DIEP flap surgery in April 2019 (post radiation). I had revisions in Sept 2019 and Jun 2020. The initial flap surgery was 9 hours. The revisions were both short, outpatient procedures.

I was initially thinking of having implants but my PS told me size would be limited with implants because my ribcage is narrow even though I had large breasts (36DDD). DIEP flap surgery is a big surgery witth a long recuperation period. However, when all is said and done you are left witth your own natural flesh. I was able to stay the same size. I had some issues with healing after my surgery but everything did heal and I did not have any infections.

I was 52 at the time of the surgery. 5'3", 195 lb (roughly).

@trishyla Your results sound fantastic! Would you mind PMing me the names of the surgeons? Was it covered by your insurance? I'm in CA too. Seems a lot of PS here don't even take insurance.