mi-DIEP at Pennsylvania Hospital

I never heard of that procedure so I googled it. It is only a Penn procedure to make the operation opioid free.

First, not to belittle the opioid crisis, I have had many surgeries that used opioids in recovery and only had an issue (constipation) once. That said, I am not big on any medication including pain medication so I see this surgical approach as a good thing.

I had DIEP reconstruction at Fox Chase in Philadelphia and I had no pain issues. I was in the hospital 4 days and was given pain medication but once home I didn’t need anything other than Tylenol and I think I only took that at night a couple of times to ensure a good night sleep. I didn’t really have pain issues.

I wanted BMX and to go flat, but the policy at Fox Case is not to remove a healthy breast, so my request was denied. Of course since they refused to remove my right breast claiming it is healthy, I am refusing mammograms because if it appears in my real breast now, I want a mastectomy, so I will wait to feel a lump! Research indicates no difference in outcome as far as dying from the disease. They can’t have it both ways, either there is a risk for me or not. If having breast cancer twice and a very strong family history, mother, two of my three sisters and at least one cousin on my mother’s side wasn’t enough to remove my healthy breast, they must be very sure it won’t show up in my healthy breast, I am BRCA neg. I don’t think I would go back there for any more surgery anyway due to distance and aging. I have some outstanding local hospitals closer to my home! I am also not having any revision surgery.

You are in good hands at Penn, but make sure you want the surgery (DIEP surgery) as it is major surgery. If you decide you do, then going to Penn is the place to have it done! The location is what kept me from going there, too much traffic. Fox Chase has excellent doctors, nurses, technicians, housekeeping, receptionists and it is in a safe, quiet area of the city, with ample free parking. I use back roads to get there and it is actually a very relaxing drive. As long as a BRCA newoman doesn’t want a BMX I would recommend Fox Chase. All others should go elsewhere.

Hello,

Did you end up having this procedure done with Dr. Kanchwala? I have a consult in 2 weeks.

The op has not signed in for just about a year. I hope that someone who has had this procedure will respond

I consulted with him as well and he simply said I wasn't a candidate for diep or any of those surgeries and only could do implants. However he only does implants above the muscle but didn't say why really, except to say that most ppl w sub pec implants have pain even years later and the implants jerk when I flex a muscle. Since he only does implants above the muscle for everyone and conceded that I would even have much more rippling etc that way, and that everyone I know who got breast augmentation as opposed to breast reconstruction following bc had implants placed under the muscle, I went w a different PS in the same system who does both kinds. Now I'm worried so I'm very very interested in everyone's views