GAP lovers unite! Please.

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vicliz
vicliz Member Posts: 159
edited June 2014 in Breast Reconstruction

I need anyone who has had a Gap procedure and is happy with the results to respond if you can.  My local plastic surgeon does not like the procedure and I need a letter from him to send to my insurance company so I can have it done at NOLA.  I will send your responses to him so he can see how many of you out there love the outcome of your GAP reconstruction.  I like many of you have only one option left to me and that would be the GAP and no one does it in my city.

Thanks so very much,

Vicki

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited October 2007

    Hi, Vicki...



    As you know, I had a bilateral IGAP this past June. When I had my bilateral mastectomies in 04, I tried expanders but had issues with them after radiation and one failed (left a stupid HOLE in my chest!). I am tall (6'2") with an athletic build, so I didn't have much spare belly fat for a DIEP and with the athletics, I didn't want to have muscle moved or manipulated (so TRAM and Lat flaps were out). As the top of my rear end also didn't have enough fat to harvest two breasts (doc said it was "too muscular" - who knew?!?), my only option was an IGAP.



    Although It is a big surgery - in that it is a long time to be under anesthesia (mine took 11 hours) and the recovery (as in being able to do all the things you were able to do before surgery, which for me, that meant karate, running and lifting weights) is longer than with implants - I'd do it again in a heartbeat. The pain wasn't bad at all and the "I can't reach down to tie my shoes!" phase didn't last long. I was able to walk on a treadmill two and a half weeks out, was back to karate by week five and back to my full lifting schedule by week six. I am sooooo happy with the results (just had stage 2 about three weeks ago)! My new girls move and feel like breasts - both in an athletic bra and out of one.



    If this is what you really want, I think you should go for it. I hope your doc sees the light and encourages you to do the same! All the best to you...

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  • acarr
    acarr Member Posts: 104
    edited October 2007

    Hi Vicki,

    I had bilateral S-GAP in NOLA in March 2005 and I am very pleased with my results.  This was my second reconstruction as I had implant recon immediately after my mastectomies for BC in 1990.  I had lots of problems with my implants (severe capsular contracture, painful muscle spasms, etc.) and finally decided to have them removed after much research on DIEP/GAP.  Having very little stomach fat, my only option was GAP.  My surgery took 8 hours and that included the time it took to remove my ruptured implants and clean up all the silicone that leaked out.  One of my implants was totally disintegrated!

    My new breasts feel and look real.  My breast scars have faded away to almost nothing.  The donor site (upper buttocks) is flatter than it was pre-GAP but it doesn't bother me.  At stage 2, my doctor reshaped my butt so that, although flatter, it still has some roundness. 

    My recovery took about six weeks.  I still tired easily at that time, but managed fine working at my desk job.  Stage 2 recovery was much quicker and I was back at work 2-1/2 weeks later.  NOLA is approximately 6 hours from my home, but I found traveling for this surgery to be very doable. 

    I don't know why your PS doesn't like the GAP procedure.  Maybe he's not very familiar with it, but when performed by very experienced surgeons the failure rate is very low.  The NOLA docs have a better than 99.5% success rate.  I am thrilled that I was able to have this done.  I agree with Felicia...if this is what you want, go for it.  It's your body and you deserve to have the procedure of your choice.  I hope your PS comes around and goes to bat for you.

    Best of luck,

    Amy

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  • pod1257
    pod1257 Member Posts: 262
    edited October 2007

    Hi Vicki,

    I had the bilateral IGAP at NOLA, March 07.

    I also did not have enough tummy tissue and did not want implants.

    As the other's have said, it is a BIG surgery. Mine took 7hrs. I had delayed reconstruction. I healed well and had no major problems. The recovery time for me feeling more "like myself" was about 4 weeks. I did have some minor problems with general weakness, dizziness, nausea and poor appetite, the 1st 2 weeks, but some ladies, feel good much sooner than me.

    I am very happy with my results. The breasts are a good shape, symetrical and soft, just like real ones. The backside, after stage 1, is not bad either. I had the tissue taken from the lower-outer hip, so shape is the same. Just a slightly concave look on the side of both hips, but not noticeable.

    The 2 surgeon's at NOLA perform hundred's of these procedures each year. Their success rate is >99%. They are very careful to pinpoint the gluteal arteries via dopler, the day before surgery. Then after surgery, the flaps are monitored 24/7, for good blood supply from the gluteal arteries to the mammary arteries. If there is any sign of flap failure, they make sure to take you back in surgery, for immediate repairs.

    Also the staff is very professional, organized and glad to assist with all the logistics, including transportation, hotels. They also provide a cab to take you to and from appointments and your surgical procedure.

    I would definitely do it again. Having experienced surgeon's and staff, make all the difference.

    Julie

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  • Colleen123
    Colleen123 Member Posts: 289
    edited October 2007

    Hi Vicki.... I also had bilateral delayed SGAP surgery at NOLA in Feb of this year.  I had Stage 2 in May and Stage 3 in October.  I didn't have enough tummy fat for DIEP and didn't want implants.  I am very happy with my results.  The breasts are very "real".... soft, warm, and move like breasts.  My backside is flat on the upper portion now, but it doesn't bother me.  The scars would be covered in any bathing suit or bikini underwear if you wear them.  As far as the breasts go.... my scars are still quite visible, but have faded quite a bit already.  I am sure they will not be too noticeable after some more time has passed.

    I had to travel a long way for my surgery.  I live in Western Canada and travelled to New Orleans, LA for this surgery.  I did a lot of research and these two surgeons are among the best.  My surgery took 7 1/2 hours as the two surgeons work as a team... one on each side.  As the other ladies have said, their success rate is better than 99 %.  My husband and I are amazed at their talent.... that they can take a flat piece of fat from the backside and create a "breast".  Absolutely amazing surgery!!!

    Do whatever you have to in order to have this surgery...... you will be thrilled.  Don't settle for less.... you deserve to have the best.

    Hugs,  Colleen

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  • Wendy56229
    Wendy56229 Member Posts: 228
    edited October 2007

    Vicki,

    I have not had GAP, but I've written an appeal to have DIEP in NOLA. My bs wouldn't write a letter, so I asked my primary care physician and my oncologist. They both agreed to write letters. I think they will help. So, I advise you to go to other docs for the letters.

    My goal, now, is to convince the bs that GAP and DIEP are good choices so he won't give the next woman a hard time. We'll see.

    Also, for your appeal letter, be sure to find out how many of these surgeries your local doctor does in a month (mine does 1/month). Then be sure to mention that the NOLA docs do 8 - 10 a WEEK! Big difference. 

    Good luck,

    Wendy 

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  • lorisloft02
    lorisloft02 Member Posts: 13
    edited October 2007

    Hello Vicki

    I just returned home from my GAP surgery with Dr.'s DellaCroce and Sullivan in NOLA.  I could not be happier with not only my results, but how I felt after surgery.  I know that everyone heals differently, but I had a relatively easy time. The day after surgery, I was out of bed and walking the halls and then by the time I was released from the hospital, my husband and I walked from the Business District to the French Quater every single day.  I am only four weeks out from my original surgery date, and I am already back to doing just about everything that I did before.  I do get tired more quickly and about 3 in the afternoon, I definately need a nap.  I had both a DIEP and a GAP ( my DIEP was in 2005), and I just cannot say enough postive things about both of my surgeries. 

    Lori J.

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  • AnneW
    AnneW Member Posts: 4,050
    edited November 2007

    I haven't had this procedure--I went for implants--but if the implant fails, I'd do bilateral GAPs in a heartbeat.

    One really important point to the insurance companies: it's not enough to have a local ps who is "trained" in this procedure. You MUST have a hospital that can manage this surgery, too. You have to have the facility and staff to monitor that flap 24/7. Most hospitals aren't up to the task.

    That's the issue here where I live. There's a doc who has done these in the past, but won't now because he can't trust the hospitals to do their part.

    So, you MUST go where you can get both aspects taken care of.

    Good luck.

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