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Diagnosed with ILC: Any reconstruction input, implants vs DIEP?
My initial, pre-surgery stage is 1a, right breast only. Reading about ILC scares me about recurrence (not to mention initial possibility of more than scans indicated), so am opting for double masectomy. I am very uneasy about the implant path, as it seems there is much more involved than plastic surgeon implied. I am a candidate for DIEP flap, but have not read alot about women with recent experience with this procedure. If anyone can share, I would be so appreciative, am having a very difficult time making this decision. Thank you.
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I had this surgery two years ago. I am 60 now. I had stage 3 b BC with an initial single right mastectomy which recurred 2 weeks later. Treatment included 6 months of chemotherapy and 25 rounds of radiation. It took 2 more surgeries to remove the cancer on the chest wall. I was left with a single breast and a caved in chest wall in the opposite side. It looked awful. I then had a prophylactic mastectomy in the left side alongside a double reconstruction. The plastic surgeon used fat from my stomach (essentially a tummy tuck) as well as gel implants on both sides. When I woke up in the hospital that morning I didn’t think I could get out of bed because of my stomach. It was a huge hit to the core and I needed lots of help to sit up and eventually walk. I stayed in the hospital 5 days. It was hard but my only chance for a good result. I am very graceful. I had to exercise but it looks and feels great.
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1 Reaction@kedisaacs
Thank you for sharing your experience with diep - so sorry to hear that you are still having pain. Wow...16hr surgery. I can't even imagine. So many things surgeons do not prepare us for. Certainly alot to consider.
@worried1111
Thank you for sharing - sounds like you've been through alot. You mention the stomach pain, and that's what concerns me; not the pain so much as the need for what I'm sure is significant assistance during initial weeks of recovery.
@gle33
The recovery was hard. Initially it was hard to even sit up. The extreme pain was gone after a few days (they gave Tylenol 3 with morphine to help). I would recommend staying in the hospital for at least the first 3 days. I went into that operation fairly fit from working out daily and only had the DIEP flap on one side. Having a DIEP on both sides would probably be harder. My opposite breast was exclusively implant. I walked around the hospital hallway by the next day. I think I remember being able to get out of bed by myself by the third day. When I went home it was slow moving and walking for at least 1-2 weeks. Manageable with little support. No lifting heavy things.
@kedisaacs Thank you DO much for sharing about your experience. I am 66 and chose not to do it a
I am too thin and would have been a complicated surgery.
I give you a lot of credit for going through a 16 hour surgery.
Blessings to you!
@worried1111
Thank you for this feedback. I've been working out at least 5 days/wk for about a year and feel pretty healthy going into surgery. I don't expect it to be easy, and certainly my core could be stronger, but I think with help for the first 2 weeks, it might be ok.