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Please share your experience with the Diep Flap Procedure
I had a bilateral mastectomy and had implants removed due to an infection. I am now at a point that I can consider reconstruction. At this point, expanders/implants are not an option for me. Has anyone had a diep flap procedure and what are your thoughts about the procedure and recovery. Any feedback is so appreciated.
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Surgery is scheduled for April 17. It was a little difficult getting the three Drs together....surgeon and two plastic surgeons. I am trying to get as much exercise as I can before then. Also, I am pretty scared, but have decided to ask the plastic surgeons if I can get the nipple tattoos and some fancy artwork too. It kinda gives me something to look forward to. The surgeon was a wealth of information unlike the first one I went to...in the same practice. I am meeting with the plastic surgeon on March 17, so am trying to get a list of questions together. Also, the surgeon wants an MRI which I will get this Thursday. While all this is going on, my daughter is pretty sick with crohn’s and PSC. I think that is helping to take my mind off my own stuff somewhat.
I had this about 10 years ago. I worked out intensely about two months before to strengthen the core muscles. This helped a lot in the healing process. I remember waking up from this procedure and for me it was very difficult. It took about one week to start to feel human and I think it was close to two weeks before I could take a shower. Once you can walk push to do it. It is a long recovery, but in the end worth it. I never did get a nipple ratio and don’t really want them. Good luck!
Good luck. Reconstruction was the most difficult thing in the entire process. Just take it easy and allow yourself time to heal.
Hi, sandyjr. I had a complete bilateral mastectomy with DIEP reconstruction back in 2006. I had my surgery at Memorial Hospital in New Orleans and the surgeons who performed the reconstruction were Drs. Frank DellaCroce and Dr. Frank Sullivan. A surgeon who is no longer affiliated with their group because she moved did my mastectomy. All was done during the same surgery time, which took approximately 7-8 hours. I was taken in for surgery around 1:00 in the afternoon and really don't remember much until about a day and a half later. I did wake up several times but only for brief periods of time. (I had had one lumpectomy prior to this surgery and that was about a year and a half earlier. I chose to have genetic testing because of family history and did have a BRCA mutation. I then decided to go through with the preventive surgery in New Orleans.) I spent about 5 days in the hospital and then another week and a half in a hotel. I then flew home to Texas and it was about another week and a half before I started driving. I remember the worst pain was the day I had to get out of bed to go to the bathroom. But honestly, it was not nearly as bad as I had expected. I was very happy with my surgery results and most especially, with the doctors and their staff. I highly encourage you to research their group (Center for Restorative Breast Surgery in New Orleans) - they are absolutely amazing. I would probably say it was a good 2-3 months before I felt I was back to my old self. That is not to say I didn't feel much better and couldn't do anything. I'm looking at it as feeling pretty good about lifting things and going about my normal day-to-day activities. I hope this has helped you some and please don't hesitate to reply if you have more questions. It's been quite some time since I had my surgery, and I am sure things are way different now, but I will try my best to answer your questions.
Lisa B.
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1 ReactionI had bilateral mastectomies, but my Dr. preferred I heal first before implanting anything. Her opinion was not to stress the body with a foreign material right away. After a year, I decided not to have reconstruction but rather use bras holding prostheses. I’ve never regretted that decision.
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2 Reactions@basslakebabe19
I had partial mastectomies, but am quite flat now going from DDD down to about an A cup so I tell everyone my grades are getting better! I can only tell you the freedom I feel as I don't find the need to wear a bra and when I do, it's now a compression camisole. I found one at WearEase through my physical therapist. So silky feeling that I told her I actually feel like a real woman again.
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4 ReactionsI do like your humorous "improving grades" outlook, which no doubt helps your overall outlook, Trixie!
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2 ReactionsFancy artwork too - Around breast?
I'm facing 1 mastectomy between the 20th and 27 of March. I've had Stem Cells and PRP for joints. Felt Rejuvenated after 2 weeks.
After I fractured hip (from v-ball and schloving dirt under tree) My recovery: Every med person, PT, Nurses etc. was amazed at my progress. Up and down a flight of stairs after a couple of day!
Was it the Stem Cells that made me Bionic or ?
What do you think about my getting either / Stem Cells and /or PRP at or b4 time of surgery?
I will be having these surgeries in the near future (hopefully the corona virus will not delay it) and wonder how long ladies had their drains in and if there was anything...diet, exercise, ?....that would positively affect the timeline of that and healing.