Please share your experience with the Diep Flap Procedure

I am in NJ. I really feel like God led me to this man. He is excellent at what does as well as taking his time and answering all my questions. He told me exactly what he would do and was totally honest with me. He told me from the get go that he did not think he could make symmetrical but he has come darned close. I saw him at a lecture and he stated he does not take on a job unless he knows he will be successful. Best of all, he is kind. He gave me hope. Do you know about the place in New Orleans that is totally dedicated to breast cancer/reconstruction. I don’t know the name off hand, but it is on the internet. Please keep me posted.

I had a bilateral mastectomy last September. At that time, I was planning to have implants inserted after I healed. But then I developed an infection in one breast, and my tissue expanders had to be removed. Unfortunately, the infection destroyed some of the fat tissue, and so some of my breast skin is now very thin. As a result, it is not clear if implants would work well.
Given all this, I am now looking into flap surgery using my own tissue to reconstruct my breasts. I am very interested in connecting with women who have been through this procedure. I am also wondering if anyone knows about the best centers/surgeons to get this surgery done. Thank you!

I had a bilateral mastectomy last September. At that time, I was planning to have implants inserted after I healed. But then I developed an infection in one breast, and my tissue expanders had to be removed. Unfortunately, the infection destroyed some of the fat tissue, and so some of my breast skin is now very thin. As a result, it is not clear if implants would work well.
Given all this, I am now looking into flap surgery using my own tissue to reconstruct my breasts. I am very interested in connecting with women who have been through this procedure. I am also wondering if anyone knows about the best centers/surgeons to get this surgery done. Thank you!

Just a little background. First cancer right breast 2007. Second cancer left breast 2018. Lumpectomy and radiation both times...tamoxifen the first time, anastrozole the second. Tested positive for genetic mutation. The genetic test results came back 9/2019. I immediately started looking for a surgeon and plastic surgeon. That was a nightmare. I found a surgeon who came with good reviews that was crude and obnoxious. I told her that I wanted nipple sparing mastectomy with diep flap. She said no to both. She had a setup with a plastic surgeon and she said I had to have implants because of my age...69 at the time. She kept saying “another nipple in the bucket” referring to the mastectomy. She was obnoxious the whole appointment. I was at my wits end as to how to go about getting this done. Then there was a lecture by a plastic surgeon. He was all business. He brought pictures and went into detail about how he did the surgeries. I made an appointment with him and I felt like I was home free! At our first appointment I told him I was at the lecture and I told him about the other surgeon and he asked me what I wanted done and I told him bilateral nipple sparing mastectomy with diep flap. He said he could not do the nipple sparing surgery as I had had radiation and my tissue was damaged. He asked to see my belly and told me he could do the diep. He had his associate come in...the diep usually takes two microsurgeons and not all plastic surgeons are microsurgeons (be sure to check that out when you do your research) and he took a look and they said yes. Then I had to find a surgeon for the mastectomies and he gave me a name. It just happened to be the partner of the obnoxious surgeon. I was not wholly impressed with her, but realized that the bigger surgery and the most important and involved was the diep. I went with her and everything was set up for April 17, 2020 and then covid shut everything down. I had the surgery in July and everything was like clockwork. He was totally honest and everything happened just as he said. During my last surgery I did not want anesthesia and he was ok with that, so we talked the whole time he was working I just could not see what he was doing. I asked him how many of these surgeries he does and he said about 200/year. I am not sure if that is the diep or all of his breast surgeries. He also does other plastic surgery and does microsurgery if you have lymphedema which is a worry for a person that has had breast cancer. My advice to you is to focus on the plastic surgeon and he/she will probably refer you to a surgeon that he/she works with. The plastic surgeon is the most important. Just understand that this takes quite a while. The doctor will want you to be totally healed before proceeding with the next stages of the process. I had told him before the surgery that he was the doctor totally in charge of my surgery and he was and when I saw him before the first and second surgeries I just knew that everything was going to be ok and it was. The third surgery, as I said I was awake and we talked through the whole thing. At no time was I afraid of any of it with him in charge. First surgery mastectomies/diep flap. Second surgery was revision of the work done in the first surgery and removing scar tissue. Third surgery was forming the nipples. You will have some feeling in your breasts but not much in the nipple area as that is transplanted skin.

Has anyone had died flap breast reconstruction surgery after previous (many years ago) tubal ligation? Was anyone denied this type of reconstruction? Was any extra precaution taken for the surgery? Any information would be appreciated.

Following.....I am in similar situation, just had a pre DIEP CT scan.

Hi sandyjr. I'm 69, booked in for DIEP (left and right) early this May 2021. I had tubal ligation (clips) at the age of 42. I'd like to know any answers to your question of "extra precaution" for surgery. I would not have thought of asking that question, ever! Thanks in advance.

Hi Pamela, welcome to the Breast Cancer group. How did your pre DIEP CT scan go? When is your surgery?

CT Scan with contrast was surprising quick and painless.....I see my PS in 2 weeks and hoping he gives me good news that her will proceed with a Bilateral