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Please share your experience with the Diep Flap Procedure

Posted by jenni17 @jenni17, Sep 9, 2018

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.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group.

mari | @mari | Apr 19, 2021
In reply to @lisalucier "Hi, @sandyjr - I wanted to let you know I moved your post here to an..." + (show)
@lisalucier

Hi, @sandyjr - I wanted to let you know I moved your post here to an existing Mayo Clinic Connect discussion on the DIEP flap procedure. Hoping that you can meet others in this discussion like @tana @meliss @jenni17 and that they can let you know if they have had this reconstruction surgery after tubal ligation. If they had had a previous tubal ligation, they may have additional information on whether they were denied this type of reconstruction or if extra precaution was taken for the surgery. I'd also like for you to meet @bomashisha @chamisa and @jlms, who also may have some input.

Where are things at currently for you with a DIEP flap breast reconstruction? What has your doctor said about going ahead with this surgery?

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I had tubal 35 years ago. And diep flap last year. And fat for stem cells taken from belly also. I think u need a new doctor.

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nldawn | @nldawn | Apr 25, 2021

I have had a diep reconstruction for a single mastectomy in 2009. Have always been happy with results. And the naturalness of buying and wearing all types of clothing. Except...the reconstructed breast was bigger than my own. So they put in an inplant to balance me out. I wish now I didn’t have the inplant in me. But I feel the reconstruction was a huge positive.

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btaylor1212 | @btaylor1212 | Jul 1, 2022
In reply to @catann "Thank you so much for your reply. I am in Arizona. While I have a good..." + (show)
@catann

Thank you so much for your reply. I am in Arizona. While I have a good plastic surgeon, I think for this type of surgery it is best to find the surgeon with the most experience and who does this type of surgery all the time. I am willing to go out of state if necessary. I may stick with the surgeon I have because I think he is one of the best in Arizona. Where did you go for your surgery?

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Who were your surgeons? do you have photos before/after? Thank you!

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btaylor1212 | @btaylor1212 | Jul 1, 2022
In reply to @sandyjr "I had bilateral mastectomy with diep flap reconstruction in July 2020. I had it all done..." + (show)
@sandyjr

I had bilateral mastectomy with diep flap reconstruction in July 2020. I had it all done in one big (10 hour) surgery. The only negative thing with the surgery is that I had a ferocious headache for a couple of days after. I believe it was from the anesthesia. I did not expect that at all as I have had a few surgeries and never had this problem. Needless to say it really affected my hospital stay. After the headache went away, everything was easy....Friday was surgery all day and I went home on Monday afternoon. I had no pain at all. Things felt different and strange, but no pain. Are you aware that you need some pudge going on to have that surgery using stomach tissue? Otherwise it can be taken from the fanny or back I think. I had four drains...one for each breast and one on each side of the stomach area. That was not a big deal, but kind of an annoyance. I had two wonderful plastic surgeons. Where are you located? I have no regrets about having the surgery whatsoever. It is a process though. It is not a one surgery deal. There are steps and I still am not totally done, but real happy.

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@sandyjr who were your surgeons? do you have any before /after photo's you'd be willing to share?

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1 reply
sandyjr | @sandyjr | Jul 1, 2022
In reply to @btaylor1212 "@sandyjr who were your surgeons? do you have any before /after photo's you'd be willing to..." + (show)
@btaylor1212

@sandyjr who were your surgeons? do you have any before /after photo's you'd be willing to share?

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My doctor is Zuhaib Ibrahim and he works for the Plastic Surgery Center in NJ. You can look him up on the computer. He was totally honest and had said that he does not take on a job unless he knows he will be successful. I only have a couple photos and those I would rather not share. I think if you get his info, you can see photos of his work. He is both a terrific person and a terrific doctor. He travels all over the place. Are you located locally?

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btaylor1212 | @btaylor1212 | Jul 1, 2022
In reply to @catann "I had a bilateral mastectomy last September. At that time, I was planning to have implants..." + (show)
@catann

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!

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No, I live in Panama City Florida!

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mari | @mari | Nov 25, 2022

HAD IT, I look great!
Not easy but, results Great.

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elliejk | @elliejk | Mar 15, 2023

Planning DMX and DIEP

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1 reply
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Mar 17, 2023
In reply to @elliejk "Planning DMX and DIEP" + (show)
@elliejk

Planning DMX and DIEP

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Hi @elliejk, I moved your post to this existing discussion:
- Please share your experiences with the Diep Flap Procedure https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/diep-flap-procedure/

I did this so you can read previous posts and easily connect with other members who have had the DIEP flap.

You may also be interested in these related discussions:
- Types of breast reconstruction: How to choose? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/i-had-a-mastectomy-some-years-ago-and-then-an-implant-which/
– Videos about Breast Cancer Surgery from Mayo Experts https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/videos-about-breast-cancer-surgery-from-mayo-experts/

When will you be having surgery?

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sharonemma | @sharonemma | Jan 11 6:07am

I also had DIEP Flap surgery in December 2023. It is worth it but it will knock you down energy wise and stamina wise. My surgery was 13 hours. I had double. Both were successful. It looks great. I have no regrets there. But you have to basically do nothing for 4 weeks. No laundry, cooking, cleaning, no repetitive motions with your arms. It’s 8 weeks before you can put your arms above your shoulders. 5 lb weight restriction in the beginning (4 weeks) work up to 10 lb after, It took almost three weeks to stand up straight also. You’ll need a lot of help with basics. Garbage, meals, laundry etc. you have to take it very easy as if you over do it, the flap could fail or you can cause fluid buildup which has to be drained if its too much pressure.

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