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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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Hello,
I had the same experience with infection. I also had chemo and radiation. Actually the diep flap procedure was more comfortable than the bilateral mastectomy and traditional reconstruction with expanders. It was also my only option after radiation. I feel much better about myself afterward
@lharris79
Have you posted what you chose? I had never done a mammogram before the one at 60 years old finding my lump. I had 2 more. Now, never again. Only ultrasounds. I speak with the tech who does them and she feels good about seeing all. I had a Bone marrow transplant 2 years after breast cancer, so i have had 4 CT scans and 2 Mri's with that process.
@katgob I ended up not caring for the first assigned plastic surgeon and was able to switch to Dr. Rhee. He is amazing. I had a lumpectomy with reduction on both sides and the lymph node biopsy on the 9th of this month. The next surgery is 4/20 and I’ll have a double mastectomy with DIEP reconstruction. This was the only way to keep my nipples. My original breasts were too large for the tissue transfer so the reduction was a must. They look fantastic and recover is going well.
@lharris79
I am glad you get to keep your nipples, and everything has gone well. I just remember my plastics dr said they could recreate some and I said no. I can get tattoos if i want. He also said he can try to keep some feeling in one or both breasts but again i said no. Early January 2023 my final surgery, so there is pink scary straight across. Keeping the nipples will be different. I had no idea and did not freak myself out before on "what ifs" as my Dr. is highly skilled as was my surgeon and i knew the work they would do would be just right. For a brief moment after knowing i was having a skin saving mastectomy, I thought i could finally have the big boobs i always wanted. I realized at nearly 63, it wastoo late. I am the same size i always was.
I am glad you found the right plastics dr for you. Trust in him is right. At COH the oncologists and my surgeon appreciate the work he does to make women feel goodabout their bodies.
@lharris79
Hi, I had breast cancer 9 years ago and had a mastectomy and reconstruction at the Mayo in Phx. They were amazing. I got HER2+ breast cancer this year and went back to them. I was able to get the same team and after chemo, proton therapy radiation, and mastectomy (on the other side), I will have the DIEP surgery in late April. I cannot recommend the Mayo enough, through this journey (and the previous one) everyone there has been phenomenal. I ended up hospitalized twice during treatment and everyone was great. As scary as this journey is your care there shouldn't be a worry.
Good luck,
Tammie
@tamrus also having DIEP in April. Maybe I’ll see you around. The first surgery on Friday was super successful! I’m officially cancer free!
Good luck to you!
I had DIEP flap surgery this past June. It ended up being a 16 hour surgery because they had to do a skin graft on my leg to get a long enough vein. For me, the pain was almost unbearable. My back really really really hurt because the surgical site was so tight. If I had to do it all over again, I would not do it; I would just go flat. Everyone has different experiences and pain thresholds, so you might have a different experience. I am scheduled for revision surgery this May.