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Just diagnosed with ILC, looking for reconstr input, implants vs diep.

Posted by gle33 @gle33, 3 days ago

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.

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

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Miriam, Volunteer Mentor | @mir123 | 2 days ago

I certainly understand how you'd like more information. Put DIEP into the search engine in the Breast Cancer group and see if some useful information pops up. I'll keep an eye out here as well, and if you don't get responses will see what I can do. I don't have first hand knowledge, or I'd share it.

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wews | @wews | 2 days ago

I was diagnosed with ILC last February and felt the same way. I also opted and had a bilateral mastectomy to avoid the cancer from coming back. I was also stage 1A grade 2. Following biopsy of the sentinal node after the mastectomies I had clear lymph nodes. I opted for gel implants because recovery from flap surgery was so much longer. I am also 70 and felt this gold standard approach was right for me. Expanders were inserted above the muscle wall immediately after the mastectomies were performed that day. Two months later the implants surgery was done and both surgeries were pain free. My plastic surgeon used fat grafting from my body to soften the implants.

There is a great book you can find it on Amazon that really helped me make my decisions.

Breast Cancer Treatment Handbook: Understanding the Disease, Treatments, Emotions and Recovery from Breast Cancer
Book by Judy C. Kneece

I would highly recommend getting it to answer questions and guide your decisions.

Hope this helps.

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gle33 | @gle33 | 9 hours ago
In reply to @wews "I was diagnosed with ILC last February and felt the same way. I also opted and..." + (show)
Profile picture for wews @wews

I was diagnosed with ILC last February and felt the same way. I also opted and had a bilateral mastectomy to avoid the cancer from coming back. I was also stage 1A grade 2. Following biopsy of the sentinal node after the mastectomies I had clear lymph nodes. I opted for gel implants because recovery from flap surgery was so much longer. I am also 70 and felt this gold standard approach was right for me. Expanders were inserted above the muscle wall immediately after the mastectomies were performed that day. Two months later the implants surgery was done and both surgeries were pain free. My plastic surgeon used fat grafting from my body to soften the implants.

There is a great book you can find it on Amazon that really helped me make my decisions.

Breast Cancer Treatment Handbook: Understanding the Disease, Treatments, Emotions and Recovery from Breast Cancer
Book by Judy C. Kneece

I would highly recommend getting it to answer questions and guide your decisions.

Hope this helps.

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@wews
Thank you so much for sharing. It's alot to process, but hearing from others with a similar diagnosis has been comforting. It sounds like you were very pleased with your decision and are in a good place. I will definitely check out the book - thank you again!

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