Reconstruction implants or diep flap

Posted by zeerj @zeerj, Nov 24, 2022

I had mastectomy on 9/27/2022 with nipple sparring and expanders. I’m currently going thru radiation and will do reconstruction after skin is healed. I don’t care much about implants and more inclined for flap.
After mastectomy, I had anxiety on whether I should have opted for no nipple and skin sparring and how much that would impact recurrence. I was assured it wouldn’t make a difference but learned there are some breast tissues left as they can’t remove everything. Since I’m yet to do reconstruction, part of me wants to remove the nipple/skin and do diep flap.
I would appreciate to hear from those that have done implants or diep flap. Also thoughts on removing the original nipple and skin? Not sure if I’m being too paranoid about the nipple sparring.
I had her2 positive stage 2, did 6 treatments of herceptin and perjeta. Mastectomy, had 7 positive lymphnodes, currently doing 15 sessions of radiation and going thru 14 treatments of kadcyla.

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

I just had aesthetic flat surgery on my left breast. Please look into it.

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@zeerj, here are some related discussions that may interest you:
- Please share your experiences with the Diep Flap Procedure https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/diep-flap-procedure/
- 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/

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had diep flap, only my fat put into breast. NO IMPLANT FOR ME!

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Hello,
I will be having a mastectomy on the left in early Jan and have not yet decided which type reconstruction yet. I am on a wait list to consult on the DIEP and have some time to decide. Would anyone like to share their experiences with the implant and DIEP procedures? Pros/cons, questions to ask, as well as what recovery was like.

Thank you.

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@mkefighter

Hello,
I will be having a mastectomy on the left in early Jan and have not yet decided which type reconstruction yet. I am on a wait list to consult on the DIEP and have some time to decide. Would anyone like to share their experiences with the implant and DIEP procedures? Pros/cons, questions to ask, as well as what recovery was like.

Thank you.

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