Diep Recon or stay flat

Hi 

I’m hoping there’s someone on here that can help please. I’m confused… I’m happy living flat, wearing my fillets, occasionally for shape etc. I’m 2 years post double masectomy, chemo, radio etc still having Zolodex/zometa. It’s been suggested I can have a DIEP reconstruction. Has any anyone on here had one and how was it? Results, recovery, scars etc Please. Happy for positive and negative outcomes.

Thank you Maria x

Hi Maria,

I don’t often come on this forum nowadays, but I just felt the urge to have a look, and came across your post!

I had a single mastectomy in October 2018, and had a diep reconstruction in July 2020. I am absolutely delighted with the result. 

I have to say, it was very painful on my abdomen for the first few days. But I recovered quite quickly and it was lovely to have a cleavage again, and a very flat stomach!

I had some lipofilling, in July 2021, where they took fat from my hips and injected above the reconstruction to match it better to my natural breast. I am having the nipple reconstruction, with skin taken from one end of my abdominal scar, under local anaesthetic , in a week’s time.

It is lovely to be rid of my prosthesis. My clothes fit nicely and I feel more confident.

It is not perfect, and the scars are still present, though fading. My stomach still feels tight, though not uncomfortable. I imagine it feels like it would if I did lots of abdominal exercises every day!

I have no weakness in my arm, which apparently can be a problem if the flap is taken from your back.

So, in summary, it has been a positive experience for me, and I have no regrets in having the operation.

I wish you luck, whatever you decide.

Love Jane xx