I’m going to see my surgeon tomorrow to discuss mx and reconstruction. If anyone has had a DIEP reconstruction could you tell me
How was it?
How long were you in hospital?
How long was the recovery period?
What are the overall results like?
Many thanks
Debs
x
Hi Buzzy
Am 5 and a half weeks post bilateral Mx and DIEP recon.
1 week in hosp
Still recovering but improving on a daily basis.
Plastic surgoen reckons 12 wks till I’m back at work -I’m an osteopath so I think this is realistic. If I had sedentary job I would have gone back already, probably part time for a couple of weeks.
Overall results are FABULOUS!!! I have 2 wonderful boobies that look and feel like the real thing.
Biggest thing to get over is the anaesthetic. Am still getting tired because of it eg yesterday I walked the dog for half hour, drove 15 miles to hospital appointment and back, stopped at M&S and bought some clothes, 1hr. Walked 20 mins. Cooked supper. Knackered by 8pm.
Still healing, had small infection and a bit of necrosis but nothing to worry about.
The worst bit was the anticipation. Thought I’d be in lot of pain, but amazed at success of paracetamol and ibuprofen.
Can’t speak highly enough about it. Fab surgeon. Good experience, nothing negative to say about it!!!
Good luck,
Nicky x
Thanks Nicky. Great to hear everything went so well.
I saw my surgeon today and we have decided not to go for immediate recon but to have the tissue expander first because I need another lot of chemo and some radiotherapy and they don’t want to delay it. Sometimes radiotherapy can cause shrinkage to recon as well. So I have a few months to think about what kind of reconstruction to have. I’m leaning more towards DIEP and its nice to hear that its not as painful or debilitating as I thought it would be and that the results are good.
Hope you continue to recover quickly
Debs
x
Hi Debs,
I had mx and immediate diep recon in oct 09. 8 days in hospital - including 1 day pre-op. Have a chronic back problem which was why I was in that length of time - normally 5 days, was off for 10 weeks and returned to work on a phased return. I am a nurse so was careful with clinical work but it went quite well. Must admit I have had more problems with reduction op then I had with the diep. Lovely looking recon and flat tum to boot!!! Would I do it again - definately YES!
Hope this helps,
Maggie xx
Hi Debs,
I had a mx and immediate DIEP reconstruction on March 17th. I was in hospital for six days. The op lasted eight hours. The first two days on the ward, I mainly drifted in and out of sleep. The pain was well controlled and I had a catheter and three drips - one in the breast and two in the groin. I got out of bed on the fourth day feeling very woozey, but by the evening I was able to walk to the loo (very gingerly!). The next day I was walking down the corridor and the next day I came home.
Now twelve days on I am feeling amazingly well. Tummy and breast are still quite sore, but I am managing without painkillers all day. I do get tired and don’t do a lot each day at the moment, just pottering around the house and garden. My tummy is still quite swollen and I can’t get normal clothes on yet, but that is quite normal.
I am so pleased with the reconstruction, even though I don’t have a nipple yet. I didn’t have enough tissue to be able to make the reconstruction the same size as the original so I will probably have a reduction on the other side later.
Would I do it again? If you had asked me during the first few days I would probably have said ‘no’, but now I wouldn’t hesitate. It’s a bit like childbirth and you soon forget. It was worth it to me not to have that empty space where my breast had been. And you get a free tummy tuck!
Good luck to anyone who has to make this decision. Hope this helps.
Jane XX
Hi Debs
I had a mastectomy and DIEP reconstruction 7 days ago on my left breast. I got out of hospital yesterday. The first day after the op was the worst for me, not being able to get out of bed because of all the drains/drips/catheter etc. It was the small things that got to me - the TED surgical stockings and flotron (?) boots that made my legs itch, being so hot and sweaty and not being able to have a shower!! Silly wee things like that.
I’m getting on fine now at home, although I have my sister living with me to help as i have a 5 year old daughter and wont be able to drive for a few weeks yet.
Haven’t felt too tired but am not pushing myself too much at the moment.
The reconstructed breast is still swollen and bruised but my initial reaction is that it looks great! I also have a lovely flat tummy!
As soon as I have recovered from this i will start my chemo 
Good luck with your surgery, i hope all goes well for you, Lynne