I have had neoadjuvant chemo, a bilateral mastectomy with expanders and radiotherapy which finished at the end of December.
I can’t wait to have my DIEP surgery, as don’t feel I can “move on” with such a massive op looming on the horizon, but have had different advice from all of my consultants. My oncologist says I’m high risk of a recurrence and should wait for 5 years. My surgeon says I should wait for 2 years after radiotherapy. I met with my plastic surgeon today who says 6 months after radiotherapy is enough and that I could have it done this summer. Agh! Decisions…
My main concern is if I got a local recurrence. Those of you who have had a DIEP - how do they monitor you? Do you have scans? And did any of you who had delayed surgery have the DIEP as soon as 6 months after rads?
Hiya, not sure how much I can help as a bit confused. Ive just had a double tummy recon. Was due double diep but ended up with one tram and one diep as veins wasnt as good. My rads side hasnt turned out the same as the other side but if you have had rads both side you may get the same result giving you an even finish, I am still different sizes but still so happy after having it done, 10 weeks ago now.
Im not sure what you mean about local reoccurrance as if you have had masectomy surely the chance of it reoccuring is tiny? Or have i got the wrong end of the stick? I was told at my original diagnosis that my prognosis wasnt good, so surely your odds must improve with masectomies?
Hope someone else can help you more than my garbled message xxx
Thanks for replying. Glad you are happy with your results.
I’ve only had rads on one side. I thought having a mastectomy and rads would set me up for reducing my risk of reccurence - which I’m sure it has - but my onc said I’m still at high risk of a reccurence. I tried to push him on it but all he would say is less than 50:50. Which still seems pretty high…
Well good luck and hope you get some answers. I would just say that I need further ops but more than happy and had a few ops along the line and its now 4 years on and wish I had done it sooner xxx