Hi all. I’m 40 years old and had a mastectomy 9 months ago and recovered well. I’m now looking at having reconstruction and my mind is boggling. Having children I feel the Diep surgery is a bit scary due to recovery etc. My other choice is implant only using expander process and the operation using back muscle plus Implant. My natural boob is DD so think using the back muscle maybe the best option. I’m usually quite active so wonder how much of my shoulder and back will be affected afterwards. Keep switching to implant only and back muscle and now in a pickle. Is anyone able to share their experiences with recovery experience for any of my 3 options. Xx
Hi Amanda,
Sorry, I can’t give you any advice on recovery as I have not quite got there yet but I can totally understand your dilemma so didn’t want to read and run. Your post could have been written by me. Except for children, read elderly Mum for whom I am a carer and she needs lifting from time to time. I too play racquet sports, ski and cycle.
I am also a D/DD and my consultant confirmed that I would never achieve symmetry with just one implant so I quickly ruled that one out. I have a tissue expander/temporary implant in at present preserving my skin sparing mastectomy and he is so, so right! I have plumped for a DIEP because when I looked up the recovery times for both that and LD recon (back muscle), the advice appeared to say the same for both - 6 to 12 weeks. For me, having a DIEP had the advantage of not needing an implant with the LD recon and also removed the possibility that I would be left with some back/shoulder weakness. I also wanted a ‘once’ only option which would adapt to any weight change - I didn’t want to go through the hassle of needing implants replaced further down the line as they reached the end of their useful life.
I am sure somebody will be along soon to actually provide you with some feedback on their recovery. Best wishes for your decision making.
Ezzie. X
Thanks Eddie for sharing your experience and I’m sorry your going through this too. I must admit as much as the Diep option scares me the benefits out weigh the others at the mo. I just can’t find any positive feedback on other options which is a worry. Xxx
Hi Amanda
I’ve just DIEP surgery where my tummy area tissue was used for the reconstruction.I had a couple of drains after surgery (the last one is being removed today by the Outreach nurse(16 days after surgery). I am a 48C and am pleased with the outcome…am still on painkillers but it could be because I’m not very active and haven’t been keeping up with my excersises!
I have a scar from one end to the other end of my tummy but this doesn’t bother me as I usually wear a one piece swimsuit on holiday etc.Good luck with whatever you choose to go with.
Thank you for sharing your experience. With me xx how has the pain been. Are you now able to stand upright and how long were you in hospital. Sorry for the 20 questions. I don’t think I’m worried about the scar so much as it would get rid of my wobbly belly and wouldn’t wear anything low but scared of the pain and recovery.
Hi i’m new to the forum, I was diagnosed last Aug with BC, had a mastectomy within a week and was lucky not to have any chemo as they got it all in the surgery. I had reconstruction with Diep flap in June this year, I was on the waiting list and because I was drug free I was offered a slot with 3 days notice, 8 hours in theatre, afterwards I had to have leech therapy whilst in the hospital and after 8 days was allowed home, I was attending the dressing clinic twice a week and then had the wound debrided at the clinic, I was then supposed to have vacuum dressings at my plastic surgeons request but the district nurse decided in her wisdom I didn’t need it and came and changed my dressings, After 2 days I had to return to the hospital as an emergency as my wounds wouldn’t stop leaking, I was admitted and placed on a vacuum dressing on both breast and tummy, after 8 days on antibiotics for an infection I was back in theatre for debriding and placed on vacuum, then allowed home with portable vacuum and back twice a week for dressings change, after 2 weeks I was an expert and could change my dressing myself so only once a week to clinic. I’m all healed now except for a small hole in my cleavage, Tomorrow I am being admitted for surgery to lift and reduce my own breast to match my new one, and fix the hole hopefully.
I am the exception and was just unlucky with the problems I had, My surgeon was wonderful and I am grateful for all that he has done. Painful and emotional but worth it I think, would I do it again if I needed to…Yes but if you asked me this in the first four weeks after surgery the answer would be no. It’s like childbirth once your home with your baby the memories of the labour fade away.
Hi Amanda, it really is confusing having to choose isn’t it?
I had mastectomy with immediate implant in September 2014 followed by chemo and rads. Lots of implant problems- 6 ops in total.
As Ezzie says you will struggle to get symmetry with implant as a DD, also the ‘once and for all’ option really is DIEP.
Unhappy with my implant I had a DIEP at the end of August, 5 weeks ago last Tuesday. I’m 48, 2 kids, active so was worried about recovery but it’s not as bad as you think. The worst thing is not being able to drive - my kids are at out of catchment schools so rely on mum’s taxi!
I’ve just put a detailed reply in “DIEP when thin”, can’t find how to copy it so take a look!
Good luck with your decision.
Hi roadrunner, I also have a long term back problem which is why I didn’t want the LD flap. The DIEP does not use any tummy muscle - just fat and skin. The bent over position is only for a few days to a week, by the time I got home I was standing pretty normally. Whilst in hospital I found that the pain relief they gave stopped any back pain.