Just got my date!!! 30th Oct so really pleased but also nervous about the long op. I saw the surgeon a couple of weeks ago and he asked me if I had any questions and I felt like a silly schoolgirl and dried up completely!!!
I’ve learnt a lot through on this site but have some burning questions:
Does the surgeon stop for a break during such a long op and go for his lunch leaving everything opened up??
What happems to your (my) midriff bulge - does it pull down like a window blind or will I have a flat tummy with muffin top?
When is it comfortable to have sex in the traditional style (Q from my OH)? Or any style for that matter!
Hi
I had a DIEP flap in July and am absolutely thrilled with the results so don’t worry!
To answer your questions:
There is a whole team of people in the theatre so when breaks are taken, you are not left alone
It pulls down like a blind-it will be very flat and tight but if you have excess flesh elsewhere that remains
We had sex in traditional style a week after my op (!!) though my OH was very gentle and careful not to rest
his weight on me
If you have any other questions don’t hestitate to ask. I now have the boobs I had when I was 20 (they lifted the other at the same time) and a lovely flat tummy for the 1st time in my life!!
Hi, I had diep and one new boob, which now matches the other, after lipo, had a new nipple and you can honestly not tell the difference unless you study it, also fantastic tummy. Sex no problem, biggest problem was in my head.
I actually asked my consultant about his lunch break because this also worried me, everyone thought it was a funny question and he answered - ‘I was not to worry as he had 3 shredded wheat for breakfast’. I had a team of 12 round me and a 8 hour op and they all managed getting food and nature calls (I think). Good luck, will be thinking of you.
OK girls, let me explain just in case you’re all thinking I’m some sort of crazed flasher!
I will admit that both 1966ruby (and her partner!) and Sparkler have seen my new boobs-but only in order to show them how great the DIEP flap is! Honestly!
Hope you’re still encouraged Winnieslam! Where are you having your surgery?
Not taking away from this thread Winnieslam - I just hope when I get round to having my recon it ends up looking as good as Gills - it really is amazing. I am sure I will show mine off too if it looks as good.
Will it be a case of - if I show you mine, will you show me yours?!
The answers to my questions are all very encouraging especially about the window blind bit! Don’t think I’ll mention number 3 to hubby for a while though!
Going to Whiston to Mr Ken Graham - I think others on this site have been to him - he’s just about the only one doing DIEP in the northwest - unless anyone knows different.
You think your question is daft, it made me laugh as its the type of thing I think it but never ask. So now I am going to be brave and ask a even dafter question;
Here goes, …Note to readers. Please do not underestimate my intelligence, I do have a brain really, I just cant work this one out:
If you have a diep and they transfer the skin from your stomach to your new breast, what happens if you have stretch marks on your stomach, will you then have them on your new breast.
I am so pleased that you asked such a question because I want to know this and more. Years ago I had a caesarean and the scar stretches from my navel downwards. What happens in this case? Can a diep still be done?
I wonder whether our helpline or the Ask the Nurse email service may be of help to you. The staff on the helpline will be able to talk to you about your queries and offer you support and information. Lines are open from 9am today until 5pm weekdays and 9am - 2pm on Saturdays, calls are free on 0808 800 6000.
Hi Girls
I just love these ‘silly’ questions-which aren’t at all silly!
I was told that any blemishes on the skin, ie stretch marks, scars, moles etc will simply be transferred to the breast so lets hope none of you have a hairy tummy! I too had caesarean scars -though very low down-and they are still in their original position.
What made me laugh was when my surgeon told me that if I put on or lose weight then so will my new boob!!! It will always be tummy fat and will never convince itself it is a breast so we will have to watch the weight!!
They scan your tummy prior to the op to find where the biggest blood vessels are then use that part of the skin/tissue for the boob-so how much of the tummy they use depends on how big your boobs are!
I’m still thrilled that I had a DIEP flap.
Any more silly questions? Fire away!
Don’t panic Margaret! They wouldn’t just remove half your tummy and leave the other half just hanging there!! Go and discuss it with the Plastic Surgeon-they can probably do miraculous things like cut the scar bit off??
Remember how much the skin stretches! It’s definitely worth having done for the tummy tuck alone!
I still feel odd about having no nipple on the new boob-I get some very strange looks when changing at the gym-am just waiting for someone to ask where my nipple is-I could start a mass panic like when someone loses a contact lense-‘Oh my goodness! Everyone stand still-don’t move I’ve lost my nipple’!!! LOL!
One of male teachers offered me his tummy fat as the surgeon wasn’t too sure whether I had enough to make a DD-he lifted his shirt to reveal a very hairy tummy!!! Imagine that!!
I had skin-sparing mastectomy and immediate DIEP in March. The nipple was removed and this circle, a bit wider than the areola, was replaced with skin from my tummy. It is paler than the breast skin, and has a tiny speck of a faint mole, which still surprises me on the very infrequent occasions that I catch sight of it in a mirror.
I wanted to look ‘normal’ in clothes, and it does. For that reason it was worth it.
Having put on 2 stone, my tummy below the navel is flat when looked at sideways-on. The weight has just added to the michelin-tyre above my waist, which was there before the op and far worse now.
The doctor who went through my pre-op examination assured me the whole team, not just the breast surgeon, plastic surgeon and anaesthetist, have an early night before immediate DIEP ops. He said, “Mr … (the plastic surgeon) does not watch the clock during this surgery”.
I am long separated though my ex is my best friend. My last physical relationship ended a year before I was dx and it would not have survived this trauma. I cannot imagine having or wanting sex again, nor stripping off in front of anyone outside hospital. The outline in clothes is overweight but reasonably the right shape - I can wear a scoop-neck top without anyone guessing what had been done. But what I see in the mirror repulses me and nobody else is going to get a look. I am in complete admiration of the ladies able to go forward with this, well done, you’re an inspiration.
I had a DIEP in July. I can honestly say, it’s the best thing I ever did. The results are fantastic and more importantly, I feel like a woman again. It did wonders for my self esteem and confidence, both of which virtually disappeared after having a mastectomy.
It is quite a long recovery after the op, but it’s well worth it for the fantastic results. Anybody thinking about having this done, I would highly recommend it. Not only do you have two boobs again, but you also get a free tummy tuck!! Fantastic!!
