Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi .Its tough for you to decide.after 2 failed lumpectomies no clear margins ,I was told mastectomy was the only option.I'd already researched about reconstructions and diep is what I had.these are reasons why implants and ld flap were a no no for me . 1----- diep looks the most natural and feels just like the other breast. 2------- it will age with the other breast ,when I loose weight it will loose weight also ,when I put weight on it will put weight on,it rises and falls exactly same as other one.implant don't give this effect as the implanted breast will always be slightly higher and doesn't move.ok it's long surgery but you don't know because you are asleep.I have a family and I went back to work after 13 weeks.I could of gone back after 8 but I get full pay while on sick so why not.don't think about surgery times or recovery times you have to think about the rest of your life and what is best for you and your body not what's best for your family and quick fixes ,it's your body.and it's how you want to look and how you feel afterwards.4------ one of the great things is I have no c- section scars anymore and no stretch marks as they have all gone along with my post baggy baby belly hooorahh .my scar is very low yes it's hip to hip but bikini knickers cover the scar.,and my stomach is completely flat ,so diep is like a tummy tuck thrown in.I'm just waiting for a nipple reconstruction and then I will look as near as before diagnosis. I wish you luck in which recon you choose. diep was for me the best decision I've made .but we are all different .just thought I'd share my story ... View more

Hi password I've tried to private message you with name of surgeon and answering your questions but it's saying you don't have enabled for private messages.do you have an email or can you enable so you can receive private messages thanks ... View more

Hi.yes I'm loving my diep as well.I had it last September at wythenshawe by a fantastic female young surgeon.my scar is just above the pubic area hip to hip but bikini knickers hide the scar.my hysterectomy and c section scar have gone as they pull the skin from the tummy downwards.as they have to re site the belly button.you cant even see any scar around the belly button.I'm waiting for uplift to remaining breast and nipple transfer.us ladies have been to he'll and back but as I see it after this next op will look as near to as I was before diagnosis.don't feel guilty if you want to look as near to as you was before diagnosis it does our confidence a world of good ... View more

Hi .I had a fabulous female surgeon at wythenshawe .ladies are refered to wythenshawe to her and her colleague from all over England .when I had my diep a lady from wales was having a diep as well.I will send you her name . ... View more

Hi .I'm on the list at wythenshawe to have uplift on remaining boob and nipple transfer.also the new boob is slightly bigger so they reduce it with syringe same as liposuction.you usually have to wait 6 months as new boob needs to settle and swelling go down .also ladies who have big nipples can have some cut off remaining breast so that's much better to have 2 real nipples instead of making a nipple out of skin .Amanda x ... View more

Hi I had diep after 2 failed lumpectomies as they didn't get clear margin.I chose reconstruction at the same time as mx as I wanted it over and done with all at the same time.and my mind of going down with 2 and coming back with 2 was positive for me.I only ever wanted diep as it's the most natural and it's only using fat from tummy .my new boob will shrink when I lose weight ,go bigger when i gain weight and age also.I like you had a hysterectomy scar and a c section scar and was concerned I wouldn't be able to have diep but they pull stomach downwards so your scars disappear and I have a flat tummy with no scars .good luck with making your decision what's right for you. ... View more

Diep only uses fat from tummy not musle so there will be no weakness of muscles.had diep last September .best decision I made .new natural breast what looks and feels natural.good luck with your surgery x ... View more

I like you had 2failed lumpectomies so had diep last September.it was the best decision I made my new boob feels and looks natural.I'm awaiting uplift and nipple transfer and a little reduction from my fab female surgeon at wythenshawe.I've just come back from holiday and I wore a bikini for the first time.as I have a flat tummy and no stretch marks.people amazed me when commenting I'm so jealous ,when do they not realise given a choice we would rather have 2 healthy breasts baggy baby bellies ,spare tyres and stretch marks and not to have had a cancer diagnosis at all.good luck with your diep .tip -------- keep getting up and down and walking a few steps several times a day ,it hurts like hell getting up and down but only for a couple of seconds and once your straight walk a few steps .this helped me immensely I did it at least 15 times a day.any questions just ask. ... View more

Thank you Aseria.I'm at the moment waiting for remaining breast to be uplifted and nipple transfer on the list.my fantastic female surgeon is going to do another fab job with me.just coe back from holiday and wore a bikini for e first time in 20 years .as I now have a flat stomach ,no stretch marks and no baggy baby belly.yippee.keep in touch and let me know about your diep.any thing you want to know just ask. ... View more

Just think tomorrow my cancer will be gone ,focus on that not the fact you will come back with one breast.getting rid of the cancer is more important.good luck for tomorrow. ... View more

Hi.I had diep last September.implants were a no no for me .I wanted a boob that grew with me ,that lost weight with me and that aged with me.and was as natural as possible.forget about the op time after all you are asleep.yes recovery is longer .I went back to work 13weeks after diep and am on re hab hours at the moment .my tummy scar is very low my stomach is completely flat,all my old c section scar has gone and all my stretch marks are gone.my result is nothing short of amazing.my female plastic surgeon at wythenshawe is fantastic.don't think about the quick recovery or the back to normal activity as soon as poss,it's for life and it's how you will look and feel.it's the best decision I made and I'm so pleased you are thinking of diep.I go back to have the other breast slightly uplifted and I'm having nipple graft in the summer.the scar on the new breast is a tiny circle where the nipple used to be . ... View more

Hi Angiepops and hijaqs just wondering if any of you ladies have got your date for op yet.hi Angiepops how did you go on at hospital about diep . ... View more

Hi dolly .I had 2 wle's with unclear margins so after 2 I was told the breast was playing tricks and it needed to come off .so I had mastectomy with diep September last year.after 2wles I eventually had to have breast off after all but the way I coped was at least I tried to keep the breast .put your trust in your bc surgeons. If it needs to Come off they will advise it. ... View more

Hi jillybe .yes diep has been the best decision I've ever made .your new breast will look real,feel real ,grow when you put on weight ,shrink when you lose weight all the reasons why I chose it .I've.just gone back to work although it's only 2hours a day and I'm on rehab but it's back to normality before bc so that's great for me.I want to forget 2013. I'm still in awe of what my fantastic female plastic surgeon has done at wythenshawe .I'm having nipple graft and uplift of remaining boob in 3months although it doesn't need much tweaking.god you've been through it havnt you .implants were never aoption for me as I wanted natural ,so be positive stick with your decision and don't take ant notice what people tell you.it's your body ad at you it's for life.I cant stop looking at my completely flat tummy .roll on summer when I'm in a bikini on that beach.good luck when is your surgery ... View more

Hi Georgia .just wondering how you are and if your stomach is still swollen .and how you are recovering .Amanda x ... View more

Hi gill .good luck for your surgery .you will be fine .it's 6 weeks since my diep.,it's the best decision I made .the boob has gone down not swollen anymore.if feels and looks same as the remaining one.my abdomen scar healing really well.put e45 on it everyday.you mentioned about knickers ,if you can get compression ones then that's great ,if not ones with Lycra as long as they are full knickers as you need them to come up above your new sited navel.also very important tip ,as soon as you are up out of bed ,keep standing up and having little walks and straightening up .I did this at least 20 times a day in hospital,yes it pulls a little but just while you are getting up and down.the more you move around the quicker your recovery. ... View more

Got results after diep.my cancer is in the bucket as my surgeon said.yippee no chemo needed.no rads needed, tamoxifen for 5years, 5 weeks after diep my scar is healing well ,my boob has settled and my stomach is flat,so all is well .stage two op for tattooing and nipple graft in the near future.2013 I want to forget as many ladies will want too.if any ladies are thinking of diep the result is nothing short of amazing.highly recommended it even feels exactly like the other boob. Amanda x ... View more

Hi.I'm also recovering from diep.I got a pack of 2sports .cotton ,non wired bras for £7 from asda ,so comfy . ... View more

Hi I had mx and reconstruction at the same time.sorry I can't answer your question ... View more

Hi deb yes exactly.if you can face diep being major surgery you can face anything.diep was always my first choice as no way was I having implants.I'm like you I can't stop looking at my flat ,tight as a drum stomach.I had a post c-section baggy baby belly with loads of stretch marks and now they are allbin the bin.yippee.I'm day 11 after surgery and had no painkillers since day8.I'm so pleased with result,glad you are too its one of the best decisions I've ever made .it's given me confidence in my body as well as no more tankini ,I'll be in bikini next holiday.yes like you I have no pain just a little tightness sitting up and down.good luck with your recovery Amanda x ... View more