Hi, 

It's a very personal choice and so the decision is all yours. I said to myself when making the decision that it is me who has to live with the results for the rest of my life.

After much discussion with BCN's, Surgeon's and reading the breast cancer now reconstruction booklet and recovery chart, I opted for the diep flap. I had my surgery two weeks ago today and I am very pleased with the results and positively surprised at how well I am recovering.

If you want to know anything else, let me know and I'll be happy to tell you. 
 
All the best with your decision making and I'd love to hear what you decide. 
 

Mickey xx ️

Many thanks for your response and great to hear how well it has gone for you, how long do you think you will be recovering? 

Did you opt for stomach fat removal and how does it feel now? I am a bit worried about messing with more parts of my body so the implant seems more straightforward but as you say this is for life.

thanks again

Hi again, 

I am completely mobile now and walked over 5k outside today and so I think my recovery is going very well.  

The Breast Cancer Now 'comparing types of breast reconstruction chart' provides approximate recovery times of 6-8 weeks for implant and 6-12 for the diep. 

One of my considerations was the fact that I didn't want the hassle of further surgery to change the implants when they need changing. 

The scar is bikini line for the diep and it is hip to hip, but it is healing well and not causing me any pain. I should have the dressing taken off the wound at my BCN appointment tomorrow and last week she said if my progress continues (which I think it has), that it won't need re-dressing again. My tummy felt very tight for the first few days, but I have to say I've been doing my exercises and I have no problems sitting up from lying down or bending down etc. 

Im really pleased with the results of my breast, I was lucky to get skin spraring and so my cleavage in my bra looks just like it always did, which has helped my confidence. 

Of course, everyone's decisions and experiences will be different. It's so important that you are happy with your decision. I have no regrets whatsoever, I am fully confident I made the best decision under the circumstances. 

Hope that helps a little - Mickey xx ️

Thank you very much that's really helpful I might have a few more questions when I visit my p. Surgeon next week to decide so appreciate your response! 
 

Keep up the great recovery! Delighted that it's a success and you are pleased with the results,gives me hope! 

My pleasure and yes, I would certainly encourage you to write down and ask as many questions that you can think of.  Very important decision for you to make and it's important you feel fully confident in making it. 

Thank you and please keep me posted with your decision/progress. 

Best wishes Mickey xx ️

Morning, 

I looked at the breastcancernow website, I searched for the breast reconstruction booklet, which if you haven't yet, I would highly recommend. My hospital usually supply copies, but they had run out. I also searched for the chart that I mentioned before and their post surgery 'your operation and recovery' booklet.  I posted like you did and asked any questions I had. The breast cancer now website also has a chat function, although I haven't used it.  I am not aware of specific reconstruction forums. I guess I was lucky that I had two friends who within the last ten years had been through this procedure, although both were delayed and not immediate reconstructions. I remembered bits of their journeys, but was able to ask specific questions I had. 

If you have specific questions you don't want to ask your surgeon or BCN, I'm happy to help if I can. 

It is a hard decision, especially when you have kids at home. Everyone's experience will be slightly different as we all heal differently.  However, so far the tummy part has been ok after the first week once I got used to sitting up and down etc. I think the arms and breast recovery is probably similar whatever breast surgery you have, but I'm no expert, that's just my opninion on what I've read and what people have told me.  No lifting heavy items and over stretching your arms is something you will need to be careful of whatever reconstruction you choose.  Three months does sound daunting, but I'm sure most people, like me, are able to do most things much before then. 

Yes, in the end I had my sentinel lymph nodes biopsy at the same time. The positive of that is that I don't have a different  incision site for that and so use of my arms hasn't been overly impacted. I have to tell myself not to lift etc as I'm not in obvious discomfort there. The downside is that I had to make my surgery choices without knowing if my lymph nodes were cancerous and I still don't know yet. 

How big is your area of DCIS and do you know the grade? 

I hope that helps a little more, but happy to help if you want something more specific if I can. 

Im going back to see my BCN this morning. 

Virtual hugs Mickey xx ️

Thanks so much Mickey and I hope your appointment goes well today. Fingers crossed for you but seems like you are doing great so keep it up!  My DCIS was intermediate and is 7cm (ER positive) which seems fairly large so worried about the outcome of the Sentinel Node test too on top of everything. 

Hopefully I will get a follow up appt scheduled soon which will help. 
 

thx so much 

x 

Thank you, my appointment went really well and I don't need to be seen again by plastics until by the plastic surgeon on 18th March.  Bad news re my results though, these have been delayed further until 24th January. Covid, I should think. 

Have they said they are definitely doing a sentinel lymph node biopsy? I didn't think they usually did those with dcis? I have two areas of dcis, but also an invasive tumour (hopefully had as successfully removed at surgery) .

I hope you get another appointment soon too xx ️

Glad to hear appt went well and recovery is on track and on results no news is good news for now so keep the faith! X 

yes they are doing Sentinel biopsy at the same time maybe because it was a large enough area, not invasive but think they want to find out if that's the case or not.

Are you still up and able to go for walks? That's seriously impressive!