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

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! 

Hi Sarah Louise 

Ive just been reading your posts about your choices. I have spoken to Mickey as we got talking as had very similar surgery. I do think your recovery is very dependent on your own health and fitness. If you are relatively fit I think you heal quicker. I didn't really get offered a choice my consultant really wanted me to have the flap surgery as that was the best outcome for me and my age. So much so they pulled in a favour to get me the surgery! He didn't think an implant was a good choice! The only reason he gave was that if I need further treatment the flap surgery is your own tissue so reacts better. 
That said I had a high BMI so had to lose some weight to bring it down which I managed! Think it was all the stress!  I ended up having a tram flap instead of Diep flap. Very similar they still used my tummy muscle and tissue and had the surgery the same time as mastectomy so have my own cleavage. I have gone from a E cup to a C cup ( they also reduced my other boob on the same day so am even!)

I have been recovering now and am on my 7th week. I turned a corner at 6 weeks but up till then it was tough going, I wasn't in pain but was on lots of meds but remember this was all due to my size. I am down to two small plasters on my chest where the incisions have taken longer to heal but I have to admit it's all worth it when you look at your figure. I had node taken 2 weeks before and got the results the day of my surgery ( clear) so now just waiting on Oncotype Dx test to see if I need chemo. 
Like Mickey says it's definitely a personal choice and only you can make it and which ever you decide will be the right one for you. I'm 53 and like dressing up so having a tummy tuck hasn't done any harm! Lol. My daughter can't believe how well I look. I lost 7lb after the surgery! lol.

Anyway like Mickey I'm happy to answer any questions just thought you might like to hear from someone who's journey hasn't been so quick so you can make an informed decision. Good luck with everything and remember the most important part in all this is getting rid of the growths! The rest doesn't really matter as what you choose will be fine . 
Inwish you all the best. Katherine x

hello

Im in a bit of a dilemma, I am 2 years after masectomy, chemo and radiotherapy. Since my surgery I have been unhappy with how I look and wearing prothesis and it has taken me this long to really recover and get my energy back. I'm now feeling well and prepared to have the reconstruction surgery. I have an appointment with my Consultant on 4th Jan , I'm hoping to have the DIEP with tummy having read as much as I can about the procedures. I am an older person but still want to look and feel attractive! Here's hoping for a positive outcome....would love to hear about anyone else's experience of reconstruction 

Silver 

Thanks a lot Katherine for your reply. It is great to hear your journey. Fantastic that the nodes were clear that's another big worry of mine!

I feel very uneducated on all but hopefully that will be rectified once I talk to my plastic surgeon.

Initially I thought implant might be best to get faster recovery with less complications but there are pros and cons and the real skin element is a benefit. It feels like such a long time to be healing. How fast were you up and about in your home comparing to in bed as that thought really does frighten me. 

But you're right i have to remember the goal here.

Did your surgeon say there were pros and cons for where they take the excess tissue from? Worried about this too and having multiple scars. 

How  did you both handle the drains and did you get help in when you came home from hospital? Feels very daunting to me.

BTW Lovely to get the support from your daughter too, bet she's very proud of her Mom x 

Thanks so much to both you and Mickey 

SL 

Morning, 

Im really pleased you've had some more responses on this now, that's fabulous and thank you to the lovely Katherine [@rine53]‍ who has kindly shared her experience with me since we can across each other just after her surgery. 

I get that now, with large areas of dcis they would have to check that none of it has turned invasive, I recall them saying something similar to me. I'm also praying they are clear. 

Thank you for your positivity re my results being delayed. 

Re the drains, again everyone's experience is different, even in the amount they have. I had two into my tummy from the very top of each leg and one to my breast. My mx was on the right. I had my op on a Tuesday and the right breast and leg drains for me were able to be removed on the Thursday afternoon and I felt much better when they were as it made it easier to stand, walk and go to the loo. The left one came out very late on the Friday and I went home on the Saturday. The left drain should probably have stayed in til the Saturday it wept a lot and I had to have the dressing changed three times during the night. It had stopped weeping so much by the Saturday, but the dressing still needed changing daily (although no-one told me that), that one has stopped weeping now too and they are all healing nicely. I do know some people go home with like a small drain bag that they can empty, but I didn't want that and opted to stay in hospital until the Saturday to make sure the last drain removal was ok before I went home (luckily I could). I was glad I did, everyone is different, but I would have panicked if it had leaked that much at home about replacing the dressings etc. 

Re your question re walking. I was home Saturday evening and I managed to drag my case on it's wheels (not allowed to lift) all through the big hospital myself. My walking was very slow, but stable. I rested pretty much on the Sunday and had my first outdoor walk on the Monday (day 6). I was very slow to start (maybe fear of falling also), but I was stable, I could really notice any inclines for the first time, but I was fine. I think I did 1.5 km that day and then built myself up. I have no problem now walking at my usual pace and can do circa 5k, but I don't always and I try not to push it as it does tire me later. 

I was surprised when I got home that apart from reaching high, lifting etc I was pretty self sufficient and could use the stairs and meet all my basic needs, but yes I have my partner home and you do need someone to do things that you can't. 

I think I've answered everything, but if not, don't hesitate to come back to me.  Please keep us posted it is a big decision for you and hope this all helps. 

Virtual hugs Mickey xx ️
 

Hi Silver, 

I think this thread gives a lot of info about my experience with the diep and hopefully that will help. This is Day 16 post surgery for me and all is going well for me. If you have any questions, I'm happy to help. 

Best wishes Mickey xx ️

Are there any products that really helped that I should think of that would be worth buying now? Like types of mastectomy pillows, bras or things that made it easier to sleep with? 
thanks everyone

Are there any products that really helped that I should think of that would be worth buying now? Like types of mastectomy pillows, bras or things that made it easier to sleep with? 
thanks everyone

I had a heart shaped pillow that fits underarm to rest your arm on but that was given to me by McMillan charity. That was good  I also has a microwave heat pillow that was comforting. I wore vesty type tops at first and then got front fastening bras later on.I was amazed how quickly the scar healed . The nurses advised E45 after healing. 
Best wishes

Silver

Thanks for the tips Silver good to hear scars heal quickly too. 

Hi re products, 

Luckily I had a heart shaped small bean bag cushion from years ago and I have to say that was a godsend. Although I had no pain under my arm on the reconstructed side, largely because they did not make a separate incision there to remove my sentinel lymph node(s), as done from the breast op site, however, my other arm had various skin nicks and grazes from the surgery (I have very sensitive skin) and so I used the bean bag under that arm to stop the skin from rubbing on those wounds. That really really helped. 

In terms of bras, I knew I would be given one front opening hook and eye white one at hospital in advance and I was given it the day after surgery. For info, although again different hospitals have different practices, I wasn't put in a bra until my breast drain was removed.  I booked an online post surgery bra fitting session at M&S pre-op. It was really helpful, none of the post surgery bras actually fitted me very well, but they suggested I tried their flexi-fit front zip (with a hook to easily do up) and that was perfect for me.  They say to go up size due to swelling post surgery and so I brought two in the next size up, same cup size.  I know others have needed this, but I was lucky and have managed to stay in my usual size bra all the time. 

Again everyone is different and I'm usually a PJ girl for 'slobbing', but I brought some cotton button down the front nightshirts from Amazon and they are good enough to wear as dresses too. I have literally lived in these and so easy to manage when everyone needs to check your wounds/boob etc. Although, I can manage my arms in normal clothes now, I still wear the dresses for apts, as so much easier to access everything with ease and confidence, I have found. 

I have used my sensitive skin lotion on grazes and areas that have needed some care post op. I haven't yet put anything on the scarring, but have been using baby oil to remove stickiness from dressings when they are removed, very gently. 

If you decide on the diep you would also need control pants to keep your tummy shape for first six weeks. Again M&S have a good varied range, but they should be above your belly button and they suggest you go up a size. Depending on where they put your drains, I realised that lower leg cut ones or even their short version ones (forgive me, I forget the proper name for those) are better. 

When in hospital ask for another pair/pairs of DVT socks, one just isn't enough. I ended up with four, I was very lucky, but 2-3 is helpful if you want to change them regularly and not want to add to the burden of someone having to wash yours smalls every day on top of other things. 

That's all I can think of for now, bound to have forgotten something. 

Virtual hugs and support Mickey xx ️

Amazing great tips, thanking you Mickey  

There is also Nicola Jane website for masectomy bras, and they do a good fitting service. But M&S have quite a good range and cheaper. I was given  a soft prothesis by the hospital, 

Silver