Hi WoollyMama

I was diagnosed with DCIS and was offered DIEP or mastectomy with implants. I decided not to have either. My decision was based on research I undertook and I made a list of the pros and cons of each option from that research. I'm sure there will be ladies on here who opted for DIEP and hopefully they will be along in the next day or so to share their experience. x

Hi, I was diagnosed last year, at the age of 48. I had a large area of my breast removed as I had lobular breast cancer then had a Latissimus Dorsi Flap. This is when they take a flap of skin/tissue from your back and fold it over to fill your breast. I do have a large scar but 16 months on the scar is barely visible. I only had/have small boobs and even though they aren't exactly the same, it's not too bad!! And they managed to save my nipple. I wouldn't think twice about having it done again.

Thanks for responding to my post. I agree that choice of procedure is very much a personal one. Since my original post I have had a really producive meeting with a specialist surgeon who has explained in very great detail the DIEP procedure and also the risks. I felt it was a very balanced discussion and have come away with lots of information to consider. I didn;t feel pressurised into any decision  - and needed to know what the operation might entail and also what might go wrong. 

I'm fairly large breasted, so it is a lot to compute when told you will lose a breast. I genuinely do not know how I would / will feel to be flat on one side. I've read about women feeling 'lopsided' with prosthetics and also having back and shoulder pain due to uneven weight distribution across their chest.

Did you / do you experience any of this (if you don't mind me asking?) 

I've also heard there is a website for women who choose simple mastectomy rather than reconstruction - do you happen to know what this might be? 

Thanks again for taking time to reply x 

Hi there

Thanks for your reply. Its good to read that scarring although sometimes a long scar, can heal really neatly. I think the scars are one of the things I'm uncertain about!

I won't get to keep any of my breast or nipple, unfortunately, as the DCIS area is quite large and being ductal, they need to take the nipple too. I've been told they can make a nipple in a later surgery, or I could have a 3D tattoo. 

Not at all sure how I feel about that- and a lot to happen in between now and then I guess. 

How did you donor site heal (if you don't mind me asking). Again - the scars across my stomach also give me food for thought. Don't get me wrong, a tummy tuck wouldn't go amiss .... but it does mean lots more wounds to try and heal! 

I think they move the belly button too, so they can take the right blood vessels into the breast ....

What was your recovery like? I know everyone is different but roughly how long did it take for you to be mobile again? I know backs are not the same as tummies, but having had a C-section previously I actually found I was up and about much quicker than people had said. (Due to impactience I guess!)

How do you find your new breast? is the size / weight what you expected and similar in the way it moves to your natural breast? This is one of the (many) reasons I've discounted an implant .... the 'falseness' of it ... (although I appreciate that for some women it is a good choice). 

Sorry for the barrage of questions - but it is so useful to be able to ask people what it is like - and get honesty in return. 

Thanks again x 

ask away! I can't say much about my surgery as it was not as expected ie the surgeon decided to do what they thought was best for me. I had bilateral cancer so both breast were reconstructed using existing tissue from my breasts and breast tissue around by underarms/side. My breasts were transformed into a new shape and I increased a cup size. Both were symmetrical but my sencond surgery reduced one breast slightly but only noticble when wearing a wired bra, I have not encountered any pain.

I would say, when I first met the surgeon, I did not want a reconstruction as I didn't want a lengthy operation and wanted out of hospital asap. After the operation I was glad the surgeon ignored me as I am really happy with the result and it has built my confidence. 

I often worry that women are not given enough time to decide what option to choose and I know some who regretted their decision after time has passed.

There is a website for those who choose to go flat, don't know if this was the one you are thinking off

www.flatfriends.org.uk/

I also saw a documentary that showed a woman getting a DIEP, they used the muscle in her back and pushed it through to the front, which meant that she would still have feeling in her breast. It was very impressive and the lady was delighted with the results.

My only advice for those trying to decide is to think long and hard about it, ask questions and take as much time as possible before deciding. 

x

Hi, I've just come across your post - I am new on here. I'm 47 and just undergone (3 weeks ago) a mastectomy with immediate DIEP flap recon. Can I ask if you went ahead with this? Also, having just had my pathlogy report my DCIS was also 9cm! My oncologist is suggesting radiation, was that the cae for you? Thnaks x