Hello Lovely Ladies I have just joined the network and wished I had come across this earlier but anyway, I thought I would post details of my journey so far. I have read with interest some of the posts/stories regarding the various types of reconstructions. The DIEP flap is the closest type of surgery to mine and I would be very interested to hear from anyone else who may have had a PAP flap or is considering having this procedure as their choice of reconstruction. I am somewhat through treatment having completed four months of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy (on the TAC regime) and I am now seven weeks post op (bilateral skin sparing mastectomies and immediate PAP flap reconstructions). A sentinel node biopsy was done during the original operation and initially came back clear but unfortunately when I had my surgeon follow up a couple of weeks later I was told that there was cancer in the sentinel node so I am now due for further surgery (Level 1 and 2 Axillary Node Clearance) in a couple of weeks followed by six weeks of radiotherapy. I will post photos very shortly of my reconstruction which I am very pleased with and also the flap scars which are on the back of my thighs. Bye for now Anne xx

Hi Anne, I am very curious about the PAP flap surgery you had as I haven't yet heard of it. I am scheduled for a bilateral mastectomy and DIEP flap reconstruction end of July so I am researching as much as I can right now. Sounds like you are very happy with it so far. x-Sherril

Hi Sherril. Yes I am happy and recovering well. PAP flaps are taken from the back of the thigh area instead of the abdomen. I am sure you will do well with the DIEP. It is considered the gold standard of surgery here. I was considering the DIEP too but was offered the newer procedure for a better outcome for my circumstances. Apparently I am only the second patient to have had the procedure in the hospital! I do hope your surgery goes well and I am more than happy to answer any queries as our surgeries are similar I think - i.e. micro surgery

hi and welcome.. I am about to have a uni lateral mastectomy in a few weeks but when i asked about the DIEP flap recon.. i was told the only Dr was in Sydney CBD and i would not get in to see him for a while... so I am now seeing another surgeon on Monday just for a second consult as she does a Recon Augmentation straight away.. and this is what I am hoping for but i will have to wait and see what she says .. other wise im back to square one with a straight mastectomy and then recon later down the track .

Hi Kathy, where are you based? I'm in Melbourne and so is my surgeon. It doesn't sound right to say the only surgeon who does the procedure is in Sydney...? Sherril

Hi Kathy, I noticed your comment regarding only one Dr offering DIEP method. There are many plastic surgeons around offering various methods, including DIEP. It's always worth getting a few opinions regarding your options for breast reconstruction. The BCNA member group Reclaim Your Curves is a fantastic place to get resources and support, and they also have a group here specifically for breast reconstruction. All the best as you explore your options. Alison xx

Bilateral Mastectomies with immediate PAP flap reconstructions

12 Replies

anne_k
Member
9 years ago
Hi Kathyjane

Sorry for the delay in replying - I have been recovering from my second op to remove the lymph nodes. The drain only came out today so it was starting to feel like I had a ball and chain attached to me!!

Sooooooooooooo pleased for you and to get everything done at once and with new boingy boobs of your own as well - Awesome news!!

Best of luck on Thursday and for your recovery..

Love and hugs

Anne

xxoo
Kathyjane
Member
9 years ago
I have had the second appointment and opinion... OMG awesome news

I am now having a Bilateral Reduction and Lift and Sentinel Node removal with Radiotherapy. I am more than happy with this decision. I get the have the Ca. out and new boobs too.. and they will be my own and not plastic ones like i thought I might have eventually.

I am going into Hospital on Thursday 28th July and everything is ready to go.
anne_k
Member
9 years ago
Ah so sorry to hear that and very sad to lose a close friend at such a difficult time...

I know it is so hard waiting for news or to find out about treatments, Hope you have a better weekend and even better news on Monday....

A

xo
anne_k
Member
9 years ago
Ah thanks Paula, I really appreciate your kind comments and it is really lovely to connect with ladies all going through similar situations. I have just posted some photos which I hope shows how my surgery differs slightly to the types already posted in the photo stories here in the group.

PAP flaps are similar to the DIEP surgery except the donor sight is the back of the thighs rather than the abdomen.

Anne xo
Kathyjane
Member
9 years ago
Thanks so much Anne,,

I think im doing ok at the moment ... this week has been a bit of a right off... I had a funeral today for a close friend so it has been every day of tears...

Bring on Monday . I hate this waiting
mum2jj
Member
9 years ago
Hi Anne,

I have not known any one who has had your type of reconstruction so would love to hear more about it. You will be an invaluable member of our breast reconstruction online group which I see you have joined. It's great that you wish to share your photos and I hope that you consider posting them to that group. It is so helpful when ladies come behind you with queries that we can point them to your pics and story. In case you are unsure how to post there I will share a blog hint on how to post in the breast reconstruction online group. Sorry to hear about your sentinel node and that you require more surgery, but better to be sure. I wish you luck with that and also your upcoming radiation.

Paula xxx
anne_k
Member
9 years ago
Hi Kathy Jane

Thank you for welcome and reply.

Have read some of your blogs and I can see you are going through so much. Wishing you the best of luck with your appointment on Monday.

Anne

Xo
Alpal
Member
9 years ago
Hi Kathy,

I noticed your comment regarding only one Dr offering DIEP method. There are many plastic surgeons around offering various methods, including DIEP. It's always worth getting a few opinions regarding your options for breast reconstruction. The BCNA member group Reclaim Your Curves is a fantastic place to get resources and support, and they also have a group here specifically for breast reconstruction.

All the best as you explore your options.

Alison xx
gurneys
Member
9 years ago
Hi Kathy, where are you based? I'm in Melbourne and so is my surgeon. It doesn't sound right to say the only surgeon who does the procedure is in Sydney...?

Sherril
Kathyjane
Member
9 years ago
hi and welcome..

I am about to have a uni lateral mastectomy in a few weeks but when i asked about the DIEP flap recon.. i was told the only Dr was in Sydney CBD and i would not get in to see him for a while... so I am now seeing another surgeon on Monday just for a second consult as she does a Recon Augmentation straight away.. and this is what I am hoping for but i will have to wait and see what she says .. other wise im back to square one with a straight mastectomy and then recon later down the track .