When I was considering reconstruction options I went looking for accounts of people who had been through the process. There was not much there so I promised myself I would try to add to the information available. I am a few days into the process so will have to go back a bit to explain my situation. Bowel cancer diagnosis age 36 when having my first screening (aged 10 yrs less than my mother had been diagnosed, she died of it). Surgery and loss of 2/3 of bowel. Chemotherapy over following 7 months. Genetic investigations revealed HNPCC (lynch syndrome) so I have a continuing risk; I have annual colon screening and had a total hysterectomy to reduce my risk of associated cancers. When my sister was diagnosed with breast cancer I was told it was not associated with our genetics, just the 'background' risk of breast cancer, so i did not really believe it could happen to me - I had had my cancer.How quickly genetics research is advancing. I found a lump in 2010 and began my breast cancer journey which turns out to be genetically linked with HNPCC (not the more usual BRACCA genetics).

Having 'dealt' with breast cancer and all that trauma it was made clear to me that I have a level of ongoing genetic risk similar to having BRACCA genetics. The clinching question was "could you cope with a third cancer diagnosis?" The answer was no, not if I can help it. So I resolved to have a second mastectomy but I could not face actually doing it for a couple more years. I was interested in reconstruction as well but only considered implants so that total surgery time and my risk of complications (like DVT I have had before) was less. That was my plan but late in 2012 I decided that I wanted to check out all the reconstructive options before making my final decision. I live near Canberra but was referred to Prof. David Pennington in Sydney. I immediately felt as though I was talking to someone with vast experience, he explained the DIEP flap procedure and its advantages over TRAM flap and said that I did not have any insurmountable issues to prevent me having such surgery. He writes scientific papers on new procedures and exuded competence. The cost was a shock but I sold myself the idea of losing my remaining breast if I could go on to reconstruction after.

We drove up to Sydney a week ago and stayed with relatives then I had to be at Macquarie University Hospital for 6am Monday morning. Lovely looking new hospital. My husband could stay with me until I was taken through. Usual get changed, compression stockings, health questions etc and name wristband. ADVICE: keep them loose, I had a lot of fluid retention. I was wheeled through to the room outside the operating theatre and met the anesthetist. He could only find one vein and that cannula had to last a few days but it managed. Then Dr Pennington and the assistant surgeon came and drew on me, he was using measurements from a CT angiogram taken to show where the abdominal blood vessels were located. I was taken into the operating theatre moved over onto the table there, inflating calf compressors put on my legs and then I knew no more. My husband knew to expect a 10 hour surgery, we found it comforting to know that they stop for lunch in the middle. All went to plan, I don't remember being in recovery at all but was back up on the ward around 7pm. Very groggy and using a pca to give myself pain relief. I had a cannula for that, a catheter plus 6 drains in my body. My 'flaps' were checked every half hour for warmth and blood flow. I suspect that is why I am so close to the nurses station. Day 2 passed in a blur, you really do feel as if you have been hit by a bus, i was very dopey and had my eyes closed a lot but could hear things around me. Day 3 (Wed) was similar but the flaps were fine, I have not had any complications. Day 4 was when I would lose a lot of my attachments. The Canula, catheter and 4 drains came out. It was exhausting and I just lay in bed as it was happening to me. My dressings were all taken off, all the stitches stayed in place and lighter weight tegaderm dressings were applied.The physio got me up, which is a challenge with the abdominal surgery, but in some ways the anticipation of hurt was worse than reality. My brain had also cleared, I felt less dopey, maybe the anesthetic had worn off plus I was only less strong pain tablets. I was now getting myself I. And out of bed(slowly) and going to the loo myself. Day 5 (Friday) another drain came out but the remaining one in my abdomen was very productive so I was not looking at leaving hospital early. I had been told from the beginning to expect to stay in for 8 nights but heard that the lady done last week got out on the following Monday. It will all depend on the drain. I did the whole day just on paracetamol (and I have oral antibiotics). Day 6 much the same but I have realised that I need a bit more pain relief so have the odd endone tablet. Walking a bit further around the ward and up to concentrating on a bit of reading today, rather than just the tv screen. I have had the Tour de France on as I have been going to sleep. That extra noise was particularly good a few days ago while I was still bed bound and on the noisy calf compression machine. And what about the flaps/mounds/boobs? I look down and have shape there again and I like that. I am looking forward to seeing them without dressings and stitches. I forgot to mention that I have had a big elastic girdle on since the surgery. This is to support my stomach muscles and will probably be worn for weeks. It is hot and has rubbed my skin in places and was something I did not really know about beforehand. Enough for now, going for a walk.

Thank you for this Sharona. I am going through this next month, so am very interested in hearing your story. Good luck with your recovery, and keep blogging.. Xx

I'm scheduled shortly for a bilateral mastectomy and immediate reconstruction. Thanks so much for sharing your story.

Diary of a DIEP flap bilateral reconstruction

65 Replies

Magnetgirl
Member
12 years ago
Hi took me ages to stumble on your blog. So grateful to you for taking the time to write it. Have my Diep on 22nd Sept. You have answered so many of my worries. Especially about the pants Will get some now, wasn't sure how tight/supportive they had to be. Hope others can post similar accounts. It has been impossible to find this info. Before
Sharona
Member
12 years ago
Hi Judy Sorry I missed this question earlier. I have used 3 different oils. Nutrimetics vitamin oil, bio oil and a really expensive oil which I forget the name of. To be honest I have not been able to tell if one oil or another makes any difference. My scars still have not gone white even a year later but they are certainly softer than they used to be. All the oils have lasted quite a long time. My skin can be sensitive but I have done better with the oils than with some types of body lotion. I suspect the massage of the scars is an important thing to do and the oil helps with that. Good luck with healing.
Judy_Dennis
Member
12 years ago
Hi there, Had one side reconstruction, DIEP, now nearly four months on. Slight delay in recovery as a cavity developed under the breast. This was due I am told by my radiation last year. I had radiation and chemo as I had all lymph nodes removed on that side. It has taken a while to heal over but I am going good now, doing my usual farm stuff again but nothing too heavy. Looking forward to wearing a bra again as job is good. Tummy still not settled down altogether, still feels like an elastic band around there at times, but it is early days. Plastic Surgeon was Kim Taylor and BC surgeon Suzanne Moore at Epworth. Before I had the job done, I'd had a tissue expander in since surgery, had,not probs with that. Judy
prestons2070
Member
12 years ago
Hi Judy how are you? I read your writing here and I saw your diep recon was in April.

So by now must be you feeling normal again. May I know about your diep is it bilateral or just one

and the othor one with expander and implant?

I am excually very confuse to decide because m plastic surgeon told me combination and other dr said bilateral diep/tram. I need more information asap, coz my sister now also having chemo. And I hv genetic test which the result BRCA1. So i am very urge to do it. Your info will be very helpfull to me, And if possible who the dr as well please. Thank you.
Sharona
Member
12 years ago
I have put an update on how I am doing in the reconstruction group blog at http://www.bcna.org.au/network/groups/61026/blog/79055. If you are not yet a member you will need to ask for access to the group.

Forum Discussion

Diary of a DIEP flap bilateral reconstruction

65 Replies

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