Diep Flap

I wanted to post a positive experience about having a reconstruction done via diep flap.  I had a lumpectomy where the lower portion - a good portion - of my right breast was removed in April 2010.  My breast cancer was diagnosed early but the surgeon took a wide incision and my breast ended up looking like a capsicum - or so my girls tell me.  After four lots of chemo and radiation, I decided to have my breast reconstructed.  It was not an easy decision as I was tormented by the thought people would think I was vain.  I showed my breast to those who mattered and everyone who saw it said go right ahead.

Then I made the mistake of consulting Dr Google.  Pretty well everything I read was a horror story.  Barbaric was the word that come up pretty frequently.  I saw my plastic surgeon, a great calm level headed gorgeous guy, Gerard Bayley in Brisbane.  He calmly stated that none of his patients had written on the internet.  He told me very matter of factly that the first day I would feel like I had been hit by a truck, the second day by a car and the third day I would be on the road to recovery.  I got measured for a corset and bra.  He explained the procedure.  I had a couple of xrays and it seemed as if there were valid blood vessels to use for the removal of the flap and insertion into my breast.

The next few weeks I must admit I was extremely nervous.  Very worried about what was ahead.  I was having the op in early December and had a frantic rush to get Christmas presents organised etc.  My husband's birthday is on December 24 and my daughter on December 28 so I also wanted to get that organised as well as I imagined myself as totally incapacitated for months.

The op commenced with Dr Bayley drawing on my stomach above my belly button and down to the pubic line.  I said what's that and he told me that was what he would take out.  Had a long talk with the anaethesist and it would be a long op.  Seven and a half hours later I woke up.  No pain really as that is well controlled.  I had my corset on and a special dressing on my breast.  I didn't have a need at that stage to look at it.  I thought I would spend a couple of days in the ICU but instead went straight to the ward as the op had been very successful.  

For the next two days the flap had to be checked every hour.  It was hard.  You basically doze all day and night.  I got very uncomfortable in the bed and actually slept sitting up for two nights.  Lots of meds and injections.  A self adminstered pump for the pain.  I had a reaction to morphine - vomiting - not pleasant with a dissected stomach muscle and a cut from hipbone to hipbone.  The physio came on the day after.  It really was about 12 hours after the op to get me out of bed.  He took great care in the preparation of getting me up.  I must admit I didn't mind getting out of bed.  It wasn't nice cause I was on the "hit by the truck" day but I knew it had to be done.  

The second day after was alright but I was still very uncomfortable in the bed.  The flap was taking and I just kept thinking, "This will all be over soon".  The third day I hit a wall.  My IV feed failed and I had to go to Xray and get a pic line installed.  Not what I felt like doing.  I was upset and knew without a shadow of a doubt I would never be out of hospital.  Through all this my husband and family were amazing.  They were there for me all the time.  I needed that this day.  

On the fourth day, a wonderful nurse came to me early in the morning.  By now you are on two hourly checks.  Not really much better.  She cleaned me up, got me out of bed, said come on my rounds with me and I had a long walk which I badly needed.  I had slept in a chair now for three nights, had about six tubes and drains coming out of me, hadn't showered since the op, my dressing was falling off my breast.  I was extremely uncomfortable and this was what I needed to do.  I turned the corner that morning.  

On the fifth day, drains and tubes started decreasing.  I begged the nurse to take off the thigh high compression stockings.  They were cutting into me badly.  Dr Bayley pointed out to me the error of my ways.  Now the big one, my bowels moved that night.  Not pleasant but necessary.  I had a sore back for two days after this mammoth effort.  

Sixth day, I was nearly tube free.  One drain left in, I think.  My stomach wound had been cleaned and redressed.  I had my bra to wear.  Dr Bayley came in and said, "What are you going to do today?"  "Go home I hope".  "I don't see any reason why not."  Yes.  I rang my husband, had final drains removed, had that first wonderful shower after the op and washed my hair and home I came.  

It was great.  Now mind you I wasn't fully recovered.  Still a way to go.  Our bedroom is upstairs - 14 of them - but that was OK.  I could get around.  Got tired very quickly.  Walked bent over for a while.  Slept with the help of some pain meds - just Panadol.  But could make a coffee, check my emails, do some basic housework.  Christmas was fine.  I actually made one of the courses for 15 people.  

Yesterday I had my final appointment with the plastic surgeon.  He was happy with my development.  I have a flat stomach.  Two boobs that look exactly the same.

Would I do it again?  I would think long and hard but probably no.  I am glad I did it though as the end result was fabulous.  Now I was fortunate - no infections, wonderful support, great doctor, excellent result.  But this is my story of having the diep flap.  I hope yours is similar.  Good luck.