Delayed DIEP reconstruction
Hi there I saw breast surgeon 2 weeks ago who told me I was a candidate for DIEP reconstruction after double mastectomy. As this is a second cancer in other breast I just want them gone. I had to s...
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Hi @Pammy46
My story is bit exactly the same as yours but here it is anyway.
I started with cancer in my left breast , had skin soaring mastectomy with insertion of tissue expander with a view to having a single DIEP flap surgery down the track as due to the size of my tumour the feeling was I would be recommended radiotherapy.
I did end up having g radiotherapy and my plastic surgeon wanted to wait at least 6 months after that was completed before doing the DIEP surgery.
I then decided ( long story!) to have the right breast removed as well and have the DIEP flap surgery on both breasts.That was 8 months after the completion of the radiotherapy.
The results are good ( I am now 16 months post that second surgery).
I also took the opportunity to lose some weight I had put on over the years ( my body type it mainly goes to my tummy not my bottom) - I lost 10 kilos ( went from 78 to 68) .
I did this because I was told if zi lost weight after the DIEP my new boobs would shrink and as I was going from
an E cup ( up from a D due to weight gain) to a C cup I didn’t want to go any smaller.
I still had enough tummy fat for the C cups.
I have kept the weight off through exercise and being careful about what so eat - I got rid of a lot of processed food and ramped up the fresh fruit and vegetables.
All the best with your journey .
I had my mastectomy 6 weeks from the date of diagnosis - My surgeon said that was ok as it was very slow growing but I was pretty relieved to have it out!
My story is bit exactly the same as yours but here it is anyway.
I started with cancer in my left breast , had skin soaring mastectomy with insertion of tissue expander with a view to having a single DIEP flap surgery down the track as due to the size of my tumour the feeling was I would be recommended radiotherapy.
I did end up having g radiotherapy and my plastic surgeon wanted to wait at least 6 months after that was completed before doing the DIEP surgery.
I then decided ( long story!) to have the right breast removed as well and have the DIEP flap surgery on both breasts.That was 8 months after the completion of the radiotherapy.
The results are good ( I am now 16 months post that second surgery).
I also took the opportunity to lose some weight I had put on over the years ( my body type it mainly goes to my tummy not my bottom) - I lost 10 kilos ( went from 78 to 68) .
I did this because I was told if zi lost weight after the DIEP my new boobs would shrink and as I was going from
an E cup ( up from a D due to weight gain) to a C cup I didn’t want to go any smaller.
I still had enough tummy fat for the C cups.
I have kept the weight off through exercise and being careful about what so eat - I got rid of a lot of processed food and ramped up the fresh fruit and vegetables.
All the best with your journey .
I had my mastectomy 6 weeks from the date of diagnosis - My surgeon said that was ok as it was very slow growing but I was pretty relieved to have it out!