Mastectomy &. diep reconstruction

Bless you ..Gosh I can so understand youtr feelings...I have had this ooeration and in my case it was letting my grt nephew and neice know,at a tender age...

however,like you,I steadied myself for it all...

in fact it all went through without incident and I now have a little bit smaller breast...which they hug without even realising I think...and plenty and plenty more hugs....

And get ready for the marathon hug when you come back well(well...give it a little while,you may be tender!!)

Just remember that once the op is over,the cancer will have been removed.Make a determination to get to know the Breast Cancer Nurse (BCN)on your cancer team and don’t be afraid to ask her any questions whatsoever...I was on the phone a lot...

these days Cancer Teams are very genned up on all sorts of questions,responses,needs,you may have.Whatever it might be they will have seen it all before!!

I do hope it goes well with you,

Love Cannon xx

Hi

I was diagnosed with a one area of high grade DCIS but it was over 4cm and was told it was too big for breast conserving surgery. I had a mastectomy and and an immediate diep just before Xmas. When I went for my consultation I went armed with a long written list of questions which they answered. Where are you having your's done?

It is a big operation with a long recovery. I was extremely apprehensive about the operation before hand. Mine went very well and I stayed in hospital for 4 days. For the first 24 hours you will be checked every hour then the next 24 hours every 2 hours then every 4 etc so you don't get much sleep. I was fortunate to have my own room so at least it was quiet and you should be given a morphine pump so it is pain free, too. There is little scaring to the breast with immediate reconstruction but you will have a long scar going from hip to hip, plus a new tummy button. The abdominal surgery is worst bit not only with the wound but you won't be able to stand up straight for weeks. It is long complicated surgery - the microsurgery is amazing-  and it takes quite a while to recover. Even at 8 weeks post op there are things I won't do. You will need help when you come out of hospital, but it is doable and you do improve rapidly. An immediate diep gives you the best cosmetic outcome as it's one surgery with the least scaring and it leaves you with a natural looking boob that hangs and feels very much like the other one. It also ages with you and as natural tissue will gain or lose weight as you do. This is quite important if you are only having one side done. You may need your new boob shaped a bit afterwards, I'm going to have mine tweaked when they reconstruct the nipple. But even now in a bra you can't tell the difference....

For surgery you will need a good supportive open fronting bra such as a sports bra or a post surgery bra and a pair of support knickers will help with abdominal scar.

Good luck and ask your surgeon lots of questions. If here is anything I can tell you about my experience please just ask.XXXXxxxxxx

I had that surgery in August Sugartc. It is a big, long operation but you are asleep so it doesnt matter! It is amazing what the surgeons can do.

I found the incision across my tummy was more painful than the breast. It took a couple of days before I could stand up straight! I was in hospital for a week then spent another 3 weeks with family being looked after and then drove home.

The foob looks ok (although I am struggling with the scars and the way I look) and my plastic surgeon will do some tidying up after radiotherapy. He will also lift my real boob for symmetry which will be a challenge as I am 62!!!!

I found it a huge shock to have such invasive treatment but know its saving my life. Unfortunately most of my lymph nodes were positive so have to have chemo. Nearly finished.

Good luck - it will go well and quickly heal.

Hi there. It's a huge decision to have to make isn't it? I'm a week post op dbl mx and diep and recovering really well. I'm 49 with 2 boys, aged 10 &  24, so felt similar to you.  its a mammoth op but I'm glad I went for it. I did all the research for the other options: couldn't bare the thought of having to have implants redone in tne future cos I'm such a wimp. let me know if there are any questions I may be able to help with and good luck with your decision. jacqui  xx

I am being treated at Addenbrookes cambridge. Just wondering how long from seeing the surgeon you had to wait for the mx &  Diep. I have my appointment with plastic surgeon on wed. Obviously realise different hospitals may have different waiting times. 

I'm new to all this.  After 3 attempts to sort me out I was told that DCIS cells are still lurking so I have to have mastectomy.  I have opted for reconstruction at the same time.  As my consultant does not do both I am waiting for referral to another hospital.   I'm normally a strong person but today things have overwhelmed me completely after just 3 months since diagnosis to where I am now, and still facing the unknown.

Hi Sugartc.

I was at Whiston Hospital up in Merseyside. As I had neo adjuvant chemo, there was an optimum 'window' apparently from last chemo to when surgery should take place. I finished chemo first week in January and op was 4 weeks later. I do know from what BCN & consultants sad though, that sorting diaries for surgeons doing DIEP was more complex than other ops. 

Jacqui

I am so hoping its going to be in the next month. I do understand the logistics of organisingvsurgeons, theatre etc but mentally hoping its March. Hopefully will find out more next week. Not sure i can cope if its longer than that but of course i will have to. 

I only waited a few weeks. The hospital could have done the deip surgery sooner but were held up as they wanted me to have a SNB which in the end was pushed through on a special Saturday morning list. No node involvement as they had thought but needed to double check. 

My deip surgery was at St Thomas’ but they had to liaise with Kings. Both really good.