Advice about DIEP reconstruction please.

Diep doesn’t use muscle only fat. The best fat to use for this I’m told is tummy fat. It’s a big operation and you will have a long scar hip to hip low down under your knicker line. Mine was text book. I was in hospital 4 days - not much rest due to hourly obs for 24 hours then 2 hourly then 4 hourly obs. The first 73 hours are critical. At home I slept with a V pillow and pillows under knees for a while gradually deceasing them. I needed help getting out of bed, putting on socks etc I needed help in the shower and went up and down stairs sideways very slowly. Recovery is slow and you are not allowed to twist, stretch, lift arm etc and I couldn’t straighten up for ages. You will need help but you will be given pain killers and so long as you take things slowly and not expect to be ‘running around’ for a while it’s very doable. Each week you improve considerably.

The results are amazing. Mine matches my other side very well. In a bra or bikini you can’t tell. Even naked a person who didn’t know would probably find it difficult to tell unless inspecting!!! New boob is warm to touch and feels a part of me. Give away with me as my recon nipple doesn’t stick out as far as other one. If you have both sides done that won’t be a problem as will match. I have had lipo modelling and nipple recon since the diep. Having nipple tattooing at the moment and will be having a bit more lipo modelling later in the year. Ask if you are able to keep your nipple. A diep is presently the Rolls Royce of reconstruction. If you can face the surgery it is definitely worth having over other recon. Hope this helpsXxxxxxx