DIEP flap reconstruction

Hi Leonora, 

Sorry to hear you have positive margins, it’s a setback when you’ve recovered well from surgery and thought you’d be moving on to other treatment if needed.

Just to say I’m currently in a similar situation. DCIS high grade positive margins, and have had DCIS previously in the other breast. I’m waiting on genetic tests to help with my decision.

Have you had the meeting with Plastic and Breast Surgeons yet? I found them so helpful, and they gave me lots of information about the operation and recovery. I’m sure there are others here who’ve been through it and will reply too.

Have you been offered a re excision?  

Best wishes, Karen 

Hi Leonara, I have just had a diep reconstruction in January and returned to work last week as I have an active job in a school. I was told 8-12 week recovery and that would be about right I’d say! The first 2 weeks are hard, it then gradually gets easier. Overall I am pleased with my recovery and with the overall shape of the breast. My nipple had to be discarded so I still need to have nipple reconstruction. It is a major op, you will need help at first, I hoped I wouldn’t but I did. I’m happy to answer any questions you might have x

Hi Karen22,

Thanks for your reply.

yes I met with plastic surgeons yesterday and got lots of information…. I still feel a bit daunted by the op & recovery time. 
im also seeing a different surgeon to discuss reconstruction with an implant which I understand is much simpler. 
I was offered a re excision but advised that the cosmetic outcome would be quite poor and I’d worry about positive margins again so decided to go straight to mastectomy.

Fingers crossed for your genetic test results.

Take care, Leonora

Hi Anna12345, 

Thanks for your reply. Yes I’ve a few questions if you don’t mind. 
How long were you in hospital? What were those first 2 weeks like? I’m a bit concerned about the abdomen bit … how long was it before you could stand up straight? 

Hope I’m not being too intrusive! 
Glad to hear you’re back at work.

Take care, Leonora

Not at all, ask anything no matter how intrusive! I’m not easily offended. I was in hospital 4 nights which is standard around here and tbh I felt I needed it. The first two weeks I could walk around the house and do very light jobs, making a cuppa or sandwich, etc. I came home with 2 drains still in so I had to be careful not to dislodge them too. I couldn’t load or unload the dishwasher or washing machine and I would’ve struggled to use the oven as it’s low. As the two weeks wore on it got easier. It probably took a week until I could stand straight (funny how quickly you forget!) I took painkillers for approx 4 weeks, tapering them off in that time. I healed up well, I didn’t have any awkward bits x

Hi Leonora,

Thanks for your reply, and also for asking Anna some good questions. It really helps to have others to ask and get information. Thank you Anna.

I am also having decisions to make - either mastectomy and DIEP right breast or attempt at re excision and radiotherapy. I had round block lumpectomy so scar is around nipple.  I am seeing Consultant next week to discuss that further. I too will be worried about another positive margin. 

Unlikely to be able to have any symmetry surgery on left due to previous radiotherapy.  If I’m positive for gene probably will opt for double mastectomy and DIEP reconstruction. Again as left has had radiotherapy can’t have implant. I’m worried that it’s major surgery, but if it reduces my risks of recurrence I will do.

Hope your meeting goes well to discuss other options.

Best wishes,

Karen 

Hi Leonara, reading your post was reading my own story.  

I have had exactly the same and am now scheduled to have the DIEP surgery on 14th June.  I am also concerned about recovery as my husband left me 4 months ago and I have 3 children that need caring for.  I am hoping some comments on your post may give me guidance too.

I do hope your outcome is as good as you can hope for and all goes well, whatever you decide to do.

best wishes

liz

Hi Liz, I’m really sorry you find yourself in this situation, I’m also in my own as my husband also left but before my diagnosis. I’m happy to answer anything I can, how old are your kids? X

It’s a beast isn’t it… he left a few weeks before I got my diagnosis… bad timing!  

kids are 14, 13 & 10 and seem to be doing ok, trying to keep life as normal as possible… but also trying to get them to take ownership for some of their own stuff and to help around the house.

Hi Liz, 

It’s such a lot to deal with! Also quite a balancing act trying to keep things normal for kids but getting them to step up without increasing their own anxieties. I’m also on my own but my daughter is 24 so more able to help out. I hope you’ve got friends and family who can support you and your kids in those first few weeks after the op. Just focus on essentials and let everything else wait. 

I was encouraged by Anna’s comments about her post op recovery. I’m still undecided and seeing another surgeon about an implant and then I’ll decide which way to go.

Take care,

Leonora x