Should I or shouldn’t I have a DIEP reconstruction

I had immediate DIEP after mastectomy - it took approx 8 hours. So take off about 2 hours for mastectomy - about 6 hours. 

Good luck deciding. 

Mine failed but not many do xx

Thanks for your reply. Sorry it didn’t work out for you. X

Hi Disco Queen!
I had my mastectomy with reconstruction Diep flap and reduction on the other side on June 2nd, so one week today!
It wasn’t a walk in the park, but 7 days on and I’m making small gains every day.

It sounds like the nicotene is winning at the moment, and I’m not making any judgment (as a former smoker). I quit in 2014 and I went cold turkey. I had a nicorette inhaler but couldn’t quite give it up. In the end I filled a jar full of fag ends and water, and every time I wanted a fag, I took the lid off and had a sniff….it worked for me! Have you tried NHS app, or your GP? The app gives you a way to reduce your inhaler use day by day and lots of encouragement and support. 

You’re not too old and it could make a positive change for you. It’s not a walk in the park at first, having wounds to your stomach and breast, but after the first few days you are able to shower and dress. Very slowly. I stayed in hospital 5 days in total, and the nurses and staff were wonderful.

I’m at home now and since yesterday haven’t needed pain killers. 
The surgeon said the reconstruction would be a little sore, I think the stomach was a bit worse. Coughing, sneezing and doing a number 2 was the main topic of concern on my ward of 4 ladies.

Its so hard to quit nicotine, but remember your strength. You’ve already dealt with cancer. Wishing you the very best and good luck xxx

Thank you for your reply Kerry Cake. I found it really helpful.

I think continuing to use the inhalator is my way of not making a decision. I only use one cartridge every 24 hours so after 4 hours not much nicotine left. I came down with a cold today and it’s on my chest so I haven’t used it since early this morning. So hopefully this will help me stop.

It was nice of you say I am not too old as that was a big concern of mine.

i think I will phone the breast reconstruction nurse tomorrow and discuss things with her.

thanks again 

Disco Queen 

Hi - I had DIEP flap surgery back in March and I'm 73, albeit a life-long non smoker, fit and very active.  It is big surgery which taxes the body and does take months to recover from, so I remained focused on the future and having that lovely new boob and a much flatter tummy!  I also followed my surgeon's advice to the letter because after all it is a mutual partnership of trust and a will to succeed.

Only you can decide it is true, but for me, I hated how I looked without a boob and having to constantly wrestle a prosthesis which had a mind of its own.  

My very best wishes to you.

Thank you for replying to my post

It was nice to hear from someone older as I keep thinking I am too old now. 

I feel the same about my body. I hate the prosthesis and the bras. I have put pockets in some of my old bras and they are better. 
I feel very self conscious when I am in a swimsuit. 
I have stopped using the inhalator 2 weeks now so I will phone the nurse when it is 4 weeks as advised by the doctor . Not sure what the waiting time is but probably well over 1 year. The doctor said I will need a CT of my stomach to check everything is ok. 
then I will have to wait. 

thanks again