Diep Flap

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I had a silicone/saline implant after my mastectomy in 1989. In June 2003 I had a recurrence and had to have chemo and radiation in the chest area. After the radiation I noticed that my implant looks stange, the plastic surgeon calls it #capsular contraction". I am considering having my implant replaced after 16 yrs. The newest method is called the DIEP flap - in which they take your stomach fat and move it to your breast. The new thing about this type of surgery is that they don't move the stomach fat up thru your stomach muscle, instead they completely detach it and then re-attach the blood supply thru microsurgery. Has anyone had this DIEP flap? I want to talk to women who have experienced this before I make any decisions. hadia

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Shelley7

Hi there, I had DIEP surgery in New Orleans with Dr. Dellacroce and Sullivan in November last year. I can tell you from personal experience that this is by far the best surgery going if you want natural breasts that grow or shrink with you. People that have seen mine say that once the scars fade they won't be able to tell the difference. If you want to go to the Dr.'s web site it is: www.centerforrestoration.com or breastcenter.com These are two of the most gifted caring surgeons you will ever meet and I traveled from Idaho for this surgery. Most of their patients come from out of town. If you would like more information let me know and I will be happy to help in any way I can.

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3_John_12

I am a chemo patient for breast cancer. I recently met another patient who just had this surgery 7 weeks ago in New Orleans with Dr. Dellacroce and Sullivan. She had a double mascetomy. She is feeling great and highly recommends the procedure and doctors in New Orleans.

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Resourceful

Did you have to take someone with you to take care of you while you had this surgery? Would you have been able to take care of yourself during the entire experience? Would you have been able to get back home by yourself after surgery? How long were the drains in you? How long did you have to stay in New Orleans? How much did it cost you out of your pocket? I have no one to help me in any way, and need to know the above information. I need both breasts operated on. Is there a place there in New Orleans you can go after the surgery to recuperate and regain your strength under watchful eyes somehow until you are able to travel back to your home? What happens to people who have no one to help them at all?

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Shelley7

I was lucky in that my husband went with me. I have heard of women going there on their own I would certainly discuss this with the doctors, they may have someone check on you when you get out of the hospital. From what I understand the hotel they now put you in will run out and get groceries etc for you. Getting home would not be a problem, you just notify the airline that you need a wheel chair and attendant and they will take care of it. I flew from NOLA back to Idaho and they had a wheelchair at the limo at the airport and then one when I transferred planes in Denver. So that part is totally doable. I was in New Orleans for 11 days, four in the hospital. I had 4 drains and all of them came out before I went home, about 10 days. My insurance took care of it, it only cost me $100.00 total. Stacey at the Center is really good with insurance and will tell you what you need to know. My cousin had bilateral DIEP and her cost was about $1,500 plus travel. The doctors put you up in a hotel that will only cost you $40.00 a night after you leave the hospital. They will pick you up at the airport in a limo, make sure you get to the hospital in a limo and take you back to the hotel and airport in a limo at no cost to you. The hospital they now use lets you stay there the night before your surgery for free and they wake you up in the morning and take you to surgery. Please call the center and talk with them, or at least e-mail them. I am sure that Dr. DellaCroce and Sullivan have many patients in your same boat and are more than willing to help. Chad has been known to go out and get dinner and deliver to the hotel, they also give you a $100.00 for meal delivery by a taxi service. They are all about making you as comfortable as possible during this trying time. If I can help with any other questions please e-mail me. Take care and gentle hugs on your journey.

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Resourceful

Shelly7: Thanks for your response. After you left NO in 11 days, when did you have to return?when you went home how long were you in badshape; i.e. in bed and in a chair and quite uncomfortable. How long until you were able to be more mobile with your arms and move around more normally? Thank you so very much for this information. You are the first time I have been able to talk to a person "who has been there". This is very valuable to me.

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Shelley7

Hi again, I was up and walking within 24 hours. I did not have any pain because of the pain meds. When I got home I was able to go up and down stairs and go to the mall to do some walking. I was just more tired than anything. Some of the younger people that have had this done were going to the french quarter by day 6 to have lunch. I was too tired for that, but did quite a bit of walking around the hospital and hotel area. I was moving pretty normal within a few days of surgery. Took a shower by myself and washed my hair at day three. I actually over did it when I got home because I felt so good. I did laundry and driving at 12 days, not something that I would recommend to people. You are on a 10 pound lifting restriction for about 6 weeks. I went back to work at 3.5 weeks, for some people it is a little shorter and others a little longer, depends on the kind of job that you do. So to answer your questions, I was never in bad shape, never really uncomfortable, could use my arms within 24 hours and was up and walking within 24 hours. I was very surprised at how easy it really was for me, I expected more pain and less movement but that did not turn out to be the case. The only thing that surprised me was how tired I was and that reading a book was out of the question for about two weeks while my mind cleared from the drugs. The doctors at NOLA work very hard to make sure that you are not uncomfortable. Hope this helps.. Take care, Shelley I returned to NOLA January 17th for revisions and aerolas and nipples. About 10 weeks after my original surgery.

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Resourceful

I feel awkward to be so personal, but how old are you? I am sure age must be a factor. I am 65 and I need bilateral.

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Shelley7

Nothing is really to personal when it comes to making these decisions. I am 49 and also had a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction (DIEP) due to being BRCA1+ and having a precancerous ductal condition. Be happy to answer any other questions you think of. Shelley

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Resourceful

Did you have mastectomies and DIEP at same time? They say it is best to do it all at same time. I want to have mast. and DIEP on left at same time, but have already had mast on right and now want DIEP. Do you have any lymphedema? Did you have any lymphedema after surgery and if so what did you do about it. I have significant, but I use my right arm a lot and I refuse to stop living and doing what I enjoy and just sit in a chair. Breast surg will give me a prescrip for a "pump" and I think I may go ahead and make things easy for myself. Do you feel like a steel band across your chest on either side? what kind of sensations do you have? Thanks for info.

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