Is a DIEP Flap Reconstruction Too Major of a Surgery?

I had a DIEP flap in May. I had plenty of belly fat to create new breasts. After several infections with expanders, this worked for me. It was very painful post surgery. I went back to work 4 weeks later. That wasn’t ideal but I wanted to be at work for the last week of school. (I’m an elementary school counselor.) I was glad that I had summer to continue to heal. 7 months out, I am still healing but pretty much back to my normal lifestyle. I must say that I love my tummy tuck! My breasts are warm and a part of me. They aren’t pretty yet. I’m planning on some revision surgery and tattoos. This whole process worked for me. I hope this helps.

I also had to flap done I did not get implants I moved some of my right breast over to my left so I had enough to share on the other side thank goodness is the worst pain I've ever felt in my life and thank God I have such a blessed boyfriend I would not have been able to get through this it is a severe surgery and I was not able to function or remember the first two weeks I also had cartilage damage from where they took from one side to the other I thought I had broken my rib it hurts so bad and that was the longest thing to heal I still feel it under my armpits about four or five inches down I felt like I had to meet cleavers jabbed in me I can't explain it any other way but on the upward side I'm doing a lot better and I do like the outcome you just got to be tough girl I have to go back and get more of a lift and they have a new thing out if you don't have enough fat tissue in your breast they can take it from your stomach if you have a little extra fat there just saying cuz I'm fixing to have them pump some fat from my stomach to correct the center cleavage area and that's not a big deal if they get it from there it's easier than what I went through honey I need a tattoo that says raggedy Ann down my side good luck to you we got this!

Thank you ladies!! The 7th is the big day!!!

Wishing you the best! It’s painful, but I’m happy with my results.❤️

Teresa, I’m a recently retired RN of over 40 years in critical care and opted for a double mastectomy in March 2023 and had skin and nipple sparing mastectomies for a very aggressive triple neg BRCA breast cancer with 95 KI score. I was only able to have saline implants because of having Sjögren’s syndrome and 4 other autoimmune immune diseases and BRCA 2 mutations. I honestly did wonderful with the surgeries and very minimal pain, no use of pain medication, discharged 14 hours post op with 4 drains, home instructions, and implants to date are wonderful. I metastasized to one axillary lymph node, found nearly a year later and am undergoing aggressive chemo treatments, successfully. I’m being monitored closely as oncology suspects the cancer was in my blood from the beginning, but not found until post op blood tumor marker testing and scans. I wish you the very best and reconstruction at the time of the mastectomies will never be a regret.

My daughter has implants so do my two step sisters either way hon it's gonna hurt like hell make yourself look fabulous the outcome is worth it they also now if you have any stomach fat tissue they can take it from there if you are scared of implants I had enough breast tissue and puppy ear fat to fill my partial mastectomy but I'm wanting more filled on the bottom of my breasts and clevege tighter even after all the pain I went through I'm 60 years old and I'm going through with it because I want to feel fabulous as well I wish you well

I survived both mastectomy and a a diep flap. Surgery took 7 1/2 hours and 3 surgeons were operating on me at the same time. All worth it. The recovery takes up to three months but I was able to perform my job remotely after 10 days. Good luck with everything . Remember : added bonus: flat stomach :).

2 days post op. Pain is crazy. But feel better today!! They just got me up. Which was hard!! But all is well

You can do this. You are in the worst part of recovery at this point. I’m 8 months out from DIEP flap. To be honest, I still have some pain when I do certain things. It’s all in my belly. I am still happy with my choices. ❤️

The pain is crazy! So frustrating..

Teresa, So sorry. I had the mastectomies and implants as nipple and skin sparing same time with the 2 surgeons. Because of Sjogren’s and my other autoimmune problems, I could only receive the implants and I had little pain and did amazing, as I was discharged about 16 hrs Post op and surgery was over 6 hours. I’m sorry for your pain, as others expressed same, but I know that I love my implants and you will love the flap reconstruction in the end. As an RN, I wanted to be able to feel as whole as possible with such a traumatic diagnosis. I really feel that you will do very well in a few days. 🙏

Teresa, be sure to use Miralax or something similar. Constipation makes the pain worse. Let your body rest. I hope there is someone taking good care of you. You will feel better at some point. Follow doctor’s orders for recovery. I’m thinking of you❤️ Beth

I went with small implants and I’m glad I did because I listen to the doctor and other survivors.

It's completely natural to feel anxious about such a significant decision, especially when facing multiple major procedures at once. Many patients find that discussing their concerns with their surgical team can help clarify what to expect during recovery and address specific worries about the DIEP flap procedure. The community here has members who have walked similar paths and may be able to share their experiences to help you feel more prepared and supported through this journey.