I was diagnosed with breast cancer 5 years ago. I had my left breast removed first with an expander placed. Approximately 8 weeks later my right breast removed and diep flap done. My surgeon was phenomenal and my surgery was a success. My scar (which is almost non existent) is just above my pubic bone. My breast reconstruction as well is awesome! Hats off to Dr. Koltz!!!! Hope e made a scary diagnosis much easier to bear!!
You’re right, women don’t ask much about the aesthetic details about this surgery. I didn’t and now I’m hindsight wish I had) . I had my surgery last October, and even though I don’t regret the surgery and the results (neat clean incisions and surprisingly pain free post op recovery), I wish I had asked more questions about the aesthetics. My concern is the unsightly sides which looks like horns on each end of the incision along my abdomen.
Good news... your surgeon will likely be able tot help you with those. The excess tissue the you're referring to on each end of your diep flap scar are affectionately known as "dog ears". Scar revision surgery is a simple, low-risk surgery than can remove the excess tissue and create an even, smooth contour. It can make your diep flap scar a little longer but its a trade-off most patients are very willing to make. Talk to your surgeon about this. They should be able to address this for you.
Wish I would’ve came across this video b4 my DIEP procedure. Doctor made sure to tell me that’s it not a tummy tuck, and didn’t seem open to anything I had to say. So honestly am not thinking about going back to them for my revision… (Any thoughts?)
After Diep Flap, my abdominal area is bulging, looks very uncomfortable and ugly. I’ve never had bulging abdominal, I was always flat. It bothers me. Please tell me can that be fixed?
i was left with a pucker on the side of my scar that shows through my clothes. At times you are in such a fog after the diagnosis and you don't always ask the right questions. Also it has been almost 20 years since my surgery and i am feeling discomfort and tightness in the area around the breast.
Is it normal to feel something moving where the diep flap was removed. My body feels weird after surgery. It’s going to be a year in April I did the reconstruct.
Its been 4 weeks for me and Im having more pain and issues than in hospital. My flap was supposed to be belly button sparing and st the bikini line. Nope.
Hi, I feel the same thing. It feels like I am pregnant and the baby is moving within me. I brought it up to my doctor’s attention and he said that am feeling the movement in my intestines. And I have a bulging stomach which I never had before 😢
I’m a year post op and still dealing with the infamous Ken doll and swelly belly. My PS told me to do core exercises for the Ken Doll. Will this really help it go away?
Can a vertical cut be made for DIEP? Instead of horizontal one. I already have a vertical scar from an emergency surgery. I seen a before and after with a vertical cut and it looked so much better to me.
Hi Eliana. The DIEP flap would use the lower abdominal tissue on either side of the vertical scar, but still creates a horizontal scar after closure of the surgical wound after the tissue is moved to the chest.
I plan to have a diep flap after masectomy on right side and after having 4 kids my abdomen is bigger than normal. I’ve have facial palsy after a brain tumour which is permanent, now I’m loosing a breast. Having this diep flap is something I’m actually hoping to have but also loosing the weight around my belly and having it tighted is mentally helping me through this physical loss. Being a woman and loosing so much of my confidence through all these physical changes first loosing my face and now my breast has been so mentally hard for me but knowing I could get a body transformation which could boost my confidence in the fire is what is keeping me going and fighting. I would like to know would the NHS in the uk cover this? The muscles on my abdomen have split apart after babies and I would like these repaired at the same time, would the nhs cover this at the same time as the diep. If I’m gona get the diep I would rather get a whole transformation and feel mentally better about my body. Please help
I got flat surgery The dr didn’t explain and I didn’t ask much I am regret that I can’t carry or lift stuff and my stomach look like I am ugly a big of bump on my stomach wish I hear this before
That’s a shame! Have you gone back and spoken to them? I’m due in 2 months for my check up and then in 4 I’m due to have bits tweaked, like filling my boobs out more and having nipples made. I have bulgy parts at the side of my waist, if these don’t heal as I’m 4 weeks past surgery then I’ll have those removed as well.
Same... this type of reconstruction is not worth it. the tightness, back pain, the upper bloated feeling. your body shape was completely ruined. Its not worth it. get the implants.
its been almost 20 years after the surgery and i have cramping, a bump on the side it was done on and tightness. it hurts to lay on that side sometimes as well.
I had a reconstruction on 1 breast 30 years ago with muscle and skin from my back. It's now causing pain and cramps and breast is getting smaller. 3 sizes smaller than otherone. I have been told to go for the tummy option for another recon. Here's hoping it will all work out OK.
Weight alone is not a factor in whether a patient is a good candidate for DIEP surgery. Patients should discuss their options with their surgeon, and if needed, seek a second opinion.
I am diabetic and my blood was quite high going into surgery. Chemo didn’t help me. In the uk they will make you loose weight if you have big body mass, one because of complications having surgery, I had to make sure I didn’t have much thick stomach fat on mine and tried to loose a little before surgery x
I have no regrets. And think this is one of the best options out there for women in need to have this surgery. All I say is fine someone who is good at doing this, and has experience as well as an amazing surgery team. Good luck x
I don’t care much about the aesthetics. I have a lumpy stomach area now which looks odd but for me and my nipple reconstruction is larger than my other real one but my issue was the mesh that was used inside on one side and because of that I can no longer do stomach exercises and had a couple of problems getting out of the bath yesterday because I have cramp like issues as a result. I’m trying to lose my lockdown weight and comfort eating weight as a result of the breast cancer stuff so not being able to exercise properly is a problem.
I’m 4 weeks after having my diep surgery, I am from the uk so not sure if terms, wording., procedures are different to other countries. I had breast breast cancer a year before my second diagnoses, I had surgery to remove that cancer as well as a breast reduction and lift to both breasts as well as treatment. A year after I had my mammogram when they found out I had triple negative breast cancer again. Iv had my chemo and then my diep surgery. Soon as I was woken up from my diep surgery, I could feel pain in my stomach, but soon disappeared soon as they gave me pain relief and a button on my hand to have morphine every 5 mins though the intravenous line. Though out the night of my diep surgery I had a nurse sit in with my and tested my breasts with those machines they use when listening to type babies heart every 30 mins. This was very tiring as it was though the next day and night. I was too tired to try and get up and walk. So the nurses decided to leave that until tue following day. The following day I got up, I was scared to start with because I didn’t Feel any pain on my breast or tummy, just tightness on my stomach. I managed with the help of a nurse to walk to the bathroom in my room and sit at the sink to have a “cat lick wash” just to fresh up really. The day after I was getting up on my own and was able to have a wee as they top the catheter out of me. (Freedom) I managed to shower on my own, dress and was able to walk the ward on my own. Through out my 6 days in hospital I was able to shower, dress, and go off for walks on my own to the shops down stairs! I didn’t have much knowledge on how I would be after the huge surgery, they put drains either side of my breasts left and right. And two drains on where my tummy had its surgery. They came out the 3rd and last day being the breast ones. Being as I had surgery previously they followed the surgical lines for my new surgery. I requested to have my nipples removed because they never were right after my first surgery and we numb to touch. I called them burt and Ernie as they have different minds to each other and wouldn’t react the same to cold and warm. My stomach is still tight and I have fluttering feelings there kind of like when you first feel your baby move. I find this comforting. I do have “firework boobies” i used this name from the first time I had surgery as you get sharp shooting pains in your boobs. My surgeon told me that the nerve endings are waking up ect so I thought that’s what it would be as I recognise the pain. But check with your health care professional first!!
I hope that my experience helps you, our bodies are different to each others and that is what makes life so amazing. Please remember that you may have other experiences to mine, but hope you can add yours here to give comfort to those in need of it x
Hi hanagh. I am also in the UK and hoping for another reconstruction this time with the tummy method. 30 years ago it was with my back muscle. I have recently been diagnosed again same side. I'm going to ask if they can remove what I have and do another recon. Got my consultation mid September. See what they say.
After Diep Flap, my abdominal area is bulging, looks very uncomfortable and ugly. I’ve never had bulging abdominal, I was always flat. It bothers me. Please tell me can that be fixed?
Hi Alisa. I'm very sorry to hear this. If this has not improved over time, or even gotten worse, please speak to your surgeon. This is something that can generally be addressed but unfortunately more surgery is often involved in the form of tightening of tissues internally, or reinforcement with mesh. Your team will need toe evaluate you and also make sure you do not have hernia. If you need to, get a second opinion.
