diep tram flap bilateral reconstruction anyone?

Two different procedures...
If you want a DIEP, make sure you are getting a DIEP. A TRAM is a different procedure that takes a portion of the abdominal muscle (Transverse Rectus Abdomininis Muscle)to provide blood supply to the newly reconstructed breast. The DIEP leaves the abdominal muscles intact and uses only the skin,tissue,and blood supply (veins/arteries) of the muscle to rebuild.

jphilpo said:

diep flap
I too began my cancer journey in 2009. I had my diep flap surgery in June2010. I took me about 2 months to fully recover, but it was not as scary as I thought. Pain was manageable and my doctor tells me I look great. I am very happy with the results and have decided not to do the "nipple" thing. I just want to be left alone for a while.

I hope this helps,

Jean

Left Alone after Surgery
I had an appointment with my lastic ssurgeon today. After 10 hours of surgery (mastectomy and reconstruction) I don't want to talk about anyone even drawing blood. I will probably have the nipple rebuild, areola tat and the right breast adjustment this winter. I was told that too completely heal it takes 6-12 months. I can believe it. I had problems with the breast healing--I got bad blisters and some skin died. The doctors felt that this was more from the mastectomy than the flap.

diep 7 weeks ago
I had a unilateral DIEP Tram 7 weeks ago today. Not sure why some doctors call it a DIEP Tram and others don't. Anyway...after the 1st 24 hours were over, it wasn't that bad. I was up and about pretty quickly, but I think it's because I got off the IV pain meds right away because they made me sick. Less pain meds = more alert and therefore more energy for walking the floor. If you are OK on the pain meds, it's probably nice to dose thru the 1st few days.

One week after surgery it was uncomfortable to stand for long periods of time, but a week after that I was fine. Last weekend, we went on 2 short "hikes" in the local state park and I was fine. My journey also started in 2009 and after today I have one herceptin treatment to go and then just the Tamoxifen. Haven't decided about the nipple reconstruction, I live in a different state now and it was a bit of a pain going back for the Diep appointments. Maybe I'll look for a new PS in my new state.

Good luck!
Hugs,
Marcy

mariam_11_09 said:

I had DIEP flap in Jan 10.
I had DIEP flap in Jan 10. My mother helped out for several weeks and I definitely needed it for at least the first week (or two) after I got home. While I was able to move about and walk up and down two flights of stairs, it was great having someone to cook and pickup around our apartment and drive me to doctor's appointments or help me in the shower with the drains.

Some women suggested sleeping in a recliner. I regret that I never got one. I do think it would have been much easier. I wore button up shirts that were loose and baggy as well as pants that had a soft elastisized waist (exercise pants). I couldn't have caffeine for two weeks after surgery and I was dying for a cup of english tea.

All in all for me, the surgery seems like a walk in the park compared to 6 months of chemo and 6 weeks of rads.

good luck with your surgery and let us know how it goes.

How about those Drains
Your experience was similar to mine. How did you like those drains? They reminded me of huggy bottles. On top of that they had to be "milked". The only thing better than getting the drains out was having the catheter removed. I had two drains in my abdomen and two in my breast. My cousin came and sayed with me for about 10 days after my surgery. I also had a nurse that came twice a week for a few weeks. I definitely do not suggest being alone after the surgery. Yur movement is much too limited and you could hurt yourself and end up with a setback. I bought a recliner that I am sitting in as I type this message. I am glad that I made the investment. I purchased it the week before my surgery. I bought it because I didn't know if I would be able to get up into my bed which sits high off of the floor, but I was able to crawl in and out of my bed without using my abdominal muscles. I think that I was determined after I had been in a hospital bed for five days and I have a king-sized, pillow-topped mattress. The recliner was good because it helped to get me moving around and sitting up. It is easy to get bed bound.