Diep Flap

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rescuerabbit
rescuerabbit Member Posts: 6
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I had DCIS with lumpectomy and radiation in 2001. Most recently, I had stage II Ductal Carcinoma in the other breast. I elected to have a bilateral mastectomy with expanders for implants at the same time. The radiated one got infected. After 6 rounds of antibiotics, and surgery to remove the expander, it was diagnosed as a staph infection and a round of vancomycin has stopped it. I can no longer have an implant on that side, and must now have a flap of some kind if I am to have reconstruction. It is a really UGLY scar now. Has anyone out there had a diep flap? Did you have complications? How long did it take to heal? Did you have it in both breast or only one? Also, I would like to know the same info for the latissimus dorsi flap if any of you have had it. Thanks for your help!

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  • cabbott
    cabbott Member Posts: 1,039 Member
    #2
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    A fellow survivor I know told me a similar story. She needed a tram flap to get the necessary blood flow for a successful reconstruction. Talk to your plastic surgeon and ask all your questions. The DIEP flap takes less muscles, but you need to make sure it will have enough circulation to take.
  • DEBY
    DEBY Member Posts: 19
    #3
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    Hi, if you go down to the 9th message on this board you can read my story. Its under Deby. I to had a very BAD infection with fluid build up in my mastectomy. I have a hole in chest to drain out fluid. I will be going for surgery at the end of Jan. But Im told with radiation a lot of vessels are shot and you need the right blood flow to have a successful outcome. So the diep is some what a risk that i dont want. I want this to be my final surgery Im done. I go for a 2nd opinion Monday. You should read my story. Also Diepsisters.com they have some good story's I hope I helped you some what. Good luck. I feel bad for the both of us. Its bad enough to have had cancer and to go through this. Than to deal with every thing else. Let me know how you make out. Debbie
  • mmontero38
    mmontero38 Member Posts: 1,510
    #4
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    Hi:
    I am also looking into the Diep flap. I was told that usually big university hospitals might do it because they need a whole team of surgeons working on you. I don't know where you are from but I was told the New York University Hospital has a team of surgeons that do it. On the latissimus dorsi flap, I was told it is very painful and then you will have a large scar on your back. The tram flap might be better since they cut below the belly button and it would not be visible. I will investigate further on the DIEP flap and let you know what I find out. Lili
  • rescuerabbit
    rescuerabbit Member Posts: 6
    #5
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    mmontero38 said:

    Hi:
    I am also looking into the Diep flap. I was told that usually big university hospitals might do it because they need a whole team of surgeons working on you. I don't know where you are from but I was told the New York University Hospital has a team of surgeons that do it. On the latissimus dorsi flap, I was told it is very painful and then you will have a large scar on your back. The tram flap might be better since they cut below the belly button and it would not be visible. I will investigate further on the DIEP flap and let you know what I find out. Lili

    Thanks Lilly--My good internist Doc's wife just had it in NY and would like me to go there--but there are multiple problems including wound care at home because recovery is long. However, I live close to Mayo Clinic and have an appointment for a consult on 1/23. Both Docs there do them--but I need to know how many they have done, infection rate, rejection rate, etc. before I give them my body. Thanks for replying. pat
  • mmontero38
    mmontero38 Member Posts: 1,510
    #6
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    Hi. Thanks to your posting, I actually looked into the DIEP flap. I set up an appointment for next week with the surgeon that actually pioneered this surgery and will share any info he tells me. I actually think this procedure is better than the tram since your stomach area will not be weakened and left more susceptable to a hernia. I've been told that about 40% of the women that have the tram wind up with a hernia. Keep me posted if you get any further info and I'll let you know what the surgeon says after I see him next Thursday.

    Lili
  • mmontero38
    mmontero38 Member Posts: 1,510
    #7
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    DEBY said:

    Hi, if you go down to the 9th message on this board you can read my story. Its under Deby. I to had a very BAD infection with fluid build up in my mastectomy. I have a hole in chest to drain out fluid. I will be going for surgery at the end of Jan. But Im told with radiation a lot of vessels are shot and you need the right blood flow to have a successful outcome. So the diep is some what a risk that i dont want. I want this to be my final surgery Im done. I go for a 2nd opinion Monday. You should read my story. Also Diepsisters.com they have some good story's I hope I helped you some what. Good luck. I feel bad for the both of us. Its bad enough to have had cancer and to go through this. Than to deal with every thing else. Let me know how you make out. Debbie

    Debbie:
    How did you make out with the 2nd opinion? I have decided to do the tram flap since I don't want a big scar on my back. I figured below the belly button is easier to hide. I finally found a doctor that I actually liked and felt very comfortable with. He was highly recommended and is rated as 1 of the top 5 in NJ. I am going on 1/14 for my 2nd visit and to arrange the surgery. Let me know how you made out. Lili

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