POSTED UNDER Breast Reconstruction with DIEP Flap Reviews
38 yr old 2 kids, bc with the works! SC
UPDATED FROM stellasurvivor
Had the works- chemo, rad, bi mastectomy, te's,...
stellasurvivorJuly 4, 2016
Had the works- chemo, rad, bi mastectomy, te's, then diep breast reconstruction-which is several surgeries. It is the longest road ever when you've already done so much, but dr Craigie and staff made me beautiful again. And they care and connect. Professional and so knowledgable. There for crying, laughing, questions, everything. Couldn't recommend them more than my overflowing grateful heart.
Replies (0)
UPDATED FROM stellasurvivor
2nd stage natural breast reconstruction
stellasurvivorJuly 4, 2016
A little harder than expected, but soooo worth it! I haven't updated in so long, but we all hop on when we need, so here's what happened:
1st recon was DIEP. This is after my 2nd stage, so in this, they fix the "dog ears" (the little pointy part where drains stick out on sides of belly incision), they lipo out (I used inner and outer thighs, what can I say, I gotta lot to give there) and graft that fat to the new breast/ab tissue. My tissue took beautifully last surgery and I both babied it but remained healthy. I am young and that helps. As a result, I had no fat necrosis or issues, so I think my fat has a great chance of survival.
I told him no one ever woke up and said no, they're too big. ???? So they're pretty nice already. He also fixed a little cording issue when he went in by breasts under arm, as well as injected a bit of fat under the port scar, which he felt would improve its look.
It's tough to have a drain agsin, esp when u thought you were all done w drains. Downright depressing at times. But the results! I can already see it. I'm starting to like my body again, and that's saying something.
1st recon was DIEP. This is after my 2nd stage, so in this, they fix the "dog ears" (the little pointy part where drains stick out on sides of belly incision), they lipo out (I used inner and outer thighs, what can I say, I gotta lot to give there) and graft that fat to the new breast/ab tissue. My tissue took beautifully last surgery and I both babied it but remained healthy. I am young and that helps. As a result, I had no fat necrosis or issues, so I think my fat has a great chance of survival.
I told him no one ever woke up and said no, they're too big. ???? So they're pretty nice already. He also fixed a little cording issue when he went in by breasts under arm, as well as injected a bit of fat under the port scar, which he felt would improve its look.
It's tough to have a drain agsin, esp when u thought you were all done w drains. Downright depressing at times. But the results! I can already see it. I'm starting to like my body again, and that's saying something.
Replies (0)
UPDATED FROM stellasurvivor
Bilateral mastectomy 38 yrs. 3 weeks out
stellasurvivorSeptember 16, 2015
3 week out pics: I have had another fill and just picked off the purple glue so they are looking better now that they look like skin!
Replies (2)
September 20, 2015
I bought one at Nordstrom that zipped up the front with pockets to hold the drains. I'll be bringing it along on this trip too. I really am fortunate to get everything done this year. It was a push but I think I'll make it, if there are no issues with my first surgery.
Crazy year 2015 turned out to be.....
Crazy year 2015 turned out to be.....
September 21, 2015
I hear ya. Sometimes it's so surreal I can't believe it is really me inside. But it is and I'm okay! And you're okay! So we have this realllllly sucky (not ducky, autocorrect! Ha) thing to deal with, for what seems like a long time. This is the tough part, but we know there's an end to this long tunnel. And when we're out, we are done and we will be magnificent! I'm dedicating 2016 to my reconstruction- both boo and so what. Hooray for first surgery!!! It's the hardest and then you cruise through a few speed bump surgeries and there ya go! I had chemo and I think how long my hair will be!
Lana