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31 Years Old, Prophylactic Mastectomy and DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction - Dallas, TX

ORIGINAL POST

I was interested in DIEP Flap because I've had 2...

texasweather
WORTH IT$1
I was interested in DIEP Flap because I've had 2 kids, had gained a bit of weight, and saw it as a good opportunity to not only start over with a new body, but also have breasts created from my own tissue rather than implants. Keeping my own nipples was very important to me rather than having reconstructed nipples. Because I had very large breasts prior to my mastectomy (36H), I met with one plastic surgeon who told me that it would be impossible to keep my nipples. I met with Dr. Meade and he laid out a surgical plan to give me the best shot at this. He first performed a standard breast reduction. We waited 6 months for healing, then conducted the mastectomy and reconstruction, and my nipples survived beautifully! I'm not going to lie, DIEP is a rough surgery. It is not for the faint of heart. It is VERY much worth it, though! Dr. Meade told me to walk as much as possible, and I took that to heart. Starting by walking laps around the ICU, then down the halls of the oncology unit. By 2 weeks out, I was walking 1 mile per day, and by 4 weeks out I was walking 2 miles per day. At 6 weeks I was walking 3 miles per day and was cleared to run. I started up slowly and regained my strength and confidence. 3 months out I joined a morning boot camp. The chest and abdominal exercises were difficult, but I just took it at my own comfort level and pace, and redeveloped the muscle. 5 months after my mastectomy and reconstruction, I ran a half marathon. I am now exactly 1 year out from my surgery. I have lost 45 pounds since my surgery and have a bikini body for the first time in my life. Dr. Meade and DIEP Flap have given me an entirely new life. If I had to go and do it all over again, I'd do it in a heartbeat.

texasweather's provider

Ricardo A. Meade, MD

Ricardo A. Meade, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

5.0 | 183 Reviews
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Replies (3)

June 3, 2017
Thank you for your fantastic review of diep flap reconstruction. I'm having mine done on July 1st. By the way you look amazing!!!
January 19, 2018
HI! I'm trying to decide between implants and DIEP. I'm like you - huge boobs that I'd like to be smaller and perkier and plenty of "baby-weight" that could benefit from a tummy tuck. I've had 2 c-sections so I think I'm prepared for the abdominal recovery. I think my two concerns/questions are (1) I have no idea what my boobs will look like afterward. Did you say what sort of size you wanted? What did you do to feel at ease that they'd be the right size? (2) Do they still sag like normal breasts? I was looking forward to wearing spaghetti strap things again but now I worry I'll not be able to. I had decided on perky new boobs with implants because I had no idea DIEP existed. Then my doctor mentioned it as an option and now I'm totally torn. Any input you can offer would be awesome! Thanks!
August 31, 2020
I'm torn between a DIEP flap and implants, if you come across my comment, just wanted to know what procedure you decided on and how did it go.
UPDATED FROM texasweather
1 year post

Update to Add Pictures

texasweather
Adding pictures

Replies (10)

July 10, 2014
Wow I think you look great!  Did you have the mastectomy as a preventative measure? (I'm covering this community for Bethanny who is on vacation and is the regular Community Manager, so sorry if it is obvious or if I missed something).
July 10, 2014
Yes I am BRCA2 positive and had my mastectomy done preventively.
July 13, 2014
Gotcha, thanks for clarifying for me :)
July 10, 2014
I too am 31 and had a mastectomy with reconstruction in February of this year. You have a great plastic surgeon....mine however, doesn't seem to want to go any other route other than expanders/implants. I feel like most women get a body makeover but my plastic surgeon doesn't want to do this for me. I want to change drs but unfortunately, I cant find a doctor in my area that will see me in between surgeries. So now I have to settle. I loved my ps at first, but then its starting to become all about the money for her. But I am so happy you love your ps and your results are awesome! I wish I lived in your area so I could go to you dr!
July 10, 2014
I'm sorry, that has to be so frustrating.. :( Is traveling to a surgeon an option?
July 10, 2014
Not at this time...I have 3 kids an school starts soon...my husband works nights and my mother is terminally ill and she doesn't have much longer to live. I really wish I could travel!
July 15, 2014
WOW. They look beautiful. Your picture is small on my phone, so it's hard to see it in depth. But in the small version, they look so perfect, without any obvious scars on your breasts. Can you post more up to date ones?
July 16, 2014
Those are as up to date as they get, they were taken July 9. Not much has changed since then! :) my scars are pretty well all faded and are skin color now.
July 21, 2014
i thought with a flap procedure there was usually a visible paddle of skin left on your breast did your dr put your flap totally underneath your regular skin?. you look amazing!!! no one would ever know that you had a mastectomy..thanks for sharing
July 21, 2014
DIEP can be either. For reconstruction performed immediately after mastectomy, (depending on cancer) you can do skin sparing and the doctor just uses the flaps without skin and places it in your natural breast shell. But for women who have had to delay their reconstruction for whatever reason, you can also keep the skin on the flaps to form the new breasts.