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

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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.