DIEP Breast Reconstruction After Recon with Implants, 52 Years Old, Implants Had Incapsulated, Caused Pain & Deformity

It is so manageable. Its difficult to move around at first because you have drains in the upper and lower body but each day gets easier. The 6 week recovery is needed because you have to let yourself heal (rest, walk to build up strength and repeat until you can get back to normal activities. The recovery is so short compared to what you get in return. That time is just a fleeting moment in comparison to everything else you get to do after healing!

How long were you in hospital and did you have to stay around hospital after being released or were you able to go home?

4-5 days in the hospital. 1 hour & 1/2 drive home (which I slept), so didn't care. Dr. Orseck arranged a home health care nurse to come by a few times so he could get updates & make sure I was doing okay. The nurse basically takes vitals, checks incisions changes bandages and answers any questions. I hope this helps you. I know there is a lot in the details, but I promise you they work themselves out! Please don't hesitate to call me if you need to talk about anything. Have you already had your breast removed & are you finished with treatments?

Yes, I had a double mastectomy in Jan with no reconstruction and I finished with chemo 5 weeks ago. I do have to have a total hysterectomy before reconstruction because I'm also Brca1+ and my mom had ovarian cancer. How long have you been cancer free?

I had triple negative BC. Cancer Free for 5 years. I have only had about three years where I haven't been doing some sort of surgery though. Going with implants was a huge mistake for me. I had to do delayed recon & then when I was strong enough I scheduled the surgery to have the expanders placed. My skin didn't cooperate & my first surgeon, well, let's just say, he had a hard time. I finally got the implants & they looked awful! One was way bigger & the one that was smaller had a glued down looking area! He went back in to try to lift the area and he was not successful. Then the scar tissue was building up and he went back in to clean that out. Everyone scars differently, and because I didn't massage my implants, scar tissue formed around them & they incapsulated. I had so much discomfort from the implants, and so much numbness & itching under my armpits, as well as a corded type of feeling around my chest area...sort of like I was wearing a bra that was way too tight. I waited a couple of years and then decided to do the DIEP. Best decision ever!

Also, was your husband able to stay with you the 4-5 days in hospital?

Excited for you! Who is doing your surgery? You will have blood work done & CT but different Dr's order different pre-op test per individual. The best advice I can give you is to hydrate like crazy beginning now. Drink water even when you feel like you can't possibly drink any more. Everything works better if you are well hydrated. And try to walk every day....this will help for afterwards. Being nervous is natural & it will be hard at first to move around but little by little you will get your strength back. I didn't answer your question about my husband being able to stay at the hospital. The answer is YES & you will be glad he is there to help you talk to the nurse & for added support. Hang in there! And if you have any other questions, just let me know.

Dr Orseck is doing mine. .he was very nice! I've never used Spartanburg hospital before, so hoping it's good. Thanks for all the help!

My implants are mishapen flattened. I have a lot of scar tissue and pain. I had my exchange surgery a year ago. I had bilateral breast cancer. It seems like it has been one thing after another.

Yes, honey. My insurance covered it & yours should cover it too. There was a law put in place years ago that cancer related surgeries are covered under insurance. I had to pay 20% plus deductibles. Hang in there. The road healing mentally is ongoing but after the DEIP, I feel the most while I have ever felt. I too had bilateral mastectomy so I understand. Wishing you all the best & if you have more questions just let me know!

Omg. Call me if you would like. Every situation is different but I can tell you for me, if I could do it over again, I would not have done the implants. Dr. Orseck is absolutely amazing! He is worthy of being in one of the best hospitals in the world offering this (wherever that is). I don't mind if you want to call me. 803-206-9312. I wish I had someone who could have given me more insight. Either way, you NEED to see Dr. Orseck! It is a HUGE surgery! But oh so worth it!