POSTED UNDER Breast Reconstruction with DIEP Flap REVIEWS
Diep Flap Breast Reonstruction and My New Amazing Belly Boob! - Vancouver, WA
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Diep Flap Breast Reconstruction and My Amazing New...
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Diep Flap Breast Reconstruction and My Amazing New Belly-Boob!
54 years old
Invasive Ductal Carcinoma
Mastectomy, right breast 4/2/2015
Lymphectomy 4/22/2015
DIEP-flap Surgery 2/4/216
My wonderful Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Mannish Champaneria went over all of my options for reconstruction, and I decided to have the DIEP-flap. I had a nice, ample, lower belly roll that would make a great boob and it would be all me, would be warm, and would age with my body Dr. Champaneria had not glossed over the fact that it was a long and complicated surgery, and it would take a while to totally recover.I would need another surgery to lift the left breast to match the new one, and they would also do liposuction on my stomach. After that, there would be a small surgery to build the areola and nipple. Still, this seemed to be an incredible way to replace my breast. And I had all the confidence in the world in Dr. Champaneria.
It was 10 months after my mastectomy when I had the DIEP-flap surgery. I checked in PeaceHealth Hospital on Feb. 3, 2016. Dr. Champaneria came in the pre-op and went over everything again. He is so professional, and seems to want to get his patients the best results he can. He also wants to make sure they know what to expect. I totally trusted him. I also met Grace, his serene and capable assistant. I knew I was in good hands.
I was in surgery for 10 hours. I woke up in what would be my room for the next three days. I looked down and had two breasts again! It was me again! I think I cried a little.
I had not mourned the loss of my breast to mastectomy - it wanted to kill me and it had to go. But I will admit, that looking in the mirror for those 10 months was hard. The scar looked so harsh and ugly next to the one breast I had left. I tried to not think about it. But when I woke up after surgery, looked down and saw I had two breasts again it kinda hit me. I guess I hadn’t realized just how much looking at that slash in my chest had demoralized me.
The pain pump kept me very comfortable, and the nurses on the Eighth floor were fabulous. I had a monitor on the belly boob, to make sure the blood was flowing. It would make that noise for three days. I began to actually like the sound - it meant my new boob was happy and healthy!
I’m now seven weeks from the surgery, and have lost 10 pounds and had to buy a 4” shorter belt. I’ll be having my revision surgery on May 4. Dr. Champaneria will lift my left breast to match the new, perker one, and also do liposuction on my mid-section.
Dr. Chamaneria and his staff have been stellar. I could not have found a more caring, talented, and charming plastic surgeon. I could not be happier.
I can’t wait to see what I will look like after this next one. Dr. Champaneria did such an amazing job with the first surgery, I know he is going to make me look fabulous!
I’ll keep you posted!
54 years old
Invasive Ductal Carcinoma
Mastectomy, right breast 4/2/2015
Lymphectomy 4/22/2015
DIEP-flap Surgery 2/4/216
My wonderful Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Mannish Champaneria went over all of my options for reconstruction, and I decided to have the DIEP-flap. I had a nice, ample, lower belly roll that would make a great boob and it would be all me, would be warm, and would age with my body Dr. Champaneria had not glossed over the fact that it was a long and complicated surgery, and it would take a while to totally recover.I would need another surgery to lift the left breast to match the new one, and they would also do liposuction on my stomach. After that, there would be a small surgery to build the areola and nipple. Still, this seemed to be an incredible way to replace my breast. And I had all the confidence in the world in Dr. Champaneria.
It was 10 months after my mastectomy when I had the DIEP-flap surgery. I checked in PeaceHealth Hospital on Feb. 3, 2016. Dr. Champaneria came in the pre-op and went over everything again. He is so professional, and seems to want to get his patients the best results he can. He also wants to make sure they know what to expect. I totally trusted him. I also met Grace, his serene and capable assistant. I knew I was in good hands.
I was in surgery for 10 hours. I woke up in what would be my room for the next three days. I looked down and had two breasts again! It was me again! I think I cried a little.
I had not mourned the loss of my breast to mastectomy - it wanted to kill me and it had to go. But I will admit, that looking in the mirror for those 10 months was hard. The scar looked so harsh and ugly next to the one breast I had left. I tried to not think about it. But when I woke up after surgery, looked down and saw I had two breasts again it kinda hit me. I guess I hadn’t realized just how much looking at that slash in my chest had demoralized me.
The pain pump kept me very comfortable, and the nurses on the Eighth floor were fabulous. I had a monitor on the belly boob, to make sure the blood was flowing. It would make that noise for three days. I began to actually like the sound - it meant my new boob was happy and healthy!
I’m now seven weeks from the surgery, and have lost 10 pounds and had to buy a 4” shorter belt. I’ll be having my revision surgery on May 4. Dr. Champaneria will lift my left breast to match the new, perker one, and also do liposuction on my mid-section.
Dr. Chamaneria and his staff have been stellar. I could not have found a more caring, talented, and charming plastic surgeon. I could not be happier.
I can’t wait to see what I will look like after this next one. Dr. Champaneria did such an amazing job with the first surgery, I know he is going to make me look fabulous!
I’ll keep you posted!
mixie322's provider
UPDATED FROM mixie322
1 month post
Photos from right after surgery
It may look bad, but I was loving having two breasts again, and the pain pump kept me very comfortable.
Replies (2)
April 16, 2016
Awesome!! You look great!! I had my surgery done in Dec DIEP flap n then had reduction on other breast for reduction in Feb. It is soooo freeing isn't it to throw that prosthesis to the side!!!! I am like you...soooo excited to have 2 breasts again!!!
April 17, 2016
Aren't you amazed the surgeons can do this? It is just amazing! Congrats on having your two boobs back! I have my reduction/revision May 4. Do you have a nipple yet? Aren't we so lucky///
Replies (2)