Dieo flap

[valleygirl]

Finally made my appointment for recontruction and planning to go with the Diep flap, but really don't think I have a choice since I've completed radiation.
What should I expect? How long did it take to recover?
What questions should I ask the doctor? Very nerous, the thought of being out for 8-9 hours is scary.
Thanks for all your insight!!! This board is so helpful, I would be lost without it!!!!!

[sarah]

Hello,
Remember there will be a morphine drip near the bed that you can press and it will give you a limited amount. They will also come around on a regular basis to have you breath into a tube to avoid pneumonia and will put some plastic massaging leggings on you to avoid a blood clot - you can ask them to make it cooler!
I suggest taking audio books, you'll be too out of it to read or watch tv
it's a nice effect afterwards but I found it tough.
be patient with the recovery, I tried to do too much.
hugs and love
sarah
also I did it some 10 years ago, I'm sure it's easier today

[valleygirl]

Sorry for the typo...............

[Mary Jo]

I had DIEP 5 years ago. My experience was awesome. I had delayed bilateral DIEP. I was 3 years out from diagnosis, surgeries, chemo and radiation. My surgery was 10 hours. The result was fabulous. My recovery was good. I handled it all quite well. No complications. Today, 8 years out (5 from DIEP) I continue to be very happy with my decision to have the DIEP.

Keep us posted.

Mary Jo

[NEDenise]

Valleygirl,
Rather than retype the whole thing...
if you go to this thread, you can read my thoughts on my own DIEP flap decision.

Whatever you decide will be right for you. Best of luck either way!
:) Denise

http://her2support.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=58432