[Mary Jo]

Hi Gerri,

I'll give you an update right here so I don't "bog" down the boards with my DIEP stuff.......But since you asked I'll give you an update.

I am 26 days post op and doing great. My new breasts are very nice - very symmetrical and contoured nicely. So much so that I will not need a stage 2 surgery. They are "perfect" enough for me. I recovered very nicely from the surgery and am back to my full exercise regime and BACK ON THE HEALTHY TRAIN of eating. That feels the best. As I think I've shared.....I deviated from my healthy eating plan to gain some weight for the surgery (8 pounds to be exact) which helped to have enough fat for not only 2 "B" breasts but enough fat to do the contouring also. Although it was nerve wracking for me to gain that weight (although the food tasted awesome) and I felt like a beached whale I'm happy now I did it to avoid that second surgery. Of course, there are always things that could go wrong where a second phase would be necessary, in my case that wasn't so. So....I'm back to eating SUPER healthy and I couldn't feel better. I've dropped about 5 pounds now (not from removing my abdominal fat either - as so many think - the abdominal fat was only transferred to another part of my body, not removed for good) and I'm back to not only my powerwalking (for about 2 weeks already) but also my intermittant jogging (as of today). I'd still like to lose about 5 to 8 more pounds and don't doubt for a minute that I'll do it.

I'm happy I did it and honestly never realized how much I missed having my breasts until I got them back. These breasts are all me - fat and skin - are warm and even jiggly! (sorry to be so graphic) On my radiated side though, I did develop a small area of fat necrosis (a hard area of fat that didn't get enough blood supply) - about golf ball size - but that may soften in time - or so they tell me. AND, for added measure, my tummy is hard and beautiful - how sweet is that?

The doctors office has asked me to speak to women considering DIEP with Dr. Hijjawi, in our midwest region, to share my positive experience. I know how much that benefited me in my decision process so will happily share. My experience was incredibly positive. From surgery to recovery to results and the best part - my plastic surgeon is not only a gifted, intelligent man BUT a super caring, kind man who listens - answers all of your questions and is a perfectionist to boot. My first woman to speak too is from Iowa (I'm from Wisconsin)

So there you go Gerri - sorry I'm a bit winded - LOL - but you asked.

Mary Jo