[Mary Jo]

Hi Leslie,

Yes, I did have bi-lateral DIEP reconstruction 3 years after my initial surgeries. I am assuming from reading your signature and from your post that you are having uni-lateral reconstruction.

I did not find DIEP to be as bad as I had anticipated it to be or from reading the comments on breastcancer.org from other women who had uni-lateral or bi-lateral DIEP. Don't get me wrong, it isn't a "walk in the park" but not as bad as I thought. However, saying all that, my surgery went perfectly. Surgery, recovery and post-op. Going into the surgery I was healthy and in good shape...so that probably helped or surely didn't hurt.

The 2nd phase of the surgery, the revision phase, is done at a later date. They will lift your other breast (if having uni-lateral) at that time and do whatever other revisions need to be done. I didn't have my revisions until 1 year after the initial surgery but you do not have to wait that long.

Any other questions just ask.....also, if you'd like my phone number to talk so we can talk that way, please feel free to ask.

Happy to help....

Mary Jo