Anyone have the tummy tuck/reconstruction combo? (DIEP)

[Mary Jo]

I had the tattooing done at Sier Wellness in Mequon and the tattoing was maybe a year later...(I think). If you are asking if the tattooing hurt....no, it did not. I'm not sure if I shared with you that I had no feeling in the new breasts. Actually, I pretty much have no feeling from the breasts on down. If you are asking me if the DIEP hurt.......yes, it did...HOWEVER, it wasn't nearly as painful as some say it is. I have a high tolerance for pain, I am told, but I don't know if that's true either. How would I know, right? I was on heavy duty pain killers (percaset) for only a couple days and when I started seeing little martians told them that was enough of that crap. Only Tylenol after that. It was fine. Some pain, but nothing I couldn't live with.

Hope that helps.

My experience is very similar-had reconstruction about 2 years after bilateral mastectomy. Have had no problems and I would definitely do it again. I had mine done at Elmbrook Hospital by Milwaukee, and was in the hospital for a few days with very little pain. I'm also a teacher so I had it done over summer, and 4 weeks after the surgery my husband and I took a vacation to Glacier National Park and did lots of walking. I also have basically no feeling on the breasts or along the abdomen, but that has never caused a problem. I would suggest anyone that is considering this surgery to get it done!