DIEP Flap

I am a 25 year old woman who was diagnosed with breast cancer in the left breast. I am going to have a mastectomy of both breast and I am looking for information about DIEP Flap reconstruction. I saw a plastic surgeon who said I was not a candidate and did not want to do reconstruction.......... but the more I read on the Internet I don't see why I wouldn't be. I am overweight around my abdomen and have enough fatty tissue to use so why would he say that and does being overweight make me not a candidate. This is all new to me and I feel like a child on the first day of kindergarten. Please help me with this.                                                                            Thank You so much,
                                                                                                           Amy

[lhughes]

I'm not sure why he would say that either.  Unless there's too much fat for a DIEP procedure.  I had a TRAM...similar but they take muscle with the TRAM and not just the connective tissue.  And I had just had a baby, so there was PLENTY of skin and fat to work with.

I'm sorry to see you are so young going through this.  

Talk around to other folks, let people know you are looking for a "good plastic surgeon".  Sometimes you can find a recommendation from someone who's been there, done that.  That's how I found mine.

Talk to a number of surgeons especially if you are not getting the answers that you can understand.  There is a lot of different types of reconstruction, so understanding what kind would be best for you is very important.  Keep searching and talking.

What was your cancery type?  Are you going to have to do chemo, radiation, other?

[Tackett]

my cancer is a stage 2 or 3 and i know i will have chemo for sure. i don't know about the radition i just found out about the cancer on march 4. so i have only consulted 2 with the doctor.

[Strike3]

Not all plastic surgeons do the DIEP or TRAM flap procedures.  They require special skill and a lot of experience.

Sometimes a plastic surgeon will tell a patient she is not a candidate for a procedure because he doesn't do the procedure himself.

Your breast surgeon may be able to provide you with other names of qualified plastic surgeons experienced in the procedure you're investigating.

In my research of reconstruction techniques  for myself I did come across some information on when a DIEP or TRAM flap isn't appropriate for a given patient.  But, even so - you should talk to a plastic surgeon who actually does the procedure to find out if you're an appropriate candidate for it.

If you live in a smaller community you may need to travel to a larger metropolitan area to find a plastic surgeon experienced in those techniques.

Good luck to you.

[susaninjupiter]

i was told i was not a candidate for diep becasue i have larger breast. c+ cup. could that be it? The tram might work better because the muscle is taken? there are only somerhign like 40 suregeons who can do the diep in the country. ask more questions. good luck.