DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction Recovery | One Week Post-Op

Allison traveled from Georgia to San Antonio, Texas to undergo DIEP flap breast reconstruction. One week after surgery, she shares how she is feeling.

The DIEP flap is the most advanced form of breast reconstruction available today and is the preferred reconstructive technique at PRMA.

The DIEP flap uses the patient's own abdominal skin and fat to reconstruct a natural, warm, soft breast after mastectomy. Unlike the TRAM flap, the DIEP preserves all the abdominal muscles. Only abdominal skin and fat are removed similar to a "tummy tuck". Saving the abdominal muscles means patients experience less pain, enjoy a faster recovery, maintain their core strength long-term, and have a lower risk of complications.

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PRMA | Center for Advanced Breast Reconstruction
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[anniealtevers]

Thank you so much for this video. I had a double mastectomy a year ago in April and I was pretty thin from chemo and was told I wasn’t a good candidate for Diep at the time and I didn’t want implants so I just went flat. But now I’m starting to consider this surgery and your video gave me so much hope! Thank you and I’m so glad that your surgery was a positive experience for you! ❤

[tiasaunders-johnson]

This testimonial was awesome! Allison did a phenomenal job with telling her story and advocating for this medical center. 💯

[NelyRojas]

I had unilateral diep flap recostruction 2 weeks ago, and was the best decision ever, feels the same she describes.

[margarethaden-pawlowski]

I had a double mastectomy 2 yrs ago with implants for reconstruction. Many issues with necrosis and infection and had one implant removed. Had a seroma as well. Ended up with PTSD after all the nipping done in the clinic when I had infections. I have a very difficult time with how my body looks. Scheduled for this next month. Scared but so grateful to hearing all your stories. I am very hopeful for better results.

[GreenTT-ll]

Thank you for sharing your story. I’m 41 and after several years of breast implant illness or BII, I decided to have this surgery in Houston, TX. I had my implants removed and DIEP flap surgery at the end of last March. I am now a little over 3 weeks post-op, and am feeling better everyday. I did have pain, but was supplied with enough pain killers to get me through. Like she said the drains do suck but they aren’t in for long. Without the implants I look and feel better than I ever have. I was only concerned about about my breasts honestly, but a fabulous side effect is how good my midsection looks now. After 4 kids, I now have my figure back. I am so grateful for this surgery and for the wonderful surgeon and his care team that took care of me. This was the best decision I ever made for myself. Note: I never had cancer, I simply had implants and it went bad for me, and I did not want to just remove the implants and deal with whatever small amount of sagging boobs that I had left. I had almost nothing before implants and knew it would look even worse after them, so opted for this surgery, and it’s been a huge blessing. To anyone considering this surgery, definitely choose your surgeon carefully and know that all the work is worth it. For anyone about to have the surgery, don’t fret, you’ll be fine!

[sandrene]

Thanks I needed to hear that I’m having surgery in 2 weeks

[seglendawoods]

Hi Allison, thank you for this video. I am having this surgery in a week and I am so nervous. You have eased my mind. Nely Rojas below also confirms what you are saying. Thank you!!!

[prophetessandreahardy]

Great information I’m having the same surgery in a little over a week. I feel so much better listening to her testimony blessings to her 😢

[future]

Thank you for sharing. I also live in GA and had Dr. Ochoa to perform my mastectomy. I am so thankful to PRMA...!!

[shortiewilson]

Hi Allison, I am glad that your experience turned out well! That's a blessing. I am going to have the same surgery at MD Anderson. My doctors from my surgeon who performed my mastectomy to my reconstructive surgeon along with their crew, have been Angels in the way they have treated me. I have done extensive research in this type of surgery and I am confident in my Doctors and their crew at MD Anderson.

[melaniegutierrez]

Thank you for taking the frightening image away
My surgery i in September

[christavanrensburg]

I see many videos about women just after surgery or a week after, but no testimonies about 1 year, 2 years or 5 years after their experience and how they feel about it at that stage. Can you comment on that please? How does your abdomen feel? Are you happy about the final breasts? How did your skin heal after a year or more? Do you have feeling in the wound areas?

[cellya.]

thank you for sharing!! I just got diagnosed with DCIS. I am grateful I live an 1 1/2 hour away from PRMA

[danalouise]

my daughter just had the DIEP Flap/double mastectomy Feb 15, I'm so worried about her. keep us updated.

[Suzb]

Thank you for sharing Allison! Dr Arishita is doing my Diep Flap in July. He is truly a kind and compassionate physician. He has.made me feel confident that I have made the right choice in going to PRMA

[rebeccasalhab]

Thank you Alison I’m waiting for this and you gave me the hope and inspiration I need to do this 🙏

[stephanieholley]

Thank you for sharing... I had a mastectomy with reconstruction that resulted in horrible infections...long story.... but my last doctor left me a butchered mess and I have been looking into just getting things 'cleaned up' and had no idea about this new procedure. I ended up just having everything taken out, I had a doctor that didn't care and had just left me a mangled mess I have had to live with for years now. This doctor was only interested in pumping out the standard plastic Barbie doll types and had no real concern for the emotional trauma or what this has been like to deal with. I was 27.... I'm 34 now....I can't believe it's been 7 long years. I have the BRCA 1 gene and also had a full hysterectomy or top of a bunch of other unrelated health problems.... I know I'm rambling, I just wanted to thank you for sharing this.

[starevr]

Thank you so much for this video. I had a lumpectomy a week ago, but just found out that the cancer is already i my lymphatic highway# I will be having the drain removed on Wednedday and talinng to my surgeon about scheduling mastectomy. I have already decided to not have expanders because the risk of infection seems too high. Thank you for talking about the procedure above. I can't even remember what it is called.... Flap?

[nmelgar]

Which she would explain what prma is. Not everyone knows that acronym

[jerrilyncarnesi]

How are you doing today August 30, 2020.? Do you feel the same about your surgery?