Hi. Morgaine here. I plan to have a DIEP sometime soon. Is it really that bad? I'm a runner and in great shape. This is only for one breast.

Oh it was so worth it! It has been 4 months and I'm back to my normal routines. I even jumped a little at my cardio class the other night. It felt so good! I am one of the ones profiled under personal stories. I'm here to help!

Hi Morgaine,
I chose bilateral DIEP because I'm really active and would be depressed without being able to do my sports at the same level as pre-op. Didn't want to sacrifice muscle.
No lie, the first week is pretty tough in that you're abdomen is very tight so it's impossible to stand up straight and you're back gets really tired no matter how good of shape you thought you were in! But like the above message said, every day is noticeably better. I was back to work in 3 weeks, doing regular shifts but avoiding really physical stuff. You can do plenty of walking, and my doctor OK'd spinning without straining on an exercise bike to keep some level of fitness after a couple of weeks. I eased back into my yoga set from weeks 3-6 and I got back to gentle climbing at 5 weeks.
Though I wouldn't describe my body as feeling totally normal yet (7 weeks out), it is certainly functional. Is it worth it? I think so. Though my breasts need some minor revisions, they do feel like a part of my body and are more like the breasts I always wanted (smaller) than my natural breasts. I'm a practical person and didn't think it would make much of a psychological difference, but I do feel really happy about having some feminine contour again!
Good luck whatever you decide.

Hello,
I am considering the DIEP reconstruction and am very interested in other people's experience.

I had both breasts removed - one in 2005 because of a right breast cancer and my left breast in 2006 prophylactically. Now, I'm starting to think about reconstruction.

Although bilateral reconstruction sounds like an EXTREMELY long procedure - surgery and recovery wise - I still may go through with it.

Thanks for sharing your experiences.

Mary Jo

Hi Marejo:
I had a diep reconstruction in June 07. It took about 6 weeks of healing before I returned to work but It wasn't terrible. I am back to walking 4 miles daily since October. I feel terrific and it looks great. My breasts have never looked better. I am now getting ready to do nipple reconstruction in April to finish. I had faith in my plastic surgeon, I knew a few patients his group treated. The first two weeks are the most difficult but you manage to get through it. I still walked at least half miles during that time. I felt better when I moved around a little.
Good luck in your decisions.
Debbie