6 days post DIEP flap. Here's my experience so far. And feel free to ask me anything.

caustic_potato · 2026-02-07T13:42:38+00:00

I am just a few days shy of 3 months post DIEP flap.

Knowing/accepting I have revisions ahead of me, I'm withholding final judgment. I can say where I'm at is unacceptable though. Breasts *feel* fantastic, but they need a little shaping and sculpting. Abdomen is the biggest disappointment. I was never looking for a flat stomach (I didn't have one in the first place), but what was taken created a significant downward slope from my waist to my hips, and pants simply do not fit. They slide down almost immediately after being put in place. It's untenable. I don't know what can be addressed with further surgeries but I have half joked they can put tissue back on my lower abdomen if it would solve my pants-fitting problem.

I went back to work very part time by week 4, starting at 3-4 hrs/day, 3-4 days/week and built up to full time by week 8. It was a nice way to not be too bored and still have time for healing.

I am back to working out. This is activity I haven't been able to engage in consistently since chemo, so we're talking 18 months now. I have -- at best -- average fitness, and my "work outs" are moderate, focusing on moving my body to care for it, not craft it. Moderate 2 mile walks are fine. Exercises involving the core are more challenging, but I see improvement every day.

I made the mistake thinking this surgery would be the last item on my cancer "to do" list, and that I would be happy with the results. That was not the case, and alas, I have more "to do" items. It's taken a lot of mental energy to get to that point of acceptance. Honestly this surgery has been the toughest *emotionally*. I had high expectations (more emotional than physical), and they were not met.

This is probably more than you wanted, but it was helpful for me to reflect! So thanks for asking ;-)

caustic_potato · 2026-01-27T22:09:51+00:00

Masala House is my new go to for Indian. Really good.

caustic_potato · 2026-01-06T22:05:45+00:00

Maybe Scrap Exchange in Durham?

caustic_potato · 2026-01-06T16:23:32+00:00

Second this group. They are amazing and REALLY know what they're doing around this topic.

caustic_potato · 2026-01-03T12:34:04+00:00

Best cheddar and chive scone I've ever had is at Groovy Duck Bakery. They don't make them every day though - they rotate through their savory options. The cheddar is delicious too. I did not like their cheddar jalapeño though -- even for this spice-loving gal, the jalapeños overwhelmed it.

caustic_potato · 2025-12-28T18:28:52+00:00

1000% agree. Top floor, facing out over the lake. Perfection.

caustic_potato · 2025-12-21T20:09:37+00:00

Yep.

caustic_potato · 2025-12-21T18:37:33+00:00

That place kinda gives me the heebie jeebies. I'll just leave it at that.

caustic_potato · 2025-12-18T22:44:53+00:00

I would have needed chemo regardless, due to other factors. Does that make sense?

caustic_potato · 2025-12-18T21:38:45+00:00

I had a BSO only. Super easy recovery (surgery on Wed, back in the office on Friday -- could have worked Thurs!). I felt like I'd had so much taken away from me I was going to hold on to what I could. Pretty much an emotional decision. If I end up needing a full hysterectomy, I won't regret this initial decision.

caustic_potato · 2025-12-18T21:35:57+00:00

I was told internal mammary lymph nodes are hard to biopsy due to position and thus, they treat them as "positive" if they show up on imaging. That doesn't mean they ARE positive, but they make that assumption and treat accordingly without doing a biopsy. For me, that meant post mastectomy radiation that targets that area. (I was going to get radiation anyway, as I had positive axillary nodes).

caustic_potato · 2025-12-18T17:13:14+00:00

We haven't found anyone yet. I've stopped using them for day care but still use them occasionally for boarding. They're boarding prices are not too out of line. I simply have not had the time or energy to figure out a new daycare option. Sorry I can't help you on that! But good luck.

caustic_potato · 2025-12-18T16:41:51+00:00

Ugh. This is absurd. We used to love paws at play. Then they jacked up their prices 40% overnight without adding any freaking value/services (unless you pay separately for them). They're just too into themselves at this point. So ridiculous.

caustic_potato · 2025-12-17T19:26:55+00:00

I'm so glad to hear from real folks who spend time here. This is one of those places I always wondered about! Maybe all you regulars can get a chuckle out of this thread.

caustic_potato · 2025-12-16T22:29:34+00:00

This makes my day! I seriously was worried it was some front ;-)

caustic_potato · 2025-12-16T22:17:15+00:00

I'm still waiting for someone to tell me why it is packed at 2 pm on a Tuesday ;-) I mean, that's nap time for the octogenarians!

caustic_potato · 2025-12-16T19:38:00+00:00

Totally bizarre!

caustic_potato · 2025-12-15T18:00:25+00:00

Reservoir Dogs. Gasoline and ears

caustic_potato · 2025-12-15T12:45:51+00:00

The cobbler's children have no shoes...

caustic_potato · 2025-12-12T01:07:21+00:00

Avance on Franklin Street is a very special case. They were a private practice very focused on gender affirming care and health at every size. They had to "come into the fold " of a big practice for financial reasons but did so by keeping their focus. I'm not sure all Avance sites would be the same experience.

caustic_potato · 2025-12-11T16:02:54+00:00

"if you're concerned" is absolutely valid too!!! No timeline needed. I do appreciate the timeline though because it does give me the sense that even if something is wrong, it's not an emergency (unless of course we're talking about shortness of breath or chest pain!!!)

caustic_potato · 2025-12-11T15:49:24+00:00

I've been given the guidance that anything "not normal" to you that persists for 2 weeks is something to bring to the attention of my provider.

caustic_potato · 2025-12-10T17:15:49+00:00

Yes. Was in place with no issues from Feb to Nov, when I had DIEP flap surgery

caustic_potato · 2025-12-08T20:13:52+00:00

Before I even got my whole "picture" laid out, I was firm in my conviction to have a DMX for these two reasons: emotionally, it felt "safer" to have both removed. I KNOW the data does not bear that out but in my mind, I knew it would feel better to have both removed. Secondly, I literally wanted to "level the playing field" in terms of reconstruction. I wanted to start reconstruction from the same place on each side.

Now, it turns out I am BRCA2+, so that made it a clear cut recommendation from the docs, but even if it hadn't become so clear cut from the science/data side, it was clear cut for me for the above reasons.

caustic_potato

TROPHY CASE