Improved
6112 HealthChanged
3786 LivesSaved
3568 Lives0 lives impacted in the last 24 hrs Learn More
Hi:
I am getting ready to have bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction with DIEP flap procedure. I was diagnosed with DCIS in my left breast and have elected to remove the right breast to have peace of mind and to avoid ever being in this terrible place of dealing with this ever again.
I have wanted to lose weight for a number of years and have recently lost 25 lbs only to find out that now I need it for my DIEP flap to reconstruct my breasts. I am currently a C cup and would love to be the same or even a little larger if possible. Anyone know how much tissue is needed to do the reconstruction? Anyone else gone through this? Thanks so much for any info or thoughts you might be able to share.
All user-generated information on this site is the opinion of its author only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. Members and guests are responsible for their own posts and the potential consequences of those posts detailed in our Terms of Service.
Add a Comment13 Comments
Hey anon, welcome to EmpowHer. We asked one of the country's best breast experts for her thoughts and here's what she had to say ...
"The amount of tissue that is "moved up" is dependent on how much tummy fat you have. Tummy fat though usually is the hardest fat to lose when weight reduction happens. It is a slower metabolic rate, like breast fat actually. Sit in a chair and grab your fingers around the tummy fat you feel. Keep in mind that the tummy fat removed and used goes all the way over to both of your hips too. Someone with 40Cs needs more than someone who is 34C, due to width needed. So, if you want, eat a little extra high fat foods to put a few pounds back on. Tell your friends, "I'm eating for three- myself and my two new breasts!"
That answer comes courtesy of Lillie D Shockney, RN., BS., MAS
Administrative Director
Distinguished Service Assistant Professor of Breast Cancer
Assistant Professor, JHU School of Medicine, Depts of Surgery and Gynecology
Assistant Professor, JH School of Nursing
Johns Hopkins Avon Foundation Breast Center
Was that information helpful?
July 28, 2009 - 1:01pmThis Comment
I am 51 years old and I'm having a double mastectomy and immediate reconstruction by diep procedure. I have the brca1 mutated gene. I am menopausal and in october i will get a hysterectomy to get me to the post menopausal stage i guess. i am currently approx. 15 lbs overweight with a small belly. It is for the most part evenly distributed throughout. My plastic surgeon says i should have enough but i may be a little smaller. I would hate to be smaller but refuse to get implants. So if i gain 10 lbs or so before the surgery, will i lose it in my breasts when i try to reduce my weight and all will be for naught???
Confused
July 22, 2010 - 10:32amThis Comment
Hi,
According to the expert answer above, if you gain 10 lbs before surgery in your "tummy area", this can be used to "move up" to your breasts. Then, as also stated above, when you lose weight (after surgery), your breast fat is the hardest to lose, so you most likely will not see this part of your body reduced when you lose weight.
If you are only 15 pounds overweight at the moment, and after surgery, exercise and eat in a healthy manner, most women lose weight evenly throughout their body. Building muscle through weight-bearing exercise will also help burn more calories, and will help you lose extra weight. If you lose some weight in your breasts (since we are only talking about 15 pounds "extra" you have throughout your entire body), it will be insignificant and unnoticeable.
We wish you the best through your procedure, and please let us know if you have any additional questions!
July 22, 2010 - 12:10pmThis Comment