Reconstruction group-Nov-07

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  • katie-nc
    katie-nc Member Posts: 37
    edited November 2007

    Good Luck!  If I can do this with little problem, so can you!  I went to the ps yesterday, and they took out the stitches, but left the drains in (Bummer!).  I feel great and can even sleep on my side now (the left one, not the right yet!).  I think everything looks great and am surprised how easy everything has been.  I have almost finished cooking Thanksgiving Dinner, only have to put the bird in!  I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families.  Mary-Anne, I will be thinking of you today, and pray for a successful surgery!

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  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 5,446
    edited November 2007

    MaryAnne,

    Hope your surgery went well!

    I hope everyone is doing great!


    Happy Thanksgiving!

    Harley

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  • Deborah
    Deborah Member Posts: 59
    edited November 2007

    MaryAnne,

    I have never told you what a kick I get out of your pink boxing gloves. Your positive attitude will definitely carry you through this stage. Sleep well, our prayers are with you. I look forward to hear how you are doing. As you say, "Fists up!!"  Debbie

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  • MaryGirl
    MaryGirl Member Posts: 201
    edited November 2007

    Hang in there Mary Anne.  And best of luck to you today, Geegee.  Let us know how you're both doing when you're up to it.

    I'm still doing well.  It's been over 13 hours since my last pain pill.  I'm hoping I can make it through the day.  My drain output was 32 CCs yesterday, so I'm hoping it will continue to decrease and that I'll be able to get it pulled at my post-op appointment on Monday.

    Alaina, do you have your appointment on Monday too?  Mine's at 9:30.  Maybe I'll see you in the waiting room. 

    Mary

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  • angelaw
    angelaw Member Posts: 44
    edited November 2007

    I had expanders and silicone implants (exchange was October 22) They look better than my old boobs!!!! My only complaint is that my 36d's were exchanged for 36b and now I can see the belly fat that my boobs were hiding from my view.  Other than now knowing i need to do exercise, i am pleased with the outcome. very little pain or problems. Good luck. (reply to Traci who was worried about expanders)

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  • jackiebrown
    jackiebrown Member Posts: 52
    edited November 2007

    Hi everyone,

    I had my expanders replaced with silicone gel implants on weds and am doing really well. I was really surprised how easy the whole thing was, far less painful than the bilat mast and my new implants are so soft and natural looking. I was a 32b and will be a 32c+. The ps says I'm swollen and they will actually look better in a few days/weeks but they look pretty good already. I feel a bit bruised and sore but have really cut down on pain meds and am only taking tylenol today. It's such a relief to be rid of the expanders and ports! I highly recommend the anatomical silicone gel implants if you can get them. We had a nice family Thanksgiving dinner and I was able to move around well and enjoyed every minute.

    Sammykaye, it really is a walk in the park!!

    Best,

    Jackie

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  • sjoc
    sjoc Member Posts: 133
    edited November 2007

    Maryanne and GeeGee - hope you are both resting and feeling well with very minimal pain.

    Jackie - did you have much pain when the expanders were placed, and how did the exchange compare.  I just had my expander placed two weeks ago and still am a bit uncomfortable.  I hate to think this is just going to get worse as the expansion proceeds.  Does th impland feel more natural than the expander?  I appreciate any info you can give me. Thanks - Sandy

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  • lexi4
    lexi4 Member Posts: 1,074
    edited November 2007

    Mary-Anne,

    I don't have my recon sched. yet, but wanted you to know that I'm thinking of you and hope that you have a speedy recovery.

    Hugs,

    Lexi

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  • Traci-----TripNeg
    Traci-----TripNeg Member Posts: 2,298
    edited November 2007

    Hey everybody.....my chemo brain made me forget about this thread! I'm sorry.....I just saw it when I discovered the "active conversations" in ..... the middle of the dang screen!!!! Good grief.

    Maryanne...everybody...I hope you are o.k.

    I had my hysterectomy on Halloween. It wasn't bad at all. I can't wait to get these concrete turtles out of my chest on Wednesday!! And yes, out from under my armpits! I'm so afraid my ps put my expanders too far apart.

    I hope mine goes as easy as y'alls except for the poor girl (sorry, when I hit the other page I lose my message) that has had three surgeries! Oh my GAWD.... you poor thing. I am so sorry for you. I hope they get it right finally.

    And, for the girl getting 800 cc's....holy moly! You go girl. I had to stop at 550. I couldn't take the pain.

    Anyway, I hope everybody had a good Thanksgiving.

    Maryanne, can't wait to see how you are doing.

    Hugs, Traci

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  • sjoc
    sjoc Member Posts: 133
    edited November 2007

    Hey Traci - I'm the one who has to be expanded to 800cc's.  My ps said I'll still be a little uneven but that I will look fine in a bra - I hope!  Anyway, why did you have to stop expanding?  I had wicked muscle spasms for 4 days after the placement of the expander, but I'm hoping that doesn't happen every time with the fill.  Were you in pain th whole time or just for a few days each time?  I appreciate any info.  Thanks - Sandy

    P.S.  Maryanne - hope you're doing well!!

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  • jackiebrown
    jackiebrown Member Posts: 52
    edited November 2007

    Dear Sandy,

    I did have pain when the expanders were placed, it was done at the same time as my bilat mastectomy and I felt a lot of pressure on my chest, had difficulty taking deep breaths, and ached all over. The exchange was completely different. It felt a bit more intense than some of my expansions but nothing like the mastectomy. I had some pain the first two days and then it tapered off and is now controlled with just some tylenol. I am small chested and started off as barely a 32b, I was expanded to 550cc's, ended up with a 32c (I think). I found many of the expansions uncomfortable and got into the habit of taking 2 tylenol and 2 advil before the expansion, again that same night and possibly something the following day, it really helped. The area under my arm and also where the ports sat (under my bra strap) were the most uncomfortable. I used to call my expanders my "coconuts" because they looked like I had just attached coconut shells to my chest and were difficult to conceal even in clothes! The first 2 days after the exchange I was still sore where the ports were but was generally so much more comfortable. The implants are so different and much softer. I walk around the house squeezing my breasts because I can't believe I'm finally rid of the coconuts and now have something so soft instead. It almost feels like I'm back to my old self.



    Traci - my expanders looked really far apart before my exchange and in fact on one side I had an indentation of the skin where the cleavage should be. This was all fixed during the exchange, my ps said the breasts should be about 2 finger widths apart and drew it on my chest before surgery. Then after he removed the expanders he scored the skin and placed the implants in the new location. My implants look nothing like the expanders did both in terms of shape and location.



    Hope everyone is doing well and look forward to reading your news!!



    xx Jackie

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  • sjoc
    sjoc Member Posts: 133
    edited November 2007

    Hi Jackie - thanks for the info.  I had a left mastectomy 5/06 and literally had no pain.  Took a week off of work because of the drains, but got bored so the next week I  hid the drains under a jacket and went back to work.  I think that is why I was so surprised at how painful the recovery is after the expander placement.  I was totally out of commission for 4 days and still get a jolt if I bend a certain way.  I can finally sleep on my side again, so that helps.  I slept sitting up for over a week.  I'm scheduled for my first fill in 2 weeks and am dreading it.  I had 60cc's during the expander placement and can already see a difference.  I was concave towards the top of my chest and that has filled in somewhat.  It seems rather high though and already feels rather hard.   I think I will take some meds beforehand as you suggested - I still have some muscle relaxers and vicoden left over.  I have to figure out what to wear during the fill process.  I have a prosthesis that looks very natural and is very comfortable, but eventually that is going to be too big and I don't want to go out looking uneven.  Guess I'll have to start padding my bra. I'm glad to hear how happy you are with your implants, I keep telling myself the end result will be worth everything we have to go through to get there.  Thanks again - Sandy 

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  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 5,446
    edited November 2007

    Traci,


    I know that your surgery is coming up soon... Nov 28th, right? 

    I just wanted to wish you all the best!  I'll be thinking about you, and praying that all goes well!!

    Hugs

    Harley

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  • Traci-----TripNeg
    Traci-----TripNeg Member Posts: 2,298
    edited November 2007

    Hey Ladies!

    Sandy, I had to stop after my last fill because the pain was just too much for me. I literally would wake up after only an hour or two of sleep and just cry from pain. The fills before the last weren't too bad. The first 5 or so were nothing but the last one was awful. I asked my ps to show me what he would put in me if I stopped and I was fine with them. They are 450 cc's implants. Fine. I did not want to go through that pain again. I was getting 50 cc's at a time. I am so ready to get my coconuts (lol Jackie!) out! I can't imagine 800. Are you a big girl? I'm 5'8" and weigh about 140. (during chemo I got up to almost 160). I was a B and he (ps) said I would be about the same.

    Jackie, I hope you are right about the placement of the implants. I can't wait to get it done. I bet I walk around squeezing mine too! Right now...they are concrete hard.

    Maryanne.....where are you??????

    Hi Harley!

    Hugs, Traci

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  • Wren
    Wren Member Posts: 324
    edited November 2007

    Mine are rock hard too.  I get my first fill next Wednesday if I am healed up enough from the second surgery to remove the badly bruised, ''non-viable" tissue. 

    It will be four weeks since the expanders were placed, but only two and a half weeks since the second surgery.

    I still feel really tight in the chest and it hurts over the ports and along my breast bone...  I am hoping things will be OK.  I am sure looking forward to the expansion process being done (and I am just beginning).  I think I had 20cc in my left (cancer) side during surgery, and 60cc in my right side--then 40cc was removed because of the tissue damage--so I only have 20cc in each side, that I am aware of.

    I think I will get 60cc at my Wednesday appt.

    Oh, and I am still sleeping on my back, half sitting up...

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  • jade56068
    jade56068 Member Posts: 584
    edited November 2007

    Hi Ladies

    Hope you all have room for one more?     

    I had my bilat mast about a month ago.  I was going to get my expanders at the same time, but my vitals were all out of wack. 

    I am going in for my reconstruction on Dec.10th.  I am getting expanders. Boy am I full of nerves. 

    For one thing, I am not good with the unknown:<}!  It has been hard for me, not having my body the way I am used to it.  I was OK the first 3 weeks.....this last one is really hard for me.  I am fearful of another surg.  I know it is something that I have to get used to, b/c I know I have a couple more down the road.

    Just need some one to bounce thoughts with......have a lot of them swimming in my head.

    J

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  • Traci-----TripNeg
    Traci-----TripNeg Member Posts: 2,298
    edited November 2007

    Hey Jade,

    Welcome to the group.

    You will find that our experiences differ to say the least. I had an o.k. time with my expanders until they got to 550 and then I literally couldn't take it anymore.

    I hope your experience is more like the tons of girls on here who had no problems to speak of.

    Good luck girl.

    Traci

    ps.....o.k. Maryanne....we are waiting!!!!!!!!!!!

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  • crystal1
    crystal1 Member Posts: 41
    edited November 2007

    Hi everyone,

    J: The unknown is always the hardest part for me, too. And I HATE not having the body that's worked for me for 44 years! (Not that it was a great body, mind you, but it was familiar!!). I pray that you are lifted up & feel calm return.

    Have any of you gone through the fills while you were also doing chemo? That's what I'm doing, and I'm hoping that I haven't bitten off more than I can chew. Now it seems like so much to try to do all at once...? I had my expander put in Oct. 23rd, & my first fill is Thurs. Right now it looks very lumpy & bumpy...is that normal?

    Thanks for all of your insights & knowledge...it is so helpful to those of us who are a couple steps behind!   --Crystal

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  • Deborah
    Deborah Member Posts: 59
    edited November 2007

    Wow, this is going to be a very busy week and extremely successful for everyone! I am so glad I have found this site. As soon as I learned (here) that there were other options (ie DIEP), I began to put the wheels in motion. My dear husband keeps saying, "So, you are going to do this./?" I can't make up my mind if it is a statement or a question. My children aren't that excited either and believe me I understand how they feel. To actually put ourselves through this is a huge decision. But after reading so many of the comments, I knew this was a step I could take.  Geegee, today is the 25th and I know it has been two days since your DIEP. I hope you will be able to tell us how it has been going for you. Mommytms2, Morgaine, Traci, Laura, Sammykay, and Abby consider yourself hugged. I understand how you are feeling. I will be following you next week and everytime I get a twinge of anxiety, I tell myself it is too early and just think of something else. So far it is working. If we can spare ourselves added stress, the better off we'll all be. Any suggestions on how the rest of you kept a handle on your emotions? Take care all.

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  • bbmom
    bbmom Member Posts: 391
    edited November 2007

    Good luck to all the ladies having recon this week. My prayers are with you all for successful surgeries and speedy recoveries.

    Crystal, I was expanded while doing chemo. It wasn't a problem. I  really don't remember what the expander looked like before being filled.

    Good luck,

    Alaina

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  • jade56068
    jade56068 Member Posts: 584
    edited November 2007

    Hi

    Did any of you ladies have "falsies" when you were getting expanded?  I am kind of getting alittle sad not filling ANYTHING out, and I was thinking of investing in something.  My friend gave me her breast (doesnt that sound strange), and now I have to get a bra for them.  I dont think I can wear them after my expanders are in.  I am going to the mast shop tomar.  Any advise??????

    How do the expanders look when they are being filled?  Do they look like a secound puberty????:<}  I tried to look up some pics on line and got nothing.  I feel like I am living someone elses life.  What a rollercoaster.

    j

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  • crystal1
    crystal1 Member Posts: 41
    edited November 2007

    J..your friend gave you her breast, and my 19 year old daughter ran off with mine!! She took one look at my "falsies" and said, "OOOO! I want some!" and promptly ran to her room, reemering a few moments later to model her new look. While it may sound a little weird to some, we had such a good laugh that I felt so much better because of it!! We've decided that someday my daughter will inherit grandma's diamond ring, my jewelry, and...my fake boobs!!! Just felt the need to share that story!!

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  • maryannecb
    maryannecb Member Posts: 1,453
    edited November 2007

     Time for an updated list! I am back and in one piece. I ma day 4 and still taking painkillers every 3-4 hours for modearte pain.I acn't say it was easy but it went along very smoothly.When I had a problem it was solved. I had no implant and did not reconstrust the other side so it will be interestinf g to see how much symmetry I end up with...Rigth now my old breast has a higher profile for sure. The flap side appears flat and wide but I imaginge there is a lot of swelling yet.

    I have one drain in my back , it is a JP drain and not nearly as uncomfortable as the drain after my mastectomy. Overall the recovery has been harder than my mastectomy, the nausea and vomiting worse and the pain more intense. Tjis is the first time I have felt able to type.I lurked last night but was too sick to make any comments.

    KatieNC, I can't beleive you went back to work a week later, that is in three days. My stomach is still so unsettled. How long was your drain in?

    Thanks for thinking of me and to those who are still struggling we can get through this.

    Best of luck tomorrow Mommy2m and Morgaine.

    marina1        11/01 bilat mast/pedicle tram COMPLETED

    Gardengirl5  11/5 Mastectomy,expander and lift COMPLETED

    Katie             11/06 exchange w/ bilateral silicone gel implants COMPLETED

    harley44         11/07 implant COMPLETED

    Minz        11/7, expander exchanged for silicone and lift to otherside COMPLETED

    sjoc                 11/09 expander COMPLETED

    Sandyk             11/9 stage 2 DIEP COMPLETED

    katie-nc            11/12 lat dorsi COMPLETED

    nelliebelle0361  11/14 exchange  COMPLETED

    kcq                   11/19 mast/diep   COMPLETED

    Mary                 11/19 stage 2 DIEP   COMPLETED

    Alaina               11/21 stage 2 DIEP   COMPLETED

    Jackie               11/21  exchange silicone gel implants        COMPLETED

    Fleurdelis           11/21     revision w/ Alloderm and my second exchange    COMPLETED

    maryannecb     11/22 lat dorsi flap     COMPLETED

    Geegee            11/23 DIEP reconstruction   COMPLETED

    mommytms2   11/27 bilateral DIEP

    morgaine         11/27 mast/DIEP

    TraciWalters     11/28 expanders

    Laura T             11/28 double mast/expanders

    Sammykaye      11/29  exchange of expanders

    Deborah           12/4 DIEP/tram

    2curvy              12/10 diep

    jade                12/10  bilateral expanders

    Abby2               12/19 for double DIEP or free TRAM

    Tasha            01/08 bilat free tram

    Fists up!

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  • bbmom
    bbmom Member Posts: 391
    edited November 2007

    Glad to see you're feeling a little better Mary-Anne.

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  • heres2healing
    heres2healing Member Posts: 38
    edited November 2007

    Hello all,

    Mary-Anne, thanks so much for starting this group- I'm thinking of you as you recover.  Have you heard of using the SeaBand wrist bands for nausea?  You can get them at Walgreens and I wonder if they would help you.  I just got some today for my exchange surgery this Thursday.  I was so sick after the expander surgery in September and hope to do better this time.  Take care of yourself and you don't need to add me to the list.  I've been following this group all month and am keeping you all in my prayers.  

    Traci- you're going in a day ahead of me dear-  We're finally getting rid of the coconut shells! Best wishes,

    Jill

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  • katesf
    katesf Member Posts: 139
    edited November 2007

    Welcome back, Mary-anne!! Just take it one day at a time and keep the pain meds in your system so you can get the rest you need.  Let us know how you're doing when you're feeling stronger.

    My thoughts and prayers are also with the other ladies who are having their procedures this week. Traci, just think, NO MORE FILLS!!! Cool Hang in there. We're all going to get through this and get on with our lives.

    Take care and God bless you all,

    Katie 

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  • sjoc
    sjoc Member Posts: 133
    edited November 2007

    Maryanne - good to see you back.  Hope you feel a bit better each day, hang in there.

    mommytms2, Morgaine Tracy, Laura &Sammykaye - good luck to all of you.  What a busy week!!

    I was supposed to start my fills this week but put it off for another week, I'm still a bit too sore from the expander placement.  Also, has anyone had swelling in their arm after having the expander placed?  When I came home from surgery on a Friday my arm was fine, but Saturday AM could hardly lift it up and now I am noticing some slight swelling.  I only had 2 SNB with mast so I didn't think I really had to worry about lymphedema - any ideas?  Thanks. - Sandy

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  • Deborah
    Deborah Member Posts: 59
    edited November 2007
    It is so good to hear from you Maryanne. And also to hear that things went smoothly and problems were solved. Isn't it amazing how much of this is now behind you. Now that is exciting! I am so envious. There are so many going into surgery this week. Just know that all of you are in my prayers for peaceful feelings, successful surgeries, and speedy recoveries. Oh yes, and beautiful boobies!!Smile Hugs to all, Debbie
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  • jade56068
    jade56068 Member Posts: 584
    edited November 2007

    Crstal-

    Thank you for the great laugh....well needed!!!!

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  • jackiebrown
    jackiebrown Member Posts: 52
    edited November 2007

    Sandy, before my bilat mast and removal of all lymph nodes I had a lumpectomy and snb. With the snb I developed a seroma which is a collection of fluid under the arm. It swelled up like a golf-ball and was very sore and even painful at times. I went to my surgeon and he drained it with a syringe and it relieved the discomfort. The seroma built up again and had to be drained again a few times. Maybe this is what you're experiencing? I had my bilat mast less than 2 weeks later so I'm not sure how long it would have taken to clear up but the second surgery certainly took care of my seroma.

    Maryann, hope you're feeling better, maybe some good old domperidone would help with the nausea? :) Keep us posted on how you're doing, wishing you a speedy recovery!

    Good luck to everyone going in this week. Sammykaye the exchange isn't so bad and I hope you like your new soft implants!

    Best,

    Jackie

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