Only in Canada eh? Reconstruction

Anonymous

Only in Canada eh? Reconstruction

Anonymous

Ok ladies.......any good canadian websites on reconstruction??? Who and where did yours??? Recomondations?? Plastic surgeons in ontario?

Nantotwo

Hello All Canadian 'Reconstructors'

Thanks Viv for starting this thread, I too would be interested in hearing any Canadian stories about reconstruction.  I know its available but haven't really looked into it yet.

Nan

Beesie

I had my surgery at PMH and had immediate reconstruction with Dr. Lipa.  She works out of PMH and TGH.  Or should I say, worked, in the past tense.  She's leaving for UCLA at the end of the month, which is a huge loss because she's great.  I don't know the name of her replacement yet but I'll let you know when I find out.

The other PS that I had recommended to me at the time of my diagnosis was Dr. John Semple.  He has an excellent reputation, but probably has a really long waiting list (Dr. Lipa's waiting list was more than a year for anyone not having immediate reconstruction).  He's the head of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Sunnybrook & Women's College. 

Here's info on him:  http://www.sunnybrook.ca/research/scientists/StoZ/semple

And here are a couple of Canadian sites with info about reconstruction:

http://www.cbcn.ca/en/?section=3&category=212&regionid=

http://www.breastreconstruction.ca/

Anonymous

Thanks Beesie, much appreciated,need more canucks to post this kind of info as well as where to shop for prothesis,and all those fun things. No clue as to where to look for stuff like that so hearing from others on this would be good.

Anonymous

Beesie....maybe we canadian women could start a thread like that such as listing good plastic surgeons, places to get mastectomy bras and prothesis, how to locate support groups and things like that...what do you think??

Anonymous

Hello Nan....glad you found this too, I think this is a very needed and overlooked topic for canadian women......I thought no one was going to answer this. We could really use some resources here.....hope it picks up!

Beesie

Viv, I agree.  While I've had my reconstruction, I haven't done the nipple - maybe I will, maybe I won't - and I've had some minor problems (slight shifting of the implant).  I'm very uncomfortable not having Dr. Lipa to go back to should I want or need any changes, and I'd love to know who else is good out there.  I'd like to hear about the plastic surgeons that other women have used in the Toronto area (with good or bad results), and I'm sure that all of us across the country would benefit from more local information. 

As for mastectomy bras, I haven't gone there yet, but the store that I've heard the best things about is Linea Intimates.  They have 4 locations in the Toronto area.  The Unionville location might not be too far for you.  http://www.lineaintima.com/Mastectomy.aspx

I'd love to hear from others about this.

Anonymous

Thanks Beesie, it's really to bad your losing the Doctor you had, especially a highly regarded one. Unionville is quite close for me...thanks for the link. Well fellow canadians.........lets here your input???

Anonymous

bump

micou

Hello,

I have not had reconstruction although I had a double mastectomy about 3 years ago. A few months ago, I attended an information session with Dr Nicolas Guay from the Ottawa Hospital (Riverside). I was very impressed by how he presented the info. I have heard only good things about him. However, I still don't know if I will go ahead with the reconstruction. I am presently having other health issues and just had hip surgery. One can only endure so many surgeries !

Micou

asicsgirl

Hello

I am from Ottawa also. I had a free tram by Dr. Nicolas Guay six months ago. The surgery went great, my new breast looks amazing and I am totally impressed with my plastic surgeon's work. The free tram is a fairly major surgery,you are layed up for quite a while so it is definitely something to think twice about although I certainly have not regretted my decision.

asics girl

Anonymous

Thanks ladies........any other canadian women who've had or are having reconstruction?

Where did you find your specialist and what type of recon was their specialty?

Sig

asics girl,

I am from Ottawa also. How long did you have to wait between your first visit with the Plastic surgeon and your actual surgery?  was there a waiting list?

I have not yet seen a plastic surgeon but I see my oncologist on the 2 Apr and will ask her for a referral. I am currently on herceptin till Jul then I will get an Hysterectomy in Aug then I would like to have my reconstruction in the fall. I will be closed to a year out of radiation (Nov) so my skin should be fine. That's my plan anyway

Sig

Anonymous

Any other canadian ladies in the reconstruct mode? We'd love to hear from you.

kiki56235

I had my recon. done at the same time as my bilateral.  Drove 2 to 3 hours to St. Michael's in Toronto.  I thought since they had a breast centre it would be a great place.  I had nothing but problems (terrible treatment, miscommunications etc...) and my recon. is horrible to say the least.  Had ped. tram flap and now have huge stomach bulge and awful looking breast mounds.  I am currently waiting for an appointment with Dr. DalCin at Henderson in Hamilton.  I have heard really good things about her.  Here's hoping it is a better experience for me.  Would really love to hear from anyone who has seen Dr. DalCin, thanks.

Anonymous

There is a brand new Diepp man at Princess Margaret from the Netherlands you may want to check out!! Some others here have already jumped on his band wagon too.

meemee

You must ask now for a referal. The wait time in Ottawa is horrible. Just for a consultation it takes months (mine in not until June the 9th) and the surgery can only take place 6 to 8 months after that. From what I have read, plastic surgeons for reconstruction have 2 days a month in operating rooms with over 100 women waiting to have the surgery.

Do yourself a favor and ask for a referal now.

sunshine2003

I've been on this reconstruction journey for about 3 or 4 years.  I 1st went to Dr. Dalcin - she really scared me.....because I need a free flap (had radiation) - she didn't mean to scare me but so clearly outlined the risks, I was worried.

I then went to Dr. Bain at Mac in Hamilton - he inspired me - so I went on his list. He said I was "in the queue".  Well almost 2 years later, I hadn't heard, so called and was told it might happen in the fall! (2 1/2 years).  I then asked for another appointment to check out my questions.   I saw him in January (just about 3 years) I had a page of questions for him and I decided later, I wasn't happy with the answers (ie. recovery, success, long-term implications)- suddenly I was at the top of the list - got  a call with a date scheduled for free flap.  I back out - 2 days before pre-op.  I just couldn't see going through the surgery when I am so healthy.  For me, it would put me out of commision for at least 2 months - from work, activities etc.  I still wasn't sure the pay-off would be worth it.  So now I am getting used to my 1 flat side (as I should, it's now been 5 years  almost!). and I'm trying to put it behind me.  The only thing that would make me look into this again, would be if they develop a new procedure for those of us with radiation.

I'm sad but upbeat as I can continue to work in a field I enjoy, I continue to train for marathons and am happily active with my family.

A Very personal and difficult decision.

Janet 

kiki56235

Janet, was Dr. Dalcin nice aside from telling you all of the things that could go wrong?

Sig

wow meemee, never thought that the waiting time would be that long in Ottawa, when I saw my bs at the WHBC last Dec I asked him for a referral to a ps, he basically told me to wait a year to make sure that everything  is fine and it's my oncologist that would refer me. My plan is to ask to my oncologist next Wed as I am seeing her. Hopefully she will, as I do not want to wait years before it happens. I previously asked to my bs, rad onco, med onco, they all seems to think that it is too early, but if it takes a year before it happens then why postponing the referral. I will definitively asked this question to my onc on my next visit.

Sig

ottawagirl

Hi Ladies,

As far as Ottawa wait time goes for PS it's beyond ridiculous.  I went in for a consultation for a breast reduction last June.  My appointment for a consultation was book for Feb 08.  I'm not the most patient person, so I paid for the consulation myself and got in in a week.  I saw Dr. Rockwell and her waiting list for a reduction was 2 years. Have I mentioned that I'm not that patient - I went to Toronto and had the reduction on Jan 9th.  Ironically my Dr's office called me to remind me about my consultaion appointment the day I got back from Toronto.

Lucky for me I went to Toronto, because that is how they found my cancer.  I am now having a lb mastectomy with lat flap and implant (I know - how ironic) on April 7th.

FYI Dr. Guay at the Riverside does mostly breast reconstruction and his waiting lists are way shorter.  He is great -he's young and really puts you at ease.  Even my DH liked him.  Any questions PM me - I'm happy to share.  All the best, Michelle

sunshine2003

Yes, Dr. Delcin and Dr. Bain - we're both awesome. You could not get better - the only problem is the surgery was not right for me.

Janet 

kes

Hi Ladies,

My PS is Dr. Amanda Fortin in London,Ontario. Did not have a waiting list at the time when I was referred to her in the fall of 2007. I had bilateral mastectomies done on Jan 25/08 with tissue expanders and I am having the exchange surgery on Apr 25/08. She is developing a very good reputation for herself as I have heard through word of mouth that she is very good. She also does flap surgeries.

KES

Daudine

Hello,

I just met with Dr. Nicolas Guay (Ottawa) yesterday (April 10, 2008) and I'm getting a bilateral mastectomy and reconstructive surgery with implants. I should get the surgery in May or June...(very fast). He is a bit rude but I' m confident in his expertise. I'm anxious to move on with my life. My mother died from breast cancer last August. I found out I had BRCA1 in October, got my ovaries removed in March so that is the last  not the least step.

Good luck to you all!

Daudine

Kes,

Is it very painful? Were you in shock the first time you saw yourself?

 For my self, It's one step-surgery. He will remove the expander under local anesthesia.

kes

Hi Daudine,

Welcome,

It was not a shock the first time I saw myself because I work in the health care field and I have seen many mastectomies, but I was afraid to look down at my chest to look at my dressings. I felt around first and then took a tiny look at my dressings. If you are having tissue expanders put in the PS might put in some saline at the time of surgery. Mine put 200cc in each side so I was not flat, Just a little above totally flat. The tissue expanders can be painful, depending on the "fill" process.Some ladies go weekly for 30-40cc and some go every 2 weeks for 50-75cc at a time. Some ladies feel no discomfort at all and others feel a lot of discomfort. I was one that felt a lot of discomfort. I was filled too fast and too soon, with no time to recover, and by 2 weeks and 3 days post op I was filled up to 360cc on each side. I did have 25cc taken out of each side and was more comfortable. My exchange surgery is on Apr 25/08. You can always send me  a PM if you have any questions and I can respond to you. There are other threads here also that deal with this issue, they are "continued tissue expander pain" and "pain with expanders" Some helpful hints are, Warm baths or showers, ask your PS for a referral to a Physiotherapist that has worked with mastectomy patients, ask the PS if you can massage the edges of the expander with lotion, Muscle relaxants or Valium, Sleeping in a recliner( I don't have one ) Sleeping with 2-3 pillows for your head, Sleeping pills, some ladies used wet warm washcloths to their boob areas (this did not appeal to me)Ask the PS if you can apply any heat, I used those little packs that men put in their mitts in the winter, Just move them around frequently because your skin will be numb and you don't want to get a burn. Hope that helps.Take Care and send me a message if you have any more questions about anything. When the process gets going also if you need any info just PM me.Just try to take the fills slow and steady and not try to rush the process or it can be very painful. I also took Flexeril for muscle tightness.

Kerry

Daudine

Good luck for Friday Kes. I will be thinking of you.

kes

Daudine,

Thankx for your good wishes. I have had my exchange surgery postponed due to a low hemoglobulin which is 84 due to a prolonged period. Now I am rebooked for June 6/08. I am very bummed for sure. Just when you think maybe you can get these hard things out of your chest and move on to the next phase,KABOOM!!!!! Now I am looking at treatment for the prolonged period. More stuff to think about.What can you do? Oh Well.Hope that you are doing well.

Take Care,

Kerry

sunflower6

Hi ladies,

    I felt very compelled to share what I have experienced and know about reconstruction. I had a mastectomy and immediate diep flap reconstruction in Winnipeg. It was a 5 hr. surgery. Recovery is 10 weeks. I had chemo and started radiation just this week. 3 mths after rads has finished my PS will do whats needed to finish. Nipple is created similar to orgami folding (according to the nurse) with tatooing. Dr. Thomas Hayakawa is my PS. He is speaking at the World Breast Cancer Conference in June. We have 2 teams here doing this. 80% of women are offered this immediate procedure. These teams are wonderful, but the best part about this is that they are training other plastic surgeons from Canada as well as the USA. The day after my surg. they were showing their work off to a Dr. from the states. I think this is the way tx is going because the diep flap means 1 recovery for us. I forget to mention that the diep flap is a microvascular surgery--they don't use musle like the tram. A artery and vein(part) is harvested from the site. The drs like it when pt. has some abdominal fat, but they can also use buttocks or leg.

Take Care

Heather

Daudine

That's a bummer!!! Wish you patience and peace!

I will go for my bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction May 22nd. It's one step surgery, no expander, no implants exchange. The PS will inject saline water at  the center of the implant which is made of silicon on the exterior and saline water in the inside.

I'm nervous and ready....weird feeling. Afraid of the after but, one thing at a time!

I'll get back to you shortly!

Daudine