August 2014 Surgery

Allydp

Brandyrose - I'm so sorry for all you're going through and for the loss of your dog. That's just too much to deal with all at once. Please know that we are all here for you and it's okay to feel overwhelmed and emotional. We've all been there. I chose to have a bilateral mastectomy because I have an aggressive tumor with a high rate of recurrence, as well as being young. I didn't want to go through years of scans and possible scares. However, I then tested positive for the BRCA2 gene, so a bilateral ended up to be the clear choice anyway. As Juliecc said, there's lots of great info on this site and others to help you in your decision. 

Do you have a surgery date yet? Sending you gentle hugs. 

AmyG516

Hello everyone - hoping there is room for one more in the group!  Scheduled my UMX and TE placement this morning for August 1st.  I am nervous about everything to come in the next few weeks but am relieved to finally be moving forward.  So thankful to have found this site!

Allydp

Hi Amy, welcome! Looks like you'll be kicking us off on the 1st along with Shine! I'm super nervous too, but like you, ready to get this show on the road. 

Juliecc

Welcome, Amy!  A few of us have been though mastectomies and tissue expanders so if you have any questions, ask away!  Our diagnosis looks similar, mine was stage 1, grade 1, 1 cm, ER+ also.  You are having a 2 and a half month wait for surgery?  That must be hard for you.  You'll have it over with soon!

SueEllenWisconsin

August 21.  Infection two months after mastectomy and implants.  Left sides implant removed.  Latissimus Dorsl.       Anxious about back flap.  I had my double mastectomy with immediate plants in February but two months after surgery, got a staff infection in a non healing spot on left breast .  Had unsuccessful surgery in May to try to save implant and surgery in June to remove implant.  Enjoying the summer and will get flap surgery with expander.  Three surgeries with anesthesia in 4 months  and I am very anxious about this next one.

myers421

Wisconsin!! just about the same thing happened to me I also had 4 surgeries (within 6 months) and I too am having the dorsi flap August 8! I am so glad to meet you.  My PS said I should bounce back within a week hbu what did you hear about your recovery?   My surgery is b4 your so I can give you "heads up" on everything

Allydp

Wisconsin - I'm so sorry for all the complications you've had. That is a lot to go through physically and mentally. Hopefully your surgery on the 21st is the last one and you can finally start recovering and moving on.  

Lori1967

Hello, I have a lumpectomy booked for August 11th.

I really thought I've been dealing with all of this pretty good, I have so many other worries right now that I'm not really focusing on "me"

I don't know if it's the barometer, but for the last 3 days I've been suffering from terrible headaches, no amount of advil will take it away!

Also, I am so tired!  I could sleep all day, the relief I feel to just shut my eyes...

I haven't had a chance to read all the posts yet, just wondered if anyone else has experienced this after being diagnosed?

Lori

cateyz2

Hello to all of the August surgery sisters.

August 26th I will be having my allergan style 20 round implants exchanged to the allergan 410 anatomical ones to address the ripples I have along with an indent in addition to removing some scar tissue. My BMX with TEs was 5/31/2013, exchange to implants on 11/26/13 , hoping this will  be the last one

cateyz2

Amy, I just saw your post and see you found this thread before I did,  Hope all is well with you and be sure to let me know if you'll be up for a visitor after your surgery

AnasNana

BMX with TE's on Aug. 1. 

myers421

Hey Katie I was wondering when you were gonna pop in here, when is your next appointment with Madry? 

cateyz2

I see him Aug 7th for pre-op

Ally2345

Lori1967-  When I was first dx, it seemed that I was trying to deal with so much information and pressure.  I wanted to make the "right" decision.  It was almost overwhelming and I think you will find many others suffered headaches, fatigue and mood swings.  I was trying to decide between uni and lump and then I ended up choosing a BMX.  Initially it wasn't on my radar but as I found out more about my family history and the age of my kids, I did not want to go through this twice.  It was the right decision for me.  Point being, it is mind-jarring to get through all of this plus all the doc appts, etc. Once I started to focus on just preparing for surgery then I seemed to take things more a step at a time.  After preparing for surgery, it was recovering from surgery, then getting fills, then improving ROM, etc. There may be lots of good info on the Lumpectomy Lounge thread but please continue to let us know how you are doing and ask if you have any questions!! 

Cateyz2-  I have been following your posts because the two implants that are being considered are the ones you have had...the Allergan 20s and the Allergan 410.  The PS likes the anatomical but with my short waist and dimensions, he is strongly considering the rounds because the width of the 410 hits me at the wrong point (might look droopy).  Glad you are getting one to help smooth out some of the areas. 

AnasNana-  Welcome and we are excited to have you start off our month!  You will do great and if you have any questions, please ask.  Many of us have had BMX with TEs.

It's HUMP day!  Everyone have a great day!

Ally

Juliecc

Cateyz, I hope you like the 410s.  I am getting the Allergan Style 20s and I am hoping not to have a bad rippling problem.  The PS will bring in 450, 475, and 500cc implants.  I also have a dent in my inner cleavage area that my PS will add fat grafting to.  I'm going to try to convince her to add fat to other areas, too, to prevent a noticeable stepoff.  Heck I have heard that some women get it added everywhere so they end up with nice, soft, warm results.  My PS is a perfectionist so it wouldn't hurt me to ask.  Fifteen more days :-)

Ally2345, which implant do you think you would prefer?  I also have a shorter torso.

Ally2345

juliecc-  My choice, without talking with my PS, would be the Allergan 20s at 475cc.  My PS is big on the 410s but I like the width and projection of the 20s.  Whippetmom suggested the 20s and the more I researched, the more I like the 20s.  If my PS had the Sientra or the low height 410s, I would consider them because they are more narrow/not as tall but I don't think he has access to those implants.  Will find out today.  Yesterday's meeting got pushed.  

Ally

Juliecc

Your pre-op is today?  Mine isn't until 8/1.  We are getting closer, though!

Ally2345

Yep...went yesterday but PS had an issue and was not there so back again today.  Ugh.  We are going on vacation next week so I had to do pre-op early.  Vacay with the TEs...fun, fun, fun.  haha!!  

Lori1967

Thanks Ally2345,,,I managed to get myself to bed earlier last night, and I feel a bit better this morning. I had two calls from the surgeon setting up my CAT and bone scan and health check appointments. Not easy to do while I'm still working.

I know finding out you have cancer is never  good at any time, but if any time could be worse....this is it. My husband after working over 20 years, making awesome pay and benefits lost his job. He's working now at 1/2 the wage and no benefits. My brother who has been fighting sarcoma now for two years was told on the same day as my biopsy, that nothing else can be done.....he has 2-3 months now and is in palliative/pain management. Telling my Mom about me was just about the hardest think I had to do....

I am self employed, I have a home childcare business with 5 little ones. So it's not like I can just go on sick leave......I have taken 2 weeks off for my lumpectomy, as far as radiation/chemo/hormone therapy....I am hoping I can schedule for a Friday afternoon and have the weekend to recover.

This sucks.

Ally2345

Lori-  It does...completely.  I am so sorry you are having to manage so much right now.  Come here to vent when you need to...there are great ears out there!!  Know we are sending our prayers and support your way.  Hugs!

Ally

Allydp

Lori - welcome. I'm so very sorry you're going through so much on top of a new cancer diagnosis. I think it's completely normal for you to be experiencing headaches and fatigue. Stress can really do a number on us. I'm glad you found us. We are all here for you. 

Cateyz - welcome. Hope this is the last surgery for you! 

Tanya - welcome. 

Question for those of you who have already been through BMX with TE's - what can I expect at the pre-op with my PS? My appt is the 30th and I'm getting a list of questions and concerns together. Will we discuss size and type of implant? I remember Whippetmom saying it's best to have an idea which implants you'll be using as it dictates the type of expander. So far I've only met with him once for the initial consultation. He took measurements and photos, but we didn't cover much about the actual surgery at all. I'm hoping he goes way more in depth at this one. 

cateyz2

Ally2345- My PS was one that participated in the clinical trials so he has access to all of the 410.s specifically the X's which is extra projection, you might want to ask her if she was in the trials and has access to those as well if you have concerns about rippling

AnasNana

Getting a bit nervous...only a week til surgery. I forgot to ask my PS how limited arm movement will  be and for how long.  Does anyone here know? Thank you ladies, and best wishes to my fellow Aug 1 surgery sisters.

Sodie1017

I hope you all don't mind me jumping in. My bmx and reconstructive surgery (straight to implants) was April 3. I didn't find this site until a couple of weeks after my surgery and wish I would have found it before!  Here's what I went through and what I've learned:

1. I chose bmx because my cancer was bilateral and high grade, but contained. Like many of you, my breasts were full of cysts, a mess, as the BS put it. 

2. The PS told me he would decide during surgery if he'd use expanders or go straight to implants. It depends on how much tissue the BS removes. Most of the time, he uses expanders. Imagine my surprise when I woke up with implants! Straight to implants is miserable because your pecs are stretching and screaming for mercy. However, expanders have their own set of challenges as well. There's just no easy way, is there?

3. I had nipple/skin sparing surgery. Never heard of this before. In fact, I wasn't familiar with anything! When I look in the mirror, I look about the same. I just don't feel the same. 

4. I don't do well with anesthesia. The anesthesiologist listened to my whole pathetic story. As he said, I'm a pharmaceutical light weight! It doesn't take much to put me under and it takes a lot to wake me up. No issues this time. I highly recommend the motion sickness patch, but I wouldn't let them put it on me until shortly before the surgery. Numbing meds were put into a catheter in my upper back and I was sent home with painballs in two little bags. I was instructed to take OxyContin and I really hesitated on that, but the anesthesiologist who checked on me after surgery insisted. It's 12 hours of pain relief. If you must take this drug, don't take it more than two days. By day three, I was sick and so miserable. I really never had any pain after the surgery. Like others have said, the armpit incisions were the most irritated. 

5. I didn't choose my implants. Didn't know I had a choice! The doc measured me and I told him I was fine staying with a B cup. During measuring, the doc told me I was almost perfectly symmetrical and he could not guarantee that after my surgery. That's my biggest disappointment. One nipple is an inch lower than the other. 

6. You will be uncomfortable/miserable for the first 2-3 weeks. I slept propped up so I could breathe easier. There were nights I wanted to run to the ER and ask for oxygen. There were times I wanted to call the PS and have him remove the implants! I still have days like that! Hang in there! You will make it!

7. I wore flannel pants and my husband's t-shirts most of the time. I started with his flannel shirts and as I regained flexibility in my arms, went to the t-shirts. We pinned the tubes to the inside of the shirt. 

8. I had no issues taking care of business after using the bathroom. 

9. Walk as much as you can. Rest and walk some more. I developed a fever on day four and the BS told me to bundle up and go for a walk. The fever was a precursor to pneumonia. The fever went away and I had no more issues because my husband and daughter nagged me and walked with me!

10. Make your recovery plan now. My BS coached us through this. If you don't want people bringing food, say so. If you don't want visitors, say so. Make a plan and stick with it. My daughter wanted to cook for me so we asked for no food. Some people were offended because that's what they want to do. Isn't it interesting that people rarely ask what YOU want? They assume. I didn't want visitors based on advice from a friend who went through this. Glad I listened because I was too miserable to want to carry on a conversation. I also asked for no flowers or plants. Why? Because the BS said it's a hassle to worry about swamp water. I still received nine, but if I hadn't said anything, I'd have received 50! I asked co-workers and family for funny cards and emails. Humor goes a long way in helping with your recovery. 

11.  I saw both surgeons one week after my surgery. The BS checked my armpit incisions, gave me a hug and said "see you in a year."  Then I went straight to the PS and he removed two tubes and the surgical tape on my breast incisions. I saw him again at week 2 and he removed the other two tubes. No, it didn't hurt. He told me to come back in 6 weeks. But at week 4, I was crying in his office due to lack of sleep due to muscle spasms. Seems he forgot to prescribe Valium. This is a must in my opinion! I needed my pecs to simmer down so I could sleep! It did the trick and I returned to work a few days later. 

12. The main surprise was the mapping prior to surgery. I had no idea this involved five shots to each breast. Ouch. 

13. Don't push your recovery. My husband took a week off work and my older daughter came to help, too. I let them do everything. Then my mom came to town and then my younger daughter. They took care of dishes and laundry and cooking and cleaning. If you don't have this kind of help, ask a friend. 

14. Go to physical therapy as soon as the PS says so.  Mine gave me the choice to do stretches at home or go to PT. I was sick of appointments so I opted for doing it myself. Wrong choice. I did the stretches and developed good range of motion, but I was so tight.  Finally went to PT and discovered how much scar tissue builds up after this type of surgery. I lost several weeks of getting back to normal. Still going to PT twice a week. It hurts, but it's necessary. 

I hope this helps. I'm sorry that you all are going through this. 

Ally2345

Sodie-  Great advice!  Sorry you didn't have valium the first few days.  I have TEs but I know the valium really did help my muscles calm down and allow some sleep.  I would add one thing, and I did not think of it, but some families got together and gave me a gift certificate to this place that delivers from about 50 different restaurants.  It was so nice to be able to order something if we felt like it and have it delivered.   I am going to remember to do that for others in the future!

Ally

Ally2345

Had my pre-op yesterday...did not go as I had hoped.  I was hoping for the Style 20s at 475cc per whippetmom's recommendation but I don't think that is where my PS is going.  I think he is a teardrop guy.  He said he would bring several styles and sizes in the operating room but I bet I will end up with the 410s.  His PA, who I saw first, said that if PS used the 20s at 475 then I would need another fill (currently at 450cc's).  When PS came in, he did not order another fill so even if he uses the 20s, I bet he will use 450 or less and I won't have the projection I was hoping for.  Ugh.  This PS does great work and so far I have been super pleased so I am trying not to be disappointed.  But, the more I thought about the appointment, the more disappointed I have become.  The surgery is the Monday after we get back from vacation so next time I see him will be right before surgery.  Guess we will see in August. 

Ally

Juliecc

Hi Ally, My PS gave me a last fill to 450 to make 500cc in style 20 a possible option (at my request).  From what I've read, you can go at least 50 and sometimes 100cc more than your TE fill.  Strange.  Maybe you have a different kind of expander.  If you are convinced you want style 20, keep pushing for that!  The difference between 450 and 475 would be very slight but I really think he could fit 475 in there.  It's weird how 475 has a tad more projection than 500 but I don't think it would be a noticable difference.  My PS tried to convince me to choose the 410s but they are more firm and less movable from what I've read.

For those of you getting mastectomies with tissue expanders, you should definitely have a conversation with your PS beforehand about what kind of implants you might want and what size.  I know you have so much more on your mind but it might save you trouble later.

Fifteen days to go!  I've started the cleaning frenzy and getting my ducks in a row at work and at home.  I hope I'll be ok with the 11 days off I requested to recover.  I hope you all are doing well.

Ally2345

juliecc-  thanks for that info...it makes me feel a bit better.  I should have pushed harder in the appointment but didn't and I don't know why...

Isn't it great that we are finally getting closer?  Bring on August!  Of course between now and the surgery, my daughter turns 15 (learner's permit OMG) and we are taking vacation for 10 days.  Nothing like packing everything in to a small time frame.  

Ally

iwannaseeyoubebrave

Ally, my daughter is also turning 15...next week! Watch the roads!   Enjoy your vacation! 

Juliecc

Teaching your kids to drive is scary!!!  My boys are 19 and 21.  I Wannaseeyoubebrave, that must be your daughter in your video link.  She is very talented!