Anyone thinking of having a Mastopexy

ali68

Hi, I'm five years since my Breast Cancer and I'm thinking of having a Mastopexy. Would love to hear from anyone who is thinking the same or already had it. I had stage 3 grade 3 with all lymph nodes removed from left arm pit. I had a lumpectomy with chemo, rads and Tamoxifen for a total of ten years.

MTwoman

Hi ali, I had mastopexy on my non-involved side when I had my reconstruction on my mx side. I'm not sure if you are only looking for women who had lx first and then mastopexy? Happy to answer questions if you'd like.

ali68

Hi nice to meet you! I'm looking for ladies who have had or thinking of Mastopexy.

illimae

Hi there, I had one in combination with my lumpectomy 3 weeks ago. The BS did the lumpectomy and ALND, followed immediately by the PS who did the reduction and lift (mastopexy). It was a one stop surgery and reconstruction. I was a little disappointed going from a DD to a D cup but pleased when I was told I'd never need an underwire bra again. High and tight is certainly a nice change

ali68

Hi nice to meet you! Can I ask did you just have Mastopexy with good results?

ali68

MTwoman, were you happy with your Mastopexy? When could you clean your house and lift things after surgery?

ali68

I'm not having implants so I want to know is it worth the surgery and pain ?

MTwoman

I had my mastopexy on the left at the same time as my exchange surgery on the right (TEs to implants), so honestly, I didn't really notice the mastopexy healing. I didn't have drains on that side, and don't really remember any added difficulty due to the mastopexy. I just sort of took care of both sides the same

I do like the effect, although that was 14 years ago and that breast has aged naturally (i.e. not quite as high and tight as it was when they first did it). Since I had both sides involved in my surgery, I wasn't really lifting or doing any heavy housework for about a month? But I was back to work pretty quickly (I was a therapist, so my job was mostly sitting). I didn't take prescription pain meds (except at night) after a couple of days. I think I heal pretty well (except for throwing dreadful keloid scars), so I didn't have any unusual complications. Pain was minimal and the effect was great

(edited for spelling and grammar)

illimae

ali68, I'm pleased with the plastic surgeons work and have good feeling with minimal discomfort from the lift itself. If it wasn't for the lymph node dissection and related drain, I'd have no trouble doing any tasks. I'm only 3 weeks out and still have the stitches and glue from surgery but I think the scars will be minimal.

ali68

Thanks ladies this is very helpful as I really want this but my family and friends sayI shouldn't as I've been through enough with SE. I'm very active I work in an office and also have my own business as a housekeeper so do 20 hrs a week at that. I have one boob which is scared and not so bad and the good one 3 inch lower. I go to see my surgeon again on 4 th August. I spoke to him last year but I wasn't ready for it but now I am. My family really don't want me to have it saying it will bring back the cancer or it will turn out wrong and I will be worse off. Also a friend said I would need implants and I don't want them.

Thanks again Alison xx

MTwoman

ali, while I understand your family being fearful for you and wanting to protect you, it just simply isn't true that mastopexy would "bring back the cancer". And mastopexy is also not about using implants, it is about lifting up your existing boob If this will help you feel better, then it is important.

Maybe your PS has some brochures that give details to help your family understand the procedure better?

dixiechick442

I had one five weeks ago in the results are great. My surgery was four hours and stayed in the hospital over night. The healing time was four weeks. I went from a DD to a C. I'm still soar on my sides and lifting my arms. My PS did an amazing job and the scars are minimal.

I had mine done because it the first part of my mastectomy. The next surgery will be the tissue removal and direct implant replacement in October.

ali68

Thanks ladies , I'm going for it .xx