Reconstruction success story so far

countdooku

I'm 1.5 weeks post-op today after my breast reconstruction. I'm off of work through the end of this week and return to work next Monday. I can't lift anything above 10 lb for 4 weeks post-op. And have to wear a bra 24x7 for 4 weeks. But so far, the recovery has been a cake walk in comparison to the double mastectomy I had back in June. No drains to deal with (YAY!). No stitches...just surgical glue and surgical tape (the tape is still on and I haven't tried to take it off). I had to take 7 days of antibiotics to prevent infection. Also had to use Hibiclens soap once a day for 5 days prior to the surgery. And had to put a dab of this antibiotic ointment in each nostril once a day for 5 days before the surgery.

Did NOT have to spend the night in the hospital. The surgery took 2 hours. Surgeon talked w/me beforehand at the pre-op appointment about size & type of implants (I ended up with silicone implants). I gave him the liberty to decide in the OR whether or not fat grafting would be necessary (it wasn't). Got to the hospital at 5:30 am, was back home by noon the same day.

I went to my naturopath 4 days post-op to get a Vitamin C IV infusion and felt like a million bucks after that. Have been taking 2000 mg 2x/day of oral vitamin C along with some other supplements that the naturopath recommended. Been taking it easy and napping and getting lots of rest, eating well, etc., etc.

I am VERY pleased with the results so far of this reconstructive surgery. The incisions from this surgery basically extend the mastectomy scars by another couple of inches. The reconstructive surgeon is the same one who did the mastectomy incision closure and so far, those have healed very well and they've already started to fade. Of course, they're still there and noticeable but it's not nearly like it was 2 weeks after the double mastectomy surgery.

Surgeon said that once I'm 4 weeks post-op, it's ok to start using OTC stuff to minimize scarring. I think that my doctor did a great job. I'm so grateful. The right breast (which is the one that had the cancer in it) shows some rippling when I move a certain way, but you know what? I don't care. Not one bit. It's not like I'm going to be going out wearing shirts showing off my chest anyway (I never did that before this cancer stuff started). I don't care that I no longer have any nipples. I don't care that there are huge long surgical scars across each breast. I'm not getting surgical nipple reconstruction done. Eventually, I'll get 3D nipple tattoos, but not yet. Surgeon recommended to wait 3 months before doing that. In the meantime, I'm totally content to have 1 occasionally-ripply boob and to be nipple free. After my post-op appointment with the surgeon, I went to the gift shop at the cancer center and bought myself a t-shirt to commemorate having reconstructed breasts now.

I don't care if people think they're fake. They ARE fake. I'm happy to have fake ones.

If you choose to have breast reconstruction, wear those reconstructed boobies with pride. You got through this! You did it! You've still alive and living your life every single day! And that is a totally awesome thing to celebrate.

You know what else? If you choose to NOT have reconstruction, do THAT with pride! You got through this! You did it! You're still alive and living your life every single day! And that sure is an awesome thing to celebrate, isn't it?

You're still a woman regardless of what your chest looks like.

OnTarget

I love this, thank you! I'm so excited for when I get to do my exchange! I think they're going to look great!

Thanks for the insights into the actual day and even what the cuts are like on the scars, I've been wondering about that.

countdooku

The surgeon didn't re-open the original scars. He just extended them. So new incisions, but it just makes it look like the mastectomy scar is a little longer than it was before.

hodgepodge

Great news and really admire your positive outlook! Congratulations!

OnTarget

Dollnoodle- I think you work for Parascalpmicro.

MinusTwo

On Target - I thought so too so I sent a PM to the Mods. They took care of it.

NoMoreKindaCCups

Countdooku, Thanks for starting this topic. I've been off the site for awhile... I felt like I was reading so much about problems and disasters, and it made me so anxious. I mean, I'm sorry for those who suffered these bad outcomes, of course, but I need to focus on positive energy right now. Fortunately, I've come through really well from my BMX in October. No radiation, no chemo, just tamoxifen. I finally got a surgery date for my implant exchange on 1/31/20. It seems so far away, but I know it will be here in no time.

Can I ask you all how long you were on pain meds after the exchange? I know it's a much easier surgery(YAY!), but I'm trying to get a good feeling for what to expect. It's interesting how some docs keep you in a bra post-sx and others don't want you in one at all. I haven't met with my PS to ask about this yet, but I have to say that most of the time, I've been really comfortable without a bra with my TEs. Also, any restrictions on bathing or anything else? Thanks for sharing!