reconstruction or not ?????

Hi Pamela,

You're so lucky to get out your drains so soon. I'm two and a half weeks out and two of my drains are STILL outputting too much fluid!!! The one I've had removed was SO relieving. Everyone is right when they say you'll feel tons better with them removed.

As for reconstruction, the only bad moment I've had was last night. I'm still staying with a friend right now, because it's been snowing so much that I'd have trouble dealing with it on my own. There were three teenagers here last night, and they were telling a joke about bra sizes. After they left the room I felt myself all weepy, thinking, but I have no bra size. First time I've felt sad at all about losing my breasts, and it isn't bothering me this morning at all. My fears about lymphedema are still much more immediate than loss of my breasts, since I had all my nodes removed on the right side.

Here is a tip for removing the bandages.  Goo Gone.  You can get it pretty much anywhere and it works like a charm.

vivianu, I probably won't have reconstruction. I refuse to let breasts or the lack thereof define me. Implants don't last forever, and the idea of changing them out every decade or so doesn't appeal. I've had enough friends with implants to realize that a substantial minority develop problems. The same is true for reconstruction, a daunting surgery many hours long that can sacrifice core muscle I may need in the future to stay independent.

If the reconstruction was being done to correct a facial deformity, I would probably pursue it. My father had multiple cosmetic surgeries to refashion a nose after he lost his after he was diagnosed with invasive squamous cell carcinoma. The first two failed, and while the pedicle flap (from his forearm) was successful, it required many revisions to make a 'nose' of sorts. In comparison, I consider myself fortunate. I can live a full life, and if I wear even minimal sized prostheses, only the people with whom I choose to share will know I have had a bilateral mastectomy.

Ten days ago my surgeon called me and said he wanted the steri-strips gone by the time of my next appointment. Remembering how I used to get gum out of my boys' hair, I used plain oil to remove the steri-strips from my bilateral mastectomy incisions. Any lightweight food oil will degrade  adhesive residue, with a lot less pain than acetone/nail polish remover. (I can't say that I had any pain, though it felt weird.) It took about 45 minutes to remove them, since they were criss-crossed over the incision lines, and I still had (and have) scabs and folds along the incision sites. After I was done, I showered with very mild & unscented soap to remove the oil.

Barbe, I thought I was the only one with a newly big belly! It makes for a strange profile. I have been flat-chested, though on occasion I have worn the pos-surgical camisole with puffs. That does draw attention away from the belly, though right now I find it hard to have any pressure in the incision area, in the center of my chest, and under my arms. (The surgeon removed the drains too early, resulting in swelling in those areas.) What has worked best in clothing have been pretty camisoles paired with button front blouses, or around the house a loose cotton knit t-shirt.

Good luck with your choice.

re Goo Gone

Both my surgeon and pharmacist suggested it to me.  I use it at work all the time so I knew how well it works.  I had no skin irritation from it at all and did not have to rub to get the sticky stuff off.  It took seconds to work.  My hubby and I thought of putting it in small bottles and selling it to surgery wards.  We could make millions! 

So glad to have found this thread.  So much good stuff here.

I tried olive oil on the goo.  Didn't work.  Thought about nail polish remover, but didn't want to chance getting it on the incision.  Might try it later, though.

I was supposed to go back to work today at two weeks out, but realized that wasn't going to work.  I got half the staples out on Friday and don't get the others out until Wednesday.  I'm really hoping I can stand to wear the mx bra by then for more than an hour.  At first the pressure felt pretty good, but now I can't stand it. It hurts.  I might have to go get a cami to use the the puffy in--something looser--to wear for a while at work.  I got two vests and a zip jacket.  I already had a couple of cardigans. But I might need a few more things--or maybe not since I work from home part of the time.  I do need to take advantage of the sales, though.  Since I only had a single mx, you can definitely tell when I'm not wearing something.  I went to church last night without the bra and wore a zip jacket but also felt self conscious and kep my coat on as well.

Thanks for giving me more to think about.  I need to go assess my clothing situation before next Monday.

Hi Everyon, sorry have not beem on hear for awhile, my surgeon did not use staples only tape and what every it was it did not leave marks......................I am on my 3rd week and after a day with a bra on it hurts..............My arm still burns and I am back on chemo............for at least 6 weeks.

                         I did buy some expensive bras turned out my old bra works better, only had one breast removed and I just pin the puff in the other I wore a v neck today and no one had a clue!!! Hello to all of the new people!!  Pamela 

Hi-

I am only 41 and had to have my reconstructed implants taken out due to an infection. Can I say, "Oh my god...how great!" I had the opportunity to have one reconstructed breast still in and one without, and it feels so much better to not have something fake inside of me...as well as the pain of an implant under the muscle. I feel free and happy about the choice. Man or no man.  

after 4 years of thinking about it, I got silicone implants and found my self esteem rose just being able to wear a sports bra and have some breast that are soft and look normal with clothing on.  It is such a personal decision but I am really glad I did.