Anyone out there HAPPY with their reconstruction results?

Happy is relative, right?  I am pleased that I have symmetry, that my nipple looks good, but i do miss the real thing.

I decided on one step reconstruction with a ns bilateral masectomy.  I was satisfied with the original set of 36a's. I asked my ps for the same exact size.  He respected my wish and did exactly that. My husband still compliments me and that does help. Of course they do not feel like the originals but it works. So I hope that helps.

take care and regards,

CR

Shianne - I'm so sorry you are not pleased with your DIEP.  I had a skin-sparing bilat DIEP almost 5 years ago and am very pleased.  I downsized as the original girls were large and droopy.  I asked my PS for perky B's and that's exactly what I have.  I can wear a bra or not as I please.  Thanks to the skin sparing I have great cleavage and can wear as low-cut a top as I wish (although at age 57 my low-cut top days were pretty much over anyway.  ) 

You said you're just 3 months out - of course the scars are raw and red.  And have you had your Stage II "tweaking" surgery yet?  If not then things will look "unfinished" - I had large scarring after my initial DIEP, but when my PS did my Stage II she did a lot of scar removal and got them down to thin lines.  And do you have your nip tattoos yet?  All of those things make a difference.  Wait a year before you judge whether you like the DIEP or not.  The scars will fade, and once you get your nip tattoos, things will start to look normal.  And if you're not happy, go back to your PS to see what can be done, or get a consult with a second PS.  My PS told me she'd do as many surgeries as necessary till I was satisfied.  You have a right to be as happy as you can with the results. 

Will they ever look and feel like the originals?  No.  But they do become part of you.  Honestly, I forget most of the time that they are not the original "girls". 

I am very happy with my results. It is not the same but it is fine. My main worry was not being able to do all the physical things I do on a daily basis. I can in fact do everything I did pre Mx . I went about the same size. I have no nips but I don't care. I too can flex my pecs and distort the implants. I think it is quite a unique skill😉

Yes, the pec flex is a great party trick!!

Susansgarden your circus freak comment cracked me up!   I thought I was the only one!!

I had a lat umx reconstruction.  Direct to implant.  Prior to BC I had massive weight loss and had a lift with implants.  So I'm really critical of my body and it's short comings..  I feel that I am lucky.  In clothes you don't know anything is different between the two.  Naked, well, one looks a little "off" but not by much.  The "nipple" in the mirror looks real.   The feeling on the UMX side is non existant.  but oh well.  I know it can be worse.

I can pick myself apart and focus on the slightly negative aspects, but I try not to.  I'm here.  I'm well.  I have two boobs even if one is an impostor.

Hi-I am 3 months out of a BMX with DIEP.........love my "adopted" girls.......wish they had feeling-but........all in all, with circumstances remaining the same, I would make the very same choice all over again, and I did not have the easiest recovery. Looking forward to improvement in them as the PS does his tweaking in stage 2.



Namaste and God bless - Jackie

Are you still able to excercise with weights? or do pushups with an implant reconstruction?  

Also, I see many people chose not to wear bras but are you able to with a good appearance?

I am very unhappy a year and a half out.  I looked much better pre-BMX than I do with reconstruction. And the submuscular implants are painful. 

I dislike and am sad about how I look and how I feel. There is nothing about these reconstructed breasts that are better than my natural, pre-cancer breasts.

Are you still able to excercise with weights? or do pushups with an implant reconstruction? 

I still use weights. After my exchange, I went at it 3 weeks post op. There was a constant tightness. My new PS made me wait 2-3 months after revision, and I am soooooo glad I did. No problems!

I only do push ups against a wall now. It's the one exercise I was never comfortable with due to implants. Many women can do them, I just chose not to.

To answer the OP's question: Yes I am happy with my results. Of course I'd rather have the originals, but these puppies are lovely! I had NSM (double) with TEs, exchanged to style 20 natrelle 400 ccs. I am & was a 36c. The new girls are fuller. I'll wear shirts with shelf bras all summer.

I am about 12 months post-reconstruction and I love how much better my clothes look.  Especially dresses.  I am enjoying shopping for new dresses because they all look great with my new shape.  Mine are symmetrical and I went up from a 32B to a 32D/34C.  Didn't bother with the nipple reconstruction and of course the scar is always there, but the looks never bother me.  I have random aches and pains frequently, but these are much less noticable than my daily aches and pains from running and neither affect my quality of life.

Everyone on this site has been so great...sharing experiences. It has been so helpful. Had my surgery and expander put in on 5/24. Definitely feels strange but pain is not as bad as I thought. Was not easy to look at but I'm finding comfort that hopefully the cancer is gone.

Yes and no.

I did two separate reconstructions. In late 2008, I did an immediate recon with a DIEP flap, is now about a 34D (and still perky and in perfect shape). I was very slim when I did this post chemo and should have told the PS that I was not usually so slim for two reasons - one, they cannot use the stomach site again, and two, I would have asked for it to be made smaller to accommodate my imminent weight gain as I was too skinny.

Six months later I opted for a prophylactic recon ... and due to my slimness really only could use a LAT flap. This one has been less than satisfactory due to the flexing - opening car doors, picking up laundry basket, when exercising and whenever I want to. It interferes with my ability to stand up straight as it flexes when I do that, too. 

Now I am wondering ... has anyone ever removed a LAT flap and replaced it with something else?

In hindsight, I still would have done a DIEP flap - the stomach is so worth it especially if you have had children - only I would have done both breasts at the same time. And even though I am trying to figure out what to do with the LAT (we have surgically cut the nerve three times and Botoxed it three times, to no avail), I would still state I am satisfied with reconstruction, how my breasts look, how easy it is to look "normal" (and great in a bathing suit), and the peace of mind I have having removed the second breast proactively.

If you want to explore the emotional side of it more, I have a blog www.gingerbreadguts.com. Currently I am writing about the LAT flap, but the DIEP flap surgery and post-op stuff is there - very frank and real.

I to have been mourning the loss of my breast and the sensation. I feel lucky that at this point I still have one natural breast, but it doesn't mitigate my loss. My old life is gone and now I must adjust to this ever changing new me. I hope one day I can be happy with my results. Best of luck and hang in there.