Flap failure stories?

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GointoCarolina
GointoCarolina Member Posts: 753
edited August 2014 in Breast Reconstruction

Two weeks ago I had bilateral SGAP surgery . My wonderful surgeon worked for hours trying to keep the right side alive but in the end,it failed. I never felt this would happen...but also never thought I would get cancer,so....!!!! I know I am not alone,would like to know how others have dealt with it emotionally.Right now I am feeling like I can never go through another major surgery...hoping that will pass.Did any of you choose to not recon the failed side? If you did recon,what were your options and how long did you wait? I will be talking to my surgeon but those of you who have been there are who I need to hear from.

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  • Catie2013
    Catie2013 Member Posts: 1,023
    edited August 2014

    Hi, I also had a failed SGAP flap, but mine was the left side.  I too never thought I'd have a failed flap and also never thought I'd get breast cancer AGAIN.  But both did happen.

    I remember saying to the Dr when he told me that things happen for a reason.  Not sure if it was the meds or the prayers that had been said for my surgery that made me say that.  Dissappointed for sure but caught up in the whole idea that I just had both of my original breasts removed, donor site harvested, attached and then unattached in less than a week.

    I had some other hiccups along the way and my recoup seemed never to end.  I truly thought I'd never want surgery again!  Ever.  I got mad at my husband for even asking the Dr when I'd be okay to have another go at it!  I explained to my husband that I wouldn't even THINK about another surgery until I could forget about the last ones.

    Funny thing is that before I had the SGAP I had been toying with the idea of not doing any reconstruction and just wearing prostethis or padded bras or loose shirts.  A friend of mine who chose to do no reconstruction made it sound pretty simple.  And sort of made me feel vain for wanting reconstruction.  So now, after the failed SGAP I was in a position to see what it would be like for me to go 1/2 and 1/2.  For me it was a good way to reaffirm that I truly wanted to have a reconstructed breast, but it took me a while to get back to the thought of another surgery.

    I guess at some point I did think and want and plan and go through with another reconstruction surgery.  It worked and I'm on the other side now even with 3D nipples.  I had to make some sense of it all so I chose to think that this was a very long drawn out painful way to figure out what I'd really be comfortable with.  Thats just me, might not be others, but it's a sub level club membership to those of us who have not only had a double mastectomy but indeed have had a triple mastectomy in that we've had one breast removed twice and the other once!  Hate when new members join this club!  

    Hugs

    Catie

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  • GointoCarolina
    GointoCarolina Member Posts: 753
    edited August 2014

    Your story helped me so much.   Last night I decided I was going to call my local breast surgeon and have him remove the flap......I then came to my senses and realized how ridiculous that would be.I am going to try to focus on healing....and maybe when the stupid drains are removed and the various aches and pains have resolved,I will be able to think more clearly.You have been a calming voice when I needed it.....thank you.....!!!!!!!

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