February 2015 surgery

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  • RAK1
    RAK1 Member Posts: 240
    edited March 2015


    Welcome Tapanga, I'm sorry you had problems with the TEs. I pray all things will go well from now on.Smile

    Hello Sisters, I miss hearing from you ladies.

    I'm sure everyone is trying to adjust to whatever is going on now.

    I pray all is well for everyone!

    roadrash, you have been on my mind, I have been concerned about you!

    Love Robin

     

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  • mjh1
    mjh1 Member Posts: 445
    edited March 2015

    rak - how is everything going with you?  I have 2 PS consults next week just so I can hopefully get an answer on what is the cause/fix of my rippling just so I can have some peace of mind.  I don't plan on using either one, but I feel like I'm going to drive myself crazy not knowing WTF is wrong and what could they realistically do.  If this is the best, then so be it but right now I feel like I'm in limbo.

    roadrash -  where are you?? Hope everything is okay.

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  • Copperlisa
    Copperlisa Member Posts: 24
    edited March 2015

    Go in every time! No one believed me when I said I had fluid under my armpit...and the seroma blew a hole in my incision about an inch wide. We then discovered that because the surgeon took part of my pectoral muscle, I have a hollow fan shaped place above my incision, and a tube shape hollow behind my incision. I got my wound vac yesterday, one month after my MX. It's now my best friend. I'm waiting on my oncotype score (I get it Monday) but if it's low, I was supposed to start rads on the 6th. There's no way I can do that. Frustrated would be a good word....I had to tell my surgeon to refer me to wound care....Lord knows how long he would have left me hanging. On the positive. the reconstruction surgeon says it'll all work out in time....and I may not have to miss any more work. Thank you summer vacation!

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  • justamy
    justamy Member Posts: 532
    edited March 2015

    I got my exchange today. I went in knowing I had a seroma. I've been talking to the PS for weeks about it and went in twice. The second time part of my foob was bright red. He said no worries; all will be taken care of at the exchange. Well today PS told dh after putting my implants in that I had seromas under both TE's and he thought it might be infected so he took samples to send off. He went on to say that if there is an infection, he will have to remove my TE's and treat the infection before putting them back in. I am a bit frustrated and angry. I told him I was in pain and had a fever before surgery. He saw my swollen red foob. I hope there is no infection, but I gotta think he could have given me antibiotics weeks ago and avoided all this drama. Sorry to drop in an complain. I haven't been posting as much here but I do read every post. You all are awesome!

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  • mjh1
    mjh1 Member Posts: 445
    edited March 2015

    justamy  - I can totally relate to your frustration and anger.  your boob is bright red and he tells you not to worry about it??  If he had a penile implant and it turned bright red I wonder if he would worry.  Did he really think an infection and fever would resolve with the TE exchange??  I'm just angry for you that he took so little regard for your feelings as if it's no big deal to have to possibly go back in , remove them, be boobless for a while, and then go back in for another surgery.  I pray this is not your case and your TE exchange was a success. 

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  • zjrosenthal
    zjrosenthal Member Posts: 2,026
    edited March 2015

    Amy, this doctor seens incompetant. Would you consider asking for a second opinion? Love, Jean

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  • justamy
    justamy Member Posts: 532
    edited March 2015

    Jean, all of the PS in my city either work for one doctor's group or the other one. There are two groups in my city of 250000. My insurance only takes PS from one group. They work together and actually it was an associate of my PS that made the call that my bright red boob was fit for surgery. This was after my repeated complaints about the pain and swelling.

    Unfortunately, I have no choice unless I want to self pay and I can't do that. Believe me, I would if I had a real choice. If I go to another in the same group, I would just get the same answer. Sigh....

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  • mjh1
    mjh1 Member Posts: 445
    edited March 2015

    justamy -  did you try looking in another town??  you may even want to try looking on realself.com.  even if they don't take your insurance, some do offer free consults.  Just a suggestion.  Good luck!

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  • justamy
    justamy Member Posts: 532
    edited March 2015

    I'm driving an hour to get to my PS now and it is the 3rd largest city in MO after St. Louis and Kansas City. I really can't go anywhere else. I will just have to be more proactive until this is over. Reconstruction has been the one thing that I have had more problems than most...not so with Chemo and mastectomy. I'll get through this and be OK. Its just frustrating! Thank You all for your kind words and support


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  • faithhopecourage
    faithhopecourage Member Posts: 37
    edited March 2015

    justamy, even with all you've been through, you still have a great attitude. I am praying for you!! Your ps really messed up at your expense!!

    Love,

    Joanne

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  • NurseShark
    NurseShark Member Posts: 176
    edited March 2015

    I am sorry Amy! Praying things get easier for you! You need a break!!

    I saw mo today to discuss what happens next. Had first pelvic ultrasound and ca-125 , will have every 6 mo until ovaries out.

    No mammogram s no mri s ....no tamoxifen bc triple negative...feel like I am floating in space to fend for myself....I think I will be paranoid about every ache pain and sniffle for awhile...I hope that goes awAy...

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  • BBwithBC45
    BBwithBC45 Member Posts: 727
    edited March 2015

    I have a bit of a setback - I saw my PS this morning. I've had few fills so far and now it looks that my TE is sitting too high up on my chest and it doesn't look like it will drop. I will need a revision surgery and PS would like to do it asap, but I am undergoing chemo now; I have 8 more weeks. I'll ask my oncologist, but I doubt he'd want me to undergo surgery while on chemo. Any thoughts, experiences?

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  • RAK1
    RAK1 Member Posts: 240
    edited March 2015


    Hi BB,

    How high can they be? mine are much higher than mine that were removed. I was told that during the exchange there would be some tweaks so to speak. How much saline do you have now in the TEs?

    Love Robin

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  • BBwithBC45
    BBwithBC45 Member Posts: 727
    edited March 2015

    Hi Robin,

    I have just one TE and it is quite higher than my reduced/lifted breast on the other side. It has been explained to me, that when the TE is getting filled, it is pushing upward, instead of stretching the muscle. To tell you the truth, I don't remember how much saline I have. I think I had 4 or 5 fills, 50 cc each, but I'm not sure with how much I started after the surgery.

    BB

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  • RAK1
    RAK1 Member Posts: 240
    edited March 2015


    BB, I hadn't remembered that you only had the left breast removed. For the revision, did the PS describe what he will do?  I'm sorry you are having this problem. When do you think it will have to be done?

    My ribs and chest are still sore. The skin on my breast has stretched, they are covered with stretch marks. The skin is very dry also, so I am massaging with lotion. The left breast was also build up by alloderm, PS says that will be removed during exchange. The top of the right one without alloderm looks quite different than the left breast.

    Anyone still feeling tired after a few hours of work? I seem to do to much and then I am hurting for it.

    Best regard BB

    Love Robin

     

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  • BBwithBC45
    BBwithBC45 Member Posts: 727
    edited April 2015

    Hi Robin,

    I'm pretty sure the PS described what he was going to do, but first of all I was in a chemo fog, and second - my husband is s surgeon too, and I noticed that when he's around all my doctors talk to us in medical jargon, as if I was a doctor too. I think he'll need to widen the pocket where the TE is supposed to be sitting. I don't know, I don't care, I just want it fixed.

    I had my chemo yesterday and I talked to my oncologist's PA and she says no surgeries during chemo, and they like to wait for 4 weeks after the chemo before any surgeries. So now it looks like almost 3 months. She told me to ask my oncologist when I see him next week to see if he agrees to the same wait.

    That's too bad about the stretch marks. Do you think they filled your TEs too quickly? When is your exchange surgery?

    Gentle hugs,

    BB

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  • farmerjo
    farmerjo Member Posts: 518
    edited April 2015

    So Friday will be 7 weeks post-op. Thursday going in for re-suturing. The incision from the nipple down won't stay closed. Now the alloderm is peaking out. I desperately need this to hurry up and heal before our May vacation. 

    Anyone else having issues like this? I don't smoke. 


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  • RAK1
    RAK1 Member Posts: 240
    edited April 2015


    Oh BB I can definitely understand you wanting that taken care of now! That really sucks if you have to wait 3 months! Will you continue to get fills?

    I wish you weren't having this issue. It seems that there are several complications when having the TEs. I'm so sorry for all that everyone has to go through.

    I feel silly complaining about some stupid stretch marks and pain!

    Jilly, I am praying for you to heal also.

    Today I lift all of you ladies up in prayer.

    My love Robin

     

     

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  • mjh1
    mjh1 Member Posts: 445
    edited April 2015

    jilly - I too had a NSBMX and had a lot of issues with skin healing which eventually did resolve after four months and now you can't even tell on my skin.  At one point he had to deflate my TE so he can debride some skin and restitch it.  Yes, it's quite frustrating.  I'm not sure if you're issues are related to the NSBMX or to the TE's being filled too quickly.   The alloderm is supposed to absorb into your skin by 6 six weeks.  Good luck tomorrow!!

    RAK1 - I've always been a big believer in moisturizing.  I hear BioOil works great for stretch marks.  It is a little pricey but it's in all the drugstores.  I used that on my inscisions.  I would try that twce a day for a month if you can.

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  • farmerjo
    farmerjo Member Posts: 518
    edited April 2015

    Mjh1- I had immediate recon with one-step direct to implant with a size B cup. I have what they call anchor incisions due to the reduction in size. I just need this to be completely healed in 8 weeks. I can't imagine a well-deserved vaca in Sanibel without getting in the water! It's bad enough I haven't been able to shower in 6 weeks. Ugh.

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  • greenae
    greenae Member Posts: 540
    edited April 2015

    hi All

    Miss all of you! Started chemo last week, and next day my NSM left breast started to hurt. My TE is practically up to my clavicle. I don't want to whine, but this is no joke, recovering from this crap. My breast looks pretty frightful. I am C on left and my own DDDD on right. Ick. And now the axillary region acting up with soreness, tightness and pain. I am headachey and tired, big time most of the day, I guess from the chemo. I know, this will pass, just need to vent. I think the docs kinda gloss over how miserable this recovery can be. I felt better the first 2-3 weeks post-op. I am already worrying about the recon sxs. Lol. My nature, I guess?

    I hope all of you will feel better. I wish we could snap our fingers and be done with this! All txs and recons finished and AOK! My best to everyone, all of you help me everyday! Hugs!

    Arlene

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  • mjh1
    mjh1 Member Posts: 445
    edited April 2015

    greenae - you can vent and complain all you want here.  you're entitled and no one better understands then your fellow tata sisters.  it is a long and sometimes winding and difficult journey, but you will get through it just like your tata sisters before you, And when you're finally done, you'll be able to encourage all the sisters that will come after us.  Rest well and stay strong!!!!   

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  • Sparkle2014
    Sparkle2014 Member Posts: 139
    edited April 2015

    Just a Jennifer, I am also in CT (Norwalk) - and we are very close in DX and age. Just curious to hear how you are doing - that sounds like you have had 3 surgeries all very close in time frame? I hope you are doing much better now as almost 2 months out from MX? it took me about 10-12 weeks to finally feel more healed & my MX was on my right and I am right handed and had had a frozen shoulder years prior on same side so the MX reignited a lot of the pain in my shoulder there,,, still hurts a lot but grin and bear it as thankful was found and able to get taken out before needing chemo or rads,,, i'm planning my lift too,,, around June/July. that is assuming nothing new appears on my mammo and ultrasound which i have coming up in April.... not sure if you are in fairfield county or not - if you are, i can send you link to group that meets around Wilton and Southport and Norwalk - just in case you have any interest - my Plastic Surgeon is Dr Tito Vasquez in Southport - that would be a small workd if he is also yours...

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  • JustAJennifer
    JustAJennifer Member Posts: 85
    edited April 2015

    Hi sparkle2014, thanks for asking! I'm a bit past 8 weeks and I noticed big improvements this past week. I have a physical therapy appointment tomorrow, I wonder what will come of it. I did a bikram yoga class today and did so much better than last week. My exchange is on the schedule! June 5 for swap and lift on the other side.

    I had my first two lumpectomies locally, and when it came to mastectomy, I chose to go to Memorial Sloan Kettering in NYC. I've enjoyed my commutes down there for expansions, and always make a nice day of it. Not that it's without inconveniences though.

    I'm in Middletown, a ways out from Fairfield county. That is so awesome of you to invite me to your group, thanks for that! If only I were closer! But send the link, I don't have anything like that for support as yet. I have a number of friends who have been through bc but they are all on the other side of treatment and recon.

    Good luck with your pretesting for your lift as well!

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  • jabec
    jabec Member Posts: 70
    edited April 2015

    I just got my exchange date - May 28th! I'm really excited to have a date on the calendar. What I'm not so happy about is that my TEs are different sizes/shapes and I have to try to mask that for the next 7 weeks. What's really frustrating is that the difference between the two is because the first doctor I saw did a surgical biopsy even though I had a diagnosis from the needle biopsy and had he asked, I would have told him that I wanted a MX anyway. Due to that unnecessary surgery, a lot more skin had to be taken out on my left side to incorporate that incision into the MX incision. So, right now my left TE is a little higher and has filled more at the top instead of the bottom. What's also bad about having two different sizes/shapes is that I keep comparing the two trying to decide which I like better! My right side looks more natural naked, but I think the left side looks better in clothes. My PS said that the right side looks pretty perfect and he will match the left to it during surgery, but I'm still a little torn. Too many decisions with this process!! My PS has listenend to my desires/concerns and I think I now need to leave the final decision in his hands.

    What's really crazy now is that my next door neighbor was diagnosed last week with IDC!! What were the chances of that?! At least she can come to me with questions, etc since I just went through it, but weird timing.

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  • NurseShark
    NurseShark Member Posts: 176
    edited April 2015

    haven't posted in awhile. I try to keep up reading.g posts though. I hope everyone is doing well.

    I start radiation Monday. Getting nervous. Had dry run Friday and got very anxious laying on table. Working on meditation to get through these treatment s.

    I am doing pt. I had some trouble getting ROM back but finally getting better(enough to get into position for rads anyways) able to start carrying baby but still struggle with lifting in and out of crib and can't carry car seat yet.(My chunky 5 mo old!!!!is 18lbs)

    My incision s look great I've been massaging with vitamin e oil. Nipples finally rebounded and no longer look like they'd fall off :x still getting burning/raw sensations. I see some rippling too more so on Left. Plastic surgeon appointment not until after rads though. Can they do anything for the rippling? I am sure it was discussed but I forgot

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  • dancingdiva
    dancingdiva Member Posts: 475
    edited April 2015

    hey Nurseshark, I started rads on Thursday. The first day was all set up, the second day was faster. Maybe I'm a little more tired. But better than chemo so far

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  • zjrosenthal
    zjrosenthal Member Posts: 2,026
    edited April 2015

    Nurse, there is a great spring rads group. Hope to see you there. Many useful tips and encouragement from other rads ladies. I have finished 4 weeks of rads out of 6. Other than a mild sunburn feeling it has been fine. Unlike the setup which takes awhile, the treatments only take a few minutes. Nowhere near as difficult as chemo or surgery. Once you start the weeks fly by quickly. Love, Jean

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  • RAK1
    RAK1 Member Posts: 240
    edited April 2015

    Hi everyone 😊

    I am having my exchange on June 5 same as you JustAJenifer!

    I am going to be a grandma! Yay!!!

    My daughter is pregnant!

    Hope everyone is good!

    Love Robin

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  • farmerjo
    farmerjo Member Posts: 518
    edited April 2015


    Congrats Rak! Whole new life ahead of you...enjoy!!!!!

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