February 2015 surgery

Thank you, jilly and faithhopecourage

I just found out, because I questioned my <1mm anterior margin, that my BS will be at my plastic surgery on July 7. I had IDC cells less than 1mm on the anterior margin. My IDC mass was at 10:00, inner upper quad, with 6mm multifocal DCIS...which was why the LX was switched to MX, for cosmetic reasons. The DCIS wasn't found til the final path report. Anyway, I am not sure what my BS is going to do in there? The tumor board said "no" to RADS, so is she going to scrape around, remove skin...ugh...I guess I won't know til after the surgery? I am getting a round silicone implant, and redux/lift on right healthy breast. Most of my last infusion SEs are gone, so I am going back to work this Monday...trying for some normal. And I am planning beach on June 28, 29...yay! Sheesh, I don't own a bathing suit that doesn't have underwire!

I hope everyone is doing well, I look froward to hearing good news from all...HUGS!

arlene

Hi Jilly

I had a mastectomy february 26. There shouldnt be any breast tissue left. Thats why I am not sure what she, (BS), is going to do in there? It's not as if cells can be seen, and I have a TE under my pec muscle. There was no issue with the posterior margin. The anterior margin (near skin) was the one that was close (<1mm).

The decision to switch from LX to MX was initially made a week before surgery in february, because of the anterior 10:00 location of the mass, and cosmetic outcome.

I am also glad she (BS) encouraged me to make that decision. Just hate that the one margin was so close.

Thanksfor the luck!

Arlene

hi mjh1

Yikes. What is FG? I already have Alloderm in place. I will call my PS...just want to have good questions for her, first. I can't seem to find much info online. Seems none of this BC mess is ever easy. UGH.

Thank you for your help with this!

Love, arlene

PS my implant is going under my pec muscle, Alloderm helping to form the sling to hold implant in place. I was a DDD and had nipple and skin sparing MX, so I actually have "extra" skin, as I am downsizing to hopefully C-D.

arlene - first I would speak to your BS to find out exactly what her plan is.  Then when you talk to your PS you can ask her if your BS's plan will have any affect on your outcome, does it change his plan in what he intends to do, does it change his mind in the type of implant that would work best.  I am just concerned for you if she intends to scrape out more tissue it will make your skin very thin.  You had an Alloderm sling put in place at time of MX to hold implant.  However, if your skin is very thin the PS can also place another piece of Alloderm over the implant to give it  more coverage.  If you place a piece of toilet paper over your hand, you will still see the imperfections.  If you place a washcloth over your hand, you don't see it as much.  This is the same concept with placing an implant into a pocket that has no tissue to cover it and just skin. 

hi

Mjh1, my BS sent me to my PS and they work together often, so I know they will confer, and I will def give both a call.

(I think I gave you my PSs name a while back?)

My implant is going under the muscle, and I know revisions are just about the norm, unfortunately.

I am going to call my BSs NP tomorrow. I was getting chemo when she called me, and between the decadron and the benadryl and taxotere...I cannot remember what was said. It seems scraping, cautery or ablation would be options? Perhaps similar to what was removed behind nipple and checked during MX, before it was reattached?

Thanks so much for good advice!

Arlene

Arlene - sorry! That mx went right over my head! That being said, I have no clue what she would be scraping.

Hi Amy! Welcome to the "I'm not happy with my recon job" club. I am having a revision in the fall. I had direct to implant, and not only are they smaller than she said they would be, they're SQUARE. They feel like firm bags of worms and the rippling is bothersome. The only good thing is bra's aren't necessary because they are so 'frozen' in place . The implant starts just under my collar bone. She placed a high profile implant on my little 4' 11' frame. Really? That's what happens when most of your time is spent with cosmetic patients. I have major cleavage and upper pole fullness on these tiny little A-sized breasts.

hi all, I had my exchange and lift last week. Yesterday they fitted me with a bra that leaves marks on my new "silly putty" foob. How panicked should I be about this? Does everything leave marks or is it possible to find a bra that doesn't do this? I also posted in the Bra Sizing 101 thread.

Otherwise, it was a very rough weekend pain-wise, but turned the corner Monday. Had my drain out yesterday, so moving along! FYI, the lift was much more sore than the exchange.

JustAJenn, I am so glad you are done! I am glad you are feeling better too!

I would love to hear anything else you have to say.

Arlene I am like you too! My exchange is on Tuesday morning and I am so afraid this time, I don't know why!

I was anxious about the BMX, but this different!!

I just figured out why!!!!!

We had this thread, and everyone was reporting back what was going on with them, how they were doing etc.

I have felt more isolated and alone this time!

WOW! Now this makes a little more sense to me why I have been more afraid...

I couldn't figure out why I was feeling so bad about it....

That just goes to show me how important this thread and all of you ladies on here were and are to me!

I miss you all so much!  I don't have anyone I can really talk to about what's happening. It is so different sharing with others

who have been through or are going through what I am going through.

People just don't seem to understand. All of my doctors understand, but It not the same as having a surgery sister!

I love and miss you all so much!

God Bless each and everyone of you. I pray you are all doing well!

Love Robin

Robin, I joined several threads depending on what my next step is. Reconstruction, exchange city, TE, hormone ther soppy etc. I've made many friends and everyone is going through the same. I have about 6 favorite threads saved.

Robin, good luck on Tuesday! Please, report back how you did.

Like Audrey, I have joined few other groups that have to do with the next steps of my treatments. In fact, I might be following too many! But it helps me a lot with dealing with my cancer related anxieties.

Arlene, from what I've read, I don't think the exchange surgery will keep you sidelined for long. Nothing as bad as mastectomy was. I know you're having reduction/lift done on the other side. I had that done at the time of mastectomy and this side was nothing comparing to the mastectomy/TE side.

BBwithBC45,

Thank you for telling me the redux/lift wasn't so bad. I think my fears and emotions are getting the best of me. The triple negative is my worst fear, followed by the upcoming surgery. I am still fighting a few SEs from my last infusion, and feel like as soon as I will feel better...blaaah... surgery time. I try so hard to stay strong, but sometimes I crumble. ugh. I am lucky to have 3 sisters and a couple of close friends, but the friends don't live nearby, the sisters have work and families, and I try to stay strong around them. And sometimes that's "work."

Robin, I get it when you say there is no one to talk to, who gets it. My best friend lives in NC, so we talk on the phone. She tries to keep me positive. But I still feel alone because I don't have anyone to talk to besides all of you on here, who Truly get it.

Robin, I hope you have someone with you to help after surgery? Will you be able to see your kids soon? Are you having the sx at a local hospital? My sx is at NYU. I am even afraid of the pothole-filled ride home. lol. I am scheduled for same day surgery, altho I stayed 2 nights after the LMX.

Yes, there are good days...even times when I can forget about this mess. And it sure will be nice to have breasts that sort of match. I am getting tired of trying to cover up my unevenness, not to mention the baldness. I just feel overwhelmed with how long this process takes. I guess I am having a crummy emotional day. But I am happy to be here and I am going to look for something positive to do.

I thank you, two, too, for letting me share!

arlene

Robin, you are so sweet! I will be thinking of you on Tuesday. Overall, I'd say the exchange and lift/reduction was harder for me than MX for the first 3 days. But then, recovery came faster. But those 3 days were pretty sucky. I had more pain on the lift side. Mine was significant, I have an anchor incision which goes from mid chest to under my armpit, I guess due to my breast size. I was surprised by that, and also the bruising. It is still pretty bad. It was a very rough first look, I almost broke down. But on the exchange side, the incision looked really clean. My PS didn't open up the incision all the way. And the permanent implant is SO much softer and more comfortable.

My PS wants me in a snug bra for 6 weeks around the clock- yuck! That can't come quick enough, especially for sleeping.

So today is one week since surgery, and I am starting to feel good again. Just taking Tylenol/Advil for discomfort. I'm getting used to the new boobs. It will take some time though.

Good luck to you Robin, Arlene and all awaiting further surgeries and adjustments!

Thank you Jenn, You did see your birthday wish above right? It's always good to get feed back on what's happening.

I'm afraid this time for some reason, I know I will be fine! I will update you all on how things are going for me as soon as I can post

I will be preparing some meals and snacks to make things easy for me. I am also waiting for Tuesday or Wednesday to watch the new season of Orange is the new Black. That should keep me busy for a few days.

Love and gentle hugs Robin

Robin, yes I saw your beautiful image, you are so thoughtful! I'm sorry you feel fear this go around. It will be ok. Something I did before my surgery to calm myself was to place my hands over my tummy, take deep breaths and tell myself, "this is my body, not my breasts." It helped to move my focus and emotions elsewhere.

Arlene, I don't have a recliner, that would have REALLY helped! I called myself a turtle on its back and my dh had to sit me up for 3 days. Check out the show "Turn" on Netflix. It's been my binge watching... But only after you've reduced pain meds to pay attention, lol. You will be fine. It seems most have a pretty easy go with the surgery.

Prayers for your surgery, Robin. Love, Jean