May 2016 Surgeries

Tsoebbin - I'm sorry about your path report! Did they do the sentinel mode biopsy too?

I just had my SN injection. They had me worried this time when they kept telling me that it was going to pinch and hurt (last time I barely felt it) but it was the same this time and really nothing to get worked up about. I was also obsessing about the fact that I forgot to massage my breast last time. I asked them about it this time and was told that massaging makes no difference. Needless worrying on my end!

We are off to the hotel and will try to find a nice spot for dinner. I'm already exhausted. Planning an early night.

SpecidlK and monicammariah - I hope you are on the road to recovery ((HUGS))

Tsoebbin- yes, it was a radioactive tracer that was injected. I thought they would also localize it today so that the surgeons would be able to find the right node tomorrow, but the technician said the tracer lasts quite a while and that the surgeons would just use a gamma probe as they did last time (when I had it done the same day).

Thank you for sending positive thoughts!

Lorice, welcome. I'm so sorry about everything you've been through, but can relate to celebrating "only breast cancer" - it's amazing what a perspective shift this will have on your life, isn't it? Best of luck with your upcoming surgery. Your days of travel and enjoying life are sill ahead of you!

Home from surgery - all went well. I am another NSBMX - but lost my right nip today - almost five years after my original surgery. If I had it to do over I probably wouldn't have spared them - but it is 20/20 hindsight. I was happy to wake up and see them after BMX - made me feel better.

I did not have my port removed today. I had a PET done a week ago which showed some abnormalities bi-Lat chest. Couldn't have an MRI because I still had the expander, so it will be done soon. PS did a couple of biopsies this morning since she was in there - just to be safe, but they suspect this was inflammation and surgical changes. My last PET was several years ago when I was finishing Herceptin. I have had 7 additional surgeries since then.

I'm not too uncomfortable, in bed propped up - no recliner. I don't usually take pain meds - after that degree of surgical intervention I don't have feeling but feeling a bit tight andhave soreness from the fat grafting, so am taking some and feel ok

I'm home from the hospital for my BMX. Had a great surgical team and both my husband and I are very pleased with the care we received. The PS had told me beforehand that he hoped to put 200cc of saline into the expander during the surgery, but realized he could confidently put in 450cc. So I'm feeling a little extra sore in my armpit areas from the stretching, but still mostly satisfied with my experience. The only quirky thing - I woke with a scratched and irritated eye that wouldn't stop tearing. For only the 3rd time in his career, the anesthesiologist scratched his patient's cornea while taping the eyes shut for surgery. He felt terrible! So I've added eye ointment to my medicine regimen, but I forgave him because he gave me great anti nausea meds yesterday.

SpecialK, thanks for updating and glad you're doing OK!

myToyStory2, thanks for the update from you too! Glad you were pleased with your surgical team, but so sorry about they eye!That's crazy.

Sending positive thoughts for you! Glad you arre having a morning surgery, so it would be done sooner. Did you have a nice dinner last night? I know I should not be talking about food or drinks this morning, sorry and wish you the best.

downdog, I find you information very interesting! The thing I'm curious about is the breast size and ptosis. I've read repeatedly that nipple sparing is best for smaller breasts. I'm a 36DD with what I think are very saggy breasts. To me, those aren't small breasts. My breast surgeon gave me the option of nipple sparing. I haven't met with the plastic surgeon yet. I just can't decide if I want to take the risk of seeing if it works, or go with the sure bet and just have them removed.

Huskerfan, I no longer keep current with research and new developments and techniques, so can't advise you on what's available now. The challenge with NS on large, ptotic breasts is positioning of the nipple. I do know that NOLA (Frank DellaCroce & Scott Sullivan) have been successful and published on NSM with large breasts and autogolous flap recon. Their procedure involved doing a breast lift 3 months later and correcting nipple placement. The key thing is to find a PS who is experienced and has a solid track record with the procedure you require on patients with your characteristics to maximize your chances of a great aesthetic outcome. It's well and good that your BS is flexible on a NS procedure, but unless you have a PS you are confident can produce nice looking reconstructed breasts with implants having good nipple placement, it's just going to cause you heartache and additional surgeries. A 36DD will be more successful as a NSBMX than a woman with a larger ribcage and DDs, so it's doable, you just need to find the right PS. Projection is generally less with implants than native breasts, particularly at high ccs. You may wish to ask whippetmom (aka the breast whisperer) for her advice on sizing for your particulars on the breast implant 101 thread.

Papillon, if you have good skin elasticity, your PS should be able to up you a size to a C, especially if you keep the areolas, and if not, depending on how large yours are. I saw my recon the day of surgery. I had a zip up surgical bra and every shift change, the nurses and docs all checked. PSs all have their own techniques and post-op instructions. I had tegaderm on my breasts that was removed with the drains. I wore the surgical bra 24/7 for 4 weeks. I had two and they were really comfortable (postopbra.com). I am very fit and was walking laps of the hospital the night of surgery. I have 6 pack abs and sat up easily in bed when I woke up from surgery. Walking and lower body yoga for 2 weeks, then legs and arms and running at 4 weeks (PS didn't want me in an underwire bra until then). All restrictions came off at 4 weeks for exercise, weights and activities other than no waterskiing that summer or lying on stomach until 12 weeks. Generally, the fitter, healthier and younger you are, the faster you will bounce back. Fitness and health will trump age.

Good luck to everyone.

Question for those that have been through it, how will you know the nerve block works? If it fails you wake up in pain?

raven4mi, I still have both of my drains 2 weeks post-op. My PS told me at my last appt that he won't remove them before 3 weeks. They are driving me nuts...so uncomfortable. I hope you get your removed tomorrow.

The anesthesiologist says she is doing the nerve block in addition to pain killers afterwards. Not instead of pain medicine. She said so it's not such a shock and so unmanageable when I first wake up. . I asked that question.

I had a nerve block for another major abdominal surgery and it helped post op but I still got pain meds as needed so I didn't think much of it at the time. But now I'm wondering if it fails , what happens?

My surgery involves taking most lymph nodes, etc. Maybe that's why?

Raven4mi-I got both my drains out 10 days after surgery.  BS originally told me once a drain put out less than 30cc two days in a row, I could have out.  Hit that over the weekend, and was under 20cc a day by the time Monday rolled around.  Still is tender to lay on sides with drains out, but felt wonderful to be able to shower without them.  I was lucky, and was about to shower with drains in 48 hours after surgery.

hi everyone. Had to be rehospitalized with neurological problems from all this surgery and meds. Haven't been able to read or write or walk. One drain out already stopped all pain meds after four days. You'll have better luck. Can't leave hospital until can walk unassisted again. Not your typical ex

valstim - I wonder if that's routine practice? I won't meet my Anaesthetist until the big day. I don't think I will even ask.. Just trust they know what they are doing. It'll be fine...(mantra ..) Xx