July 2016 Surgeries

New to this site and learning so much. Surgery scheduled for July 7th. Left mastectomy, right prophylactic (ATM gene), and sentinel lymph node with TE.

Hi all! Had my BMX with TE on 06-24. The best advice I can give is to take the stool softner at least 5 days before surgery if possible and if you can strengthen your core/abs/legs prior to surgery. I was able to work with a former USAF veteran to do personal training about a month and a half prior to surgery and I didn't have problems with getting out of chairs/bed. I was able to rake a shower the next day (without help in the hospital). It was tiring but not exhausting. I feel pretty good except after the TE are expanded.

Good luck to all. It was not as bad as I thought it would be, honest.

I will be in surgery 24 hours from now! I've been scheduled for 8 hours of surgery so I'll get 8 hours of solid sleep.I haven't had that in forever!!

Well, went to PS today and she said that if I don't pass my stress test, they won't do the surgery. So I guess I just die then???? She also said that if I DO pass it, there's a good chance the flap will turn necrotic and I will have an open wound for the rest of my life. WTF????

I can't get a break! I must have done something truly horrible in a past life, because I have suffered most of my life, and it just keeps getting worse.

Thinking of everyone going in for surgery this week. If it's a BMX I just had mine in early May and it went well. I looked back in my journals and I wrote the first 5 days were hard, but I took it easy and I made it. You can do this

Thinking of you today WenchLori. My turn tomorrow.

I'm scheduled for a Sentinel Node Biopsy and BMX with TEs next week. I'm still very torn about my decision.

My surgery will be 7/14. I don't think I'll do chemo or targeted therapy, but may reconsider when I know the status of my lymph nodes.

My plastic surgeon's iPad with the photo gallery was dead at my initial visit so I only saw one patient's results, which were quite attractive. I was able to see his PA yesterday and asked.to see more photos. I know vanity shouldn't be the biggest thing when dealing with cancer, but I hated the end results I saw. I'd thought the one good thing about all this is that my down-to-the-waist F cups could be replaced with perky D foobs. I hate to think of putting up with tissue expanders for 3-4 months for such a disappointing outcome, but guess my expectations were unrealistic. I've always had large breasts relative to my size and am now obese with a big belly and butt. My bustline balanced the weight out, but now I think I'll look like a standing hippo, even with the larger (600 something?) heavy implants.

I'm already two months out from my diagnosis and did my pre-op yesterday so I feel like I can't shift course switching to a different PS. Further, we already rescheduled once since this PS is in a better location for me than the first one I saw who offices near downtown, a nearly two hour commute assuming no accidents. I know many tolerate radiation well, but both the PA and my nurse friend said that radiated skin can be challenging if one does ultimately have a mastectomy. I guess I'll just hope that I get a result like the first photos I saw. It should be OK with clothes on and I could use padding or cutlets to compensate. As someone who has been at least a D cup since age 16, that would be rather ironic . :-D

Deep breaths, deep breaths. it will be alright.

I am out of surgery and already on the mend! Everything went as planned and I should be headed home tomorrow. All the nurses are amazed at how alert and funny I am. If I can't laugh than I need todo something else which may not be as productive! LOL