I am scheduled for DBL MX for October 20, 2016

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yogadedra
yogadedra Member Posts: 26
edited October 2016 in Surgery - Before, During, and After

I have a surgery date! I am comfortable with my decision to have DBL MX. I am a little frustrated with people that question my method of treatment preference. For me lump removal, radiation and drug therapy is just not the treatment plan that I would be happy with. I want peace of mind and the best TX for me physically and mentally. My PS will place tissue expanders to allow for implant placement in a second surgery. I am leaning toward 3D nipple tattoo instead of nipple reconstruction.

I wanted to reach out to others that have already had surgery and any advise they can offer; especially how they dealt with the emotional loss of the physical body part. I am a full breasted woman and have concerns over the expander process related to being able to get the volume that makes me feel whole. Emotionally I know that I will be struggling with the loss of my breasts and that part will be challenging. As I go through this process I want to have a picture journal of my journey and hope to share with everyone. I would love to see pictures of others who have gone through this process!!

Thanks

Dedra


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  • Bigbluefish
    Bigbluefish Member Posts: 41
    edited October 2016

    good luck to you. Only you know what is best for you and your body. I too chose to have a BMX with tissue expanders placed at the time of mastectomy. I was able to do skin and nipple sparing. For me, waking up with a i some "breast" and my nipples intact made it seem more bareable. The pain afterward I definately under estimated. VERY tight!! But, moving forward, back to work, back to running, back to yoga. Exchange scheduled for the week of thanksgiving, tring to get back to a normal routine.

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  • debiann
    debiann Member Posts: 1,200
    edited October 2016

    I am very happy with my decision to do a double mx. For me, because I choose this route I got a pass on rads, which was comforting. I still needed chemo and anti-hormonals. Will you still need drug therapy?

    I did DIEP instead of implants, but yes it is very nice to wake up with something. I had the opposite reaction to having too little, after my first sx I had too much! One night I went to an event with some colleagues. My hair was just starting to grow in. My newfound cleavage was obvious. A friend later told me someone pointed to me and asked "Whose the big-breasted woman" lol, that was never me before.

    I've since had a reduction and lift plus a nipple procedure just a few days ago. They are still bandaged, so I won't see them for a couple more days, but going by the PS's photos, I think I will love them.

    To help me decide if I wanted 3-d tats alone or a nipple with projection I bought rub on nipple tattoos. They worked really great. Highly recommend them till it is time for your real tats. There are several places you can get them. Mine were from nippletattoos.com.

    Good luck to you with your upcoming surgery.

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  • LAstar
    LAstar Member Posts: 1,574
    edited October 2016

    I had immediate reconstruction also, so I didn't experience the feeling of loss as much as the *WTH!?!?* feeling. However, I experienced severe mood swings for about 8 months after my BMX. I've read that breast tissue is estrogen-producing, so removing that tissue can make us feel really out-of-sorts for a while. I am generally pretty calm, but I felt rage or sadness come out of nowhere and it was hard for me and my family. Learning that it is normal helped me manage it better. Best wishes! Waiting for surgery is almost as hard as recovering from surgery!

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  • meg2016
    meg2016 Member Posts: 287
    edited October 2016

    I just had my double mastectomy 3 weeks ago and was worried about exactly this sense of loss that you were talking about. It actually hasnt been as bad as I was expecting. I had expanders placed and they were able to put some volume in them so when I woke up I wasn't completely flat, which I think helped a bit. My expansions have gone really fast because I'm getting radiation soon so I need to be fully expanded before that begins. Despite the discomfort, I already have a decent size due to expansions. Since I'm still in treatment actively, it probably will take some time for it to fully sink in because I have a lot to focus on right now. But overall I'm happy with the size that my implants will be based on how my expansion has gone. I'm pleased with the work my plastic surgeon did, and I know I made the right decision. I expected to feel loss after surgery but honestly what I felt was relief more than anything, to have the surgery over with, to not have any complications, and have the cancer out.

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  • yogadedra
    yogadedra Member Posts: 26
    edited October 2016

    Debiann,

    I am leaning toward tattoo for nipple. I honestly do not really care about that right now just want to get through DMX an praying no Node involvement. If its clean then no MEDS and will continue in the expansion process!! I got information form another Thread about a volunteer group called Knitted Knockers and got my goodies sent to me yesterday! Excited to have them to put in my bra to hide my removal. I know I will be self conscious of being flat and don't want to explan to people so thse goodies will be able to get me through the expansion process. I just take out the stuffing until I am good for second surgery and no one has to KNOW!

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  • yogadedra
    yogadedra Member Posts: 26
    edited October 2016

    Bigbluefish,

    Thanks! Good luck to you and your journey!

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  • yogadedra
    yogadedra Member Posts: 26
    edited October 2016

    LAstar,

    Thanks for the heads up! I have been preparing for my emotional roller coaster. I had total hysterectomy with ovary and cervix removed in 2012 so Ive been without estrogen this long I might not experience those symptoms. I know I might struggle with being flat so I have my Knitted Knockers that arrived to help me cope better in public!... I have already told my family if they are grossed out about my wounds they better LIE TO ME and say they ARE NOT! :-) Mom is coming in to help me thru this too so that will be nice to have a woman around.

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  • yogadedra
    yogadedra Member Posts: 26
    edited October 2016

    Meg2016,

    Thank you for sharing your story! I too am sure I will be relieved to have the DMX done and the cancer out! I hope the sentinel lymph node is clear. I just want this part done and over and move on to the expansion process.

    I have other health issues related to stinking work comp injuries that they dragged their feet on. In the midst of all of it I get the CA DX and now the Stupid Comp wants to finally treat my injuries ....Geez they only took them a year hallowen for my back and 8 months for my knees...... Ridiculous what I have been through and it was not until I got an attorney did they start really treating me. I have had md's infer I was faking it....How the hell can you FAKE MRI's is beyond me... Miraculously tho using my one time change of MDs and my attorney I actually get two new Drs that aren't puppets for the comp system. TWO mds that totally debunked what the first doctor said....It just angers me sorry ....

    SMH...Sorry probably TMI but I have had a lot on my plate this last year and being a person that has been healthy all my life and get injuries and the CA just hasn't been my year for sure.

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