December 2017 Surgery Group

I have had implants for 20 years, before being diagnosed with IDC stage 2b. I found the lump 4/17 but poo-pooed it. June- I saw my PCP who referred me to a general surgeon. July- surgeon recommended a mammogram which I refused secondary to having 20 year old breast implants - if one was to rupture- who would pay to replace it?? The ultrasound could not locate or identity the lump although it was very prevalent. Returned to the surgeon early August as the lump doubled in size. She agreed to just remove it. Neither of us thought it was cancer so she didn't think that clean margins would be an issue. 4 days later her voicemail "I'm really surprised by the results, please call me back"

So my question, if implants are done post mastectomy, are you concerned about rupture during follow up mammograms? If I had gotten a mammogram back in April maybe I could've prevented node involvement

I'm not gonna lie to you, esny--I am dealing with a lot of discomfort, but it's amazing the strength we have and the resources of the human body. See if your surgeon will give you a QBall--it injects numbing meds into your breast..usually works automatically the first few days, then it can come out.

Percoset helped me but it also dried me up and made me constipated. And it wears off after 4 hours.

Hi Liv, I just had a BMX last Thursday with direct to implant silicone put in. My understanding is that if you have a nipple sparing MX then yes you will have to continue to get a mammogram as there will be just enough tissue left under the nipple to warrant one. I unfortunately could not do nipple sparing so will no longer need a mammogram. I did however have saline implants prior to my cancer diagnosis and had several mammograms done over the years. The techs are so used to working with augmented/reconstructed breasts that I don't think you will need to worry about a rupture. Sorry that you've found yourself here. It can be overwhelming the amount of decisions we need to make but this forum is a great resource of information.

swg, thanks for the words of hope. Congratulations on your excellent pathology report! That’s a reason to party for sure.

I’m headed to the hospital in a few min for my fun to begin. Wish me luck.

wishing you well Ghionik! Let us know how it goes!

I met with my Surgeon today and I LOVE HER. If you have seen my posts in other topics, you know that was having such a crappy time with my original team and ended up going 7.5 hours away to Mayo. It sucks and is a huge financial strain...but worth it because my original team's recommendations would have lead to missing more cancer that Mayo found.

So, Dec 7th for a unilateral "Goldilocks" mastectomy. I am nervous, but also excited to just get this behind me and move on with my life. (I totally feel you CurlyN! I have been waiting too long too!!)

Faithwalker- I did decide to stick around for a day or two. I am worried about staying in a hotel, but not as worried about that as the drive so hopefully this will help.

Bonnechance4-Nice to have a surgery sister. PM me and we can talk about how weird recovery is .

As for the mental health stuff...When I was going through the battles with my original doctors and couldn't get answers I would have huge, sobbing, breakdowns because I felt overwhelmed by having to fight with them and not getting the information I needed in order to make a good decision. My nervousness has subsided a lot now since I have felt confident in my doctors and have everything decided, I think that the contrast between the two has made it easier than it would have been leading up to this because I am just so relieved now. I still get weepy and nervous about having a part of my body taken away from me--defiantly have started mourning, but I am mostly doing okay.

I had POWERFUL insomnia before the Dx and did not sleep much for the first month. Xanex and Ambien were no match for my insomnia, but fortunately low dose trazodone has been working like a charm. I do have a new struggle creeping in though--guilt. I have an amazing partner, a wonderful group of friends, and a handful of supportive family members who are helping me out mentally, physically, and financially. I know they love helping, but I cant help feeling like a burden. I also struggle with being out of work for so long and the extra work/stress put on my team of coworkers and clients in my absence. If I mention it to anyone I just get reassurances (we love you, we are happy to do this, etc.) which is nice--but I already know these things and it hasn't prevented the creeping guilt. Its a gross feeling, to feel burdensome and deficient in some way. Hopefully it passes soon.

Hello All. I have a BC recurrence that is currently scheduled for DMX on 12/15 with tissue expanders to be placed. They expect to do nipple sparring. My questions are as follows:

I had a 3rd opinion yesterday that made me question some of my plans. New plastic surgeon is saying nipple sparing shouldn't happen because my previously radiated breast/nipple isn't comparable to the non-radiated one (slightly smaller/darker) and may not give the same appearance. He also questions the ability to make them "sit" properly once the surgeries are complete. Also he said they would normally do some sort of "pre-cut" around the nipples a couple weeks prior to preserve blood-flow which my current surgeon didn't offer. Anyone have this or not have this yet still end up with a nipple sparring mastectomy?

I also have minor breast changes from radiation during my previous diagnosis in 2008. (cancer has returned in the same breast, actually in the lumpectomy scar). My current surgeon's plan is to place the expanders in both breasts and see how the radiated skin on the right side reacts. If problems arise, he will then do a lat flap to deal with the radiated skin at that time. The 3rd opinion that I received yesterday said they ALWAYS do the lat flap immediately at the time of the mastectomy because of the high probability of failure with the radiated skin and they don't want to take the chance on the radiated skin / expander failure. Has anyone else's doctor taken this gamble on expanders with radiated skin?

Esny - best wishes for your surgery this week. You can do this! Now that mine is over, I think I feel better. So much anxiety leading up to the actual surgery date.

hey ledditgo..I dunno about that pre cut business..I had a nipple sparing mastectomy and my BS never said any pre surgery procedure was necessary. I didn't have radiation tho.

I will say my nipple looks a lot different than I expected. It's all inverted. I'm hoping that gets fixed with the exchange surgery.

Esny -I think my TE’s will be in for a few months. I’m not getting bigger boobs. Just same size they were before

Esny - no worry about asking questions. My range of motion is mostly only bad on my right arm. That’s the side lymph nodes were taken to be checked.

Good luck esny for a successful surgery tomorrow!

esny - Good luck tomorrow! It feels so good to get past the surgery.

Ghionik - My range of motion is much worse on the node side. Feel like I have a golfball under there!

Heading in to Surgery! Good luck to everyone going under the knife with me today! I will let you know how it goes!

Best of luck Sopho! You’ll be glad to be on the other side of this and start healing. Xox