December 2017 Surgery Group

I’m still waiting for my surgery to be scheduled but hopeful it will be this month.

I met with the PS today who actually helped me decide to go with DIEP recon instead of implants, I had been reluctant to add extra strain to my body but it should give me a better outcome long term. I’m having a BMX, but waiting for the CT and MRI results before the BS will schedule. They also want me to have the lymph node dissection done as an outpatient procedure before the mastectomy, in case things have changed there since my negative FNA. If there are cells there, they will do a lumpectomy and lift for now, until I have completed radiation, and then do a mastectomy later on.

Lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy complete! Back home. Hope everything went as well for everyone else under the knife today and for those still coming up! Take care all!

Made it through and doing okay. Had pretty intense nausea for the first couple of hours. I was not prepared for that. The pain mostly feels like burning so far....but it is being managed okay.

Hi December Surgery gang - I had my surgery on Nov 27th - double mastectomy skin/nipple sparring.

I had a sentential node biopsy on my right side as well.

It might be too late Letitgo - this is my second bc dx as well, the first was almost 12 years ago and, low grade early stage, ER+ - I had all the gene testing done (negative) - so settled on a Lumpectomy with radiation at that time. I had implants put in 2 years later to even out my breasts.

In August 2017 I was dx with a second bc in the other breast - and i knew in an instant I was going with a double MX. Obviously my breast tissue is fertile ground for cancer ...

Due to having chemo first, -- I had months to research and ended up with nipple sparing, with TE first and will have implants put back in. Multiple PS consults told me that it will result in a better cosmetic outcome because it will give them more flexibility on the implant exchange, etc. Trying to get a prior radiated and a non-radiated side to match is not easy - I have lived with that for many years - so same size in clothes/bathing suits is my goal.

I wanted a DEIP flap, however,I was not a candidate -- not enough donor site for more than 1 breast. If prior radiated side rejects TE/implant, the DEIP is my fall back plan. My second choice was direct to implant - my sole goal was to get on with things as soon as possible -- in the end I went with TE to Exchange - my MO helped me make the choice as she thought mentally I would be happier w/ a better cosmetic outcome - with our 12 year relationship - she knows me

In short, the nipple sparing on my prior radiation side was a surgery time decision. I asked for it to be saved it it could, and knew it might not be -- I had to sign a consent to that end. For the first couple of hours after surgery I was afraid to ask! I didn't have anything done prior to surgery to keep the blood flow, etc. I am less than 2 weeks out from surgery - so watching it carefully - just wanted to share my experience with you. The decision on nipple sparing is made my by the oncology breast surgeon. She did come and tell me that it was 'difficult' and she had regretted telling me she could try - however - it is still there and I super thanked her in my post surgery loopy state. In short, it can be done - just more difficult and higher risk. Push for what you want. Its your quality of life ....

As far as the surgery - I am happy to report that it was better than I had expected. Honestly I was off the 'big' pain meds by Saturday -- i had my surgery on Monday. I am only taking advil/tylenol since then. For those waiting, you have got this!

Made it thought my BMX two days ago too! Felling ok and home! Doing my exercises and staying on top of pain meds is helping a lot.

My surgery was Friday and I feel good! My pain is not that bad. I had BMX, DIEP and ooph. Today I walked for the first time. I'm also off the pain pump, on oral meds and I'm back on a regular diet 😊

Recovery is intense but so far so good

Faithwalker you are giving me hope for my surgery!

ledditgo- are you doing implants or latflap with implants? I was told for latflap with previously radiated skin to do it all at once-no TEs. But I was also told that there was a very good chance the implants wouldn’t stay put as I had full mantle rads. I opted for BMX with immediate DIEP flap in the end.

Hi all. Still doing well in my recovery. I just wanted to update you on some super weird experiences post surgery that are apparently fairly normal. You can find out most of these other places on the site...but I thought I would warn people ahead of time so they are less worrisome if they happen to you:

* When I drink cold liquid, it feels like it is draining into my surgery site.

*Feeling like a band is tightening across my chest

*Shooting burning feeling along stitches, like someone lit a trail of gunpowder.

*Seemingly unrelated movements straining my chest muscles (like chewing in a certain way or stretching out)

*Extreme soreness just under my scapula (apparently breast tissue goes further up than you think)

*And my least favorite: There is his strange vibrating/fluttering against my chest wall...like they trapped a small winged insect in there when they seemed me back up. Since it is right above my heart my body interprets it as a need for panic. Fun!

Anyone else having weird post surgery symptoms?

Oh, and a tip: if you have someone to help you...the binder is much easier to get on, less irritating to the surgery site, and seems to stay in place better if the Velcro is in the back.

Sopho, yes many of those weird feelings you experienced will go away within a few days. Did you have tissue expanders put in? I did and felt that total tightening (like something was sitting on my chest) causing tightness, but that’s got way better as of a few days ago. I didn’t have the fluttering thing or anything odd when I drank cold drinks but other ones I did feel and are all better now. Hang in there.

PrincessButtercup I'm post op & home now too. That was me asking about going out the next day. I slept through that day so that was a big fat nope for me too LOL.

I also had the nuclear medicine lymph node mapping thing done in the morning but no wires. I'm feeling pretty good since late last night when I finally started feeling more awake.

Yay you for clear lymph nodes!

Hello All. I am one week out of surgery today. I still have a metallic taste in my mouth, Food is either too salty or too sweet, and I can't take more than a few bites of anything before feeling full. Other than that, recovery is going well. Just a little soreness, nothing that two Tylenol can't handle until today when I decided to make pizza with homemade dough because I just wanted to eat something I would enjoy. Three hours later, I knew I had done too much. Back to the 'real' pain medication with a lesson learned. I was thinking I'm going to start running as soon as they take these drains out, but now I think I'll stick to the recommended recovery time. Take it easy ladies and don't rush your recovery.

Sopho, I’m so sorry. What a horrible time to get a stomach flu. I hope you’re feeling better soon.

Sophia-- Yes! I did have to do the nose goo! Glad to know what's causing that.

Hi PrincessButtercup - thanks for asking. I feel really good. I'm allowed to shower today so that is the exciting thing on the agenda

Yesterday I started going 8h between pain relievers (I'm only on otc meds).

I think there's a bit of a swelling in the lumpectomy site but I gather that's normal. One of my kids is in nursing school so they'll check my wounds for me & make sure there's no sign of infection.

How are you doing?