Surgery tomorrow, February 6th

Options
Megan_C
Megan_C Member Posts: 18
edited February 2019 in Surgery - Before, During, and After

Hello!

I just posted in the February surgery topic, but I feel like I should start my own post.....

Has anyone here been a paitent that has had surgery and reconstruction, but had no body fat? I would love to hear your results! :)

Let me START by saying that I am NOT trying to brag in ANY way, shape, or form, I just wanted to share my experience to see if anyone else has the same problem .......

In February of 2018, my parents invested in a stationary bike for our house. I’ve NEVER been one to exercise, ( i’ve never been big, but i’ve also never fully known what it was like to get good exercise either). I started using the bike every single day. I thoroughly ENJOYED it. I’m 31 years old, 5’3 and weighed around 130 lbs. with all the biking I was doing, I started to loose weight. I lost about 20lbs. Had I NOT started exercising and lost weight, I would have probably not found the mass I found in my breast.

in July of 2018 is when I found said mass and I was officially diagnosed in August. I was diagnosed with DCIS and micro invasive ductal carcinoma. I received 8 rounds of Chemo, first 4 were A/C, and the next 4 were taxol. I did well at maintaining my weight while on Chemo and still continuing to exercise after A/C ended.

I say all this to say that now that it is reconstruction time, I have no body fat, has ANYONE else had this issue when it came to mastectomy and reconstruction? My follow up appointment with my oncologist after Chemo ended, I weighed about 103lbs.

Thanks for taking the time to read this......

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited February 2019

    Hi Megan! We don't have an specific answers from experience, but we can share this info from the main Breastcancer.org site's page on Autologous or "Flap" Reconstruction that may be helpful:

    Body type: If you have enough extra tissue in one place to recreate the breast, the location of that tissue can influence the type of flap reconstruction you have (such as TRAM, DIEP, GAP). If you're thin, you may not have enough extra tissue on your belly for a TRAM, DIEP, or SIEA flap and your doctor may recommend a GAP, TUG, PAP, or latissimus dorsi flap. The latissimus flap is almost always combined with an implant. Specialized centers may be able to use multiple small flaps for one or both breasts in women who are thin and wish to avoid using implants. These stacked or "hybrid" flaps (Stacked DIEP, Body Lift Perforator, and Stacked GAP flaps) often can create enough volume for women who are very thin. They're not widely available, however.

    We hope this helps!

    --The Mods

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MBPooch
    MBPooch Member Posts: 229
    edited February 2019

    Megan_C - I was diagnosed about a year and a half ago. Have always had a fast metabolism, do yoga and am 5'9 and weigh 120. I was also interested in reconstruction after a BMX but had no body fat. I had previously had implants which allowed me to be a candidate for direct to implant, wondering if that could be an option for you to explore. Having both surgeries at the same time was mentally motivating and the recovery was not as bad as I thought it would be.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bam320
    bam320 Member Posts: 111
    edited February 2019

    I cannot speak your situation with reconstruction but wanted to wish you the best tomorrow and a wonderful outcome. Keep us posted. I have my surgery later this month


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Legomaster225
    Legomaster225 Member Posts: 672
    edited February 2019

    I am very thin (5'5" currently 103). Pre cancer treatment I hovered around 110-115. My BMX was direct to pre pectoralimplant and it looks good. I could not have done any flap/type reconstruction. I do not have ripples so no immediate need for fat grafting (thank goodness). Hopefully it stays that way. Good luck with your surgery tomorrow.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories