SGAP Recovery

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Yuuki
Yuuki Member Posts: 47
edited April 2020 in Breast Reconstruction

Hello everyone,


I am scheduled for SGAP surgery at NOLA. This will be a revision and will involve the removal of old silicone implants that didn’t much like the radiation I was given after my local recurrence. It will be a bilateral procedure.

I am curious whether those of you who have had this procedure can give me some insight into how much support you needed after you returned home. I’m aware of the restrictions on lifting, etc., but realistically, how long was it before you could put a meal on the table? Shop for groceries? Drive? Work at a desk? Attend sports events with your kids? Shower independently? Wear your own clothes? Go for a walk of any length, or a hike (with or without a light pack)? Walk a dog?

For those with families, how long was it before your household was back to normal? For those working, how long did it take before you felt confident meeting with people who didn’t know you had had the procedure?

I’m a planner, so I’d be grateful for anything you can offer. Thank you all so much!

Yuuki

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  • LAstar
    LAstar Member Posts: 1,574
    edited December 2018

    It took me about 6 weeks to get to the point that I could work, drive, make meals, and be 90% functional. I had my BMX at the same time and it was an 11-hour procedure. My husband was very helpful during the entire process with cooking, housework, and caring for our 4-year old daughter. I went back to work at about the 6-week point also but I had a home business that was more flexible. I was on pain medication for the entire 6 weeks, which slowed me down. You will likely bounce back sooner given that you've already had your MX. Two women in my town went to NOLA the same week as me for DIEP reconstruction. They were driving, cooking, and being productive after about 4 weeks, likely due to having had their MX years earlier even though they were 10-15 years older.

    At St Charles Surgical Hospital, they will show you how to shower 2-3 days after your surgery. I was up walking around slowly outside with a friend beginning on about day 5. I would definitely plan to have help for a minimum of 1 week and maybe 2 weeks if possible. Freezing some meals now and having some meals brought by friends after your support leaves would be very helpful. I wouldn't wear a pack or walk an unruly dog any sooner than 6 weeks out. You will be feeling better but everything inside is still healing and sensitive for a while and can't be squeezed or bumped.

    I had my hip drains 8.5 weeks! This was much longer than most SGAP patients, but hip drains tend to stay in longer than in other places. Hiding the drains in clothes can be a little tricky, but baggy layers help.

    These are my best recollections from that foggy time nearly 7 years ago. Your mileage may vary! There is a great thread called "NOLA in September" with lots of packing tips, things to expect, etc. I'd be curious to hear about your experience there when you are home and feeling better. You will get top-notch care at St Charles Surgical Hospital! All the best.

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  • Yuuki
    Yuuki Member Posts: 47
    edited January 2019

    Thank you so much, LAstar, this is incredibly helpful! All the best,


    Yuuki

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  • buttonsmachine
    buttonsmachine Member Posts: 930
    edited January 2019

    Yuuki, I just wanted to say best wishes for your upcoming surgery. If you're up to it, please keep us posted on how you're doing. I'd really like to read more sgap experiences - that may be my reconstruction route too. In any case, I'm wishing you a smooth recovery!

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  • maureenb
    maureenb Member Posts: 81
    edited February 2019

    Hi Yuuki- when is your surgery scheduled? Did you do it already? I am 3 1/2 weeks out from having my SGAP surgery in New Orleans. I also had implants removed and replaced with the SGAP. The surgery itself was successful (flap transplanted, blood vessels reconnected and tissue surviving) and the care at St. Charles Hospital is top-notch. Like no other hospital anywhere. My problem now is having hip drains still. I am so uncomfortable. Been kind of lying around for the whole recovery time. Also landed back in my local hospital because of an infection which likely came in through the drains. (Can you tell I hate drains?). I feel like once I get them out, I could go back to work and be a lot more active. Good Luck to you in your upcoming surgery. Keep us posted. I've only had stage 1 so far, but happy to answer any questions I can.

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  • Jcdd
    Jcdd Member Posts: 11
    edited February 2019

    Hi Maureen B! I just had a phone consult with NOLA about sgap. I have a radiated implant that completely encapsulated. Can I ask if you had radiation? How long was the surgery? Do you like your results so far and how does the butt look afterward? I’m sorry you are still dealing with the awful drains. I hate drains. Did you travel to Nola for the surgery and if so, who removes the drains for you and how do they determine when it is sufficient times


    Can you keep us updated on your journey? It is not easy finding first hand sgap accounts. Hope those drains are pulled soo

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  • Yuuki
    Yuuki Member Posts: 47
    edited February 2019

    Ladies, I am just back from NOLA (Stage I) this week. I am not prepared to do a lengthy post, but I wanted to thank you for your input and give a quick update.

    On Dr. S's recommendation, I switched to the DIEP procedure. It wasn't an issue of settling for this procedure in lieu of SGAP; it was more an issue of having very specific goals for the surgery that were better served by having the DIEP. I thought I had done my homework, but Dr. S laid out a number of solid reasons why it would be a wise choice in my unique case. So I can't offer a lot of insight into the SGAP, but I can say that the patient's goals are paramount in this practice and that, combined with the unmatched experience of my surgeon, gave me the confidence to change the plan less than 24 hours before my surgery and never look back.

    Also: if everything had come off perfectly I would certainly be raving about the care I received, but things did not come off perfectly. I developed a complication after I left the hospital that required an emergency procedure to save the flap, and I was astonished at how quickly (as in, immediately) Dr. S and his team were able to act, to explain to me what was happening, and to achieve a result I scarcely dared hope for. Holding my breath and coaxing the new girls to behave every day until they are officially mine. And raving about the care I received

    My takeaways from this are:

    1) Sometimes things don't go as you think they will, and if they don't, you want the best team you can possibly have looking after you. This is serious stuff. It matters.

    2) It pays to be as fit as you can going into surgery, and as active as you can coming out of it. I had two in the space of six days, and the first time I walked after surgery was immensely difficult. But things moved along much more quickly, I think, because of this, and two weeks out from the first procedure, I feel pretty good.

    3) You want to choose your caregiver carefully - it's not an easy job and involves drains, fresh incisions, bandages, and at least some transient crankiness from you. Patience and a lack of squeamishness are incredibly important.

    That is about as much as I can manage at the moment. Good luck maureenb and Jcdd, and everyone else on this path!

    Yuuki

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  • LAstar
    LAstar Member Posts: 1,574
    edited February 2019

    So glad you are on the other side of this surgery, Yuuki! It sounds like it was a rollercoaster! Was there restricted blood flow? Did they have to do some vessel grafting? Was vessel size a factor in changing to DIEP? I apparently had small vessels with my SGAP which is why I developed necrosis. My fingers are crossed for you that there are no more complications!!! Rest well, and don't feel any pressure to respond to my questions!!!

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  • Yuuki
    Yuuki Member Posts: 47
    edited February 2019

    Thank you, LAstar! No, vessel size had no bearing on the switch to DIEP, and the size was good in my case. The trouble was I developed a clot in the exit vein several days out. I had no risk factors, just bad luck.

    Yuuki

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  • miss302
    miss302 Member Posts: 34
    edited February 2019

    Glad it turned out well. I had bilateral sgap in 2008!

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  • JMJ532
    JMJ532 Member Posts: 181
    edited April 2019

    Hello All,

    I have a question for you, Miss302. I had an Sgap in 2008 as well and just recently my buttocks is hurting where the incision was. It is getting painful to sit on that spot. I am in pretty good shape overall, however, my butt hurts when sitting now for short periods of time. As well, it feels as though there is a bump devopiing by the scar area. I am curious if anhyone else, many years later, are having problems similar to this. I am not sure to see a doctor yet and am not sure who I would go too; I would prefer not go back to my original my surgeon but know it should be someone that has done SGAP's before.

    There is a not research out there about complications many years after the surgery.

    Thanksk for any input!

    Jen

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  • LAstar
    LAstar Member Posts: 1,574
    edited April 2019

    Jen, I'm 7 years out from my SGAP and the ends of the incision are still sore if there is pressure there. Your incision sounds lower than mine. Maybe scar tissue build-up? Have you gained or lost weight recently? I would think that a good surgeon who understands scar tissue could be helpful. Best wishes.

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  • miss302
    miss302 Member Posts: 34
    edited April 2019

    Hello!

    Mine were starting to get hard and my physical therapist worked both my scars to free them up. I am also wondering if it is only the ends then it could be the "dog ear"(per my plastic surgeon) extra skin. If extra skin then any plastic surgeon could do it. (I had to drive 60 miles to next plastic surgeon but he was great and fixed me up). It will depend on what the issue is.

    Jess

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  • julscol
    julscol Member Posts: 6
    edited December 2019

    hi there, I had one side SGAP in 2011. I am not going to lie. It is a big deal. And both sides will be tougher. My surgery lasted 11 hours. and it took a long time to heal. I am sorry to tell you such bad news.. I believe I am suffering from lots of back pain due to the scar tissue it caused.. Has anyone else found this to be the case due to the SGAP?

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  • miss302
    miss302 Member Posts: 34
    edited April 2020

    I have low back, hip and leg issues that I believe we're affected from bilateral SGAPs.

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