Nipple Sparing Mastectomy & Prepectoral Implants

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Askmissa
Askmissa Member Posts: 76

I am creating videos to document my journey. I am hoping this will be informative for those making decisions on what type of surgery to have.

Here is the link to my YouTube playlist - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0i-WxYB_8kNACLA52_p4SFdwEy_WA411

Comments

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

    Askmissa, thank you for sharing your videos here with everybody! If you want, you can also post this in the Recommend Your Resources forum where members recommend book reviews, favorite web sites, products, articles, etc.

    Again, thanks for posting and sharing!

    The Mods


  • LP94602
    LP94602 Member Posts: 1
    edited August 2019

    Thank you so much for your posts and videos! I go in for nipple sparing mastectomy on 9/12 and have read wildly different accounts of the experience... seeing your speedy recovery has helped to calm my nerves.

  • Askmissa
    Askmissa Member Posts: 76
    edited September 2019

    I'm so glad you found my experience helpful. I would be sure to ask your breast surgeon if she is able to get your sentinel lymph node via the incision under your breast in the fold. That way you may have some tenderness where the lymph nodes are taken but you won't have a third incision to cause you pain and restrict movement.

    I recommend going to physicians at a university hospital where there is a medical school. They seem to be at the leading edge of the latest technology and protocol. If there is one in 5 hours of you, I feel it's worth it. May cost the same as a local hospital but can provide vastly better care in many cases

  • MichelleTender
    MichelleTender Member Posts: 1
    edited September 2019

    Hello ,


    I’m so glad your feeling better . Are you happy with your final result ? I have expanders now and currently waiting to be filled completely and then my final implant.

  • Askmissa
    Askmissa Member Posts: 76
    edited September 2019

    Yes I’m happy. Lifted and full. Hnestly I’m just grateful to have breasts at all. My plastic surgeon plans to do liposuction and add fat to my breasts in several months. I think they will look more natural then.

  • Askmissa
    Askmissa Member Posts: 76
    edited September 2019

    LP94602,

    How are you doing

  • famousthecat
    famousthecat Member Posts: 35
    edited September 2019

    This is super helpful, thanks for sharing! I'll be doing a bilateral nipple sparing mastectomy and reconstruction on October 3. I'll be looking over your recommendations of things to get together beforehand, too.

  • Askmissa
    Askmissa Member Posts: 76
    edited September 2019

    So glad I could be helpful!

  • Askmissa
    Askmissa Member Posts: 76
    edited September 2019
  • Belinda977
    Belinda977 Member Posts: 381
    edited September 2019

    Askmissa, watched your video this morning and then had my final two drains pulled an hour ago. I, too, had a nipple complication. Mine was bleeding as there was an additional area of DCIS right near it. Thank you for posting this!

    Have you noticed any fluid build up since having the drains removed? I think I need to slow down my walking for a few days to be safe.

    My first cancer, I had an Oncotype of 19 and did not have chemo. My tumor was 99% estrogen+ The hormone therapy was more important than the chemo

    Belinda

  • purple-flower
    purple-flower Member Posts: 111
    edited September 2019

    Hi all

    1 day post surgery BMX. now have the expanders in. gotta say that they are really uncomfortable and hurt! feels like they are too big for my body and stretching out all sides. they have that wrapping on them as well since pre-pectoral. Does the pain get better w the expanders in? and strange but no bandages or bra on post-surgery just surgical tape under boobs where incision were and a drain on each side. PS said she wants me to see them and monitor swelling etc. crazy. they look better than I expected in that was nipple sparing and full skin so just look deflated lumpy and bruised nut vaguely familiar. very sore today. had narcotics with Tylenol all night and just Tylenol this morning to not be so.drowsy but I think I need something stronger. she said no advil.since she wants to monitor swelling. and no ice packs since some kind of numbing.med on there that lasts 3-4 days. any tips? sound familiar?

    Thanks

    PF

  • Askmissa
    Askmissa Member Posts: 76
    edited September 2019

    Belinda - I didn't have any fluid build up but on my cancer side when he pulled the drain some fluid came out with the drain. It got all over the chair I was sitting in. How much are you walking? I have been doing 1 - 2 miles and I think it really lifted my spirits to get out into nature.

    Purple-Flower - I never used ice pack though I did buy them for this. I would be VERY concerned because since we are numb in our breast tissue you might accidentally give yourself a freeze burn. I would not use them. You should be able to take Tylenol.I did not have expanders. I have 500cc Mentor implants right away. I have been wearing a surgical/sports bra 24/7 ever since. My breast skin was not bruised for some reason. I had heard about it and expected that, but I didn't bruise. What about your sentinel lymph node - is that incision painful? My cancer surgeon didn't make a third incision just the two underneath the breasts so that was really helpful to my speedy recovery.

  • SimoneRC
    SimoneRC Member Posts: 419
    edited September 2019

    Hi purple-flower!

    Welcome to the other side! Yes, for me, the expanders were uncomfortable! But, with each fill they became less uncomfortable. I have super thin skin and it was a few weeks before they could begin my fills. Hopefully you can get started more quickly!

    My incisions were also open, unbandaged. I did wear a post mastectomy bra immediately after surgery, but I don't believe I needed to, especially when I was totally flat. Perhaps when you start your fills your PS will recommend a bra.

    The expanders are not the best, but it is just a moment in time in the long run. Remember that they were probably sutured in and they do poke out so don't feel bad about feeling bad! Take it easy and take good care!


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