How many surgeries until you were happy with what you had?

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bam320
bam320 Member Posts: 111
edited April 2020 in Breast Reconstruction

Hi all,

I had tram flap surgery Feb 2019 and recently had a reduction on my other breast to better match the mastectomy side. I am over two months out from surgery now and I feel that I need another surgery because my reduction is still a bit bigger. I know that they will never look exactly the same because they are two different types of tissue but I would like the size to at least be very close to the same size.

Just trying to see if I have appropriate expectations. Doesn't help that I just watched an episode of Botched where a women had a double mastectomy that was "botched" and then they were able to correct it and she had the most natural looking breasts which made me feel that in my situation we can do better than what I have.

Thanks for your input



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  • JRNJ
    JRNJ Member Posts: 573
    edited April 2020

    bam, sorry I can’t help you but am laughing because I’ve been binge watching botched. I lost TEs to infection in October and have to wait til next October for reconstruction. I had saggy double ds and have ocd so am kind of glad I had both removed primarily for cancer but also for symmetry. What is your surgeon telling you? Why did you have tram instead of diep? Areyou happy with it?

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  • bam320
    bam320 Member Posts: 111
    edited April 2020

    Hey JRNJ,

    I was initially to have a diep but then the surgeon ended up needing to take muscle to get the vessels so I ended up with a tram. Not sure if that happens often or not.

    I am kind of happy with my tram breast. There is not a smooth transition from the breast to my chest wall if that makes any sense. So my clevage is different on that side than my other. I feel that if I had an implant on the other side there would be better symmetry. I went for the diep/tram surgery because I did not really want implants due to the numerous appointments to expand and then to have to eventually be replaced years down the line....and I got a tummy tuck in the process.

    I saw my surgeon a week out and was to see him a few weeks ago but due to COVID it will be rescheduled for a later date and will discuss next steps then.

    Good luck with your te's in October.

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  • TWills
    TWills Member Posts: 679
    edited April 2020

    I had DIEP in 2018, two FG surgeries and a stem cell transfer surgery over the next year and then finally added small implants 6 months ago. Scheduled to go back for a checkup to see if anything else can be done but I think I'm done. I feel good with what I have. The implants made the biggest difference with the cleavage area “drop off". I had to try the FG and stem cell before implants for peace of mind but I love them:) So I guess you have to take it one surgery at a time and figure out what you want as you go and do what’s best for you. I had a weird feeling of guilt for doing so many surgeries but I didn’t want regrets later. No perfect way to go about any of this.

    JRNJ, I also lost a TE to infection, devastating!

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  • OCDAmy
    OCDAmy Member Posts: 873
    edited April 2020

    I had DIEP on cancer side (damaged from rads). Had next surgery to replace TE on other side with implant and some fat grafting. Had two more tweaking surgeries, one to remove the nipple that was just never in the right place and another to get them even and lower the DIEP scar and do scar revision. I and am very happy with results. I figured I deserved to have them look good and my PS was committed to making that happen. The nipple tattoos were the last part and made a huge difference! I’m almost 56 and my breasts look great and my tummy is flat.

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  • OnTarget
    OnTarget Member Posts: 447
    edited April 2020

    I had my exchange surgery, then had another surgery where 1 implant was switched and both sides got FG.

    2 months after surgery, out of nowhere, I got a bad infection and had to have my newest implant explanted.

    Now in a few months, I'll start all over with a TE.

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  • bam320
    bam320 Member Posts: 111
    edited April 2020

    Thanks for the replies. I guess I was hoping to be done after the reduction but now I see it might not be unusual to have some more tweaks to get it just right.

    I am with you OCDAmy...I deserve to have them look great...even at 54!

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