Reconstruction group-Nov-07
Hi, I am having reconstruction in November. I really loved having a group for chem and then for rads so thought maybe a group for recon might work too.
My surgeon has planned a Lat Dorsi flap and the surgery is booked for November 22. As the date approaches I am starting to worry...about a lot of things. I guess my worst fear is inviting pain on myself for something that isn't absolutely necessary. The mastectomy was an easy decision, the recon I have thought long and hard about.
Anyone interested in going through this as a group?
Fists up!
Mary-Anne
Comments
-
Mary Anne, I had my exchange surgery last year on 11-22. I decided that with a date like that, I would have to wake up symmetrical at least!!! Everything turned out exceptionally well. Just wanted to wish you luck! Best wishes!
-
I will be having my implant reconstruction surgery on Nov. 7th... It will be the permanent all in one expander & implant ...
Harley
I think more women are having such different types of surgery for reconstruction that the thread will not follow as smoothly for this as it did for the chemo...
-
Hi Harley,
do you have a single mastectomy too? I have waited two years to reconstruct so am more than ready to feel more like myself again. I was delaing OK with the mastectomy but as the years past it seemed to make sense to feel more like my old self.
Good to have you on board, so to speak.
Fists up!
Mary-Anne
-
Thanks for the good wishes Rubytuesday. I ma glad to hear it all went well for you.
Fists up!
Mary-Anne
-
Mary Anne,
No, I had BOTH breasts removed, since I am small, and it would be very difficult to reconstruct ONE breast and have them both look the same...Good Luck! I'll be thinking of you on Nov.22nd!
Harley
-
Maryanne, I had lat dorsi flap recon three months ago. For the first month I regreted the decision but then it started to get easier. Make sure you have help around the house. I had a lot of trouble reaching for things and bending down to pick things up. I was able to vacuum for the first time about two weeks ago. I had to depend on others to do my housework for a couple of months. Being a clean freak that was hard for me. Make sure that your doctor refers you for physiotherapy so you can learn the proper ways to stretch and strengthen. Keep in mind that your body is not going to work the same way. With the large back muscles affected, there are activities that will be hard. Opening heavy doors is still a challenge. Fortunately I love to walk and hike so that is not affected. My neighbour had a double mastectomy 10 years ago and never had recon. She says it is hard sometimes not being able to wear certain clothes and always having to worry about a prosthesis. I can wear anything - even camis - and it all looks natural. It does not feel natural yet to me and perhaps never will but to everyone else things look good.
I am having some challenges with the insurance company paying only a fraction of the cost. Have you looked into that? Is your doctor in network? Do you know what he or she will charge? This is not something you want to face when recovering from surgery if finances are an issue.
I wish you good luck. Feel free to ask me any questions. I am here for you.
Ceekay -
Mary-Anne, I love you name--I named my daughter that! Anyway, I had bi-lateral lat flap on 6/14, and am having my exchange this Friday. Things about the lat flap I wish they told me--alot of your back will be numb, & itchy as the nerves regenerate. I can't reach as far down my back as I used to, so am unable to scratch it. I got a cold & was unable to cough as hard as I used to, and when I did cough, my boobs flexed! My PS said he was going to cut the nerve so my boobs would not flex, but they still do. The muscle wrapping from my back to front feels so tight that it is hard to breath deep, and since surgery my stomach sticks out so much more, I believe because I am now stomach breathing. My PS said no other patient has mentioned this. Maybe I'm strange. On the other hand, my results are awesome, I have the best boobs ever! It has only been 3 months & I think over some time the little issues I've mentioned will all be distant memories, and I'll still have great boobs!
-
I had latissimus dorsi flap reconstruction with expanders July 24th, and finished my last fill Sept. 27th. I had surgery on Tuesday, came home on Thursday, went to the hair salon on Friday, and the nail salon on Saturday. Obiviously I was on some good pain medication..lol Needles to say I over did. I became extremely fatigued after all the activity and had trouble getting my strength back. However, I was back to work 2 weeks after the surgery, and slowly began to regain my strength. My advice, no matter how good you feel after the surgery, rest and take it easy. I did have to have help with certain things, my husband and mother ironed every stitch of clothing I wore for at least 3 to 4 weeks. I didn't run the vaccum nor lift anything heavy. The first 4 fills were not painful at all, the 5th and 6th were somewhat painful, but the pain would subside within a few days. The 7th and last fill was quite painful, and the pain lasted for over a week, however each day the pain was a little less. I am filled with 700cc's, and scheduled for my exchange Nov.14th My ps is also reconstructing with silicone gel implants. I have a pre op appointment with him the 25th of this month and we are going to look at some different implants and make the final decision on what implants will be best for me. size etc.... He will also be doing an implant and lift on the left breast which is my nonaffected side, or my good side as I call it. lol Looking forward to my appointment on the 25th, dreading surgery on the 14th, but looking forward to having my implants and having this behind me. One other thing I want to add. I had breast agumentation 7 years ago with saline implants. I loved them, they were soft and never did feel stiff. this time around we're going with the silicone because it is what my ps has recommended, and I have complete faith in him. Once I get the silicone, I will be able to see what the difference is or if there is a difference in the look and feel. I think this thread is a great idea!!
Good luck to all.
Sherry
-
Ceeky, reconstruction is free in Canada. I haven't looked in to my private disability insurance but am hoping that they will pay for my time off work. I originally planned to be off for three weeks but then I was worried about discomfort. I do a lot of stretching and bending and at times lifting so have decided to take 6 weeks.
JTF, sorry but it made me smile to think of yopur boobs flexing when you cough...surely you could find a use for that.LOL.
Nelliebellie, I am not having implants at all. I am 34A and don't neeed an implant to make me 34A again. It was tempting to "upsize" but since I am doing this to feel "restored" I was afraid I would find different sized breasts hard to get used to. I bet my DH would appreciate it though.LOL.
Fists up!
Mary-Anne
-
Mary Anne,
I just finished the exchange after the lat. flap with expander placement 6 months ago. Everyone is different, but I never had any issues with the flap. There is numbness on the back scar; but it really doesn't bother me. I was back to my normal routine in 2 weeks and my new breasts are awesome. I will be posting them soon on the Picture Forum. Good luck with your surgery.
God bless,
Chris
-
Hello Mary-Ann, I had a mastectomy in June (DCIS), I was very lucky and did not need further treatment. Now, I am wrestling with the idea of reconstruction. I would like reconstruction, but then I think why put myself through a huge surgery if it isn't medically necessary, on the other hand I'm only 40 and recovered quickly from my mastectomy, so may be in the big picture it's worth it. You said you thought long and hard about the reconstruction, how did you decide? This is really a tough decision.
-Deborah -
Hey Mary-Anne,
I'm in....my surgery for implants is scheduled for 11/28. But, I'm not having any of the procedures you girls have mentioned. He said because I never had a baby and lacked muscle, tissue, fat whatever...that I just had to have expanders and then implants.
Dart on another thread is done and horrified at her results. She's got me real worried.......
Hope you have a good day!
Traci
-
Hi Ladies - I had single mastectomy 5/06 and just scheduled expander surgery for 11/9. Have been on the fence about reconstruction and scheduled a consult just for info. Really liked the PS recommended by my onc. Talked to the PS Thurs night and called his office back on Fri to schedule surgery. Will be having expander and then silicone implant. Probably will need reduction and lift on the right side - he said his largest implant will be a little smaller than my natural breast. Am feeling excited that I won't have to wear prosthesis anymore - it fell out of my bra at work yesterday, luckily, noone else was around!! I am also feeling apprehensive though - the thought of more surgery, possibility of infection, etc. I know 2 people who developed infections and had to have expanders removed, theirs were immediate placements though, so I think I'll probably do OK. Good luck to everyone on the next step. - Sandy
-
Hi...I had exchange surgery in Feb. Thought I was happy until I took a really close look...am scheduled to have nipples and a small revision in a couple weeks. I took a really good look and am so unhappy. I had bilateral mastectomy ( one prophylactic) and the radiated side looks like it is much smaller ( shrunk) I have big indents...the skin puckers in on the side where the tumour was... I was not wearing a bra because it hurt to wear one and the ps said that was the good thing about reconstruction...no need for a bra but now that I am thinking that it is near the final product I have looked more closely and they don't look good at all...no smooth effect with a shirt or sweater...not nice at all. ( to start with they were much smaller than my original breasts were but I could live with that)..I am going to call ps to discuss my concerns. He is one of the best but I have not developed a rapport with him.
-
I am scheduled for lat dorsi on November 12. I am so excited. I finally found a ps I was happy with (this was the third that i consulted). I had a right mast in june of 05, and I wanted reconstruction, but didn't want to take the time to get it done. I had radiation, so my choices were limited. I am ready to look somewhat normal in a bathing suit again. I swim a mile everyday, and I am tired of putting the scrubby in the suit...ha ha ha.
They are doing the surgery outpatient. I am also having an implant on the left side, so they will both be perky :-).
Has anyone else done this surgery outpatient? Or should I spend the night in the hospital?
-
Hi Traci,
I am going to have my recons. surgery on Nov 7th. I didn't want to have TWO surgeries, so my ps was going to use that Becker all in one expander & implant. But, now he has decdided not to use it, because they leak...I have no problems with him changing that, since I was worried about leaking. But now, he just wants to do breast augmentation, only...I don't have any breasts to augment!
I have left a message for my ps, and he is supposed to call me later today to go over his plan again. Now I am concerned about the pain... OUCH!
Good Luck! I will be thinking about you when you have your surgery, on Nov. 28th!
Harley
PS I never had any children, either, but I never thought that would make a difference with my reconstruction...
-
Katie,
I never heard of anyone having the lat. flap with expander placement as an outpatient procedure. I did the same surgery and although I did very well, my surgeon had planned on keeping me 3-5 days. As it turned out, I had the surgery on Friday a.m. and quit using the pain pump about 11:00 that evening. I went home on Sunday morning. If your surgeon is planning on doing this outpatient and has given you the choice of staying the night, I highly recommend it and I hate hospitals. Good luck with your surgery and let us know how you do.
God bless,
Chris
-
Katie,
I agree with Chris. I had my BM with the lat flap procedure on a Thursday & went home Sunday. You will want to stay AT LEAST 1 night.
Good luck.
Janine
-
I am having a mast and DIEP recon on my right breast on November 19th. I cant emotionally do a bilateral. Just praying that the bc beast doesnt come back.
-
It seems we have a crew getting things started in november.
My Ps wants to keep me in hospital 3-5 days, I am guessing it is for pain control, for my Lat dorsi flap.
I waited on recon because I wanted all my initial energy to go into chemo and rads. I did not want any delays because of complications. Initially I thought I could happily go on without my missing part but try as I might I still feel like I am missing a part! My hoipe is to have a reasonable match with my untouched breast. To have my cleavage back and not have to worry about hthe prothesis. I know it will not be the same as it was but am hoping it will be a heck of a lot closer than the flat space I now have. And if it is worse I am prepared to take it off again! I wonder if anyone has ever done that?
4 weeks to go for me...
Any list keepers out there? We could have a list of dates and names...
Fists up!
Mary-Anne
-
I'm set to have a bilateral with immediate pedicle tram on Nov. 1. Been going nuts lately if I was making the right reconstruction decision and I came to peace with it just this week. There are no guarantees of having no complications regardless of procedure. I have confidence in my surgeons. I have no reason to believe I'll have any complications. If it happens, I'll deal with what I'm dealt then. But I'm good. It's going to go fine and I just take it 1 day at a time. It won't be fun but I can get through it....!!
-
Seems like November is going to be a busy month!!! I had my initial consult with ps two weeks ago, felt really comfortable with him and liked his pictures, personality and my onc highly recommends him. A friend of mine who is a nurse/anesthetist also had wonderful things to say about him. I called his office the next day and scheduled surgery for 11/9. At the consult we talked about all my options. I decided I wanted the easiest recup time so chose expander and implant. I had single mast 5/26/06. I'm starting to worry though that I didn't ask all my questions. Initially I was only going for info, had no plans to schedule surgery that quickly. Can't believe I made such a quick decision, usually I research things to death. I have quite a bit of excess skin under my arm - does that get removed at expander surgery or does that get addressed at exchange, I also didn't really express what I expect to look like. He told me that I would be getting fills ever week to two weeks. He said that he would eventually do a bit of a reduction and lift on my good side down the road a ways. Does anyone know - when having the expander placed, do they do anything else for aesthetics or just place the expander and address all other issues once you are fully expanded?? Guess I'm starting to get a bit apprehensive at the thought of more surgery. He told me to e-mail him or call if I have questions, so I guess I better send him an e-mail tomorrow. MaryAnne - I think this is a pretty good list so far:
marina1 11/01 bilat mast/pedicle tram
harley44 11/07 expander?/implant?
sjoc 11/09 expander
katie-nc 11/12 lat dorsi
nelliebelle0361 11/14 exchange
kcq 11/19 mast/diep
maryannecb 11/22 lat dorsi flap
TraciWalters 11/28 expanders
Abby2 11/30 bilat diep
-
Hey ladies,
Please add Abby2 to the list for Bilat DIEP 11/30.
Thank you & GOOD LUCK TO ALL!!!
-
Hey Ladies,
I hope we all have good results!
Good idea to start this thread Mary-Anne!
For the girls doing only one breast.....please, express deeply your concerns for your reconstructed breast looking as much as possible as your natural breast. My sister had hated her chest for nine years. The implant was round and hard compared to her "mommy" right breast. (She is a small C in her natural breast)
She, as you may have seen me post on another thread, is having a preventative mast of her good breast and reconstruction of both to make them simetrical (sp?) on 11/15.....as long as her bone biopsy of yesterday as b9 results which.............I KNOW IT WILL!!!!!!!!!!
Hugs everybody!
Traci
ps Harley.......what's the new plan??????
-
Traci,
I am not really sure WHAT my ps is going to do. He said that he will put the implants in, empty. Then, he will use a "sizer", whatever that is, to fill them to where "HE" thinks they look good. That is DURING my surgery.
Then, if I want them bigger, he will add more. He said that MAYBE he can do the addition in his office.I wish I knew what he was planning to do. He says that since I am so small, I probably won't need the lengthy fill process....
I hope he knows what he's talking about. But, he DID say that perhaps it will take TWO surgeries, and I am NOT happy about that!
I am praying that your sister's scans are all B9!!!
Hugs,
Harley
-
NO EVIDENCE OF MALIGNANCY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WOO HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm so happy!!!!
-
Traci,
That is GREAT NEWS!! YEA!!!!Thanks for sharing!!
Harley
-
Please add me to the November surgery list. Stage II DIEP at NOLA on 11/9. The days are passing by sooooo slowly right now. I'm having suture complications from Stage I (performed elsewhere), so Dr. D has another challenge ahead. He will have to re-open my tummy incision and excise big suture granulomas--it's a lumpy mess. Because I'll have to start all over again with the tummy incision, the recovery is going to be about the same as Stage I. I'm just hoping I make it to surgery day without another suture rupturing. I can hardly walk right now. Lorna's posts about her experience at NOLA were very encouraging to me!
-
Sandy,
My surgery is Nov. 7th!
Good Luck to all of us!
Harley
-
marina1 11/01 bilat mast/pedicle tram
harley44 11/07 expander?/implant?
sjoc 11/09 expander
Sandyk 11/9 stage 2 DIEP
katie-nc 11/12 lat dorsi
nelliebelle0361 11/14 exchange
kcq 11/19 mast/diep
maryannecb 11/22 lat dorsi flap
TraciWalters 11/28 expanders
Abby2 11/30 bilat diep
Sandyk 11/9 stage 2 DIEP
Sandy your name is added. Yikes, complications in first round, must make you nervous...NOLA has excellent reputation though!
Tracy, glad to hear your good news on your sister.
I chose no implants because oddly enough I am hoping my new boob will get old and saggy like the rest of me eventually!LOL.
Iam hoping this surgery will be the only surgery I have besides making a nipple later.Am I dreaming?
Katie you will be first with the lat dorsi.
Marina this time next week you will Have your new breasts! You were diagnosed almost exactly 2 years after me. I will be hoping for good results for you.
Categories
- All Categories
- 679 Advocacy and Fund-Raising
- 289 Advocacy
- 68 I've Donated to Breastcancer.org in honor of....
- Test
- 322 Walks, Runs and Fundraising Events for Breastcancer.org
- 5.6K Community Connections
- 282 Middle Age 40-60(ish) Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 53 Australians and New Zealanders Affected by Breast Cancer
- 208 Black Women or Men With Breast Cancer
- 684 Canadians Affected by Breast Cancer
- 1.5K Caring for Someone with Breast cancer
- 455 Caring for Someone with Stage IV or Mets
- 260 High Risk of Recurrence or Second Breast Cancer
- 22 International, Non-English Speakers With Breast Cancer
- 16 Latinas/Hispanics With Breast Cancer
- 189 LGBTQA+ With Breast Cancer
- 152 May Their Memory Live On
- 85 Member Matchup & Virtual Support Meetups
- 375 Members by Location
- 291 Older Than 60 Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 177 Singles With Breast Cancer
- 869 Young With Breast Cancer
- 50.4K Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis
- 204 Breast Cancer with Another Diagnosis or Comorbidity
- 4K DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)
- 79 DCIS plus HER2-positive Microinvasion
- 529 Genetic Testing
- 2.2K HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer
- 1.5K IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer)
- 3.4K IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)
- 1.5K ILC (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma)
- 999 Just Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastasis
- 652 LCIS (Lobular Carcinoma In Situ)
- 193 Less Common Types of Breast Cancer
- 252 Male Breast Cancer
- 86 Mixed Type Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned
- 189 Palliative Therapy/Hospice Care
- 488 Second or Third Breast Cancer
- 1.2K Stage I Breast Cancer
- 313 Stage II Breast Cancer
- 3.8K Stage III Breast Cancer
- 2.5K Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
- 13.1K Day-to-Day Matters
- 132 All things COVID-19 or coronavirus
- 87 BCO Free-Cycle: Give or Trade Items Related to Breast Cancer
- 5.9K Clinical Trials, Research News, Podcasts, and Study Results
- 86 Coping with Holidays, Special Days and Anniversaries
- 828 Employment, Insurance, and Other Financial Issues
- 101 Family and Family Planning Matters
- Family Issues for Those Who Have Breast Cancer
- 26 Furry friends
- 1.8K Humor and Games
- 1.6K Mental Health: Because Cancer Doesn't Just Affect Your Breasts
- 706 Recipe Swap for Healthy Living
- 704 Recommend Your Resources
- 171 Sex & Relationship Matters
- 9 The Political Corner
- 874 Working on Your Fitness
- 4.5K Moving On & Finding Inspiration After Breast Cancer
- 394 Bonded by Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Life After Breast Cancer
- 806 Prayers and Spiritual Support
- 285 Who or What Inspires You?
- 28.7K Not Diagnosed But Concerned
- 1K Benign Breast Conditions
- 2.3K High Risk for Breast Cancer
- 18K Not Diagnosed But Worried
- 7.4K Waiting for Test Results
- 603 Site News and Announcements
- 560 Comments, Suggestions, Feature Requests
- 39 Mod Announcements, Breastcancer.org News, Blog Entries, Podcasts
- 4 Survey, Interview and Participant Requests: Need your Help!
- 61.9K Tests, Treatments & Side Effects
- 586 Alternative Medicine
- 255 Bone Health and Bone Loss
- 11.4K Breast Reconstruction
- 7.9K Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 2.7K Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment
- 775 Diagnosed and Waiting for Test Results
- 7.8K Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 50 Immunotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 7.4K Just Diagnosed
- 1.4K Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy
- 5.2K Lymphedema
- 3.6K Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment
- 591 Pain
- 3.9K Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 8.4K Surgery - Before, During, and After
- 109 Welcome to Breastcancer.org
- 98 Acknowledging and honoring our Community
- 11 Info & Resources for New Patients & Members From the Team