Reconstruction group-Nov-07

Hello,I have alot of concerns about reconstruction as well. I had a single mastectomy{dcis} one year ago. I am  40 years old. I agree the mastectomy seemed easier than what all the reconstruction is going to be. I spoke with a plastic surgeon for the first time yesterday. I must say I am more scared now. Never did I realized it would take so long for the reconstruction to be complete.And that so much was involved. First the dorsi flap,tissue expansion then the implants.All will be done in one surgery, that he said takes 7 hours. Wow!!!! Then I will have to wait six months before implants will be applied to other breast. Sounds scary and like alot to go through.Also said I would have drainage tube in front that would be taken out in about 2 weeks after surgery and one in back that would probably stay in as long as a month.Now I question myself..... Is it worth all this too feel human again? I was also surprised he recommend silicone verses saline.he also says there is little or no pain involved. I would like others input on what I have been told. This is very overwhelming

Traci,

Thinking of you, as you have your surgery today...

Hope you are doing well.

Hugs
HARLEY

Hey girls,

So, I'm sit/laying on my bed with about 7 pillows to creat a bed/recliner.

I am more sore than I thought but o.k. He was running 2 hrs behind....argh...but, it's done.

They are way smaller than what I wanted but, I'm the one that stopped with the expanders. Like my sister always says "find the blessing" well, I guess the blessing is I'll never have to wear a bra again.

My right one has a lot of blood on the bandage. The left one...none. I'm a little concerned about that but, I have to go see him in the morning.

Short, funny story:

o.k....so I had too much to drink about 5 years ago and had my boyfriends name tattooed on my hip in the front with a little heart. You can not see it with panties or a bikini on.

Well Dr. Eric Egozi came in to "mark me up" before the surgery. I was holding my gown and he said put your arms down and the gown slipped and he saw my tattoo with my then boyfriends name...Eric.

We...."laughed" the nurse said Doc was blushing and then all the sudden the heart thing starting beeping faster and Doc says...so is Traci look at her heart rate jumping. OMG!!!!

Did I mention Doc is a freaking babe?!!!

Well, gonna stop in with my May chemo girls and then crash. I'm gonna copy and paste this message so I don't have to re-type cuz it's kinda hard to type and hold the frozen peas on my chest!

LOL!

Big game tomorrow with my Boys....man, I hope they win!!!

Love ya girls. Good luck to those with surgery coming up.

I'll check back in a couple of days.

Hugs, Traci

Whoo-hooo Traci.  So glad you are "done".

I am a "freaking" Cowboy fan too.  Love Tony Romo. I have my surgery to exchange expanders for implants.  I was second on the list, but they added a baby, so everyone is bumped back one.  Now I am 3rd.  My biggest concern is to be able to watch the game. LOL.  I found out today that in our area the game will only be on Satellite TV.  I have a good friend with satellite.  I plan to have my hub drive me out to her place to watch.  I can drink for 2 more hours and then nothing until after surgery tomorrow.  I am so excited to finally have something on my chest besides puckered skin, ugly.

God bless all who are having surgery or recovering.  You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Hugs to all, Sammie Kay

Sammie Kay!

HOW 'BOUT THEM COWBOYS!! Woo HOO!!!

My one bro is driving me to my other bro's cuz I don't have satelite(sp?) either. That stinks.

Jill.....1pm....I didn't go in until 3 today and I was sooooooooooooooo hungry and thirsty. That's the only thing that is good about going to the hospital before the sun comes up.

Sammie...when is yours?

It's not bad girls. I'm a little more sore than I thought but with a pain pill it's not bad at all.

Tonight though....I called nurses on call because my right breast is bleeding way more than the left. I can see the blood through the bandage. I'm a little concerned but, I know if I call my Doc he's going to say go to the ER and the last thing I want to do is go there and sit for hours and then have them change the bandage.

I'm just gonna call my PS first thing in the morning. I have to go see hime tomorrow anyway.

So, y'all don't worry cuz, it's not that bad and I am so happy to have the concrete out!!!!!!!!!!

I'm up late tonight cuz you have to sleep sitting up and I hate that so I'm on the board till I literally pass out!!!

Hugs girls.

Traci

The first thing that I was given after my IV was put in right before surgery was something for nauseau. I would have thougt this was the norm, or does it just not work that well for some women?

Mary-Anne..I hope I can be added to the list...my surgery is 12/3/07 for a bilateral Pedicled TRAM Flap with the removal of silicone implants, complete re-reconstruction for the second time.

As this day approches I'm nervious, but I see this all with a positive light.  Thank you!

Hi everyone. Morgaine here. I had my DIEP to left breast this past tuesday. It was 10 hour surgery but I must say it is very pretty. And "pretty" is the first thing I said when I woke up from surgery and had a doc looking at my new boob.

My doc, Dr. Song at U of Chicago, said that I had an SAIA surgery and not a complete DIEP. From what I understand, he says that 30% of the population has some blood vessels that they are able to use better which means no muscle tissue is used at all. He says its rare to have people with one but that that I had two. Has anyone heard of this?

Also, I'm still nauseated but haven't taken a oxycodin since last night. Is this normal?

Morgaine

Hi SammieKaye, I'm sorry your surgery didn't go as planned and that you're still fighting a fever. Hope you feel better soon and the next surgery goes well. At least you will really be done then, nipples and all!



Crystal, I had expanders then implants and was very happy with the results, is this what you were asking?



I'm now 10 days out of surgery and feel pretty good although I did overdo it the other day and had a bit of aching again. I learned the hard way that it really is best to avoid doing any sort of lifting!!



Jackie

Hi Marina1, thank you for the support!  I have complete confidence/faith in my PS team, they are great!  My PS said I will have 4 drains when I come home and have 4 weeks of physical therapy also.   He will also place the mesh in place as well.  Do you have that?  How long was your surgery & recovery?  I know the Lord will be watching!

Hi Morgaine,

I also have Dr. Song as my ps, but only for expander/implants- my exchange surgery was Thursday.  I think you should call the on-call person about your nausea, but also consider the following "alternative" approaches, which I've read about and tried myself:
1) Sea-band acupressure wrist bands, available at Walgreens

2) Ginger tea, or ginger candy

3) If you can get in to see a doctor, ask for the patch they can give you for nausea- helped me so much with the surgery this week.  Sorry I can't remember the name of it, but they told me people use it on cruise ships for sickness.

I think it's pretty normal to be nauseous after a long surgery, especially breast surgery.

I wish I could help with your other question, but am clueless about blood vessels and SAIA.  I do have faith in Dr. Song though, and feel he would have done whatever was in your best interests for a good result and recovery.

J

Hi Bella. Yes, I had the mesh as well. My husband says the surgery was 5 1/2 hours. He was a wreck and thankfully, our sons tball coach came to sit with him a few hours when he found out he was alone. But it went well. I'm still recovering. I can honestly say, there hasn't been any "pain", but discomfort. If they don't give you muscle spasm medication, make sure you get it. The 2 things that I can say provide me any type of discomfort are my swollen breasts and the spasms. But it is getting better after 4 weeks. It just takes time. I sat for 2 hours the day after surgery and the 2nd day, walked down the hall. They manage your fever - make sure you blow on that thing they give you, it keeps your fever down and keeps your lungs clear. It's easier for me to be patient and let myself heal because i'm on short term disability through Jan....hopefully, you have the ability to just relax, watch TV and let yourself heal.

Hello Ladies!

I just arrived home from my DIEP on Tuesday!!!  I am doing really well.  My surgery was the shortest that my Dr has ever done-6hrs for bilateral!  My blood vessels were perfect, I guess.  I had an epidural line in and that helped a lot with pain.  I only ended up with pain meds for a headache and backache.  I can't say enough about my PS- Dr Kinney (Milwaukee).  He is WONDERFUL!!  I only have one drain, the other 5 came out before I left the hospital this morning.  I am not walking perfectly vertical, but am almost there.  I kind of feel the new girls are a little smaller than I was thinking they would be, but I am really happy.  I can have that changed later if I decide that is important, but I doubt that will happen.

I was very ready to come home this morning.  I was sick of the crappy food, the backache, and not sleeping well. 

I hope this kind of success to all of you!

Laua