reconstruction after mastectomy

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carolinafans
carolinafans Member Posts: 8
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Just need some info. from anyone who opted for reconstruction after the mastectomy. My mom is 72 and will be having a double mastectomy next month. She has lobular carcinoma. The surgeon will test a lymph node as he does the mastectomy and if all is clear,a plastic surgeon will put in the first implants during the same surgery. How is recovery? How much did the surgery effect arm movements and how quickly were you able to go home? They have told her 2 days mainly for pain management.

Thank you for help and prayers to all!

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  • SweetC
    SweetC Member Posts: 7
    #2
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    What type of reconstruction will your mother have? I had a tissue expander put in at the time of my mastectomy. I will have the actual implant put in in December. There was some pain involved after surgery. Just be there for her for she will need your help.
  • newboobs
    newboobs Member Posts: 121
    #3
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    I had mastect. 11/01 with expander put in at the same time. (I had a reduction/lift on the other side as well.) I had my final implant in 5/02 after chemo. It took about a year for it to feel "Right." I still have some pain the next day after I vacuum, rake leaves, lift something heavy, etc. It can be aggravating, but I'm just very careful about what I do with that arm. I have some numbness along my shouldblade and back of my arm, but no big deal. Prayers for you and your mom.

    I was in the hosp. Fri AM thru Sun AM for my mastectomy. Other surgeries were outpt
  • mc2001
    mc2001 Member Posts: 343
    #4
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    newboobs said:

    I had mastect. 11/01 with expander put in at the same time. (I had a reduction/lift on the other side as well.) I had my final implant in 5/02 after chemo. It took about a year for it to feel "Right." I still have some pain the next day after I vacuum, rake leaves, lift something heavy, etc. It can be aggravating, but I'm just very careful about what I do with that arm. I have some numbness along my shouldblade and back of my arm, but no big deal. Prayers for you and your mom.

    I was in the hosp. Fri AM thru Sun AM for my mastectomy. Other surgeries were outpt

    >>> "... the next day after I vacuum, rake leaves, lift something heavy, etc.. "

    New... throw in window washing... and YOU"RE HIRED!! hehe... just kidding ;-)
    I hope you are doing well. Take care.
    -Michael (leukemia survivor)
  • mc2001
    mc2001 Member Posts: 343
    #5
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    Hi Carolina,
    The advice I give women looking into plastic or reconstructive surgery is this... make sure the doctor is Board Certified in Plastic surgery or Reconstructive surgery. This may seem common sense, but many doctors can perform certain surgeries such as breast. The better the surgeon, chances are the surgery will go better, and healing will be faster and with less side effects. Good luck and God bless.
    -Michael (leukemia survivor)

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