Getting ready for reconstruction

marti54

On Aug 8 I had a right simple mastectomy with sentenial node mapping which showed all nodes free of cancer.I have chosen not to do chemo or hormone blocking.On Nov 5 I am having a simple left mastectomy and having expanders put in both breasts to prepare for reconstruction.I would like to have feedback from anyone who has gone thru this reconstruction procedure to let me know what to expect.Somehow whenever I talk with people that have gone thru this they tend to only emphasize the bad things and not the good.I know there will be pain and I am prepared to deal with that.I would just like to know more about the whole experience and if those of you who have done it, think it was worth it.
Thanks,
Marti

DeeNY711

Marti, I did not have reconstruction following removal of both the left and the right, but have not ruled it out for the future. Your upcoming surgery is something good and positive, and allows you to navigate the future on your own terms. With the confidence of having made the very best decision for yourself, the whole experience goes better every step of the way. Love, Denise

DebRoa

Hi Marti,

My first question is what type of reconstruction are you planning? I have one tissue expander-it is not painful, sometimes uncomfortable-but that is all. I had a modified radical mastectomy and will do the tram procedure for reconstruction. So my expander is not under my muscle. If implants are done, the expander is placed under the muscle. It is my experience that most surgeries people have, the negative is remembered more than the positive. I have had 7 surgical procedures and none were as horrendous as others told me they could be. Much depends on your level of comfort and your pain tolerance. Please let me know if you have any specific questions I can answer.

Many hugs,

Deb

ktinkey

Marti,

I may not be the best person to answer you since my surgery has been years ago, 13 to be exact, but I would do it over again, if I had to. I have silicone implants. I had a modified radical mastectomy of the right breast with immediate reconstruction. The expander can be uncomfortable, but Tylenol did the trick for me. Each patient is different. Surgery was a piece of cake as compared to the mastectomy. Yes, I am happy with my choice and have had no problems 13 years later! I also suggest you get a copy of the latest issue of CURE magazine. This issue is devoted to breast cancer, and they have an article on reconstruction. You can go online at www.curetoday.com too. The subscription to the magazine is free for a limited time and I highly recommend it. Good luck with your surgery and I hope I have helped in a small way.

God Bless,
Kathy

blossomtime

Marti,I had a left modified radical mastectomy with immediate reconstruction with tissue expanders June 4,2002. It is the best thing I ever did. I woke up and there was already a small breast mound. I did have positive nodes (6 of 9). So I had 8 months of chemo and 5 weeks of radiation. I started my expansion about one month after surgery and had about 100cc put in every 3 weeks. There was a feeling of pressure but no pain. When I would get tired I would feel a sensation of heaviness. I had to wait until all treatment was finished to have my saline implants put in. This was done June 13,2003 and at the same time I had a lift on the other side. In December I will have nipple reconstruction. Things have gone well,no infections etc. So I have overall been pretty pleased. It is not the same breast but I knew that at the beginning. Anything else I can answer please feel free to e-mail me. Good luck, Sharon

cocotann

Marti,

I had a double mastectomy and tram flap reconstruction over 3 years ago. I don't regret what I went through and even got smaller breasts! As I remember, the first time I got out of bed was the most painful. But after that, the pain was less. I was very tight in the stomach area for a long time. And I still have not gotten back all the feeling in my breasts and stomach area. After about 6 weeks I was pretty much OK. I was out walking over 2 miles a day to get my strength back. Just remember -- meds are a good thing! Let me know how you do when you are able. God's blessings..

raku

Hi Marti,
If I'm reading your question right it looks like you are having expanders put in then implants. (?) I had expanders put in last Decemeber...6 months after a bi-lateral mastectomy. I will have my permanent implants put in this December. It took a long time to stretch me out and I had several trips to get saline injections. The good news is that your recovery period will be less for the expanders than with the mastectomy....that's if all goes well and you don't develop an infection.
It took about 6 weeks for me to recover from the mastectomy and about 3 weeks for the expanders. Some women take a lot less time. The not so good news is that putting the expanders in is often considered "day surgery" and, in my case, the ride home and first night was pretty rough even with pain meds.
To tell you the truth there is the possibility of complications, I had a few. However, it is wonderful being able to walk into the bra section of a store and browse. When I look at my chest/breast "mounds" after my shower I think "well, these puppies don't really look like breasts." But with a top on they look real...plus they don't end up in the "wrong" place like my prothesis did.
I have a funny experience in the plastic surgeon's office that I will share with you. First, you have to understand I don't like needles. Okay, I'm sitting in the chair waiting for my first "pump up" and I casually say to the doctor that I saw a picture on a lady who had expanders put in and that her ports were not under her skin like mine but they were sticking out of her chest. Just about then the doctor turns around with this huge syringe and long a-- needle and says to me "oh, the ports outside of the body are for patients who don't tolerate needles" Hah!
There are ups and downs and, unfortanately, some pain but (for me) I am glad I decided on the implants.
Take care...I hope everything goes well for you

megansnana

raku said:

Hi Marti,
If I'm reading your question right it looks like you are having expanders put in then implants. (?) I had expanders put in last Decemeber...6 months after a bi-lateral mastectomy. I will have my permanent implants put in this December. It took a long time to stretch me out and I had several trips to get saline injections. The good news is that your recovery period will be less for the expanders than with the mastectomy....that's if all goes well and you don't develop an infection.
It took about 6 weeks for me to recover from the mastectomy and about 3 weeks for the expanders. Some women take a lot less time. The not so good news is that putting the expanders in is often considered "day surgery" and, in my case, the ride home and first night was pretty rough even with pain meds.
To tell you the truth there is the possibility of complications, I had a few. However, it is wonderful being able to walk into the bra section of a store and browse. When I look at my chest/breast "mounds" after my shower I think "well, these puppies don't really look like breasts." But with a top on they look real...plus they don't end up in the "wrong" place like my prothesis did.
I have a funny experience in the plastic surgeon's office that I will share with you. First, you have to understand I don't like needles. Okay, I'm sitting in the chair waiting for my first "pump up" and I casually say to the doctor that I saw a picture on a lady who had expanders put in and that her ports were not under her skin like mine but they were sticking out of her chest. Just about then the doctor turns around with this huge syringe and long a-- needle and says to me "oh, the ports outside of the body are for patients who don't tolerate needles" Hah!
There are ups and downs and, unfortanately, some pain but (for me) I am glad I decided on the implants.
Take care...I hope everything goes well for you

Hi Marti,
I would like to know about any complications you had with your reconstruction surgery as I too had a double mastectomy & immediate reconstruction. I have the expanders in now & am taking chemo. Two & a half years ago I had a lumpectomy. But the cancer came back in less than 6 months as a stage 2 cancer. Please write as I feel alone about the complications even though I don't regret them & have high hopes the end product will be satisfactory,
megasnana