reconstruction

Lickedloly

I just have finished all chemo and rads with double mastectomy. I am now in need of reconstruction surgery. I want some feed back from people who has had double mastectomy and reconstruction and what kind of surgery did you get? Love Leslie

seeknpeace

Hi...congrats on finishing your treatments!!

I had a bilateral in Feb and immed tram flap reconstruction. The surgery was really tough, it is like you have been hit by a mack truck. It takes a good 8 weeks to be able to function normally, imo. I like the results, only do not like that my doctor made them so big. They are more like your natural breast, but, like them, they will sag. Then he put the nipples too low and I hate them. But, I do not regret doing this surgery. I am just going to have to have them modified.

If I were doing it again, the one thing I would try to do differently, would be to have the DIEP rather than the TRAM...same procedure, but, they use extensive microsugery and do not use your ab muscles. So you get a tummy tuck, and they use your own tissue to rebuild.

Good luck to you...

wildangel

Hi,
I had a lumpectomy so I can't really help but I did want to wish you luck and say hi!

Angela

SusanAnne

Hi Leslie. I didn't have a bilateral, but I did have the Tram flap as well. I too can attest that it is very rough surgery. I was almost sorry I had done it at first, but I've come to be glad about it. The longer I have it, the more natural it feels. Having had radiation, I think you will be told it is your best shot at a good outcome. Keep us posted.
Susan

sandyk

I too am considering reconstruction. I'tll be w/latissimus dorsi flap & implant on r side and expander / implant on l side. I'm not a candidate for tram flap and have 1 shot on the r side. It's been 11 mos since last radiation. I've spoken to women from brest center who've had the procedure. Is there someone who you can speak w/in your area? I've also been reading "A Woman's Decision: Breast Care, Treatment & Reconstruction" which I found helpful. There's also pictures. I have confidence that when my plastic surgeon says it's time then the best possible results will happen. He's been a part of my team since before bilateral and skin grafted r chest after 2nd surgery. He loves breasts - great man for the job! Best wishes for an answer to your question.

mc2001

Hi Leslie,
Hope you are doing well. My name is Michael and I am a leukemia survivor. I have found great information and books, videos, and sheets with great websites. I found these in hospital rooms called: Oncology Resource Centers. They are normally found on the cancer floor. There is usually a person called a Cancer Resource Manager there. They can probably help you. I am so happy you are finished all your crummy treatments! Now... you can go and start the next phase. One more thing... most any surgeon and many physicians are capable of performing surgery including breast surgery. Make sure this doctor has a good name recognition, is Board Certified, and/or is a Fellow of the American College of Plastic Surgeons. Good luck Leslie and God bless!
-Michael

KarenKL

Hi. I skipped radiation and am just going straight for a bilateral mastectomy. The cancer in my right breast is beyond radiation. I had the delayed Tram flap and found out after surgery that with me being active and 32 I now wasn't the right candidate for the procedure. Cancelling my mastectomy and reconstruction surgery I had more time to investigate and found out that a 38 yr. old woman had severe problems with the Tram Flap, and a 50 yr. old woman only had one side done and many months later still had problems lifting herself out of the bathtub. There are alot of pro's and con's with any procedure, but not being able to lift yourself properly or other things is a major set back. My husband used an ex. of holding my arms down and trying to lift them straight up. I am sorry, but without ab muscles it would be impossible. I am now going for the saline implants. The safest and easiest way to go for my age. Less time for recovery as well. Don't rush and please investigate before doing it. My problem was my plastic surgeon was in a hurry to do the Tram Flap he failed to say yes you will be partially disabled until I already had my 2 bottom blood vessels to my abs cut. Full recovery from that was 2 weeks. I am still having my bilateral and reconstruction surgery in a few weeks.
Good luck.

sparkin

Wow, what an assortment of responces you have received! I am 41 and was diagnosed mid May of this year, had my surgery on June 24th. I had cancer on the right side, but elected to do a bilateral mastectomy. I was blessed that I didn't have to have Chemo or Radiation. I did elect to have an immediate bilateral Tram Flap done. It is rougher the first few weeks. The main thing for me was to remember to just take my time and not push the recovery. I had a phenominal Plastic Surgeon and have healed well. My new breast's look awesome! Very Natural and all me! I went back to work at 7 1/2 weeks, part days the first week. I am going in today for my nipple reconstruction. I am so very glad that I did the tram flap. I have a co worker that had a bilateral mastectomy 3 weeks ago and because of previous surgery's had to go the route of implants. They are not without risk or pain either. My advise would be to get several Dr. opinions. Shop around, Even shop hospitals. I base my results on the team and the facility that took care of me. If you would like to talk more detail, the nitty gritty so to speak, feel free to email me.
Nancy

seeknpeace

sparkin said:

Wow, what an assortment of responces you have received! I am 41 and was diagnosed mid May of this year, had my surgery on June 24th. I had cancer on the right side, but elected to do a bilateral mastectomy. I was blessed that I didn't have to have Chemo or Radiation. I did elect to have an immediate bilateral Tram Flap done. It is rougher the first few weeks. The main thing for me was to remember to just take my time and not push the recovery. I had a phenominal Plastic Surgeon and have healed well. My new breast's look awesome! Very Natural and all me! I went back to work at 7 1/2 weeks, part days the first week. I am going in today for my nipple reconstruction. I am so very glad that I did the tram flap. I have a co worker that had a bilateral mastectomy 3 weeks ago and because of previous surgery's had to go the route of implants. They are not without risk or pain either. My advise would be to get several Dr. opinions. Shop around, Even shop hospitals. I base my results on the team and the facility that took care of me. If you would like to talk more detail, the nitty gritty so to speak, feel free to email me.
Nancy

My goodness, yes, lots of pros and cons. For me, the tram flap, while not without it's painful recovery period, has been a great surgery. I did not want to take cancer out and put something back in that has so much controversy and since I had the option, did the tram. I do not regret it, I have total use of both of my arms..(had a bilateral in Feb this year) and have had since 8-10 weeks out, can get up and down with no problem at all and except for not being able to strengthen my ab muscles for a more fit appearance, I do not miss them. I would rather have them, but, my options were what they were. So, I do not regret it, would be happy to share my experience with anyone. And, like Nancy, my experience is premised on my team that worked on me. That is the key thing. If I could have had the DIEP, same surgery, sparring the ab muscle, I would have but, it was not an option. So, Yes, I am happy and of the folks that I have met almost all are happy too. Just make sure your doc knows the deal. Jan

sparkin

KarenKL said:

Hi. I skipped radiation and am just going straight for a bilateral mastectomy. The cancer in my right breast is beyond radiation. I had the delayed Tram flap and found out after surgery that with me being active and 32 I now wasn't the right candidate for the procedure. Cancelling my mastectomy and reconstruction surgery I had more time to investigate and found out that a 38 yr. old woman had severe problems with the Tram Flap, and a 50 yr. old woman only had one side done and many months later still had problems lifting herself out of the bathtub. There are alot of pro's and con's with any procedure, but not being able to lift yourself properly or other things is a major set back. My husband used an ex. of holding my arms down and trying to lift them straight up. I am sorry, but without ab muscles it would be impossible. I am now going for the saline implants. The safest and easiest way to go for my age. Less time for recovery as well. Don't rush and please investigate before doing it. My problem was my plastic surgeon was in a hurry to do the Tram Flap he failed to say yes you will be partially disabled until I already had my 2 bottom blood vessels to my abs cut. Full recovery from that was 2 weeks. I am still having my bilateral and reconstruction surgery in a few weeks.
Good luck.

I don't mean to disagree with you, but as a post 8 weeks from a bilateral mastectomy and an immedialte bilateral Tram flap I would have to disagree. I think the lack of being able to raise yourself out of a tub or lifting your arms would be more related to the mastectomy and/or lymph node removal. The more lymph nodes you have removed, the harder it is on you arm mobility. Maybe the 50 year old woman had other issues as well? I think you need to make the best decision for your cicumstances, but you also need to feel comfortable with the information you receive. Also, forgive me for not understanding the whole cutting of your bottom 2 blood vessels.....At what point was this done? How could you say 'Wait! I don't want to do this!" Now, I certainly don't know everything, and I am sure there several ways to do things....I talked to several women, on the net, in person, on the phone, and every single one of them said they could do everything they did before the surgery, except situps. My plastic surgeon did tell me that if I did professional or semi-professional sports, he would not recommend doing a tram flap.

Thats my two cents worth, I do not believe you would be partially disabled unless you had a really bad surgeon.