Breast Reconstruction

sstory

Anyone out there have reconstrucion done?
I have heard positive and negative reactions from only a few people.

mc2001

Hi Sstory,
I havent heard too much, but the one piece of advice I can offer is this: Make sure the surgeon is Board Certified in Plastic or Reconstructive surgery. It is also a plus if he has the letters FACS or similar after his MD. Good luck and God bless.
-Michael (leukemia survivor)

Sandis

I had tramflap reconstruction on both breasts at the time of my bilateral mastecomy. My plastic surgeon was very experienced with this type of reconstruction and I'm very glad I did it. I was 54 when I had the surgery and I got perky boobs. I like that I don't have to wear a prostheses and I look "normal" under clothes. The surgery and recovery from the surgery was hard, but now (3 years later) I'm definately glad I did it. Sandi

Erykah01

HI SSTORY
MY NAME IS ERICKA AND BACK IN 2003 I HAD A TRAMFLAP DONE I WAS FINE WITH IT AND JUST THIS YEAR I WILL BE HAVING IMPLANTS PUT IN BECAUSE I HAD CANCER IN BOTH BREAST BUT I AM GETTING AN IMPLANT PUT IN BOTH SO THAT THEY WILL BE THE SAME SIZE IT IS SCARY BUT I HAVE FAITH
I WILL KEEP YOU IN MY PRAYS
ERYKAH

karinlee

hi there,

i am going through reconstruction right now. i had bilateral mastectomies and had tissue expanders placed under my pec muscles. then, they have been injected with saline to stretch out the pec muscles, in order to make room for implants. i will be having another surgery in a few months to exchange the tissue expanders for implants. good luck with your situation.

best,

karin

cathdavis

Hi, I had a mastectomy on one side in 2002, but didn't have my reconstruction done until this year. I had the expanders put in, then went in weekly for saline injections to stretch the skin. The next surgery was taking the expanders out and putting in the implants. The last surgery he lifted my remaining breast so it would better match the implant and then took the skin he removed and made a nipple. It doesn't look too bad and I am so happy to be able to wear a regular bra again and have a little cleavage! I feel so much better about myself. I could never quite get used to seeing myself in the mirror with only one boob. It took a total of about 5 mos to complete the whole process. There was some pain (mostly when the expander was put in), but it was definately worth it for me. Good luck!

kbryan

cathdavis said:

Hi, I had a mastectomy on one side in 2002, but didn't have my reconstruction done until this year. I had the expanders put in, then went in weekly for saline injections to stretch the skin. The next surgery was taking the expanders out and putting in the implants. The last surgery he lifted my remaining breast so it would better match the implant and then took the skin he removed and made a nipple. It doesn't look too bad and I am so happy to be able to wear a regular bra again and have a little cleavage! I feel so much better about myself. I could never quite get used to seeing myself in the mirror with only one boob. It took a total of about 5 mos to complete the whole process. There was some pain (mostly when the expander was put in), but it was definately worth it for me. Good luck!

I had implants before (silicone) and was very happy with them. I had a lumpectomy on one breast and the implant was removed during that surgery, so now I am lopsided. I saw a plastic surgeon this week, and he told me the normal lifespan for silicone implants is ten years (never knew that). Anyway, he said that 70% of patients who have had surgery on their breasts and later had salt water implants put in have problems with encapsulation where the breast becomes hard, sometimes, really REALLY hard. I was dejected by this - I'd hate to have really hard breasts. And I suppose the silicone implanted breast won't feel the same as the salt water implanted breast. And if I got them both the same, the insurance would only pay for one, and I can't afford the cost of having the other done. I'm very disappointed. . .

me2

cathdavis said:

Hi, I had a mastectomy on one side in 2002, but didn't have my reconstruction done until this year. I had the expanders put in, then went in weekly for saline injections to stretch the skin. The next surgery was taking the expanders out and putting in the implants. The last surgery he lifted my remaining breast so it would better match the implant and then took the skin he removed and made a nipple. It doesn't look too bad and I am so happy to be able to wear a regular bra again and have a little cleavage! I feel so much better about myself. I could never quite get used to seeing myself in the mirror with only one boob. It took a total of about 5 mos to complete the whole process. There was some pain (mostly when the expander was put in), but it was definately worth it for me. Good luck!

I start next week with my reconstruction, my mastcetomy was in 2002. What size are you and how many saline injections did you have? During the chemo I really had a positive attitude but now later I have been depressed alot and have really let myself get overweight I am hoping after reconstruction I will get a better outlook on life.

SweetC

I, too am in the process of breast reconstruction. I have been going weekly for my saline fill-up. I have started having some discomfort lately due to the stretching of the skin. I have two more times to go. Good luck in whichever reconstruction you choose. Make sure you read all about the procedure before you decide so that you have some knowledge of what is happening to you.

meghanfitz

SweetC said:

I, too am in the process of breast reconstruction. I have been going weekly for my saline fill-up. I have started having some discomfort lately due to the stretching of the skin. I have two more times to go. Good luck in whichever reconstruction you choose. Make sure you read all about the procedure before you decide so that you have some knowledge of what is happening to you.

I had my reconstruction in January. First was the expander and I went every week for 5 months for filling seemed to last forever, it seemed to be over filled but extra skin is needed. I had my left side enhanced. I am happy with my reconstruction, it is better than the alternative. But my right side where the mastoctomy was done is so hard and is a full cup size bigger than the enhanced side. It hurts and gets in the way. I wish it was more like my enhanced side and has some give to it. anyone else have a very hard breast? also it is very high up, it starts at my shoulder.