Breast Reconstruction Questions

DAArps123

Hello. I am 43 years old. This is the first time I've posted on this. I was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma of the right breast in October 2007. I have had 2 surgeries to remove the cancerous tissue. The first surgery removed the micro-calcifications found on the Mammograms. They thought they got clear margins, but the Oncologist wanted "wider" clear margins. I then had numerous magnified, digital mammograms, a breast MRI, a bone scan, a chest xray, and a MUGA scan of the heart. Nothing showed up on any of these scans. But, the Oncologist wanted a "wider" clear margin and wanted the lymph nodes taken out. I then had a central lumpectomy and they removed 2 Sentinel Nodes and 13 lymph nodes.

The scariest part was that the "wider" tissue that was taken had 5 more areas of cancer in it. These 5 areas did NOT show up in any of the scans! The first Sentinel Node also had cancer. The 2nd Sentinel Node was clean. The first lymph node after that also had cancer. So 2 out of 15 Nodes had cancer. It was rated Stage II. After all of these scans and xrays and MRI that showed the "all clear", the tissue actually had 5 more areas with cancer. Because of this, we are unsure whether the rest of the breast also has cancer "hiding" in it. I will therefore have a mastectomy in April 2008.

This comes after 6 rounds of chemotherapy. I have just completed number 5. I have been on TC (Taxotere and Cytoxin). The first round they included Adriamycin which tore my stomach up!!! It was intolerable and I told my oncologist I'd die before I did that again. He took me off the A in the TAC formula. It made a world of difference for me. The rest of the chemo treatments aren't fun, but they are tolerable.

My questions are now related to mastectomy and breast reconstruction. I DO NOT want implants. I can't even stand the stupid little port being under my skin. That thing has bothered me since the beginning! I don't want future surgeries to replace implants. I don't want something foreign in my body. Being from the Midwest, my options are limited. There are surgeons who will do the TRAM flap or the Lattissimus Dorsi Flap surgery to reconstruct. BUT..I don't want these either. They actually move MUSCLE, FAT and SKIN from the back or the stomach to the breast area to reconstruct the breast mound. I've had 2 c-sections and know what pain is, especially when it involves movement or cutting of muscle. Not only that, it leaves added scars and possible malformations (indentations)on the back and tummy. I don't want that!

The next option seems to be the DIEP (Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator)surgery. Now...saying that is an option is not really true for people in the Midwest! My insurance company didn't even know what that surgery was when I called them to ask for my options. They also do not know of a surgeon under their plan who can perform this surgery. The DIEP surgery DOES NOT involve any MUSCLE moving, just the fat and skin. The fat and skin come from the lower tummy area and it is removed and reattached in the breast area. It also involves tieing off, cutting and reattaching blood vessels (artery and vein). Therefore, the surgeon has to be a micro-vascular, plastic surgeon who specializes in breast reconstruction. Hard to find in the Midwest apparently.

There is yet another option. The I-GAP (Inferior Gluteal Arterial Perforator) surgery. This is where they take the FAT and SKIN from the lower part of the butt and reattach it to the breast area. This sounded like the best option to me because I have plenty of fat and skin there. It also gives you a butt and thigh lift. The scar is not very evident because it's located in the crease between the thigh and butt. Well, this was virtually an impossible option. No experienced surgeons and not covered by insurance. There were surgeons in New York that can do the I-GAP. I didn't find anyone else qualified or experienced. This surgery would be for the rich and famous ONLY!

Speaking of costs. MD Anderson in Houston could do the DIEP surgery, but for over $100,000.00. Another place in San Antonio, could do the same surgery for $18,000.00. This is very confusing. Why so much in one place and not the other? I was considering the San Antonio location, but, my insurance won't authorize me to have it there and this place wants up front payment.

I'm just curious to know other people's experiences with reconstruction and where they went and was it covered by their insurance? If you have had the DIEP reconstruction, please let me know what to expect. I plan on traveling to get my DIEP surgery and I plan on taking out loans if I have to. Please help me with your advice. Thanks so much! DeeDee

survivor51

DeeDee, I am sorry for all that you have been through but glad you are having the mastectomy. I had a bilateral Mastectomy March of 07 and when they didn't think it was in my right side but I knew that I would wonder the "when" and there was some hazy in the breast. When the path report came back, it was in that side as well. It did not show up as cancer on the scans. I finished double chemo and went into reconstruction. I did chose one of the ones you said "no" but I want to tell you. They took muscle from each side of my back where the bra strap goes. Yes, there is a "dimple" but hardly at all. In my bathing suit...no one sees it and the scar is barely showing when naked. It is a thin line. I do have scars on the front but they are minimal. The main scar is underneath each breast. You would have to lift them to actually see them and they are almost totally skin color. I have two circles (where the nipple goes that is made of skin from the back when they took the muscle) I have a scar that I even have to get a mirror out to see that goes down from the two circles to under the breast. The skin from the back is the same color as the breast so it just all blends in together. I'm not sure if I will have the nipple done because I wear silk shirts and it is smooth. With a nipple, I'd have to wear a bra and the bump from the nipple might show. This way, I wear great shirts and no one knows I am braless. In my bathing suit, unless you knew what I had been through, you would never guess I had bilateral mastectomy. Being naked, it really looks fantastic.
With all that said, I think it is Patsy that is going for a new procedure where they take her stem cells and actually grow a breast. She comes on chat1 most nights and you can ask her. I believe it is done in NY. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Big HUGS, Angela

jackiemanz

Hey Deedee sorry we have to meet this way but to answer your question. On March 20,2007 I had a bilateral w/reconstruction done at the same time. I wanted to use my on skin and I didn't want any foreign material inside me but at that time I was to skinny(not now). Well I went with Silcone Gel implants I have had no problems with them except the right one is flat on oneside but I'm getting that taken care of on March 20,2008. I have a fat pocket that has billed up under my arm pit so they are going to do lipo and use the fat to build it up. My nipples I had reconstructed in August 2007 and they used skin from my private area cause the skin is a different color and the plastic surgeon didn't believe in tatooing. An I tell ya my nipples look real the only thing is they have no feeling to them.

My plastic surgeon I reall like him he give lectures, teach's classes and he has had published articals in Cosmo and Lady's Home Journal. If you want his name just let me know.

mgm42

Hey, DeeDee. Sorry to hear that you've gone through so much. You say you're from the Midwest, which leads me to ask if you have contacted any of the teaching hosptials in Chicago. I'm being treated at the Lynn Sage Comprehensive Breast Clinic, which is in the Prentice Women's Hospital, of Northwestern University's Memorial Healthcare system. I know that the University of Chicago Hosptials are also highly regarded along with Rush Presbyterian. You and your insurance company may be able to check these places out. They are cutting edge (no pun intended). Some of the best doctors are located at these hosptials. Just a thought. Good luck ot you. Marilynn

seof

I live in Fort Worth, TX, and have been researching the same topic. I had bilateral mastectomy 12/21/07 and have tissue expanders in place while I finish chemo and radiation. I will be doing reconstruction after the effects of the radiation have settled, Surgeon says probably a year. I was looking for someone closer than MD Anderson or San Antonio to do the DIEP procedure and could not find them on my own, but my surgeon at Harris Methodist Hospital in Fort Worth Knows of 2 teams in Dallas. They work through the Baylor Hospital, if you are interested. She was trained by them and has done the procedure herself, but she says it takes longer because her team is not as experienced. For example, they have to wait for someone to fetch equipment because those who set up the O.R. don't always remember everything. The Dallas teams have done more. I know Fort Worth and Dallas are not much closer to you, but they are options. You might check with Surgeons you know for referralls. Teaching hospitals might be good places. Your local ACS might have some resources too.

Hope you find a good place that your insurance will cover. seof

Unknown

seof said:

I live in Fort Worth, TX, and have been researching the same topic. I had bilateral mastectomy 12/21/07 and have tissue expanders in place while I finish chemo and radiation. I will be doing reconstruction after the effects of the radiation have settled, Surgeon says probably a year. I was looking for someone closer than MD Anderson or San Antonio to do the DIEP procedure and could not find them on my own, but my surgeon at Harris Methodist Hospital in Fort Worth Knows of 2 teams in Dallas. They work through the Baylor Hospital, if you are interested. She was trained by them and has done the procedure herself, but she says it takes longer because her team is not as experienced. For example, they have to wait for someone to fetch equipment because those who set up the O.R. don't always remember everything. The Dallas teams have done more. I know Fort Worth and Dallas are not much closer to you, but they are options. You might check with Surgeons you know for referralls. Teaching hospitals might be good places. Your local ACS might have some resources too.

Hope you find a good place that your insurance will cover. seof

Did you get your expanders put in at mas. surgery or later? I am thinking of getting some put in before radiation, after chemo. Do the expanders (fake, fake boobs) look pretty okay in a mid to low necked shirt? Not that I have ever flashed boob before (b cup) but now, if I am not careful in what I wear, I flash NO boob.
Thanks for writing,
Joyce

mmontero38

Hi DeeDee:
In answer to your comment, I also had a radical mastectomy on 6/7/07 and had my reconstruction on 2/4/08. I opted for the tram flap for the following reason. I researched the diep flap and the problem with that which some drs that do this procedure don't tell you is that there is a 20% chance of rejection because you are cutting the blood supply and muscle from the flap and transferring it to the chest. You also run the chance that if something goes wrong you damage your main blood supply in that area. You would also still have a scar where they have to cut out the flap. You need to see a plastic surgeon if you can have this type of procedure. One of my friends couldn't have it because of scar tissue from 2 c sections. If you want to come to the NY area, Dr. Lloyd Gayle at Memorial Sloan Kettering does this procedure. He is the best in the country.

You can also google diep flap and it will give you lots of sites of doctors and breast centers that do this procedure.

The tram flap may be more painful but because the fat remains attached to the blood supply and the muscle, there is no chance of rejection. I had mine done 4 weeks ago and am now able to walk, sit and drive, My stomach is still a little sensitive and not able to bend over to pick up something off the floor yet but am sure I will be able to soon. Hope I've been able to provide you with info. Hugs, Lili

seeknpeace

Hi, in Jan 2004 I had a bilateral mast. with tram reconstruction. I, like you, did not want implants, taking poison out, putting it back in, etc etc.

I wanted the DIEP and had I have been able to have found a surgeon on the east coast I would have had that surgery. Most plastics guys do not want to do this, as I understand it, because the ins. company does not pay more than for a tram but it takes longer due to the micro surgery.

I hate losing my ab muscles. Who doesn't love a tummy tuck? But I have no waist now. Your obliques take over a lot of the work and you will be surprised how well you will be able to get around, there is little adapting to do. But, the mesh that they put in with the tram is like everything that is meshlike, it gives with time. So that tight little tummy rounds out and the area beneath the reconstructed breasts where the ab muscles end up more or less bundled can be quite a problem as well. It can be a pronounced mound. So you can end up with a rounded tummy and boobs that are laying on this shelf like thing that are your ab muscles.

I would encourage any lady who feels as we do about reconstruction to seriously consider the DIEP. You have the advantage of the tummy tuck, using your own tissue, etc. The tram, it beats the hell out of you. It took my rib cage two years or more to heal.

And to add to all that, I had a mammogram last week, seems that they are starting to do them with trams now, and I had microcalcifications in the reconstruction scars so I have to have a biopsy. If I end up losing these boobs and have sacrificed my ab muscles, I will be beside myself. In the interim, I have been diagnosed with MS and what may be a brain tumor on my brain stem. I mean, come on.

I have researched some on the use of abdomenal muscles of cadavers, that is how badly it bothers me.

The only other thing that I would say is get done what you want, the way you want it. If you want them smaller, press that issue. Most plastics guys are Dr. Pretty Titty and used to creating huge breasts. And if and when you get your nipples created be sure you get them exactly where you want them, not where the doc wants them. Mine are in such a bad, wrong place because he would not listen to me, that I have had one surgery and will have to have another to fix it. Also, my breasts are too big and they are too far apart and I hate that under the arm feeling. If he says to you, this is how they would look for your age, ask him if he lost his testicles, would he want his new ones to hang half way to his knees like his old ones?

Good luck! You are in charge and it is a scary time. Don't let anyone run over you.

Jan

seeknpeace

I would like to add a couple more things. The tram is more than a little more painful than the DIEP. It is horrifically more painful. They tunnel the ab muscles up through your skin around your rib cage to get them to the breast area and they beat the hell outta that entire internal area. Depending on how hard it is for them to get through and how skilled your surgeon is, it can be very painful to excruiating. The recovery period is weeks longer. You will have to have help during recovery much longer.

There is a clinic in New Orleans dedicated solely to the DIEP. If it is back in business or not, if it is a great facilty or not I cannot say. I wanted to go there in 04 so badly. From the phone convos, they take an entire body approach. They try to sculpt your body with lipo or any other enhancements as they do the DIEP as a full package at no additional charge. It is all covered at the amount your ins. pays. My difficulty was that I have five adult daughters who would have killed me had I traveled away from NC for surgery, and they could not be with me.

The things that I have studied and read, at least when I was making my decision, was that the DIEP is less likely to fail than the TRAM. But, you need a skilled surgeon and that is where the rub comes in. As I said earlier, they prefer to do the implants, easiest. If not, then the tram, hard work but not as hard as the DIEP. To just compare the healing time and seriousness of the DIEP, we are talking a 2-3 day hosp visit vs an 8 day with the TRAM.

I would highly recommend doing some research of one over the other. I cannot see why an insurance company could get away with fighting you since the breast cancer laws of 1998.

Jan

seeknpeace

seeknpeace said:

I would like to add a couple more things. The tram is more than a little more painful than the DIEP. It is horrifically more painful. They tunnel the ab muscles up through your skin around your rib cage to get them to the breast area and they beat the hell outta that entire internal area. Depending on how hard it is for them to get through and how skilled your surgeon is, it can be very painful to excruiating. The recovery period is weeks longer. You will have to have help during recovery much longer.

There is a clinic in New Orleans dedicated solely to the DIEP. If it is back in business or not, if it is a great facilty or not I cannot say. I wanted to go there in 04 so badly. From the phone convos, they take an entire body approach. They try to sculpt your body with lipo or any other enhancements as they do the DIEP as a full package at no additional charge. It is all covered at the amount your ins. pays. My difficulty was that I have five adult daughters who would have killed me had I traveled away from NC for surgery, and they could not be with me.

The things that I have studied and read, at least when I was making my decision, was that the DIEP is less likely to fail than the TRAM. But, you need a skilled surgeon and that is where the rub comes in. As I said earlier, they prefer to do the implants, easiest. If not, then the tram, hard work but not as hard as the DIEP. To just compare the healing time and seriousness of the DIEP, we are talking a 2-3 day hosp visit vs an 8 day with the TRAM.

I would highly recommend doing some research of one over the other. I cannot see why an insurance company could get away with fighting you since the breast cancer laws of 1998.

Jan

Last response, I swear. The scars are almost invisible. They were quite sightly for the first 2 years and I would never have expected them to fade as they have. They are no longer thick, or angry red. They are white or flesh colored and thin. The breast tissue around the flap is numb but the sewn in area feels normal, almost like the created nipple is real? Just a mind thing mostly. My nipples were made from the surrounding skin and had they been, or if I do not lose these contructions and have the nipples redone, I will do the tattoo.

I will shut the hell up now.

Thought about smiley faces or some other bizarre thing. Why not? I am 56, on disability now due to the MS, this is my life, no longer do I have to be anything for anyone but myself, I am an old, original hippy who morphed into a stock broker, so why not? I have lot's of ideas. I am trying to not take life so seriously. My hubby helps. Dyed my hair red, with the front blond graduating through colors of orange to red. PPl love it. What next? Purples and blues? Don't have to do PTA, or soccer...Soooooooo....

Jan

cruf

seeknpeace said:

Hi, in Jan 2004 I had a bilateral mast. with tram reconstruction. I, like you, did not want implants, taking poison out, putting it back in, etc etc.

I wanted the DIEP and had I have been able to have found a surgeon on the east coast I would have had that surgery. Most plastics guys do not want to do this, as I understand it, because the ins. company does not pay more than for a tram but it takes longer due to the micro surgery.

I hate losing my ab muscles. Who doesn't love a tummy tuck? But I have no waist now. Your obliques take over a lot of the work and you will be surprised how well you will be able to get around, there is little adapting to do. But, the mesh that they put in with the tram is like everything that is meshlike, it gives with time. So that tight little tummy rounds out and the area beneath the reconstructed breasts where the ab muscles end up more or less bundled can be quite a problem as well. It can be a pronounced mound. So you can end up with a rounded tummy and boobs that are laying on this shelf like thing that are your ab muscles.

I would encourage any lady who feels as we do about reconstruction to seriously consider the DIEP. You have the advantage of the tummy tuck, using your own tissue, etc. The tram, it beats the hell out of you. It took my rib cage two years or more to heal.

And to add to all that, I had a mammogram last week, seems that they are starting to do them with trams now, and I had microcalcifications in the reconstruction scars so I have to have a biopsy. If I end up losing these boobs and have sacrificed my ab muscles, I will be beside myself. In the interim, I have been diagnosed with MS and what may be a brain tumor on my brain stem. I mean, come on.

I have researched some on the use of abdomenal muscles of cadavers, that is how badly it bothers me.

The only other thing that I would say is get done what you want, the way you want it. If you want them smaller, press that issue. Most plastics guys are Dr. Pretty Titty and used to creating huge breasts. And if and when you get your nipples created be sure you get them exactly where you want them, not where the doc wants them. Mine are in such a bad, wrong place because he would not listen to me, that I have had one surgery and will have to have another to fix it. Also, my breasts are too big and they are too far apart and I hate that under the arm feeling. If he says to you, this is how they would look for your age, ask him if he lost his testicles, would he want his new ones to hang half way to his knees like his old ones?

Good luck! You are in charge and it is a scary time. Don't let anyone run over you.

Jan

Not to disagree with Jan re: Tram, but everybody reacts differently to pain. I had a Tram almost 8 years ago and found it to be much less painful than I expected. I was out of the hospital in 4 days. Rarely took any pain meds. My discomfort was waves of cramping in my stomachand a tight feeling from waist to breast. I was driving in 2 weeks and back to work in 7 weeks as a Physical Therapist in a Nursing home. I was also back on the tennis court in 7 weeks. I have never been sorry that I had the Tram Flap. At the time of surgery, I wasn't given an option of what type of surgery to have so I really didn't know about all the other options and I'm glad, as that would have been too much for me to deal with. As I said, I'm very happy with my end results although it's not perfect but I wasn't before either.Any questions, feel free to e-mail me here. HUGS!! Cathy

seeknpeace

cruf said:

Not to disagree with Jan re: Tram, but everybody reacts differently to pain. I had a Tram almost 8 years ago and found it to be much less painful than I expected. I was out of the hospital in 4 days. Rarely took any pain meds. My discomfort was waves of cramping in my stomachand a tight feeling from waist to breast. I was driving in 2 weeks and back to work in 7 weeks as a Physical Therapist in a Nursing home. I was also back on the tennis court in 7 weeks. I have never been sorry that I had the Tram Flap. At the time of surgery, I wasn't given an option of what type of surgery to have so I really didn't know about all the other options and I'm glad, as that would have been too much for me to deal with. As I said, I'm very happy with my end results although it's not perfect but I wasn't before either.Any questions, feel free to e-mail me here. HUGS!! Cathy

Hi Cathy,

I am now curious as a cat. Did you have a bilateral mast with bilat. tram immed after? There is absolutely no way I could have done any of the things you did. I had four drainage bulbs for four weeks. Now, I was badly anemic due to blood loss and did not know that for 2 mos and I know that played into it, but I have five daughters and delivered them a la natural, had my ankle crushed which caused surgery that had me in the hospital for a week and just a sheet on the plaster cast hurt and nothing I have ever thought of has ever come close to what the tram flap did. It really took two years before my rips were not sore where they tunneled back up through there, I imagine them just throwing me around like a piece of meat.

I am really not much about pain, like my threshold is about medium, but truthfully, this was like an 18 wheeler hit me and then did two victory laps. I was in surgery I guess 10 hours? and the hosp. for 8 days, it was like major stuff. There has to be something different about what we had done. Tell me Plllease.

And, they could not biopsy my new area of calcification today, too far toward my underarm and too high. I did not understand why they would send me for a mammo when I had no mams but, I am glad that I went. But, between losing both breasts in 04, along with my ab muscles, I was dx with MS last year, so if this has recurred and now they cut these beauties off (they are not) and I sacrified my ab muscles, I will just stand in the middle of somewhere and scream. I must.

Jan

cruf

seeknpeace said:

Hi Cathy,

I am now curious as a cat. Did you have a bilateral mast with bilat. tram immed after? There is absolutely no way I could have done any of the things you did. I had four drainage bulbs for four weeks. Now, I was badly anemic due to blood loss and did not know that for 2 mos and I know that played into it, but I have five daughters and delivered them a la natural, had my ankle crushed which caused surgery that had me in the hospital for a week and just a sheet on the plaster cast hurt and nothing I have ever thought of has ever come close to what the tram flap did. It really took two years before my rips were not sore where they tunneled back up through there, I imagine them just throwing me around like a piece of meat.

I am really not much about pain, like my threshold is about medium, but truthfully, this was like an 18 wheeler hit me and then did two victory laps. I was in surgery I guess 10 hours? and the hosp. for 8 days, it was like major stuff. There has to be something different about what we had done. Tell me Plllease.

And, they could not biopsy my new area of calcification today, too far toward my underarm and too high. I did not understand why they would send me for a mammo when I had no mams but, I am glad that I went. But, between losing both breasts in 04, along with my ab muscles, I was dx with MS last year, so if this has recurred and now they cut these beauties off (they are not) and I sacrified my ab muscles, I will just stand in the middle of somewhere and scream. I must.

Jan

Hi Jan! No, I had 1 mastectomy with immediate Reconstruction.I was in surgery 6 hours. I was so thin at that time(wish I was now! LOL) that they had to use 2/3 of my abdominal muscles just to give me a breast. It is smaller than the other side but not bad. I'm not saying that it was all easy but no where near as bad as I expected. I still ,to this day, feel tight in my abdomen but it's doable. I have gained weight so I do have that "Bulge" and not as flat a stomach as the first few years(I'm almost 8 yrs. out). I also feel the mesh in my abdomen but as I said before, it's doable. At least I'm cancer free.Good luck to you . My thoughts and prayers are with you hoping that this new problem you are going thru will turn out to be a false alarm. If not, I'm sure with everybodies help and prayers, you will come thru this well. HUGS!!! Cathy

seeknpeace

cruf said:

Hi Jan! No, I had 1 mastectomy with immediate Reconstruction.I was in surgery 6 hours. I was so thin at that time(wish I was now! LOL) that they had to use 2/3 of my abdominal muscles just to give me a breast. It is smaller than the other side but not bad. I'm not saying that it was all easy but no where near as bad as I expected. I still ,to this day, feel tight in my abdomen but it's doable. I have gained weight so I do have that "Bulge" and not as flat a stomach as the first few years(I'm almost 8 yrs. out). I also feel the mesh in my abdomen but as I said before, it's doable. At least I'm cancer free.Good luck to you . My thoughts and prayers are with you hoping that this new problem you are going thru will turn out to be a false alarm. If not, I'm sure with everybodies help and prayers, you will come thru this well. HUGS!!! Cathy

ok, now I understand. The surgeries we had while the same thing were not the same surgery.

When you have the bilat, there are no muscles there. You could not play tennis, do trust, or drive or do the things you were able to do. Were you to try most likely you would end up back in the hospital. It is a different ball of wax. You have to protect the use of two arms regarding overuse and sometimes both from damage to nodes and swelling that is permanent damage.

I know that one side sucked, both is major surgery and very different. And ppl have different levels of pain. I had me a little tummy, so I had the tissue to harvest and I can feel my mesh as well. I am sorry to have lost all my ab muscles. When all that holds back your innards is mesh, well it gives in if you push again it a lot so you have to be mindful. It is just a change in your life. If they take my breast reconstructs now, I have no idea what to do but I can tell you I will be triple pissed off because of losing my ab muscles.

Jan

jamiesue1

DAArps,
I am having the DIEP
DAArps,
I am having the DIEP Flap reconstruction on Jan. 7. I live in Milwaukee Wisconsin. My plastic surgeon is Dr. Thomas Kinney. He has performed over 300 DIEP Flap recons. My insurance had no problem covering it. If you're willing to travel you might want to look him up.

jdubious

Mayo
The Mayo clinic does DIEP at 3 locations - Minnesota, Arizona and LA

zumewing

DIEP and TRAM bilateral recon with necrosis

Hello fellow journeyers   First I want to say I have been very lucky thus far in my battle with cancer.  In Dec 2014 I was diagnosed   with ovarian cancer stage 3c.   I had a CA 125 (ovarian cancer marker protein) and was operated on by a gynocologist/oncologist who not only removed all the lady parts but also any cancer he could see down to .5ml!  Then 6 cycles of 3 chemo treatments each.  Anyway... after this rigorous treatment  my CA 125 was down to 9.    I was counseled about genetic testing and I chose to have it done.  I carry the BRCA2 mutation though my cousin does not.  Yay!  So I have an increased risk54% at 60 years old of developing breast cancer... sheesh!   Since I want to decrease my risk and am doing all I can think of toward that goal, I opted to have a bilateral mastectomy with DIEP and TRAM reconstruction on March 8, 2016 ... but immediately after the 10 hour surgery, both breasts blistered and ultimately developed necrosis which was removed by the PS (no pain at all!) and I had to change the dressings daily then every other day.  What a nuisance!  Finally the PS suggested it may take until the end of the summer for my beast tissue to heal on its own... and offered again to perform a skin graft.  I accepted.  Last Friday, May 13 skin was removed from my hips (got rid of that dog ear that had been created with the "tummy tuck" in March!) and this skin was placed on my breasts.  I have not seen any discussion on this and wonder if anyone has had a skin graft and if so, how did that work for you?  I am still healing from this and went back to work today .. I feel good... mostly... just curious about what others' experiences with this might have been. ...  anyway..thanks for your responses in advance!

Tina