RECONSTRUCTION QUESTIONS

RE
RE Member Posts: 4,591 Member
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hello Ladies,

I am going to see a plastic surgeon on Wednesday and I have a few questions I am hoping a few of you who have already been down this road can help me with. Now, no laughing....okay laughter is good so go ahead and chuckle if you want.

I would like to know if the plastic surgeon will have to take photos of my breast and my missing breast for his records. I also am concerned (modesty issues, how rediculous at this point I know) as to if there will be other photos that will need to be taken. You'd think I would be worried about what procedure to consider but I have no idea about that. I am quite sure I will have more clinical questions after Wednesday. So now that I have posed my concerns please let me know what I can expect on my first visit with the plastic surgeon.

Thank you all in advance! My best to you all!

RE

Comments

  • Chellebug
    Chellebug Member Posts: 133
    #2
    Pictures
    Hi RE,

    I went with my friend to her plastic surgeon visit. They had a photo album of many before/after shots to look through...for different kinds of reconstruction types. And they did take a picture of her. But the range is from mid-belly to neck. (No faces and nothing below the belt :)) I think they took a front view and a side view and a back view.

    Hope that eases your mind. Unless the world knows about a big birthmark you have, they'll never know its you should the surgeon mistakenly leave the photo album at the mall!!!

    Let us know how your visit goes.
    Love,
    Chelle
  • RE
    RE Member Posts: 4,591 Member
    #3
    Chellebug said:

    Pictures
    Hi RE,

    I went with my friend to her plastic surgeon visit. They had a photo album of many before/after shots to look through...for different kinds of reconstruction types. And they did take a picture of her. But the range is from mid-belly to neck. (No faces and nothing below the belt :)) I think they took a front view and a side view and a back view.

    Hope that eases your mind. Unless the world knows about a big birthmark you have, they'll never know its you should the surgeon mistakenly leave the photo album at the mall!!!

    Let us know how your visit goes.
    Love,
    Chelle

    THANKS
    Hi Chelle,

    You are a doll, thank you for the reply it does ease my mind a bit. I am a bit nervous about the whole thing and will certainly be sharing what i hear from the surgeon afterwards.

    Thanks again,

    RE
  • mmontero38
    mmontero38 Member Posts: 1,510
    #4
    Pictures
    Hi RE; My surgeon took pictures after I decided to go through with the procedure. My first visit was mostly explaining which options I had, and examination and then of course the price. My plastic was not in my network so because I have 60/40 out of network, I needed to know approximately, how much it would cost me out of pocket. An like Chelle said, it was below the neck and above the belly. Hugs, Lili

    PS: I'm glad you are going.
  • RE
    RE Member Posts: 4,591 Member
    #5
    mmontero38 said:

    Pictures
    Hi RE; My surgeon took pictures after I decided to go through with the procedure. My first visit was mostly explaining which options I had, and examination and then of course the price. My plastic was not in my network so because I have 60/40 out of network, I needed to know approximately, how much it would cost me out of pocket. An like Chelle said, it was below the neck and above the belly. Hugs, Lili

    PS: I'm glad you are going.

    Comforting
    Hi Lili,

    Thank you for giving me a bit of comfort. I really have no idea what I will choose to do, however something inside me seems to really want to make my self as whole as possible if that makes any sense. I will check out my options and let you all know what i come up with.

    Hug right back at ya! :-)

    RE
  • GreeneyedGirl
    GreeneyedGirl Member Posts: 1,077
    #6
    RE said:

    Comforting
    Hi Lili,

    Thank you for giving me a bit of comfort. I really have no idea what I will choose to do, however something inside me seems to really want to make my self as whole as possible if that makes any sense. I will check out my options and let you all know what i come up with.

    Hug right back at ya! :-)

    RE

    Kodak moment??
    RE-
    I don't recall a photo being taken on the consultation visit. When I decided to proceed it was front and side, tummy to neck area. My photo's are private, only staff and physician see them. I think i was more concerned about my extra spare tire around my middle when they took the photo. How vain (giggle). There were photos for me to look at of patients that had allowed their photos to be shown to new patients. Very helpful. And surgical books to look at that had more detailed photos. I came away with alot of info to process.
    Hugs to you....
    M
  • RE
    RE Member Posts: 4,591 Member
    #7
    GreeneyedGirl said:

    Kodak moment??
    RE-
    I don't recall a photo being taken on the consultation visit. When I decided to proceed it was front and side, tummy to neck area. My photo's are private, only staff and physician see them. I think i was more concerned about my extra spare tire around my middle when they took the photo. How vain (giggle). There were photos for me to look at of patients that had allowed their photos to be shown to new patients. Very helpful. And surgical books to look at that had more detailed photos. I came away with alot of info to process.
    Hugs to you....
    M

    that darned kodak
    Thank you M,

    I am feeling a bit better now that you all have helped me, thank you so much for taking the time to ease my mind. By the way, I certainly have the spare tire thing going on!!!! Oh well, just glad I am still here to have a spare tire thing going on! :-D

    Big bear hugs to you!

    RE
  • Marcia527
    Marcia527 Member Posts: 2,729
    #8
    RE said:

    that darned kodak
    Thank you M,

    I am feeling a bit better now that you all have helped me, thank you so much for taking the time to ease my mind. By the way, I certainly have the spare tire thing going on!!!! Oh well, just glad I am still here to have a spare tire thing going on! :-D

    Big bear hugs to you!

    RE

    My spare tire is fully
    My spare tire is fully inflated. :O

    Anything that is called a "donut" is ok with me.
  • GreeneyedGirl
    GreeneyedGirl Member Posts: 1,077
    #9
    Marcia527 said:

    My spare tire is fully
    My spare tire is fully inflated. :O

    Anything that is called a "donut" is ok with me.

    spares, strikes and donuts too
    I knew the spare tire was there underneath those double d's, but now that they are c's make it more noticeable.....guess that is my next project. Working on the spare tire thing...no more donuts....easy on the chocolate...walk more...stay positive....and smile so they look up at my face! :)
  • mimivac
    mimivac Member Posts: 2,143 Member
    #10
    GreeneyedGirl said:

    spares, strikes and donuts too
    I knew the spare tire was there underneath those double d's, but now that they are c's make it more noticeable.....guess that is my next project. Working on the spare tire thing...no more donuts....easy on the chocolate...walk more...stay positive....and smile so they look up at my face! :)

    Chocolate
    Yes, but don't forget to eat dark chocolate -- good for the heart! I eat about an ounce every night after dinner. 70% cocoa and great tasting. :)

    Mimi
  • lynn1950
    lynn1950 Member Posts: 2,570
    #11
    Hope your visit went well
    Hope all went well today and...it's over! Every step seems to have its own anxious moments. I know what you mean about feeling whole. I still haven't decided what I want to do about reconstruction. I want to, I don't want to, I want to... I have a friend who had reconstruction and she looks great.

    Please keep us posted on how it's going. I am sending you golden rays, RE.

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