Finally! Reconstructon on Wednesday
Please wish me luck and send positive thoughts my way. I'm finally having the muscle expander removed and a silicone implant put in on Wednesday. I'm also having a breast lift to the other side and my port taken out. What a milestone this will be! I'm excited and scared at the same time. My doctor hasn't told me much at all what to expect after the surgery except to stay home from work "about two weeks".
I was diagnosed September 17, 2010 and went through two failed lumpectomies then finally a mastectomy in December. I've finished chemo and now I'm finishing reconstruction. If only my hair would grow... LOL.
Thanks everyone for all the support and great advice. I don't know how I would have gotten this far without you.
JoAnn
Comments
-
Good luck and best wishes to
Good luck and best wishes to you and your surgical team! I hope everything goes smooth for you! What an exciting day! Much better to look forward to something good isn't?0 -
Getting New Foobs
Hi JoAnn,
Congratulations on getting your new foobs! I had my reconstruction surgery done on 6/13/2011. I had a breast reduction/lift on the left (non-cancer) side and had my tissue expander replaced with a saline implant on the right side. It was about a 3.5 hour surgery. The reduction/lift took more time than the exchange done on the right side. This was done in the Outpatient Surgery area of my hospital. I was told to bring a sports bra to the hospital with me. When I woke up from the anesthesia I had that sports bra on and had a compression garment over that. It was kind of like a tube top but closed down the front with super-strength velcro. I wore both garments for 2 weeks and then wore only the sports bra for another 4-6 weeks. I was then give the go-ahead to wear a regular bra. I had to go shopping for new bras as I was smaller but had no real idea what size I was. My 18 year old daughter was my lingerie consultant. When all was said and done, I had gone from a DD cup to a C cup. The reduced side looks fabulous. For the 1st time in maybe 40 years it actually points forward and not downwards. So strange. The reconstructed side is slightly smaller in volume and the shape is not as natural as I had hoped it would be. A person looking at me while I am clothed would probably not see much of a difference.
As to surgical recovery itself, it was not bad at all. Unfortunately I came home with the dreaded drains but they were removed within 2 weeks. I took the prescribed pain meds for the 1st couple of days but in reality could probably have done without it. I think I anticipated it would hurt so I took them. What helped more was reclining in bed watching TV with an ice pack on my chest. The reduced side was more sore than the reconstructed/implant side. I do not have a great deal of feeling on the right side of my chest since the mastectomy. What I was unprepared for was how hyper-sensitive the nipple on the reduced side was for about 8 weeks. A feather could touch me and I would cringe. Depending on your job you might not actually feel the need to stay out of work for 2 weeks. I am gong to wait a couple of months to make sure the new foobs (fake boobs) are the final shape then I guess I will get the nipple/areola reconstruction and tattoo.
I hope your surgery goes well. It is one more step on the road to feeling a little more "normal." Good luck. By the way, my last chemo was 1 year ago. I have a full head of those salt & pepper chemo curls and have even had 2 haircuts.
IRENE
IRENE0 -
JoAnn .. I am so happy to hear your good NEWS! .jessiesmom1 said:Getting New Foobs
Hi JoAnn,
Congratulations on getting your new foobs! I had my reconstruction surgery done on 6/13/2011. I had a breast reduction/lift on the left (non-cancer) side and had my tissue expander replaced with a saline implant on the right side. It was about a 3.5 hour surgery. The reduction/lift took more time than the exchange done on the right side. This was done in the Outpatient Surgery area of my hospital. I was told to bring a sports bra to the hospital with me. When I woke up from the anesthesia I had that sports bra on and had a compression garment over that. It was kind of like a tube top but closed down the front with super-strength velcro. I wore both garments for 2 weeks and then wore only the sports bra for another 4-6 weeks. I was then give the go-ahead to wear a regular bra. I had to go shopping for new bras as I was smaller but had no real idea what size I was. My 18 year old daughter was my lingerie consultant. When all was said and done, I had gone from a DD cup to a C cup. The reduced side looks fabulous. For the 1st time in maybe 40 years it actually points forward and not downwards. So strange. The reconstructed side is slightly smaller in volume and the shape is not as natural as I had hoped it would be. A person looking at me while I am clothed would probably not see much of a difference.
As to surgical recovery itself, it was not bad at all. Unfortunately I came home with the dreaded drains but they were removed within 2 weeks. I took the prescribed pain meds for the 1st couple of days but in reality could probably have done without it. I think I anticipated it would hurt so I took them. What helped more was reclining in bed watching TV with an ice pack on my chest. The reduced side was more sore than the reconstructed/implant side. I do not have a great deal of feeling on the right side of my chest since the mastectomy. What I was unprepared for was how hyper-sensitive the nipple on the reduced side was for about 8 weeks. A feather could touch me and I would cringe. Depending on your job you might not actually feel the need to stay out of work for 2 weeks. I am gong to wait a couple of months to make sure the new foobs (fake boobs) are the final shape then I guess I will get the nipple/areola reconstruction and tattoo.
I hope your surgery goes well. It is one more step on the road to feeling a little more "normal." Good luck. By the way, my last chemo was 1 year ago. I have a full head of those salt & pepper chemo curls and have even had 2 haircuts.
IRENE
IRENE
Recovery time is much quicker than mastectomy time. Your drains will be a nuisance for about 10 to 14 days .. Rest and allow your body to recover -- after all you've been thru.
Personally, I thought it took forever for my hair to regrow -- I tried everything on the market, only to find that Biotin vitamins and shampoo worked the best for me.
Good luck and Gentle hugs ... Wednesday.
Vicki Sam0 -
Hi JoAnn,VickiSam said:JoAnn .. I am so happy to hear your good NEWS! .
Recovery time is much quicker than mastectomy time. Your drains will be a nuisance for about 10 to 14 days .. Rest and allow your body to recover -- after all you've been thru.
Personally, I thought it took forever for my hair to regrow -- I tried everything on the market, only to find that Biotin vitamins and shampoo worked the best for me.
Good luck and Gentle hugs ... Wednesday.
Vicki Sam
Giving you lots of pink love and support for Wednesday. I will be having my implant exchange on November, I had a bilateral mastectomy so my girls grew up together. Should make it easy for my PS to cosmetically match and my recoop time shouldn't be a severe as yours since you still have a real breast to work with.
Anyways I wanted to jump in and give you a hug and let you know that we will all have you in our prayers tomorrow. Your gonna be so perky... Or as one of my girlfriends say "I give much firmer hugs now".
Hugs,
Lorrie0 -
Congratulations JoAnn!!!butterflylvr said:Hi JoAnn,
Giving you lots of pink love and support for Wednesday. I will be having my implant exchange on November, I had a bilateral mastectomy so my girls grew up together. Should make it easy for my PS to cosmetically match and my recoop time shouldn't be a severe as yours since you still have a real breast to work with.
Anyways I wanted to jump in and give you a hug and let you know that we will all have you in our prayers tomorrow. Your gonna be so perky... Or as one of my girlfriends say "I give much firmer hugs now".
Hugs,
Lorrie
Congratulations on your milestone!!! That's GREAT news!!! I'm Sending positive vibes your way for a successful surgery.
Wishing YOU all the BEST!!!
Hugs~
Mitzi0 -
Good luck JoAnn!jessiesmom1 said:Getting New Foobs
Hi JoAnn,
Congratulations on getting your new foobs! I had my reconstruction surgery done on 6/13/2011. I had a breast reduction/lift on the left (non-cancer) side and had my tissue expander replaced with a saline implant on the right side. It was about a 3.5 hour surgery. The reduction/lift took more time than the exchange done on the right side. This was done in the Outpatient Surgery area of my hospital. I was told to bring a sports bra to the hospital with me. When I woke up from the anesthesia I had that sports bra on and had a compression garment over that. It was kind of like a tube top but closed down the front with super-strength velcro. I wore both garments for 2 weeks and then wore only the sports bra for another 4-6 weeks. I was then give the go-ahead to wear a regular bra. I had to go shopping for new bras as I was smaller but had no real idea what size I was. My 18 year old daughter was my lingerie consultant. When all was said and done, I had gone from a DD cup to a C cup. The reduced side looks fabulous. For the 1st time in maybe 40 years it actually points forward and not downwards. So strange. The reconstructed side is slightly smaller in volume and the shape is not as natural as I had hoped it would be. A person looking at me while I am clothed would probably not see much of a difference.
As to surgical recovery itself, it was not bad at all. Unfortunately I came home with the dreaded drains but they were removed within 2 weeks. I took the prescribed pain meds for the 1st couple of days but in reality could probably have done without it. I think I anticipated it would hurt so I took them. What helped more was reclining in bed watching TV with an ice pack on my chest. The reduced side was more sore than the reconstructed/implant side. I do not have a great deal of feeling on the right side of my chest since the mastectomy. What I was unprepared for was how hyper-sensitive the nipple on the reduced side was for about 8 weeks. A feather could touch me and I would cringe. Depending on your job you might not actually feel the need to stay out of work for 2 weeks. I am gong to wait a couple of months to make sure the new foobs (fake boobs) are the final shape then I guess I will get the nipple/areola reconstruction and tattoo.
I hope your surgery goes well. It is one more step on the road to feeling a little more "normal." Good luck. By the way, my last chemo was 1 year ago. I have a full head of those salt & pepper chemo curls and have even had 2 haircuts.
IRENE
IRENE
Big
Good luck JoAnn!
Big hugs,
Angie0 -
Positive thoughts andjessiesmom1 said:Getting New Foobs
Hi JoAnn,
Congratulations on getting your new foobs! I had my reconstruction surgery done on 6/13/2011. I had a breast reduction/lift on the left (non-cancer) side and had my tissue expander replaced with a saline implant on the right side. It was about a 3.5 hour surgery. The reduction/lift took more time than the exchange done on the right side. This was done in the Outpatient Surgery area of my hospital. I was told to bring a sports bra to the hospital with me. When I woke up from the anesthesia I had that sports bra on and had a compression garment over that. It was kind of like a tube top but closed down the front with super-strength velcro. I wore both garments for 2 weeks and then wore only the sports bra for another 4-6 weeks. I was then give the go-ahead to wear a regular bra. I had to go shopping for new bras as I was smaller but had no real idea what size I was. My 18 year old daughter was my lingerie consultant. When all was said and done, I had gone from a DD cup to a C cup. The reduced side looks fabulous. For the 1st time in maybe 40 years it actually points forward and not downwards. So strange. The reconstructed side is slightly smaller in volume and the shape is not as natural as I had hoped it would be. A person looking at me while I am clothed would probably not see much of a difference.
As to surgical recovery itself, it was not bad at all. Unfortunately I came home with the dreaded drains but they were removed within 2 weeks. I took the prescribed pain meds for the 1st couple of days but in reality could probably have done without it. I think I anticipated it would hurt so I took them. What helped more was reclining in bed watching TV with an ice pack on my chest. The reduced side was more sore than the reconstructed/implant side. I do not have a great deal of feeling on the right side of my chest since the mastectomy. What I was unprepared for was how hyper-sensitive the nipple on the reduced side was for about 8 weeks. A feather could touch me and I would cringe. Depending on your job you might not actually feel the need to stay out of work for 2 weeks. I am gong to wait a couple of months to make sure the new foobs (fake boobs) are the final shape then I guess I will get the nipple/areola reconstruction and tattoo.
I hope your surgery goes well. It is one more step on the road to feeling a little more "normal." Good luck. By the way, my last chemo was 1 year ago. I have a full head of those salt & pepper chemo curls and have even had 2 haircuts.
IRENE
IRENE
Positive thoughts and prayers!
Hugs, Jan0 -
JoAnn, I know everythingbutterflylvr said:Hi JoAnn,
Giving you lots of pink love and support for Wednesday. I will be having my implant exchange on November, I had a bilateral mastectomy so my girls grew up together. Should make it easy for my PS to cosmetically match and my recoop time shouldn't be a severe as yours since you still have a real breast to work with.
Anyways I wanted to jump in and give you a hug and let you know that we will all have you in our prayers tomorrow. Your gonna be so perky... Or as one of my girlfriends say "I give much firmer hugs now".
Hugs,
Lorrie
JoAnn, I know everything will be just fine as you have all of the pink sisters with you!
Hugs and prayers,
Megan0 -
Wishing you much success
Wishing you much success on you surgery. I just had my exchange surgery Aug.17.I had my drains out abut 6 days later. I am meeting with my PS on Thursday to get out my stitches and set a date for my nipple construction.Lots of hugs to you that it all will go smooth.
Sandy0 -
Appreciate the info!jessiesmom1 said:Getting New Foobs
Hi JoAnn,
Congratulations on getting your new foobs! I had my reconstruction surgery done on 6/13/2011. I had a breast reduction/lift on the left (non-cancer) side and had my tissue expander replaced with a saline implant on the right side. It was about a 3.5 hour surgery. The reduction/lift took more time than the exchange done on the right side. This was done in the Outpatient Surgery area of my hospital. I was told to bring a sports bra to the hospital with me. When I woke up from the anesthesia I had that sports bra on and had a compression garment over that. It was kind of like a tube top but closed down the front with super-strength velcro. I wore both garments for 2 weeks and then wore only the sports bra for another 4-6 weeks. I was then give the go-ahead to wear a regular bra. I had to go shopping for new bras as I was smaller but had no real idea what size I was. My 18 year old daughter was my lingerie consultant. When all was said and done, I had gone from a DD cup to a C cup. The reduced side looks fabulous. For the 1st time in maybe 40 years it actually points forward and not downwards. So strange. The reconstructed side is slightly smaller in volume and the shape is not as natural as I had hoped it would be. A person looking at me while I am clothed would probably not see much of a difference.
As to surgical recovery itself, it was not bad at all. Unfortunately I came home with the dreaded drains but they were removed within 2 weeks. I took the prescribed pain meds for the 1st couple of days but in reality could probably have done without it. I think I anticipated it would hurt so I took them. What helped more was reclining in bed watching TV with an ice pack on my chest. The reduced side was more sore than the reconstructed/implant side. I do not have a great deal of feeling on the right side of my chest since the mastectomy. What I was unprepared for was how hyper-sensitive the nipple on the reduced side was for about 8 weeks. A feather could touch me and I would cringe. Depending on your job you might not actually feel the need to stay out of work for 2 weeks. I am gong to wait a couple of months to make sure the new foobs (fake boobs) are the final shape then I guess I will get the nipple/areola reconstruction and tattoo.
I hope your surgery goes well. It is one more step on the road to feeling a little more "normal." Good luck. By the way, my last chemo was 1 year ago. I have a full head of those salt & pepper chemo curls and have even had 2 haircuts.
IRENE
IRENE
Thanks so much for posting Irene. I appreciate you sharing what you went through. It gives me a much better idea of what to expect. I think I'm going to do OK.
JoAnn0 -
Good luck on Wednesday JoAnnJoAnn4818 said:Appreciate the info!
Thanks so much for posting Irene. I appreciate you sharing what you went through. It gives me a much better idea of what to expect. I think I'm going to do OK.
JoAnn
Good luck on Wednesday JoAnn with your reconstruction! You will be fine! You will have all of us in the room holding your hand to comfort you!
♠♣ Love, Susie ♠♣0 -
Add my good wishes too! Let
Add my good wishes too! Let us know how you're doing.
Hugs,
Linda0 -
So glad that yourjessiesmom1 said:Getting New Foobs
Hi JoAnn,
Congratulations on getting your new foobs! I had my reconstruction surgery done on 6/13/2011. I had a breast reduction/lift on the left (non-cancer) side and had my tissue expander replaced with a saline implant on the right side. It was about a 3.5 hour surgery. The reduction/lift took more time than the exchange done on the right side. This was done in the Outpatient Surgery area of my hospital. I was told to bring a sports bra to the hospital with me. When I woke up from the anesthesia I had that sports bra on and had a compression garment over that. It was kind of like a tube top but closed down the front with super-strength velcro. I wore both garments for 2 weeks and then wore only the sports bra for another 4-6 weeks. I was then give the go-ahead to wear a regular bra. I had to go shopping for new bras as I was smaller but had no real idea what size I was. My 18 year old daughter was my lingerie consultant. When all was said and done, I had gone from a DD cup to a C cup. The reduced side looks fabulous. For the 1st time in maybe 40 years it actually points forward and not downwards. So strange. The reconstructed side is slightly smaller in volume and the shape is not as natural as I had hoped it would be. A person looking at me while I am clothed would probably not see much of a difference.
As to surgical recovery itself, it was not bad at all. Unfortunately I came home with the dreaded drains but they were removed within 2 weeks. I took the prescribed pain meds for the 1st couple of days but in reality could probably have done without it. I think I anticipated it would hurt so I took them. What helped more was reclining in bed watching TV with an ice pack on my chest. The reduced side was more sore than the reconstructed/implant side. I do not have a great deal of feeling on the right side of my chest since the mastectomy. What I was unprepared for was how hyper-sensitive the nipple on the reduced side was for about 8 weeks. A feather could touch me and I would cringe. Depending on your job you might not actually feel the need to stay out of work for 2 weeks. I am gong to wait a couple of months to make sure the new foobs (fake boobs) are the final shape then I guess I will get the nipple/areola reconstruction and tattoo.
I hope your surgery goes well. It is one more step on the road to feeling a little more "normal." Good luck. By the way, my last chemo was 1 year ago. I have a full head of those salt & pepper chemo curls and have even had 2 haircuts.
IRENE
IRENE
So glad that your reconstruction is Wednesday and that you are finally going to have it done. Best of luck to you!
Hugs, Lex0 -
Excited for you!! I knowGabe N Abby Mom said:Add my good wishes too! Let
Add my good wishes too! Let us know how you're doing.
Hugs,
Linda
Excited for you!! I know how anxious I am to be over chemo and surgery and moving on to that next stage!
Wish you all the best!!!0 -
wow full plate...good
wow full plate...good luck...good thoughts coming your way0 -
Well JoAnn,disneyfan2008 said:wow full plate...good
wow full plate...good luck...good thoughts coming your way
Looks like the twins are being born. Thinking of you at this moment praying all is going well. Post back when you can...
Hugs,
Lorrie0
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