reconsturction

bunnie
bunnie Member Posts: 233
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hi iam starting too think reconstruction know that iam done with everything and i have woren a prothsis for awhile it is not the most comfortable thing.Anyways my question might be a stupid one but i am leaning towrds doing the Saline implant and i was wondering if i want too go a little bigger in the breast how do the do that with the one good one still in tack i mean do they have too remove the good breast so that they are the same or do the reconsturct the one that you lost and then also open up the one still attache and add saline into that one.i hope this is making sense i really dont know how too word what iam trying to say.If anyone can help me out there i would greatly appricate it.thanks Amy

Comments

  • Twinks56
    Twinks56 Member Posts: 37
    #2
    Bunnie
    You need to check with your plastic surgen.I started my recon. back in Feb. when they removed my breast.They put in a expander,but it had to come out at the end of feb. due to infection.I was told then that he would lift the other side and make it "perky".I am a large breasted woman.I finished my last chemo onJune 30 and have been told that i am now in remission and now need to figure out about recon. I know this is not exactly what you asked but maybe it will help.Twinks 56 really Teresa
  • blossomtime
    blossomtime Member Posts: 98
    #3
    Hi bunnie, I had expander placed at time of mastectomy. Finished all treatment in march. In June I had expander exchanged for saline implant. At the same time I had the other side lifted. I stayed same size, "c" cup. If you choose to go larger than you will need augmentation on unaffected side. So you will have implant on that side also. I didnt opt for this because I did not want to risk an implant possibly obscuring a new cancer on the other side. Not that I expect this but trying to be cautious. Go talk with plastic surgeon and have options explained to you. I have been happy with my decision and wish you the best in making decision that is right for you.
  • LN0814
    LN0814 Member Posts: 1
    #4
    Hi Bunnie, I too, am in the process of reconstruction. I had an expander put in at the time of my mastectomy, in October. I finished chemo in March, had the permanent saline implant put in June 19, and will have the nipple reconstruction on August 14. The process is uncomfortable, but now that I am almost complete it was well worth it. I enjoy wearing shirts and a bathing suit without having to worry about a prosthesis.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #5
    Hi Amy,
    They wouldn't let me start reconstruction due to many unknowns with my cancer at initial mascectomy. finished chemo in Feb. and YIKES, next week I get my expander put in. I'm naturally size AA and, as the surgeon said, this is an opportunity to fill out a little, if I'd like. He said I'd need an implant other side anyway if I wanted an even appearance. I breast fed 2 babies for a year each and an certainly not "Perky" anymore. so I'm opting to get an implant (probably silicone ) in the small size B range, and augment the other size to a B. And Hopefully, I'll be even! I've been reading and watching the site on silicone vs. saline and think I'm comfortable with this choice, but I don't need to decide for sure until the permanent implant goes in. Good Luck! Carla
  • prayerangel
    prayerangel Member Posts: 147
    #6
    unknown said:

    Hi Amy,
    They wouldn't let me start reconstruction due to many unknowns with my cancer at initial mascectomy. finished chemo in Feb. and YIKES, next week I get my expander put in. I'm naturally size AA and, as the surgeon said, this is an opportunity to fill out a little, if I'd like. He said I'd need an implant other side anyway if I wanted an even appearance. I breast fed 2 babies for a year each and an certainly not "Perky" anymore. so I'm opting to get an implant (probably silicone ) in the small size B range, and augment the other size to a B. And Hopefully, I'll be even! I've been reading and watching the site on silicone vs. saline and think I'm comfortable with this choice, but I don't need to decide for sure until the permanent implant goes in. Good Luck! Carla

    I had reconstruction on both sides when I had my second mastectomy. I had the expanders for 8 mos. I am happy with my silicone implants, just done in June, '03. Good luck.
  • joules112
    joules112 Member Posts: 23
    #7
    I had a tram flap. You're pretty much on target about them adjusting the good boob. They can put a pocket in that makes up the difference in what you would like to have. I had them take some out and make them both perky. :-) very pleased
  • bicolana
    bicolana Member Posts: 3
    #8
    joules112 said:

    I had a tram flap. You're pretty much on target about them adjusting the good boob. They can put a pocket in that makes up the difference in what you would like to have. I had them take some out and make them both perky. :-) very pleased

    hi,
    i'm new in this newsgroup. was diagnosed of dcis, and atypia last dec 2002. had 33 radiation treatments followed by tamoxifen for five years. nightmares still hunts me. decided to have a bilateral simple mastectomy with breasts reconstruction (tram flap) at the same time. the surgeons told me that the procedures will take up to 17 hours. my surgery will be on sept 2, 2003. i am so scared for the idea that i'll be asleep for 17 hours. how was yours? can you please give me some input to make me feel better? thanks.
    lorna

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