"Normal" reconstruction?

pmillr2000
pmillr2000 Member Posts: 26
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I'm new here, I hope y'all can help me. I am about to have a new surgeon redo my reconstruction because the first surgeon botched it. The new guy stops short of saying the first guy botched it, and instead says "fine tuning" is not unusual. So, what can I learn here about a "normal" reconstruction? I had a left simple mastectomy last September, and an expander put in at the same time. The expander was removed and replaced with an adjustable saline implant, and the right breast got a lift and reduction, all in February of this year. Now, after the adjustable implant has been reduced as much as possible, it is still MUCH larger than my reduced right breast, which, by the way, doesn't look much like it was lifted, just reduced. In August, I'm scheduled to have the saline implant replaced with silicone, and get a small implant on the right side to bring it up to par. Does all this sound "normal" to any of you? It's pretty frustrating to have to get an implant where none was needed prior to surgery! I look forward to hearing from you.

Patty

Comments

  • Future
    Future Member Posts: 133 Member
    #2
    I had to have additional surgeons with my reconstruction but it had to do with major post-op infection that limited what the surgeon could do. My surgeon sent me to another surgeon because he said he could only get me to "third base" and wanted me to get a "home run". I respect the surgeon for telling me that and even though I don't have what I expected when I first started reconstruction I am happy.... best advice, make sure you are comfortable with this second surgeon and don't be afraid to see photos of other patients.
    Best of luck
  • cabbott
    cabbott Member Posts: 1,039 Member
    #3
    Future said:

    I had to have additional surgeons with my reconstruction but it had to do with major post-op infection that limited what the surgeon could do. My surgeon sent me to another surgeon because he said he could only get me to "third base" and wanted me to get a "home run". I respect the surgeon for telling me that and even though I don't have what I expected when I first started reconstruction I am happy.... best advice, make sure you are comfortable with this second surgeon and don't be afraid to see photos of other patients.
    Best of luck

    Also, don't be afraid to explore different kinds of reconstruction. Some take more time and surgery now (like a transplant of your own tissue via transflap, DIEP flap, SIEP flap). Others take more surgery later (like implants that tend to need something every five years, but take less time in the hospital each time). Plastic surgeons differ in expertise and experience. You have time on your side to explore and see what is right for you.
  • MichelleHM
    MichelleHM Member Posts: 13
    #4
    cabbott said:

    Also, don't be afraid to explore different kinds of reconstruction. Some take more time and surgery now (like a transplant of your own tissue via transflap, DIEP flap, SIEP flap). Others take more surgery later (like implants that tend to need something every five years, but take less time in the hospital each time). Plastic surgeons differ in expertise and experience. You have time on your side to explore and see what is right for you.

    I had a transflap and love it. No worries about leaking implants and such. It is a more complicated surgery but well worth it. Most insurance companies do cover it. My stomach is now my new breast (I even got a tummy tuck in the process!). It feels like my own breast. Just my two cents here....

    Michelle
  • pmillr2000
    pmillr2000 Member Posts: 26
    #5
    MichelleHM said:

    I had a transflap and love it. No worries about leaking implants and such. It is a more complicated surgery but well worth it. Most insurance companies do cover it. My stomach is now my new breast (I even got a tummy tuck in the process!). It feels like my own breast. Just my two cents here....

    Michelle

    Transflap would have been my first surgery, but recovery time limited me. I took one week off work for the mastectomy, and one week for the first reconstruction surgery. I've scheduled one week for the next in August as well. No way I could take off long enough at one stretch for the transflap recovery!
  • DJ0219
    DJ0219 Member Posts: 1
    #6
    MichelleHM said:

    I had a transflap and love it. No worries about leaking implants and such. It is a more complicated surgery but well worth it. Most insurance companies do cover it. My stomach is now my new breast (I even got a tummy tuck in the process!). It feels like my own breast. Just my two cents here....

    Michelle

    MichelleHM - I am now deciding on reconstruction and am heading in the direction of a trans flap. My Plastic Surgeon said I am a perfect candidate for that procedure. Could I converse with you via this forum on your whole experience with that? I'm really not confident about any of it right now and need some feedback from women that have been thru it.
  • cruf
    cruf Member Posts: 908
    #7
    DJ0219 said:

    MichelleHM - I am now deciding on reconstruction and am heading in the direction of a trans flap. My Plastic Surgeon said I am a perfect candidate for that procedure. Could I converse with you via this forum on your whole experience with that? I'm really not confident about any of it right now and need some feedback from women that have been thru it.

    Hi! I had a Tram Flap almost 7 years ago and would be willing to answer any questions you may have.I have been very happy with my results. Please feel free to e-mail me here . HUGS!! Cathy

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