surgery tomorrow

ohilly
ohilly Member Posts: 441
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I am going to have a preventive surgery on my right breast (mastectomy) tomorrow because I am BRCA 1. I found out I was BRCA 1 after having a mastectomy on my left breast for cancer, going thru chemo, etc. I am writing for your prayers that I'll get thru the surgery okay, and to express a new anxiety that maybe some of you can reassure me about:

my plastic surgeon is technically very good, but a miserable human being. The only reason I am using him again is because he did the mastectomy on my one breast, and I want them to be the same. Anyway, when I went to see him in July to discuss my preventive mastectomy, he told me he would be able to do the same immediate reconstruction as I had the first time (I had a lat flap with an implant, done in one step). Now, THE DAY BEFORE THE SURGERY, he tells me that there is a small chance it may have to be done as a two step procedure with tissue expanders because I had some cosmetic surgery done to that breast (liposuction was done at the time of the first mastectomy to make the breasts appear more symmetrical) which may have compromised the blood supply to that breast. I am praying that it can be done in a one step procedure, but he said he won't know until he goes in.

Has anyone had the lat flap with tissue expansion? How much time elapsed between the first and second surgeries? Did you wake up without a breast? If you did, what did you use as a 'falsie'? Was the expansion painful? Did you have make multiple visits to your doctor and how often as they filled the expander? What was the second surgery like? Any information would be appreciated.

I am filling terrified with this new development.

Ohilly

Comments

  • chenheart
    chenheart Member Posts: 5,159
    #2
    ((((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))))
    Ohilly~ I cannot comment on what may or may or may not happen with regards your surgery, as I "only" had a lumpectomy with no reconstruction. I just want to wish you all the best, and remind you that you are not alone on this journey. I suppose the GOOD news is that your surgeon told you what he may not be able to do immediately...I am thinking it would be even worse to wake up and find he was not able to do the procedure in one step, and you had no advance warning that this might be the case.

    We love you, sister~

    Hugs,
    Claudia
  • mmontero38
    mmontero38 Member Posts: 1,510
    #3
    Luck Tomorrow
    Hi Ohilly: You've been on my mind all day since I knew tomorrow is the day. I can't say I've had that experience since I did a tram flap 8 months after my mastectomy but I want to remind you that all the sisters on this board will be with you tomorrow in spirit and we are all praying everything goes well and that your surgeon is able to complete the mastectomy in only 1 surgery. Hugs to you O'Hilly. Love ya, Lili
  • cruf
    cruf Member Posts: 908
    #4
    Good Luck!
    Ohilly! Good luck tomorrow. I'm sure you will do well! My thoughts and prayers are with you. Please let us know how you made out when you feel up to it! HUGS!!! Cathy
  • ohilly
    ohilly Member Posts: 441
    #5
    cruf said:

    Good Luck!
    Ohilly! Good luck tomorrow. I'm sure you will do well! My thoughts and prayers are with you. Please let us know how you made out when you feel up to it! HUGS!!! Cathy

    thanks
    What would I do without your support? Thanks for everything. I will post when I can. Ohilly
  • RE
    RE Member Posts: 4,591 Member
    #6
    Tomorrows suggery
    Hello Ohilly,

    Just wanted to send ((((((HUGS))))) your way and wish you a speedy recovery! You will be in my prayers!

    RE
  • sylva
    sylva Member Posts: 80
    #7
    Things are going to be ok!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    I cannot help you with reconstruction issues because I chose not to have it done. But I want to tell you that I will be praying for you. Things are going to be ok. You are a strong woman, have faith. Take your music (cd's, ipod, etc) to the hospital, and try to walk as soon as they tell you it's ok to do it. Hugs!!!!!!!!!

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