breast reconstruction

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  • irishmum055
    irishmum055 Member Posts: 19
    #22
    ohilly said:

    I am very happy with my reconstruction: I had a bilateral mastectomy with immediate lat flap reconstruction. They had to put implants and then used the lattisimus dorsi muscle. My surgeon was able to do this in one step (only one operation) as opposed to the traditional method of putting expanders.

    Whatever you do, my own opinion is to get something you can do in one step. I could not bear going through so many surgeries myself.

    Write if you have any other questions,

    Ohilly

    hi thank u for ur help do u
    hi thank u for ur help do u mind if i ask u how many years after ur 1st op did u wait to have reconstruction and how old were u when u had it done its been 17 years sence i had my operation but i never was given the option back then only recently i given it and i am thinking strongly of going for it if i do have it they have told me that they will reduce the size of the other breast to match reconstruction i am 55 years old and have fears of age and the lenght of time sence my breast op thanks again for helping me
  • GreeneyedGirl
    GreeneyedGirl Member Posts: 1,077
    #23
    ohilly said:

    Yes, I had immediate lat flap reconstruction: the type I had was where they took a muscle from my back and wrapped it around. They also saved the skin from my breast (called a skin-sparing mastectomy) and had to use an implant, too. They were able to do the main reconstruction in one operation (I did not have to have those expanders). Then I had to have two additional surgeries to make the nipples and do the tatooing.

    I am very satisfied with my reconstruction. My advice to you would be to find a procedure that can be done in one step and that you are satisfied with cosmetically. I feel like I had to go through a lot of surgeries.

    Feel free to PM me if you have more questions.

    Ohilly

    not sure~
    if you are asking me about time frames from surgery...all my "issues" started in 06, and mastectomy was 08 with beginnings of recon at the time of surgery. In an earlier post I think i describe what all i have been thru. If not, click on my name and check out my history under my profile.
    M
  • irishmum055
    irishmum055 Member Posts: 19
    #24
    gestexas said:

    diep
    Had first mastectomy in 1992. no reconstruction. 2nd skin saving mastectomy in 8/08 w/ double diep reconstruction. getting ready to do revisions in April. long time to recover, but now it was worth it. any question??? i will be happy to help.

    thank u for ur help

    thank u for ur help
    would u mind me asking u how old u were when u had reconstruction and what type did did u have done i had a radical mastectomy in janurary 1992 only now i am on waiting list to have reconstruction
  • Kaboo
    Kaboo Member Posts: 4
    #25
    Hello,and Happy Spring to you:)
    You wrote that u would like some feedback on breast reconstruction? I have just had my final surgery (I hope!!) last wk. in January after my mastectomy. My lft breast was removed after 3 previous surgeries,and reconstruction consisted of a "tummy tuck",so to speak,whereas my stomach flab was flipped upward to the lft breast site,and a muscle from my back was flipped to my front. Of course,much physical therapy ensued after this,and from a positive point, I did lose my (overweight) belly fat and got in lots of exercise because of it. That operation was last year,and because of problems,it has taken me until this past January to have the finalization surgery. Because of scarring on top of my lft breast,the (plastic) surgeon pulled some skin down and covered up the scar tissue,and removed some tissue from my rgt breast to more conform to the size of my lft breast. I now have no nipples on either breast,but at this point (my age:all my previous surgeries: the ensueing problems I had) I do not intend to ever have surgery again to make "nipples". The reconstruction surgery was really a snap..nothing compared to my previous surgeries,and I am now very happy with the (breast) results. I feel that u will be happier and more satisfied after breast reconstuction and I wish u all the luck and success possible. Hope this helps u in some way:)
  • irishmum055
    irishmum055 Member Posts: 19
    #26
    Kaboo said:

    Hello,and Happy Spring to you:)
    You wrote that u would like some feedback on breast reconstruction? I have just had my final surgery (I hope!!) last wk. in January after my mastectomy. My lft breast was removed after 3 previous surgeries,and reconstruction consisted of a "tummy tuck",so to speak,whereas my stomach flab was flipped upward to the lft breast site,and a muscle from my back was flipped to my front. Of course,much physical therapy ensued after this,and from a positive point, I did lose my (overweight) belly fat and got in lots of exercise because of it. That operation was last year,and because of problems,it has taken me until this past January to have the finalization surgery. Because of scarring on top of my lft breast,the (plastic) surgeon pulled some skin down and covered up the scar tissue,and removed some tissue from my rgt breast to more conform to the size of my lft breast. I now have no nipples on either breast,but at this point (my age:all my previous surgeries: the ensueing problems I had) I do not intend to ever have surgery again to make "nipples". The reconstruction surgery was really a snap..nothing compared to my previous surgeries,and I am now very happy with the (breast) results. I feel that u will be happier and more satisfied after breast reconstuction and I wish u all the luck and success possible. Hope this helps u in some way:)

    thanku
    thank u for sharing your info on reconstruction with me you have been very helpful to me do u think it will go well for me as it has been 17 years sence i had my breast removed and i am now on waiting list for reconstruction
  • Ltalcott
    Ltalcott Member Posts: 119
    #27
    I'm in the middle of reconstruction. I had bilateral mastectomies (two separate tumors, both invasive ductal carcinoma) and immediate DIEP flap reconstrution on March 4--not quite three weeks ago. I will eventually have a flat tummy and perky breasts. It was a 17 hour operation, and I spent 3 days in ICU because they had to check that the veins and arteries they transplanted were still working every hour for that long. Home from the hospital on day 7.

    They took a football-shape piece of skin off my tummy, and then after they took out all the belly fat to build new breasts, they pulled the top of the football down to meet the bottom. I couldn't stand up at all at first, and I am no way near straight up and down yet.

    I won't need radiation because the sentinal lymph nodes were all clear--that was one worry, because radiation would mess up the skin. I will need liposuction to get some more symetry to my tummy (after 17 hours, the plastic surgeon wasn't perfect, ha, ha.) I also will have nipples twisted up and then tatooing--not sure when. I actually still have one tummy drain, which is much better than the four I had the first 10 days that I was home from the hospital.

    Lots of research on how important reconstruction is--whether after 17 years or in the same operation. My mom had radical mastectomy in '75, and wears a horrible silicon prosthesis.

    I do still hurt, both the skin stretching, and "bee stings" at various times in the new breasts and in the tummy. But it's okay.

    Lisa
  • starrsydney
    starrsydney Member Posts: 1
    #28
    Breast reconstruction, yes or no??
    After my lumpectomy on my left breast in 2005, I had a mastectomy in 2007 of the same breast. I opted for trams flap because I wanted to use only parts of my own body to rebuild my new breast. The mastectomy/reconstruction surgery took 10 hours but I feel it was worth it in the end. The drains were a pain but my flat belly looks great!! I had my nibble and tatoo done 6 months after the surgery. And I didn't need to be put to "sleep" because there was no feeling in that breast. Now, 2 years later I am hoping that my plastic surgeon will make my right breast as nice as she had done to my left. It needs to be lifted and filled to match the reconstructed one. I just hope that she will be able to fill it with other tissue from my body!!! I will be seeing her(doc) in April, wish me luck!!!
  • shalomzoe
    shalomzoe Member Posts: 3
    #29
    irishmum055 said:

    thanku
    thank u for sharing your info on reconstruction with me you have been very helpful to me do u think it will go well for me as it has been 17 years sence i had my breast removed and i am now on waiting list for reconstruction

    Its been 22 years for me and I am going for it!
    I just wanted to encourage you if this is something that you have looked into and talked to others who have been through it and you really want it done go for it! It has been 22 years for me since I had the mastectomy in 1987 I was 29 years old that was my 2nd occurance. In 1987 I was not a candidate for an implant as I had radiation damage to my skin and I had a skin graft. My first was in 1985 I was 27 I had a lumpectomy, all the lymph nodes removed and radiation. Then in the summer of 2008 I found another tumor on the left breast 21 years later. I just found out from my daughter who her Dr friend told her about reconstructive breast surgery and that I may be a candidate. I have now decided to have another mastectomy and I really want to have bilateral breast reconstruction done using the tram flap method. I have some challenges to go through first and if all goes well I am tentatively booked for surgery on April 22/09. Be encouraged this day!
  • irishmum055
    irishmum055 Member Posts: 19
    #30
    starrsydney said:

    Breast reconstruction, yes or no??
    After my lumpectomy on my left breast in 2005, I had a mastectomy in 2007 of the same breast. I opted for trams flap because I wanted to use only parts of my own body to rebuild my new breast. The mastectomy/reconstruction surgery took 10 hours but I feel it was worth it in the end. The drains were a pain but my flat belly looks great!! I had my nibble and tatoo done 6 months after the surgery. And I didn't need to be put to "sleep" because there was no feeling in that breast. Now, 2 years later I am hoping that my plastic surgeon will make my right breast as nice as she had done to my left. It needs to be lifted and filled to match the reconstructed one. I just hope that she will be able to fill it with other tissue from my body!!! I will be seeing her(doc) in April, wish me luck!!!

    good luck
    thank u it is great to hear to hear that it sure helps me make up my mind to have reconstruction done i know in my heart i would love to have it but 1 half of me wants to the other half is a fear but i go on sun holidays now and would love to be able to wear clothes to suit the weather im sure u know what i mean never bothered me when i had my children small caude i never went anywhere then but now that they r all grown up iv started to go on holidays i wish u the very best of luck and i will keep u in my prayers again thanks
  • irishmum055
    irishmum055 Member Posts: 19
    #31
    shalomzoe said:

    Its been 22 years for me and I am going for it!
    I just wanted to encourage you if this is something that you have looked into and talked to others who have been through it and you really want it done go for it! It has been 22 years for me since I had the mastectomy in 1987 I was 29 years old that was my 2nd occurance. In 1987 I was not a candidate for an implant as I had radiation damage to my skin and I had a skin graft. My first was in 1985 I was 27 I had a lumpectomy, all the lymph nodes removed and radiation. Then in the summer of 2008 I found another tumor on the left breast 21 years later. I just found out from my daughter who her Dr friend told her about reconstructive breast surgery and that I may be a candidate. I have now decided to have another mastectomy and I really want to have bilateral breast reconstruction done using the tram flap method. I have some challenges to go through first and if all goes well I am tentatively booked for surgery on April 22/09. Be encouraged this day!

    thanks
    well it sure is great to hear from u really has encouraged me to go ahead with it i thought i was young having breast cancer at 36 u were very young and sure r a insperation to me and others like us wish u the very best of luck hope all goes well for u keep in touch please and il do same god bless u
  • shalomzoe
    shalomzoe Member Posts: 3
    #32
    irishmum055 said:

    good luck
    thank u it is great to hear to hear that it sure helps me make up my mind to have reconstruction done i know in my heart i would love to have it but 1 half of me wants to the other half is a fear but i go on sun holidays now and would love to be able to wear clothes to suit the weather im sure u know what i mean never bothered me when i had my children small caude i never went anywhere then but now that they r all grown up iv started to go on holidays i wish u the very best of luck and i will keep u in my prayers again thanks

    I know what you mean!
    I know exactly what you mean ... I really want to go through the reconstruction as my girls are grown with families of their own and I am still young and we too travel ... I know since I am a 3 times breast cancer survivor having my left breast removed now is the best thing for me to do. However, I have worn a silicone prostethesis for 22 years and have had many challenges with it the biggest being I have a allergic reaction to it on the right mastectomy side that was radiated in 1987. So for me not to have to deal with that issue would be huge! My aortic heart valve was damaged due to the radiation that I had in 1985 as they did not use shields then and it went right through you ... So we have to make sure that I will be safe to be put out for such a long surgery 10-12 hours. The second issue that I have is on Monday the 30th I go for a CT scan to check my blood vessels on my right side of my chest to make sure they are okay and have not been damaged from the radiation too. On the 6th of April I have a meeting with my 2 plastic surgeons that will be performing the surgery to let me know if we proceed with this on the 22nd of April and what the plan will be that is best for me. I know that I will be a challenge for them as they have already said so ... I also know that If I am able to go through this and all goes well ... this would be an encouragement to other women who went through bc and radiation done in the 80's. Things have changed & progressed so much now. Its all very overwhelming at times ... but I keep my eyes focus on the prize the goal at the end ...! I keep myself busy every day so to keep my mind off the challenges ahead and take it one day at a time ... God has blessed you! Thank you and I pray for you that the desires in your heart come to pass He knows what they are!

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