RECONSTRUCTION RE HAS A QUESTION

Hi RE: I haven't had
Hi RE: I haven't had reconstruction but I wanted to let you know that I'm following your "experience" and wishing you well.
love
jan

survivor51 said:

Few more steps
Hey Sweetie,
I found that taking a pain pill before I went to get the fluid added did help. Yes, to all your comments about being uncomfortable. I ended up with 800cc so I could be a C cup and once the expanders are out....it is fantastic. I wish I could show you my tatas to help encourage you. They are soft, move, sexy, and to be honest, with the nipple reconstruction and tatoo, it is hard to even tell I ever had a bilateral. My husband is extremely please as am I. The expanders are the path to glory....I totally love my new gals and when bathing, they feel like the real mccoy. I am having veins showing up as if they are slowly coming "alive". Stick with it and realize that just a little more and vavavooom. Angela

Hi Re
Other than just a hard feeling to my expander, it has not been too bad. Sleeping is limited to my back and my right side (exp on left side). I would certainly check with your dr. regarding the feeling that it may have shifted, it is possible. But, perhaps only that it is stretching the tissue as you are expanded and that just is an unusual sensation in itself-especially as you get fuller. I too took a pain pill before expansion. However, I never felt a thing till the very last fill-and that was just dull and bothersome. I am thrilled to read angela's post on how that baby will move and feel in the end!
Swimsuit season starts tomorrow for me, as I fly to see my sister! I will brave the pool with my expander in my one piece! Hugs and smiles to you!
Melanie

RE said:

Together we will get there!
I am so greatful for all your comments as they have helped me more than you will know. In regards to my receiving rads the answer is yes and no. I have had 16 weeks of rads on the other side not on the side I am having reconstruction on. I know my surgeon hopes to put another 200 in me tomorrow but I plan to ask him to limit it to 100 cc's because it is truly aching a lot and I need a bit of a break. I am hoping it will not be much of a problem for him.

Thanks again for your support,

RE

Re, I wouldn't think your doctor would find a problem in filling less tomorrow. Thinking of you, Hugs, Lili

RE said:

Together we will get there!
I am so greatful for all your comments as they have helped me more than you will know. In regards to my receiving rads the answer is yes and no. I have had 16 weeks of rads on the other side not on the side I am having reconstruction on. I know my surgeon hopes to put another 200 in me tomorrow but I plan to ask him to limit it to 100 cc's because it is truly aching a lot and I need a bit of a break. I am hoping it will not be much of a problem for him.

Thanks again for your support,

RE

How did it turn out? You
How did it turn out? You never let us know.

RE said:

SO GOOD SO FAR
Hi Kristin,

First let me say thank you for your concerns. I posted an update on the 25th which I will paste here for you. Again thank you for your concern! :-)

Yesterday was my appointment with my surgeon. I went in there with the full intention of telling him not to put in any more more 100 cc's of fluid due to the pain I was having. Well, when he came in I explained the pain and he reclined the exam chair I was in as and was quite surprised as I winced and complained of just how painful it was to be in a laying position or to endure any type of quick movement. He stated that that was certainly not normal and he proceeded with the exam. As it turned out the expanded was folded in an awkward position at the bottom of it which was causing it to tear into the meaty insides of my being. Sorry for the rather distasteful description but that is what was happening. As a result of this he needed to put in enough fluid to expand this crease, I took another 200 cc's and I must admit there was immediate relief. I did not have the intense pain I had upon my arrival in his office. Yes, it still aches but it is no longer such a strong sharp jabbing sensation and I was able to sleep much better last night. I am now at the lets let it stretch a bit portion of this endeavor and do not go back to see him for a month (unless it becomes painful again.) At our next meeting we are to discuss if we need more fluid or if everything has settled enough to commence with surgery. I will keep you all informed.


Many best to each of you,

RE

at the end of reconstruction
Hi Re,

Just finishing up my reconstruction. Though I did not have the pain the you have there where times that I was uncomfortable. When your expander feel tight or pulling while your Dr. is doing the fill that should be good. You don't want to expand to fast, which could cause you to get stretch marks or be very uncomfortable that you can't move or sleep well. Hope this helps.

My prayers are with you.
good luck with everything
V

I'm glad you got some relief from your sharp pain. When I had my tissue expander in they also put in 200-300cc at a time. It hurt for a day or two but nothing too severe. I remember that sleeping was indeed difficult with that tupperware bowl in my chest. I also recall having occasional sharp pains that felt like the expander was somehow tearing the sutures inside. I didn't have this a lot and I think I noticed it mostly at night when I was trying to relax and sleep but I do know that they did just stop on thier own and I didn't have any actual 'problems' with it.

If you are having a lot of pain after the saline additions I would encourage you to have them add smaller amounts added at a time. Taking things a little slower will help you to handle things a bit better. No one likes pain! And you will feel better about the entire process. I also agree that it will help prevent some stretch marks.

I had my expander replaced with a saline implant and will have my DIEP flap surgery in August and I am so looking forward to having that portion done. I do remember waking up in post-op with a smile on my face. The nurse came over to ask my what the smile was about and I told her that I was so happy with my new boob. I really was too. But now I look forward to having the tummy tuck and moving that fat to my breast. It will be nice to have it feel like a real breast and to have it really be ME. I hope things go much more smoothly for you and that you will be able to feel that thrill of being closer to 'normal'.

Good luck and God bless,
Rita

susieraph said:

WOW, I never had more than
WOW, I never had more than 50 or 75 cc added at a time- every 2-3 weeks. We took it slow I guess, but that was fine by me!! I stopped at 550 cc and had 450 silicone implants put in- double mastectomy. I am now a nice C+ cup as I was before. Next month I am scheduled for my tattoo nipples to be added. Party!

Questions, Questions, Questions
Good Morning to all~
Just had my initial consult for the tissue expander~and now flooded with tons of questions which I realize I will need to address with my surgeon, with that said, would prefer to get feedback from those in the know~
once the tissue expander procedure has been completed you are able to work your job in between adding additional fluid for further expansion correct? Then I am understanding that you just require additional surgery to have the permanent implant completed, later~
Trying to make my decision to as to which procedure will be best for me~in my situation the most minimal time out of work will have to be the way to go~Walking the balancing act between what needs to be done for myself v-having to be realistic to maintain my current job position~
Anything to share here would be GREAT and much appreciated~