reconstruction

karaokelorie
karaokelorie Member Posts: 33
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hi everyone,
I am new to the discussion boards(written one time before)I am 54 years old.
I had my masectomy(right side)on june 29 2009.
I had a small focus of infiltrating ductal carcinoma 0.2 cm grade 1.
Extensive ductal carcinoma in situ - low grade.
Rare carcinoma-associated microcalcifications.
No vascular invasion
3 lymph nodes taken - all negative.
er positive
pr negative
her2 negative
I decided to have a mastectomy,then changed my mind and was going to have a lumpectomy with radiation.Changed my mind again when my dr.said for how small i am she would have to take more then half my breast.I am happy I had the mastectomy, All my margins were clear, no radiation or chemo.Am on fosomex and see oncologist on the 26 to be put on another type of hormone for 5 years.Dont care to much for that idea from everything ive heard.
I have been to the plastic surgeon but have decided not to have anything done untill
Feb 2010.
Right now I have decided to only have my right breast reconstructed with implants, on the left side it would get an implant and matched to the right side as much as possible.
Has anyone been there? how close can they get them? Thank you ladies!!!

Comments

  • lanie940
    lanie940 Member Posts: 490 Member
    #2
    Sounds like you made the
    Sounds like you made the right decision. I will tell you though that I was on Fosamax for 4 yrs, this was before I found out I had breast cancer. I quit taking the fosamax last Fall when I developed GERD, so, if you get more frequent heartburn make sure you tell your Dr, especially if you get it more than 2 or 3 times a week. I had a lumpectomy on July 30th. I see my Medical oncologist on the 31st of aug. I also have a hernia on my right side of my abdomen that I'll see a general surgeon about.
    I can't tell you about implants because I haven't had them.
  • karaokelorie
    karaokelorie Member Posts: 33
    #3
    lanie940 said:

    Sounds like you made the
    Sounds like you made the right decision. I will tell you though that I was on Fosamax for 4 yrs, this was before I found out I had breast cancer. I quit taking the fosamax last Fall when I developed GERD, so, if you get more frequent heartburn make sure you tell your Dr, especially if you get it more than 2 or 3 times a week. I had a lumpectomy on July 30th. I see my Medical oncologist on the 31st of aug. I also have a hernia on my right side of my abdomen that I'll see a general surgeon about.
    I can't tell you about implants because I haven't had them.

    Lanie940 thank you for the
    Lanie940 thank you for the information I definately will remember it!Holding good thoughts
    for your upcoming appointments,hang in there and take care
  • lolad
    lolad Member Posts: 670
    #4
    karaokelorie said:

    Lanie940 thank you for the
    Lanie940 thank you for the information I definately will remember it!Holding good thoughts
    for your upcoming appointments,hang in there and take care

    i wanted to say welcome
    and let you know that the site is a wonderful site and all the people here give great advice. I had a double mastectomy in june and am going through the filling process right now so i havent had the permanent reconstructive surgery yet so i cant tell you about matching up part. From what ive heard from others though, they usually get it pretty close. I wish you luck and keep us posted on whats going on with you.
    laura
  • karaokelorie
    karaokelorie Member Posts: 33
    #5
    lolad said:

    i wanted to say welcome
    and let you know that the site is a wonderful site and all the people here give great advice. I had a double mastectomy in june and am going through the filling process right now so i havent had the permanent reconstructive surgery yet so i cant tell you about matching up part. From what ive heard from others though, they usually get it pretty close. I wish you luck and keep us posted on whats going on with you.
    laura

    Thank you Laura,
    Let us know
    Thank you Laura,
    Let us know how every thing goes with you! Have you decided on saline or silicone? I think I will be going with silicone.On my left breast they wont be taking any breast out Just putting in the implant and reshaping to match the right side.Hopefully someone has chosen to do the same thing and lets me know how it looks and what to expect.Good luck to you
    Lorie
  • Kylez
    Kylez Member Posts: 3,761 Member
    #6
    karaokelorie said:

    Thank you Laura,
    Let us know
    Thank you Laura,
    Let us know how every thing goes with you! Have you decided on saline or silicone? I think I will be going with silicone.On my left breast they wont be taking any breast out Just putting in the implant and reshaping to match the right side.Hopefully someone has chosen to do the same thing and lets me know how it looks and what to expect.Good luck to you
    Lorie

    Hi
    HI karaokelorie. I just want to welcome you to the site. I had a lumpectomy, so, I can't give you any info on reconstruction. Good luck!

    Kylez
  • mmsmax
    mmsmax Member Posts: 9
    #7
    I had a mastectomy last January 2, 2009, on my left breast. Initially, I tried reconstruction with the same surgery, but an infection caused me to lose the expander after three weeks. So, last May 29th, I had Latissimus Dorsi Flap surgery, which has turned out really well. I feel like I have a lot of support from the muscle that I didn't apparently have before. Plus, I had some of my skin transferred to the breast area with the muscle. As that was three months ago, I am going in next Monday, on August 31st, for my final implants. The right breast will be lifted and matched to the breast with the expander. I'm a little anxious(nervous) about having more surgery, but this should be the final step for me. I have been told that the breast size matches really well with implants. I am also having skin grafts taken to rebuild the nipple on the left "breast." Anyway, I will let you know how all this turns out a week or so after my surgery! Good luck to you and stay in touch!
    Mari
  • karaokelorie
    karaokelorie Member Posts: 33
    #8
    Kylez said:

    Hi
    HI karaokelorie. I just want to welcome you to the site. I had a lumpectomy, so, I can't give you any info on reconstruction. Good luck!

    Kylez

    Thank you
    Thank you for welcoming me.How did you decide on a lumpectomy? what stage were you? Hope to be talking with you soon
    Lorie
  • karaokelorie
    karaokelorie Member Posts: 33
    #9
    mmsmax said:

    I had a mastectomy last January 2, 2009, on my left breast. Initially, I tried reconstruction with the same surgery, but an infection caused me to lose the expander after three weeks. So, last May 29th, I had Latissimus Dorsi Flap surgery, which has turned out really well. I feel like I have a lot of support from the muscle that I didn't apparently have before. Plus, I had some of my skin transferred to the breast area with the muscle. As that was three months ago, I am going in next Monday, on August 31st, for my final implants. The right breast will be lifted and matched to the breast with the expander. I'm a little anxious(nervous) about having more surgery, but this should be the final step for me. I have been told that the breast size matches really well with implants. I am also having skin grafts taken to rebuild the nipple on the left "breast." Anyway, I will let you know how all this turns out a week or so after my surgery! Good luck to you and stay in touch!
    Mari

    Thank you Mari That is what
    Thank you Mari That is what I was hoping to hear, I was wondering what they did with your breast that was left, How they got them to match. My doctor has already told me that he cant give me what God gave me but they can come close.I wish you the best of luck with your upcoming surgery!your almost completly finished! hooray!!!.Your going to do great! please keep me informed how everything goes,I'll be waiting to hear.
    Lorie
  • Kylez
    Kylez Member Posts: 3,761 Member
    #10
    karaokelorie said:

    Thank you
    Thank you for welcoming me.How did you decide on a lumpectomy? what stage were you? Hope to be talking with you soon
    Lorie

    Hi Lorie. A lumpectomy was
    Hi Lorie. A lumpectomy was what was suggested by my onocologist. There was no reason to do anything else. I had a very small tumor. I am stage 1. I had rads 6 weeks after my lumpectomy. My oncologist has also suggested tamoxifen, but, I am still unsure of that. Good luck!

    ♥ Kylez ♥
  • survivorbc09
    survivorbc09 Member Posts: 4,374 Member
    #11
    karaokelorie said:

    Thank you Mari That is what
    Thank you Mari That is what I was hoping to hear, I was wondering what they did with your breast that was left, How they got them to match. My doctor has already told me that he cant give me what God gave me but they can come close.I wish you the best of luck with your upcoming surgery!your almost completly finished! hooray!!!.Your going to do great! please keep me informed how everything goes,I'll be waiting to hear.
    Lorie

    Hi Lorie and welcome. It
    Hi Lorie and welcome. It seems that some of the bc survivors are giving you some helpful information. Wishing you good luck with your decision.

    Hugs
  • Akiss4me
    Akiss4me Member Posts: 2,188
    #12
    Hi Lorie
    Wanted to add my welcome. Glad you found us, though sorry for the reason. ♥ Pammy
  • Tux
    Tux Member Posts: 544
    #13
    Hi, Lorrie, and welcome to
    Hi, Lorrie, and welcome to our discussion board. Good luck with your procedures!
  • Alexis F
    Alexis F Member Posts: 3,598
    #14
    Akiss4me said:

    Hi Lorie
    Wanted to add my welcome. Glad you found us, though sorry for the reason. ♥ Pammy

    Just want to welcome you to
    Just want to welcome you to the boards Lorie!

    Lex♥

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