RECONSTRUCTION AFTER MASTECTOMY

brenda247
brenda247 Member Posts: 124
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I had a mastectomy on april 20 2009.. I am healed and got finished with my chemo treatments.. Should I wait longer?? What to expect?? Will I have alot of pain??
I will probally be having the tummy tissue surgery. Is there anyone that can help it would really be appreciated!!! Need some help to make the right decisions..
Brenda
«1

Comments

  • Jadie
    Jadie Member Posts: 723
    #2
    bump

    bump
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #3
    Talk to your DRs.
    I saw
    Talk to your DRs.

    I saw surgeon on Tues. and will be having surgery on Wed. He said no reconstruction for 9 -12 months to be sure that everything was clean/clear.
  • DebbyM
    DebbyM Member Posts: 3,289 Member
    #4
    Rague said:

    Talk to your DRs.
    I saw
    Talk to your DRs.

    I saw surgeon on Tues. and will be having surgery on Wed. He said no reconstruction for 9 -12 months to be sure that everything was clean/clear.

    Hey Brenda. I didn't have a
    Hey Brenda. I didn't have a mastectomy, but, I wanted to say hi and to wish you good luck with your future surgery.

    Debby
  • RE
    RE Member Posts: 4,591 Member
    #5
    Hello Brenda, sorry you have to be here but happy to meet you. I had my mastectomy and for personal reason's decided to wait 2 years for my reconstruction. I did not do the tummy tissue one as I really wanted to go the easiest route so I did the expander and implant route. If you click on my name and check my blog awhile back I posted some photo copies of the info. my surgeon gave me. I still have one more surgery to go to add the nipple area and to do some what the doc said equates to sanding. I am pleased that I did it and I am glad I waited because I really was not mentally or physically ready earlier. My suggestion is to talk to your onco and talk to a surgeon which will surely give you a better idea of what your options are. Please let us know how this goes.

    RE
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #6
    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • jk1952
    jk1952 Member Posts: 613
    #7
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    I had immediate

    I had immediate reconstruction using the DIEP procedure (tummy tuck and tissue is disconnected from blood supply and tissue is moved and blood supply reconnected). Unlike the TRAM flap where the tissue is tunneled up to the breast area. I would recommend the DIEP if you have a plastic surgeon who is experienced with it (only about 150 are expereiced in the US). I am very happy (six months post-surgery), and I haven't had any of the problems that some of the women have experienced who had the TRAM flap.

    It's a relatively long recovery period, but I have my own tissue and right after surgery I had breasts that have not had any additional procedures since. I do have to have one reduced to match the other one, but that's a minor 'tune-up'. There are lots of us who have had both surgeries, and there are quite a few prior posts about their thoughts.

    Joyce
  • cats_toy
    cats_toy Member Posts: 1,462 Member
    #8
    Brenda, I had a partial mastectomy, had radiation, then waited a year before even considering the reconstruction because the skin has to heal well. If you did not have radiation, you can probably do it sooner, but I don't think there is a limit on how long to wait otherwise.
    I had the "free flap", which is completely removing the tummy tissue and attaching it to make a normal looking breast, it was done that way because 20 years ago I had my gallbladder removed, and have a scare from the breastbone that wraps around my ribcage. Since the muscle, tendons etc were cut, they could not do the "tram flap" which seems to be more common.
    You ask about pain, but that is so different with everyone, what I notice most is the drains, they wre bothersome to say the least, but when you are cut, you are numb for quite some time, that really does help with the "pain" aspect. I was in the hospital for 6 days, and was out of work for 3 weeks. Don't know if any of this helps you, but if you think of any more questions, I can try to answer.
    Let us know what you decide.
    Cat
  • krazi1
    krazi1 Member Posts: 4
    #9
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    decision
    I had a very hard time with this decision. But in the end the Dr helped me, because I had surgery in my stomach area she recommended the implants. I like you had the expanders put in right after the double mastectomy, and there are days I wish I waited till it was all healed. The only pain I do have is at night my muscles tighten and in the morning it feels like my chest is wrapped in very tight bandage. As the day goes on it does get better because of movement. I had some complications, because of radiation from a previous bout of cancer in one breast. But I think doing the implants is a much easier way. To me the pain would be more than I wanted to deal with. In the end, its your decision and the Dr will work with you. And my husband says to discuss this with your husband, they may not understand this, but it helps ease them knowing what is going on with you, and his support means a lot. I would like to know how things are going, my prayers are with you...
  • ritazimm
    ritazimm Member Posts: 171
    #10
    I too had the DIEP Flap surgery. Mine was on August 25, 2009. I will be returning to work on Monday for the first time since surgery. My surgery went very well and was a LOT less painful than I would have expected!!! I could have returned to work quite some time ago except for the fact that due to my anemia, I have been fighting off viruses for the past few weeks. I love the tummy tuck even though I have yet to see the final result since there is still a little swelling to go down.

    It is a big decision to make as to if, when and what surgery is right for you but I would encourage you to do the research on the internet and see a plastic surgeon to discuss your options. Even if you see hin/her you do not have to take action right away (and they may recommend that you wait for a while) but at least you will have the information to make an informed decision.

    God bless,
    Rita
  • Jadie
    Jadie Member Posts: 723
    #11
    Hi Brenda
    Please keep us posted as to what you decide to do.Sounds like you got some good info.

    Take care
    Jadie<3
  • ata2d
    ata2d Member Posts: 6
    #12
    I had my surgery 2 years ago
    I had my surgery 2 years ago I was stage 3B the tram surgery was very painful my surgeon was very well qualified I was 38 and I would never recommend it. I don't know if I'm just the most unlucky but it led to 6 more surgeries and the last one removed most of the tissue that was moved. I am suppose to have one more to correct it with an implant but after 16 surgeries in 18 months I declined. Good luck to you!!
  • brenda247
    brenda247 Member Posts: 124
    #13
    RE said:

    Hello Brenda, sorry you have to be here but happy to meet you. I had my mastectomy and for personal reason's decided to wait 2 years for my reconstruction. I did not do the tummy tissue one as I really wanted to go the easiest route so I did the expander and implant route. If you click on my name and check my blog awhile back I posted some photo copies of the info. my surgeon gave me. I still have one more surgery to go to add the nipple area and to do some what the doc said equates to sanding. I am pleased that I did it and I am glad I waited because I really was not mentally or physically ready earlier. My suggestion is to talk to your onco and talk to a surgeon which will surely give you a better idea of what your options are. Please let us know how this goes.

    RE

    thanks!!
    your information is a big help.. thanks very much!! i heard that people got it too soon and wasnt ready.. i want it done but sometimes i feel like i cant handle it.. hey i didnt know you could do the expander and implant after a mastectomy if you waited.. i have so much to learn and to decide.. thanks again for the info i really appreciate it!!
    good luck to you !!
    HUGS!!!
    Brenda
  • brenda247
    brenda247 Member Posts: 124
    #14
    DebbyM said:

    Hey Brenda. I didn't have a
    Hey Brenda. I didn't have a mastectomy, but, I wanted to say hi and to wish you good luck with your future surgery.

    Debby

    thanks!!
    hey deb,
    that was really nice thank you so much!!

    Brenda
  • brenda247
    brenda247 Member Posts: 124
    #15
    Rague said:

    Talk to your DRs.
    I saw
    Talk to your DRs.

    I saw surgeon on Tues. and will be having surgery on Wed. He said no reconstruction for 9 -12 months to be sure that everything was clean/clear.

    hey
    i wanna thank you for the info.. i really appreciate it!! yes i will talk to the drs before i set my mind to any decisions.. it might be best if i wait for awhile..
    thanks again and good luck to you with your surgery!!

    Brenda
  • brenda247
    brenda247 Member Posts: 124
    #16
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    yes it does help thanks!!
    yes i was gonna have the expanders put in during my mastectomy but wasnt a surgeon avaiable in my area to preform this. its is such a hard decision guess when i talk to my drs they can lead the way.. i know that i cant have it right now even though im done with my chemo.. when i thought the worst was over my counts dropped had to have 2 transfusions of platelets and i know thats gonna put me longer waiting for reconstruction.. i wanna let you know the info you gave me is very helpful and i really appreciate it!!

    and by the way im a small person and have had 4 children so i know what you mean!!! lol

    take care good luck to you!!
    brenda
  • brenda247
    brenda247 Member Posts: 124
    #17
    cats_toy said:

    Brenda, I had a partial mastectomy, had radiation, then waited a year before even considering the reconstruction because the skin has to heal well. If you did not have radiation, you can probably do it sooner, but I don't think there is a limit on how long to wait otherwise.
    I had the "free flap", which is completely removing the tummy tissue and attaching it to make a normal looking breast, it was done that way because 20 years ago I had my gallbladder removed, and have a scare from the breastbone that wraps around my ribcage. Since the muscle, tendons etc were cut, they could not do the "tram flap" which seems to be more common.
    You ask about pain, but that is so different with everyone, what I notice most is the drains, they wre bothersome to say the least, but when you are cut, you are numb for quite some time, that really does help with the "pain" aspect. I was in the hospital for 6 days, and was out of work for 3 weeks. Don't know if any of this helps you, but if you think of any more questions, I can try to answer.
    Let us know what you decide.
    Cat

    thanks cat
    yes thank you and yes it does help.. i didnt know which was best to wait or how long someone should wait.. my mom had a mastectomy also 2 years prior to mine and i told her some people heal differently and its what you feel your body can handle.. she hasnt had it done she really dont want it now.. right when i finally finished my chemo and i could now decide on what i wanted wham-bam my counts dropped had to have 2 transfusions of platelets so im now gonna have to wait longer..
    thanks for the info and when i can have it done this really is appreciated!!
    hugs!!
    brenda
  • brenda247
    brenda247 Member Posts: 124
    #18
    ritazimm said:

    I too had the DIEP Flap surgery. Mine was on August 25, 2009. I will be returning to work on Monday for the first time since surgery. My surgery went very well and was a LOT less painful than I would have expected!!! I could have returned to work quite some time ago except for the fact that due to my anemia, I have been fighting off viruses for the past few weeks. I love the tummy tuck even though I have yet to see the final result since there is still a little swelling to go down.

    It is a big decision to make as to if, when and what surgery is right for you but I would encourage you to do the research on the internet and see a plastic surgeon to discuss your options. Even if you see hin/her you do not have to take action right away (and they may recommend that you wait for a while) but at least you will have the information to make an informed decision.

    God bless,
    Rita

    thanks rita
    yes i will and thank you soooo much!!
    im put on hold little longer got done with chemo dr said i could start making decisions on reconstruction and what you know my counts dropped and i had to have 2 transfusions of platelets and now im gonna have to wait..

    hope you feel better
    god bless
    take care
    brenda
  • brenda247
    brenda247 Member Posts: 124
    #19
    ata2d said:

    I had my surgery 2 years ago
    I had my surgery 2 years ago I was stage 3B the tram surgery was very painful my surgeon was very well qualified I was 38 and I would never recommend it. I don't know if I'm just the most unlucky but it led to 6 more surgeries and the last one removed most of the tissue that was moved. I am suppose to have one more to correct it with an implant but after 16 surgeries in 18 months I declined. Good luck to you!!

    thanks!
    yes sounds like your luck is like mine!! i was all in to making decisions something else.. i got done with my chemo finally and whack my counts dropped and i had to have 2 transfusions of platelets now i have gotta wait longer but i also will keep this info and i really appreciate it!!
    thanks again!!
    brenda
  • brenda247
    brenda247 Member Posts: 124
    #20
    Jadie said:

    Hi Brenda
    Please keep us posted as to what you decide to do.Sounds like you got some good info.

    Take care
    Jadie<3</p>

    yes jadie
    i did get some good info these people here are sooooo awesome!!!
    love ya all!!!!!

    brenda
  • brenda247
    brenda247 Member Posts: 124
    #21
    jk1952 said:

    I had immediate

    I had immediate reconstruction using the DIEP procedure (tummy tuck and tissue is disconnected from blood supply and tissue is moved and blood supply reconnected). Unlike the TRAM flap where the tissue is tunneled up to the breast area. I would recommend the DIEP if you have a plastic surgeon who is experienced with it (only about 150 are expereiced in the US). I am very happy (six months post-surgery), and I haven't had any of the problems that some of the women have experienced who had the TRAM flap.

    It's a relatively long recovery period, but I have my own tissue and right after surgery I had breasts that have not had any additional procedures since. I do have to have one reduced to match the other one, but that's a minor 'tune-up'. There are lots of us who have had both surgeries, and there are quite a few prior posts about their thoughts.

    Joyce

    hi joyce
    THANKS for the info i really appreciate it!!

    god bless
    brenda

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