Reconstruction - scared but still feel I want it

Minuz,I had a few problems
Minuz,

I know how difficult it is to decide to do something that other people may consider elective surgery. I struggled with whether to have one breast reduced to the size of the other one and whether to have nipples done. Subconsciously, I was afraid that something would happen during this surgery, because I didn't really 'need' it. But, I needed it for my own well-being. But, the most important thing is that you have to be content/happy/at peace with whatever decision you make.

I had a few problems with my surgery, but nothing that was too serious. I found that I couldn't tolerate morphine, so I stopped taking it the second day after surgery. I went to tylenol and Motrin, but there are a lot of different painkillers. My doctor and the nurses really emphasized pain management, because you don't heal as well if you are in pain. I, too, had to have a pint of blood, but I had given my own blood, so I had two pints available if I needed them. You might want to do that also. It made me feel better knowing that it was my own blood.

My drains were fine until the very end. Then, the last one became plugged and needed to come out early. So, I had to have fluid removed a couple times. My biggest problem was my reconstructed belly button which became infected. That was treated with an antibiotic and antibiotic cream. That took a few weeks to heal.

Would I do it again? Absolutely, positively, yes! It was a few weeks of recovery, but I know that I'll feel much better for the rest of my life feeling whole and not having to deal with prostheses. It really was a quality of life issue for me. It sounds like it is for you, too.

Joyce

Tinabug said:

Yes
I had a bilateral mastectomy with expanders & yes I would absolutely do it again. I am still under reconstruction & won't be able to have the expanders removed until chemo is finished...about 5 mths. Other than an allergic reaction to morphine, sugical tape, & codiene...I thought it was bearable.

I believe we have to do what we need to in order to feel good about ourselves. I wish you wisdom & strength in your decision.

Huge hugs,
Tina

to do or not to do ????
I would 100 % do it again..I had the DIEP only for my right breast... the pain is totally managable...the peace you get is worth every bit...you must make the decison for what makes minuz happy and no one else...forget what we tell you, what your loved ones tell you...what do you tell you ?????? you'll figure it out...warm thoughts..wendy

Minuz said:

One last thought - Reconstruction
Thank you all for the honesty, sincerety, thoughtfulness you are giving me. One last question at this time is the struggle I am having with letting anyone else know I'm going in for this surgery. My husband, children, and sister do know but I can't seem to tell others. I feel like it is too personal and I don't want to keep explaining to people why I'm doing this. I also don't like the thought of people checking me out after surgery (if you know what I mean). I know I'm getting paranoid!!!! Did any of you feel that way? My family said that I shouldn't feel this way and that others would be supportive. I just think it is so personal. I'm worrying about everything right now - what to do!!!!!!

Minuz,
It sounds like you have a decision and I applaud you for that. Most people I know who have had the surgery feel very happy with the results. As for telling other people, you have no obligation to let anyone know the specifics. You can say you're having cancer-related surgery. Please don't feel that there is anything wrong or "elective" about what you're doing. You're getting this done because you had cancer and had to have a body part removed. Anyone who would judge you for that is nuts. This is not cosmetic surgery. If it was, insurance wouldn't cover it. Anyway, good luck with everything.

susie09 said:

I didn't have the surgery
I didn't have the surgery you are having, but, I wanted to say hi, welcome and to wish you good luck!

I, too, was quite open about

I, too, was quite open about the surgery that I was having, partly because I wanted women to know that there is more than one kind of reconstruction available if they ever are in a position that they need it. But, no one needs to know, if that's your choice. I felt like you that people were going to look at me more, but I think that it might actually be less of a tendency with reconstruction than with only the mastectomy. One of my reconstructed breasts was much larger than the other one, and when I told my boss (who is also a good friend) that I was having one reduced, she said that she hadn't noticed before I said something, but she would after I told her.

Please feel free to ask anything that you want.

Joyce

Minuz said:

Soul Searching
I am sooooo happy that I finally had the nerve to start writing on this site. You have all helped me tremendously. I actually cried happy tears for a change and I thank you for that!!
I'm pretty sure that the surgery is a go as long as I pass the pre op testing. I guess I will have to decide just who I want to know about this with the hopes that their support will get me through it. The surgery is set for about 3 weeks from now so I will have to do some soul searching as to how I handle talking about it.

I hope I can support any and all of you whenever it is needed. Thank you, Thank you

I am glad that the tears you
I am glad that the tears you cried were happy ones! And, I am glad that you found this site. It is great! Good luck with your surgery! Keep posting!

Angie

Different Ballgame said:

Breast Reconstruction
I had 0 Stage DCIS in right breast. Margins were not clear with 2 surgeries, so I opted for bilateral mastectomy with immediate tissue expanders inserted at time of mastectomy. I had infection in left breast 5 weeks after mastectomy and in the right breast 6-1/2 weeks after mastectomy which meant that the tissue expanders had to be removed. I was quite over weight and had not exercised for a few years. I wanted to be successful with reconstruction and asked my doctor what precautions I needed to take. He responded, "Diet and exercise." Those 2 words and the desire to have breasts kept me dieting and exercising. I walked 5-6 days per week and joined Weight Watchers. When the tissue expanders were inserted for a second time, I had no problem. When the implants replaced the expanders, I had and continue to have no problem. There is nothing nicer than looking down at your body and seeing breasts. I can't imagine why any woman would not want to have them. Research what type of reconstruction you want and are able to have. Being that I was overweight, I was not a candidate for some types of reconstruction. Exercise is probably the most important thing to do while in breast reconstruction. You will heal much better. Make sure you know everything about your plastic surgeon and ask to talk to some of his patients who had breast reconstruction. Good luck.

Just wishing you good
Just wishing you good luck.

HUGS