Hysterectomy same time as finish-up reconstruction surgery?

SherryAF
SherryAF Member Posts: 31
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hi. I had a bilateral mastectomy on January 5 with immediate free TRAM flap reconstruction. I will have another surgery on March 29 to finish up the reconstruction (nipples, reshaping, etc.).

I'm tired of surgeries (as I'm sure lots of you are!!). This will be my fourth surgery in 8 months (had Achilles' tendon surgery, lumpectomy, BMX w/recon, and now this latest one). I'd like to combine these last two surgeries into one.

Of course, it would make this surgery a bigger deal and would require a hospital stay of 2 nights, according to my gynocologist.

Has anyone ever done this and, if so, what was your experience? Thanks!

Comments

  • jk1952
    jk1952 Member Posts: 613
    #2
    I understand your desire to

    I understand your desire to want to be done with surgeries. I, too, had four surgeries in 2009, three of them being the lumpectomy, bilateral mastectomy with free flap reconstruction and the reshaping and nipples. The reshaping and nipples has a recovery time similar to the lumpectomy.

    I probably wouldn't try to do them both at the same time, and I'm not sure that your plastic surgeon and gynecologist would want to do them together either. I had to use a 'backup' surgeon when I had my mastectomy because my regular surgeon wasn't available when my plastic surgeon was, unless I waited many weeks. But, if they're willing to do it, it would probably work.

    Joyce
  • SherryAF
    SherryAF Member Posts: 31
    #3
    jk1952 said:

    I understand your desire to

    I understand your desire to want to be done with surgeries. I, too, had four surgeries in 2009, three of them being the lumpectomy, bilateral mastectomy with free flap reconstruction and the reshaping and nipples. The reshaping and nipples has a recovery time similar to the lumpectomy.

    I probably wouldn't try to do them both at the same time, and I'm not sure that your plastic surgeon and gynecologist would want to do them together either. I had to use a 'backup' surgeon when I had my mastectomy because my regular surgeon wasn't available when my plastic surgeon was, unless I waited many weeks. But, if they're willing to do it, it would probably work.

    Joyce

    Thanks, Joyce!
    Thanks, Joyce, for responding.

    Another reason I was wanting to go ahead with the hysterectomy is that we have been paying COBRA since last April (my husband was laid off then.) He just accepted a new job (we are very thankful for that!), and his new group insurance will take effect on April 1, but we will then have a new $2,000 deductible. We have to pay the COBRA payment of $900 anyway for March, and our deductible is met for that, so I was thinking if I went ahead and had both surgeries we wouldn't have to pay the $2,000 later in the year. And I'm so ready to get done with all these surgeries. I'm meeting with my gynocologist on Friday to discuss this. Her assistant said she actually had an opening on the 29th (the day of the other surgery), and she has worked with this particular plastic surgeon before, so it might work.
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #4
    SherryAF said:

    Thanks, Joyce!
    Thanks, Joyce, for responding.

    Another reason I was wanting to go ahead with the hysterectomy is that we have been paying COBRA since last April (my husband was laid off then.) He just accepted a new job (we are very thankful for that!), and his new group insurance will take effect on April 1, but we will then have a new $2,000 deductible. We have to pay the COBRA payment of $900 anyway for March, and our deductible is met for that, so I was thinking if I went ahead and had both surgeries we wouldn't have to pay the $2,000 later in the year. And I'm so ready to get done with all these surgeries. I'm meeting with my gynocologist on Friday to discuss this. Her assistant said she actually had an opening on the 29th (the day of the other surgery), and she has worked with this particular plastic surgeon before, so it might work.

    I was the same way, I had my
    I was the same way, I had my expander removal, and rectal surgery on the same day. they were both more minor surgeries. It was awkward to handle the drain and take all the baths, but I'm glad I got it off my list. Is the hysterectomy laproscopic?
  • CarrWilson
    CarrWilson Member Posts: 111
    #5
    SherryAF said:

    Thanks, Joyce!
    Thanks, Joyce, for responding.

    Another reason I was wanting to go ahead with the hysterectomy is that we have been paying COBRA since last April (my husband was laid off then.) He just accepted a new job (we are very thankful for that!), and his new group insurance will take effect on April 1, but we will then have a new $2,000 deductible. We have to pay the COBRA payment of $900 anyway for March, and our deductible is met for that, so I was thinking if I went ahead and had both surgeries we wouldn't have to pay the $2,000 later in the year. And I'm so ready to get done with all these surgeries. I'm meeting with my gynocologist on Friday to discuss this. Her assistant said she actually had an opening on the 29th (the day of the other surgery), and she has worked with this particular plastic surgeon before, so it might work.

    Dual Surgeries
    Hi Sherry -

    I work in an operating room. Having two procedures done at one time is fairly common. There are some potential drawbacks.

    1. Being under anesthesia longer.
    2. Multiple recovery sights to recover from.
    3. Scheduling multiple MD's can be a nightmare.
    4. Possibly higher risk of infection. (This is usually not a problem with abx)
    5. Relative tight schedule to get this done.

    Positives:

    1. One less time under anesthesia.
    2. Only one recovery period.
    3. Many MD's are used to working around this schedule.
    4. No new deductible.

    Overall, this is usually not a problem. You sound healthy and positive, that is the best attitude to go into this with. Best of luck with your procedures.
    -Carrie
  • SherryAF
    SherryAF Member Posts: 31
    #6
    CarrWilson said:

    Dual Surgeries
    Hi Sherry -

    I work in an operating room. Having two procedures done at one time is fairly common. There are some potential drawbacks.

    1. Being under anesthesia longer.
    2. Multiple recovery sights to recover from.
    3. Scheduling multiple MD's can be a nightmare.
    4. Possibly higher risk of infection. (This is usually not a problem with abx)
    5. Relative tight schedule to get this done.

    Positives:

    1. One less time under anesthesia.
    2. Only one recovery period.
    3. Many MD's are used to working around this schedule.
    4. No new deductible.

    Overall, this is usually not a problem. You sound healthy and positive, that is the best attitude to go into this with. Best of luck with your procedures.
    -Carrie

    THANKS!
    Thanks so much for your replies!

    I think even both these surgeries would be easier than my double mastectomy with free TRAM. Will let you know if it works out. Thanks so much for the insight.
  • jk1952
    jk1952 Member Posts: 613
    #7
    SherryAF said:

    THANKS!
    Thanks so much for your replies!

    I think even both these surgeries would be easier than my double mastectomy with free TRAM. Will let you know if it works out. Thanks so much for the insight.

    After reading more, I think

    After reading more, I think it sounds like a good idea. I would definitely say that it will be easier than the mastectomy and free TRAM. The breast part will be much easier, and I bet the hysterectomy will be easier than the 'tummy tuck'. And, the insurance situation makes it a plus. Since your gyn has the day available, it sounds like it was meant to be.

    Joyce

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