bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction

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pch812
pch812 Member Posts: 4
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
i was diagnosed with dcis about two weeks before christmas (2004) - since then i've had two surgeries, however these have indicated that the cancer is spread throughout both breasts, along with plenty of atypical cells. in spite of all this, i feel positively blessed that the cancer is of the non-invasive type! on friday (2/25) i will have a bilateral mastectomy and will have spacers inserted in anticipation of receiving implants. i feel very positive about this decision, but i confess the apprehension is starting to set in - i'd like to hear from others who have been through this and come out on the other side....

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  • martyzl
    martyzl Member Posts: 196
    #2
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    Hello pch,

    Well, I didn't have bilateral but I did have a mastectomy and Tram reconstruction. From what I could tell and what I've heard from others... the Tram reconstruction was the difficult part to heal from. *smiles*
    There are plenty of others who've had the expander/implants and seem to be quite happy with them. May you be one of them!

    One thing worth noting- it may be a VERY good idea to talk with your plastic person BEFORE the surgery to make sure that you are on the same page with regards to the size your new breasts end up! I've heard some less than thrilling stories... sometimes it's just good insurance to go over it a couple of times for good measure. (Lest you end up too big or too small. Sometimes your physique is more of a factor than you'd like...)
    Being sure that you have a top notch surgeon in your corner is priceless. If you are not sure or don't have enough good references/pics of his former work, etc., you might want to wait on the reconstruction. Yes, it was much easier for me to just wake up and be done with the majority of my surgeries at one go but you want to be happy with your results!

    You will do beautifully!!! Keep the positive thoughts up and I'll be sending much more positive energies your way!!

    Be well, I'll be thinking of you Friday. Let us know how it goes!!!
    ~marty
  • pch812
    pch812 Member Posts: 4
    #3
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    martyzl said:

    Hello pch,

    Well, I didn't have bilateral but I did have a mastectomy and Tram reconstruction. From what I could tell and what I've heard from others... the Tram reconstruction was the difficult part to heal from. *smiles*
    There are plenty of others who've had the expander/implants and seem to be quite happy with them. May you be one of them!

    One thing worth noting- it may be a VERY good idea to talk with your plastic person BEFORE the surgery to make sure that you are on the same page with regards to the size your new breasts end up! I've heard some less than thrilling stories... sometimes it's just good insurance to go over it a couple of times for good measure. (Lest you end up too big or too small. Sometimes your physique is more of a factor than you'd like...)
    Being sure that you have a top notch surgeon in your corner is priceless. If you are not sure or don't have enough good references/pics of his former work, etc., you might want to wait on the reconstruction. Yes, it was much easier for me to just wake up and be done with the majority of my surgeries at one go but you want to be happy with your results!

    You will do beautifully!!! Keep the positive thoughts up and I'll be sending much more positive energies your way!!

    Be well, I'll be thinking of you Friday. Let us know how it goes!!!
    ~marty

    marty,
    thank you so much! my "brave self" was starting to waver and your message helped me get it back. I'll let you know how it went!
  • ampowell22
    ampowell22 Member Posts: 2
    #4
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    Hi there,

    I had a bi-lateral mastectomy in Jan of 2004. I have spent the past year undergoing a number of reconstructive surgeries. I could not do the TRAM or the DIEP as I do not have enough tissue. I had the expanders put in and ultimately silicone gel implants. The first plastic surgeon made my breasts too big. I suffered cronic backaches and the breasts kept falling because the implants were too large. He tried to lift them but they fell. I have since switched to another Plastic surgeon and he exchanged the implants with smaller high profile ones. My back feels better but one breast keeps sagging. I had surgery to correct this in February (internal sutures), but within two weeks it fell again. I am waiting to hear back from the Dr. re the next surgery. I am assuming that it will be the "anchor lift". Please feel free to ask me any questions that you have. I know how confusing this can be and please let me know how you are doing. Take care....Anne

    PS. I also had DCIS (in one breast) but opted for a double mastectomy.
  • 1tan
    1tan Member Posts: 4
    #5
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    Its been almost a month now, how are you doing? How did the surgery go? I am having a double bilateral mastectomy on 4/8/05. WOuld love to have some insight.. Tan

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