Can anyone share about Breast Reconstruction

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angel143
angel143 Member Posts: 41
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
My breast surgeon recommended a mastectomy after he found that the are pre cancerous areas left after the lumpectomy or seek a radiation oncology for an advice. I have made already a decision to have mastectomy. But my breast surgeon recommended to also consult with a plastic surgeon.

I have consulted the plastic surgeon this afternoon. My case is I have and invasive ductal carcinoma with 4/11 lymp nodes that are positive. He suggested that TRAM flap is better for my case. He said that mastectomy and reconstruction is better if to be done at the same time, than later.

But I am afraid to have two incisions. And I am traumatized that I have a seroma. However, I also want to feel that I still have "my breast". I am afraid also that if I will have radiation it may not make the area properly treated. I also am worried of recurrence ( I am hoping it will not) that it will be difficult to detect or it will be at the later stage when it will be detected according to my medical oncologist. All of these worries if I will have breast reconstruction.

Please share any information or experience about the advantages and disadvantages.

Thank you. I am getting so much information from the threads and I am learning so much from everyone. This group, like a family, is truly supporting everyone and seeing that everyone is feeling ok. This is a great family.

Comments

  • Kylez
    Kylez Member Posts: 3,761 Member
    #2
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    Hi Angel. I had a very
    Hi Angel. I had a very small tumor, so, I had a lumpectomy. I wish I could help you with some answers, but, I can't. There are a lot on here that will help you. Good luck!

    ♥ Kylez ♥
  • cats_toy
    cats_toy Member Posts: 1,462 Member
    #3
    Options
    Hi Angel
    your decision to go with a mastectomy is only ever up to you. Weigh all the options then make your decision. It is a very personal choice and you need to be happy with that choice after all is said and done.

    I chose lumpectomy, it turned into a partial mastectomy, and I just came home from my free flap operation to reconstruct the breast (my Frankenboobie). I could not go with the tram or the diep because of previous scars on my tummy and the lymph node removal in my armpit. I am happy with the results so far, as soon as they get these drains out of here, I will be even happier!
    Good luck toyou and I am sure you will make the right choice
    Cat
  • liz011808
    liz011808 Member Posts: 21
    #4
    Options
    cats_toy said:

    Hi Angel
    your decision to go with a mastectomy is only ever up to you. Weigh all the options then make your decision. It is a very personal choice and you need to be happy with that choice after all is said and done.

    I chose lumpectomy, it turned into a partial mastectomy, and I just came home from my free flap operation to reconstruct the breast (my Frankenboobie). I could not go with the tram or the diep because of previous scars on my tummy and the lymph node removal in my armpit. I am happy with the results so far, as soon as they get these drains out of here, I will be even happier!
    Good luck toyou and I am sure you will make the right choice
    Cat

    This is your decision
    Hello Angel143,

    Getting a breast reconstruction or not after mastectomy
    is a very personal decision. There is no right or wrong on
    whatever you have decided. I have mastectomy eventhough the
    breast surgeon said lumpectomy is OK. I also decided not to
    have reconstruction. I hope you will make your choice.

    Take care & God bless,
    Liz
  • angel143
    angel143 Member Posts: 41
    #5
    Options
    Kylez said:

    Hi Angel. I had a very
    Hi Angel. I had a very small tumor, so, I had a lumpectomy. I wish I could help you with some answers, but, I can't. There are a lot on here that will help you. Good luck!

    ♥ Kylez ♥

    Hi
    Thank you for the info. I am getting so much ideas from the posts.
  • angel143
    angel143 Member Posts: 41
    #6
    Options
    cats_toy said:

    Hi Angel
    your decision to go with a mastectomy is only ever up to you. Weigh all the options then make your decision. It is a very personal choice and you need to be happy with that choice after all is said and done.

    I chose lumpectomy, it turned into a partial mastectomy, and I just came home from my free flap operation to reconstruct the breast (my Frankenboobie). I could not go with the tram or the diep because of previous scars on my tummy and the lymph node removal in my armpit. I am happy with the results so far, as soon as they get these drains out of here, I will be even happier!
    Good luck toyou and I am sure you will make the right choice
    Cat

    Thanks, Cat
    Thanks, Cat, I am considering your advice.
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #7
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    angel143 said:

    Thanks, Cat
    Thanks, Cat, I am considering your advice.

    Just want to wish you good
    Just want to wish you good luck in your decision Angel. I had a lumpectomy and then had 35 rads after that. I am very happy that I got to make that choice. It is such a personal decision if you can make it.

    Hugs, Diane ♥
  • zahalene
    zahalene Member Posts: 670
    #8
    Options
    angel,
    I lost one breast in '86 and the other in '88. No recon. I have been 'breastless' for over 20 years. I was 38 when it all began.
    At first it was an issue. It no longer is.
    Just know that you must do whatever gives you the best chance of a cancer-free future, and whatever that means, you will deal with it. You do not want to lie awake nights later on wondering, 'what if I had done more, or went farther, or sacrificed this for that'???
    Get ALL the reliable information you can, give serious thought to ALL you options, and then go forth knowing that you have done all you can do, which is all any of us can ask of ourselves.
    God bless.
  • lolad
    lolad Member Posts: 670
    #9
    Options
    zahalene said:

    angel,
    I lost one breast in '86 and the other in '88. No recon. I have been 'breastless' for over 20 years. I was 38 when it all began.
    At first it was an issue. It no longer is.
    Just know that you must do whatever gives you the best chance of a cancer-free future, and whatever that means, you will deal with it. You do not want to lie awake nights later on wondering, 'what if I had done more, or went farther, or sacrificed this for that'???
    Get ALL the reliable information you can, give serious thought to ALL you options, and then go forth knowing that you have done all you can do, which is all any of us can ask of ourselves.
    God bless.

    Angel
    I myself had a double mastectomy with tissue expanders placed in at the same time. I go to the plastic surgeon every two weeks or so and get the expanders filled with saline a little at a time and when im at the size i want to be, they will do another surgery to place in the permanent implants. I chose to go with the reconstruction because im young and wouldnt be able to handle the emotions i myself would have to not ever have breast again. You have to do what you feel is best for yourself. Listen to your gut. Its kind of a pain to have to go every couple of weeks for fills on top of being in the middle of chemo. At the same time though, its kind of exciting for me that im getting nice new ones! Good luck with what you decide to do. Take care and let us know

    laura
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #10
    Options
    lolad said:

    Angel
    I myself had a double mastectomy with tissue expanders placed in at the same time. I go to the plastic surgeon every two weeks or so and get the expanders filled with saline a little at a time and when im at the size i want to be, they will do another surgery to place in the permanent implants. I chose to go with the reconstruction because im young and wouldnt be able to handle the emotions i myself would have to not ever have breast again. You have to do what you feel is best for yourself. Listen to your gut. Its kind of a pain to have to go every couple of weeks for fills on top of being in the middle of chemo. At the same time though, its kind of exciting for me that im getting nice new ones! Good luck with what you decide to do. Take care and let us know

    laura

    Angel, let us know what you
    Angel, let us know what you decide. And, know that we are here for you!

    Hugs, Diane
  • Ltalcott
    Ltalcott Member Posts: 119
    #11
    Options
    "normal" breasts
    angel143,

    I'm about 6 months out of my bilateral mastectomy with DIEP reconstruction, which was March 4. I had a small tumor (IDC) in each breast, and some scattered DCIS, but they got clean margins, no lymph node involvement, low Oncotype DX score, so no chemo, no radiation. 5 years of tamoxifen.

    I was a 34C before, and I'm maybe a 36C now--the shape is different, the base seems larger and they aren't droopy any more. (I'm 54 with two grown children that I breastfed.)

    I had surgery on the 4th of August to have nipples constructed and to have the nipples and aerola tatooed. They are healing well, AND I'M GOING TO BE NORMAL! I'm just now realizing that I am going to look normal, be able to wear any kind of clothes I want, swim in any kind of a bathing suit.

    My mom had breast cancer in '75 without reconstruction, and she "dressed around her chest" ever since then. Nothing too low, or the scar would show, no bending or they might fall out....

    I am really pleased with my reconstruction. I want all my incisions to fade--they are still pretty red and impressive, but....I do have scars on the breast where they took the nipples and scooped out all the breast tissue, scars all across my tummy where they took all my fat for the new boobs, and scars under each arm where they did the sentinel lymph node biopsies. But I'm going to have "normal" breasts!

    Lisa
  • karen0423
    karen0423 Member Posts: 67
    #12
    Options
    Hi- I was dx in 4/02 with
    Hi- I was dx in 4/02 with Stage III and had a mastectomy in 7/02, because of all the chemo and radiation I was unable to have reconstruction at the time of the mastectomy. In Jan 09 I had DIEP reconstruction, I have had 4 surgeries since January and had the aerola tattoed last week. I would do it all over again, there is pain involved but it has been worth it. I was without a breast for 7 years and emotionally for me it was the right decision. The difference between the DIEP and Tram Flap is that with the DIEP they do not use any of the stomach mucscle, just skin and it is all microsurgeries, it is amazing. I do have scars on my breasts from the reconstuction and the reduction, but am having laser treatments now to reduce the scarring. Good luck with your decision,it is a very personal one and as you can tell it took me years to make it, but last week for the first time in 7 years I wore a bathing suit top and it felt great. Keep us posted.
  • survivorbc09
    survivorbc09 Member Posts: 4,374 Member
    #13
    Options
    karen0423 said:

    Hi- I was dx in 4/02 with
    Hi- I was dx in 4/02 with Stage III and had a mastectomy in 7/02, because of all the chemo and radiation I was unable to have reconstruction at the time of the mastectomy. In Jan 09 I had DIEP reconstruction, I have had 4 surgeries since January and had the aerola tattoed last week. I would do it all over again, there is pain involved but it has been worth it. I was without a breast for 7 years and emotionally for me it was the right decision. The difference between the DIEP and Tram Flap is that with the DIEP they do not use any of the stomach mucscle, just skin and it is all microsurgeries, it is amazing. I do have scars on my breasts from the reconstuction and the reduction, but am having laser treatments now to reduce the scarring. Good luck with your decision,it is a very personal one and as you can tell it took me years to make it, but last week for the first time in 7 years I wore a bathing suit top and it felt great. Keep us posted.

    Good luck to you Angel. I
    Good luck to you Angel. I am glad that some posted to give you their information.

    Hugs!
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    #14
    Options
    Food for thought .. Thanks everybody!
    This string of emails has given me great deal of information, as I will be getting my 2nd opinon results tomorrow, afternoon.

    Again, thanks!

    VickiSam
  • Kylez
    Kylez Member Posts: 3,761 Member
    #15
    Options
    VickiSam said:

    Food for thought .. Thanks everybody!
    This string of emails has given me great deal of information, as I will be getting my 2nd opinon results tomorrow, afternoon.

    Again, thanks!

    VickiSam

    Good luck today VickiSam
    Good luck today VickiSam with your 2nd opinion. Let us know what you find out!

    Kylez ♥
  • rush361
    rush361 Member Posts: 14
    #16
    Options
    Thank you so much for this discussion
    I am going to have to make the same decision in December 09. I met with the surgeon this past month and she went over all the options. I will have to have a masectomy in one breast since many lymph nodes need to be removed, but do not need one done on the other breast. They don't think my BC is genectic, so insurance will probably not pay for a double masectomy. I do think I want reconstruction. I am real afraid of the radiation treatment. Wish I could get out of that. I would like to know what you decided and how it is going.
    Keep us posted...
    Terri
  • angel143
    angel143 Member Posts: 41
    #17
    Options
    liz011808 said:

    This is your decision
    Hello Angel143,

    Getting a breast reconstruction or not after mastectomy
    is a very personal decision. There is no right or wrong on
    whatever you have decided. I have mastectomy eventhough the
    breast surgeon said lumpectomy is OK. I also decided not to
    have reconstruction. I hope you will make your choice.

    Take care & God bless,
    Liz

    Thanks, Liz
    i have made the decision. I thought of having the reconstruction at first but I considered a lot of factor, then I have made my decision as per everybody's suggestion, it is a personal choice. Thank you also for sharing.

    Health is the first priority. Physical appearance can come next.
  • angel143
    angel143 Member Posts: 41
    #18
    Options
    DianeBC said:

    Just want to wish you good
    Just want to wish you good luck in your decision Angel. I had a lumpectomy and then had 35 rads after that. I am very happy that I got to make that choice. It is such a personal decision if you can make it.

    Hugs, Diane ♥

    Grateful
    I am grateful that I have known these site and have talk with you. I found your input very much helpful to decide. Thank you.
  • angel143
    angel143 Member Posts: 41
    #19
    Options
    zahalene said:

    angel,
    I lost one breast in '86 and the other in '88. No recon. I have been 'breastless' for over 20 years. I was 38 when it all began.
    At first it was an issue. It no longer is.
    Just know that you must do whatever gives you the best chance of a cancer-free future, and whatever that means, you will deal with it. You do not want to lie awake nights later on wondering, 'what if I had done more, or went farther, or sacrificed this for that'???
    Get ALL the reliable information you can, give serious thought to ALL you options, and then go forth knowing that you have done all you can do, which is all any of us can ask of ourselves.
    God bless.

    I folllowed your advice, thanks
    I followed your advice and thanks. It was really confusing at first, but with the experiences I have heard from those whove underwent the same process, theirs' ( life experience) are best information and are the best stories you can get lessons. I agree with you I am looking forward to cancer-free future.
  • Alexis F
    Alexis F Member Posts: 3,598
    #20
    Options
    angel143 said:

    I folllowed your advice, thanks
    I followed your advice and thanks. It was really confusing at first, but with the experiences I have heard from those whove underwent the same process, theirs' ( life experience) are best information and are the best stories you can get lessons. I agree with you I am looking forward to cancer-free future.

    I am glad that you have made
    I am glad that you have made your decision angel. And, you will have a cancer free future! Think positive always!

    Lex♥

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