Breast Reconstruction Surgery
Comments
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Breast ReconstructionKristin N said:Hey Cynthia ☻
Hi Cynthia. I had a lumpectomy, so, I can't offer any advice for your reconstruction. There are many here on the board that will be able to post and answer you. Welcome to the site and a big CONGRATS on being cancer free!
Kristin ♥
Thanks so much for your reply. I was beginning to think that Maybe women don't dave that type of surgery anymore. I just be more patient. Congrats to you, may your days be long.0 -
Hi cynthia
I had bilateral mastectomies in May and had expanders placed right during surgery. They are supposed to be filled using saline every week for 10 weeks in order to stretch the breast tissue. The plastic surgeon uses a needle and fills them with saline. Its not supposed to hurt because the breast tissue is supposed to be numb. AFter they are filled, the plastic surgeon waits for about 3 months then they take you back to the OR, remove the expanders and place the implants and then I guess reconstruct the breast. I unfortunately had to have the expander removed on the right side due to a complication. I still have the one on the left and when I am done with chemo I will have the expander replaced on the right. Then I will start the fill.
There are those that do what they call a tram flap I guess and I think that where they take some abdominal tissue and flap in onto the chest...someone who knows more than I do will probably post to tell you about that.
Keep reading...I am sure you will get lots of replies
Hugs
LInda T0 -
Hi Cynthia,
I had a bilateral mastectomy with tram flap reconstruction on June 16th. I am very pleased with the results. They took tissue and muscle from my abdomen and tunneled it up to make new breasts. It was a long surgery but I really likr the tummy tuck that I got as a bonus. The recovery took several weeks but it was worth it.0 -
The type of reconstruction that you had is the one I am interested in. In what city were you in?carnic8488 said:Hi Cynthia,
I had a bilateral mastectomy with tram flap reconstruction on June 16th. I am very pleased with the results. They took tissue and muscle from my abdomen and tunneled it up to make new breasts. It was a long surgery but I really likr the tummy tuck that I got as a bonus. The recovery took several weeks but it was worth it.0 -
Hi Cynthia. Glad someonecynthiat56 said:The type of reconstruction that you had is the one I am interested in. In what city were you in?
Hi Cynthia. Glad someone posted with some info for you! I am sure more will when they see your post.
Kylez ♥0 -
Hi Cynthia,
I am in the midst of reconstruction my right breast, my left breast I had chosen to have a lumpectomy. It is a process that takes several surgeries and months to complete. I am about to have my final surgery and am very glad that I made the choice to go forward with this. I have posted two pages with information from my doctor in regards to my type of reconstruction. If you go to my page click on page 9 of my expressions and read the one with writing only first then read the second page that has the illustrations. This may help you a abit.
RE0 -
RERE said:Hi Cynthia,
I am in the midst of reconstruction my right breast, my left breast I had chosen to have a lumpectomy. It is a process that takes several surgeries and months to complete. I am about to have my final surgery and am very glad that I made the choice to go forward with this. I have posted two pages with information from my doctor in regards to my type of reconstruction. If you go to my page click on page 9 of my expressions and read the one with writing only first then read the second page that has the illustrations. This may help you a abit.
RE
Thanks for the information. Hopefully I can hear from more survivers who have done the surgery.0 -
I had a bilateral mastectomycynthiat56 said:RE
Thanks for the information. Hopefully I can hear from more survivers who have done the surgery.
I had a bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction using a DIEP or free TRAM flap procedure, in April. It's similar to the TRAM flap, but the tissue is actually disconnected from the blood supply and then the blood supply is reconnected under the arms. It's very delicate surgery, with only about 150 plastic surgeons who can perform in the US, and takes the whole day. Then, it's the hospital for four or five days and a recovery period of 6 - 8 weeks. It's a long recovery period, but in the long run, the procedure is a good one. You have your own tissue and you don't have to replace after a few years. I think that they have stopped doing the TRAM flap in our area, preferring the DIEP instead, and I would recommend the DIEP if it's available to you.
Joyce0 -
finally finished reconstruction
I had a left breast mastectomy last January 2,2009. I tried having an expander put in during the same surgery, but three weeks later had a horrible infection, and it had to be removed. I went three months wearing the prosthesis, which I hated. I teach school, and went back to work after seven weeks(due to the second surgery). The day after school was out last spring, I had latissimus dorsi reconstruction surgery, and truly spent most of the summer recovering. I had my final implants and nipple reconstruction just two weeks ago. Compared to the other surgeries, it was nothing. No drains or anything. I still have stitches, but everything looks unbelievably good. I still have lots of scars that should get better with time, but I truly feel like I have a (real) breast again. I had a small implant put in my right breast so they would be even and as perky as the implants are! It was so great to get the expander out (they feel like a hard rock and don't move AT ALL), and I did go through all the process of filling the expander with saline to stretch the skin. The bottom line is I feel great, I am back at work, and for the first time since I was diagnosed with breast cancer last November, I don't feel worried about the next surgery, treatment, or feel depressed and sad. Even though I'm still a little sore, I am truly amazed what doctors can do. I needed the extra muscle and skin from the latissimus dorsi and my back, and even though the surgery was difficult, it really works well with holding the implant and looking very natural. Most of my family and friends tried to talk me out of going through more surgeries, but I told them I felt I had to. I did not want cancer to win and make me feel like a victim every morning when I woke up. It is different for everyone, but now that I am through the process, I feel it was a wonderful decision for me to make. My doctor said women that had mastectomies 10 and 15 years ago and more are now deciding on reconstruction because they have come so far recently with the medical end of this. Good luck and God bless!
Mari0 -
Tram Flap
I had a unilateral mastectomy last October. My doctor (plastic surgeon) told me that in order to use my belly fat I didn't have enough for a c cup single breast. I have a bit of a tummy, so I thought, from having 4 kids and all c-sections. But apparently you need a lot more fat for that surgery. Then he said if he used my back muscle it still wouldn't provide enough and I would have to have an implant in addition to it. So he siad if you're going to have to have the implant anyways, why would you want a big scar across your back? I am pleased sort of with the result of the silicone implant placed this summer (I had a tissue expander for 8 months) . It is not a breast. Never will be. But at least it looks good in clothing and a bra and once I lose about 10 more pounds I could even wear a bikini next summer if I wanted to and nobody would ever be the wiser! Just know what you are getting in to and ask lots of questions. This board is a good place to start.0 -
Breast reconstuctionmmsmax said:finally finished reconstruction
I had a left breast mastectomy last January 2,2009. I tried having an expander put in during the same surgery, but three weeks later had a horrible infection, and it had to be removed. I went three months wearing the prosthesis, which I hated. I teach school, and went back to work after seven weeks(due to the second surgery). The day after school was out last spring, I had latissimus dorsi reconstruction surgery, and truly spent most of the summer recovering. I had my final implants and nipple reconstruction just two weeks ago. Compared to the other surgeries, it was nothing. No drains or anything. I still have stitches, but everything looks unbelievably good. I still have lots of scars that should get better with time, but I truly feel like I have a (real) breast again. I had a small implant put in my right breast so they would be even and as perky as the implants are! It was so great to get the expander out (they feel like a hard rock and don't move AT ALL), and I did go through all the process of filling the expander with saline to stretch the skin. The bottom line is I feel great, I am back at work, and for the first time since I was diagnosed with breast cancer last November, I don't feel worried about the next surgery, treatment, or feel depressed and sad. Even though I'm still a little sore, I am truly amazed what doctors can do. I needed the extra muscle and skin from the latissimus dorsi and my back, and even though the surgery was difficult, it really works well with holding the implant and looking very natural. Most of my family and friends tried to talk me out of going through more surgeries, but I told them I felt I had to. I did not want cancer to win and make me feel like a victim every morning when I woke up. It is different for everyone, but now that I am through the process, I feel it was a wonderful decision for me to make. My doctor said women that had mastectomies 10 and 15 years ago and more are now deciding on reconstruction because they have come so far recently with the medical end of this. Good luck and God bless!
Mari
Thanks so much for the information that you have provided. I will be meeting with a plastic surgeon on October 8. Hopefully, I will get the news that I am hoping for.0 -
Breast reconstuctionmmsmax said:finally finished reconstruction
I had a left breast mastectomy last January 2,2009. I tried having an expander put in during the same surgery, but three weeks later had a horrible infection, and it had to be removed. I went three months wearing the prosthesis, which I hated. I teach school, and went back to work after seven weeks(due to the second surgery). The day after school was out last spring, I had latissimus dorsi reconstruction surgery, and truly spent most of the summer recovering. I had my final implants and nipple reconstruction just two weeks ago. Compared to the other surgeries, it was nothing. No drains or anything. I still have stitches, but everything looks unbelievably good. I still have lots of scars that should get better with time, but I truly feel like I have a (real) breast again. I had a small implant put in my right breast so they would be even and as perky as the implants are! It was so great to get the expander out (they feel like a hard rock and don't move AT ALL), and I did go through all the process of filling the expander with saline to stretch the skin. The bottom line is I feel great, I am back at work, and for the first time since I was diagnosed with breast cancer last November, I don't feel worried about the next surgery, treatment, or feel depressed and sad. Even though I'm still a little sore, I am truly amazed what doctors can do. I needed the extra muscle and skin from the latissimus dorsi and my back, and even though the surgery was difficult, it really works well with holding the implant and looking very natural. Most of my family and friends tried to talk me out of going through more surgeries, but I told them I felt I had to. I did not want cancer to win and make me feel like a victim every morning when I woke up. It is different for everyone, but now that I am through the process, I feel it was a wonderful decision for me to make. My doctor said women that had mastectomies 10 and 15 years ago and more are now deciding on reconstruction because they have come so far recently with the medical end of this. Good luck and God bless!
Mari
Thanks so much for the information that you have provided. I will be meeting with a plastic surgeon on October 8. Hopefully, I will get the news that I am hoping for.0 -
Good Websights
I'm planning on having breast reconstruction sometime in October. I finished chemo in May and radiation in July, so I've been waiting for the customary three months of healing before I have the surgery. Anyway, I've had the same kind of questions that you've had, so I googled 'breast reconstruction' and some great websights came up. The one I went to had great explanations about each kind of surgery, with detailed graphs and pictures, plus it had pictures of before and after (which were amazing). It was very informative and I found out that my plastic surgeon is qualified to do the DIEP Flap, which is the one I'd prefer. Check them out. I think you'll find some great info. Best of luck and keep us informed.0 -
A list of questions to take with you to your ps interview.....cynthiat56 said:Breast reconstuction
Thanks so much for the information that you have provided. I will be meeting with a plastic surgeon on October 8. Hopefully, I will get the news that I am hoping for.
There is a wonderful resource out there...."The Breast Reconstruction Guidebook" by Kathy Steligo (Carlo Press) which lists these questions to ask:
Which reconstructive option is best for me and why?
How many reconstructive surgeries of this type have you performed?
How many surgeries and office visits will be required over what period of time?
How will you reconstruct my nipple and areola (if needed)?
How many scars will I have and where will they be?
What is the best result I can expect?
How long will the surgery, hospital stay, and recovery be?
When will I be able to return to work/daily activities?
What will my recovery be like and how painful will it be?
What are the side effects and the risks?
How closelyl will my reconstructed breast match my opposite healthy breast? (if applicable)
What if I am not satisfied with the results?
How much will this cost me out of pocket?
And a few more, not in the book....
Particularly if you are looking for the state of the art muscle sparing flap procedures like DIEP, GAP, SIEA etc...
What is your success rate with these procedures? (you're looking for the high 90's)
How many of these have you done and how often?
Will I have to sign a consent stating if you are unable to intraoperatively perform this procedure I consent to having a TRAM/Free TRAM?
Have you been specifically trained to perform these procedures? Where?
Hope this helps you gather all the information you need to make a informed decision.
Best of Luck!0 -
bumpcynthiat56 said:Breast reconstuction
Thanks so much for the information that you have provided. I will be meeting with a plastic surgeon on October 8. Hopefully, I will get the news that I am hoping for.
bump0 -
dupcynthiat56 said:Breast reconstuction
Thanks so much for the information that you have provided. I will be meeting with a plastic surgeon on October 8. Hopefully, I will get the news that I am hoping for.
dup0 -
dupcynthiat56 said:Breast reconstuction
Thanks so much for the information that you have provided. I will be meeting with a plastic surgeon on October 8. Hopefully, I will get the news that I am hoping for.
dup0 -
dupcynthiat56 said:Breast reconstuction
Thanks so much for the information that you have provided. I will be meeting with a plastic surgeon on October 8. Hopefully, I will get the news that I am hoping for.
dup0 -
dupcynthiat56 said:Breast reconstuction
Thanks so much for the information that you have provided. I will be meeting with a plastic surgeon on October 8. Hopefully, I will get the news that I am hoping for.
dup0
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