Topic: August Reconstruction Please Join

These darn drains!! Does anyone have itching around where the drains enter?  I am trying not to panic and pull them out. I just keep reminding myself they are there for a reason. Yes this is better than a seroma- FOR SURE!

Nola Ladies, what does stage 2 consist of? Symmetry issues? 

Also ladies like Anniese and Nordy- how do your breasts feel? Do you feel any hard spots? mine feel strange when I wake up- like heavy and still not a full part of me. I find that I do not easily stand up straight- not sure if it is leg flaps or breasts wanting me to lean over.

 What does the NOLA dcotors say about future bras? underwires? when can I wear a "normal "bra?

 Thank you all for ALL your help and support ! I am so glad I am not alone and BCO friends!

Spring - no one is as suprised as me at this development.  I thought for sure - based on how I felt and the menopause sypmtoms I had - that I was done with this for good.  What a shocker this was.  A while back I read about this happening to someone else on this board but never gave it much thought.

Happy - Stage 2, symetry issues, fixing dog ears and making incisions look better, some lipo to get fat to fill in areas that are flat, etc.  Yes, I have the same feeling in the mornings - for about 30 minutes after I wake up I still have a hard time getting moving.  Things are heavy and uncomfortable and feel kind of like weights on my chest.  Once I'm up and moving it gets better.  I do have some hard areas on both breasts - one irradiated and one not.  This too is supposed to get better and then be fixed in Stage 2 if still there (I think).  I was told to wear no underwires until after six weeks and then after that I could wear whatever bra I want.

Ladies Spring I have emailed you about hair from the beginning I am afraid I wont ever get my hair back unfortunately I think Taxotere took it away from me 13 months out and I am still fighjting my nails and hair. I also had recon. this summer but I just had a implant in I should of done both like you ladies and had them take some fat from me but before chemo I had NOFAT now forget it its like I am 20 pounds heavier than I have ever been and I do try and exercises its pretty depressing but it sounds like you ladies are pretty happy I still have more stages to go through with the implants you cant put the nips on yet so that will be next year when I have he money to fly and take off again I also didn't have anyone to help me recover I am single and don't have allot of time to take off work so I think I did the right thing not with the hair if anyone has any ideas on it I have tried it all biotin pills shampoos steroid cream its no fun no wig though I just need some miracle grow ha..take care..

Nordy, I hear that DaVinci surgical method is **wonderful**. I think you are up and about in like no time, by comparison...

hi to all of you wonderful ladies.

I had a mastectomy with tissue expanders on right side with a lift on left side on Sept 2nd.  It's nice to read all the posts and see all the support.  For me it really makes a big difference being able to relate with others who understand 100% everything we go through.  My PS filled me some during my surgery and I went back on the 15th for a fill-up.  He said he gave me a double-shot.  I know he told me the amount of cc's, but my brain was sleeping at the time. I go back next tuesday for another fill-up and my PS thinks that will be enough.  I'm up at 2am because I am in pain and can't sleep.  Had to take a pain pill for the first time in over a week.  The skin on the bottom side of my foob is red.  I'm hoping it is just the skin stretching and nothing more.  Am I correct in thinking that infection would be red around the scar?  I think my pain pill must be kicking in--starting to feel a little loopy!  Does anyone know how long before I can have the exchange surgery.  I'm hoping I can be done by the end of the year and start the new year off as a new beginning.

Gayle

Springie,

  I wear ONLY the the bras by Barely There..I call them my "training bras" they are really just for show as none of us really need a bra now!

  The style I wear feel like the old Danskin material..VERY SOFT ,,has a fabric underband...so soft...and the best part is that the straps are skinny (yahoo for that ) and it comes in Powder Blue,Pink,Periwinkle Blue,Lime Green,White,Beige ,Black and Tangerine. Over the last two years I bought on e in every color (nice to layer under tanks etc) .

P.S.  I WAS a bra fitter for about 1 year...REALLY

 I f you catch the sales at Kohls they can run as little as $14...LOVE LOVE LOVE THEM!

http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/intimates/bras/wirefreebras/PRD~307900/barely+there+Flawless+Fit+Comfy+Support+WireFree+Bra.jsp

today 9/19/09 they are $15.99 !

Warners wirefree are very comfy too...

http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/intimates/bras/wirefreebras/PRD~209991/Warners+Elements+of+Bliss+2Ply+Soft+Cup+Bra.jsp~

http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/intimates/bras/wirefreebras/PRD~209990/Warners+Elements+of+Bliss+Soft+Cup+Bra.jsp?crosssell=true

Gotta go my bad.. its the Jewish New year and I am typing which is considered work)

Marcia

 Decent website to browse

http://www.onehanesplace.com/webapp/commerce/command/CategoryDisplay?cgnbr=30N0000000&P=1&V=C

http://www.barelythere.com/

Style 4285

note Kohls carrys' more colors

Thank you Soccer Mom.

I used it just now and it is helping taking away the itch and the focus.

I am hoping to have them taken out within the week....hoping.....

Marcia! I think I am going to ask about the Neosporin on Monday or Tues. I keep thinking these drains are going to come out and every time they tell me "no", my output immediately increases! They must know my body better than I! Anyway, today the right drain, which is the one that has been giving me trouble all along started itching and feeling really uncomfortable at the exit site. I was thinking about the Neosporin before I even read your post, but did not think to use the one with the lidocaine in it. I will hold off until I get the okay, though! I am so eager to lose these drains... BTW, Happy New Year!

ANYONE with tips on how to quickly lose the drains, please let me know!!! Increase or decrease activity? Is there a secret? Anne W - yours were out at 3 weeks - is there a difference in length of time between SGap and Hip flap drains? Yes, they are there for a reason, yes, I will do as the doctor says... No, I don't like it.

Spring - Marcia also gave me the tip on the Barely There bras. I went to Kohl's twice last week to find a bra that I liked and thought would not be too constricting. I liked the Barely There ones, but just couldn't seem to get a good fit. I ended up with two of the Warner's wireless bras. One is a little on the sexier side and the other is a really soft stretchy cup, that I just love. It is so comfy. I am going to go back in a week or two and try the Barely There ones again. I think right now, that the area is still maybe a little swollen and sensitive, so will look when things are even more healed. 

Thank you Anne! I think my output went up the past few days because I was so sick of sitting around the house and it has been such beautiful weather that I went out for a long walk the past few days! Maybe I need to slow that down, but it is hard for me! As for the compression, Dr. Sullivan has me in a crotchless girdle to be worn at all times except when showering, so I am already compressed! The thing goes from up under my breasts to just above the knee - I can't imagine putting anything else over it! (but maybe if it helps I could stand it a day or two!!!) Thank you for your insight!

Linda- So happy to hear that you are FINALLY done and healed! I can't wait to look at your pics. I would like to post my pics because I was very surprised that my incision is round right where the nipple and areloa were, but I have to get comfortable with them first! They kind of stare at me like big eyes! My BS says they are beautiful and asked if I have shown my girlfriends yet! I will wait until I have a finished product. I was filled 540 ccs at surgery, so my PS says he may not have to do any more fills before exchange. I would be very happy with that!

Tchmuzik, wow, I never heard of that. I did have AlloDerm (or cadaver skin) before when I had one step recon with implants and the alloderm. (I later had a stacked DIEP/lumbar due to rads failure).

One note of caution. Some insurance companies BALK at paying for the alloderm, which is really expensive. (It is also very thin, so he may have to use a lot). You may want to ask him about it and make sure your ins. company will cover??? just a thought. 

Also, there are a bunch of us DIEP girls over on this thread,  Nola in Sept : http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topic/736412?page=27#idx_797  most are a few weeks behind you, but you are welcome!