Topic: Tummy tuck/nipple reconstruction/Exchange ?'s
- Posted on: Nov 7, 2009 08:30 pm
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,890
Hi Ladies,
I have my TE Exchange surgery 11/16. During this long period of having the dreaded TE's, I have lost 52 pounds. Since I have lost so much weight my husband & I decided that I would go ahead and get the Tummy Tuck at the time of the Exchange.
I also have to get one nipple reconstructed. I had the nipple sparing BM in Feb. Lost one nipple due to a staph infection. My PS has the nipple recon. surgery approved for the same time as the exchange. I saw a post on here that there is a "mini tummy tuck" for nipple reconstruction?
My presurgery consultation is next week. I already have a list of questions for my PS. Obviously if the tummy tuck surgery is cosmetic I have to pay out of pocket. If she uses the stomach skin for the nipple does insurance cover that? I am so confused.
I hope by posting this I do not sound dumb, but I want to know what some options are before I do something.
Also, what is the recovery period of an exchange & a tummy tuck?
Many thanks to you for responding, as you can see, I need some help! LOL
Gentle hugs,
2new1s (very soon) 
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mbtlcsw01 Joined: Feb 2009 Posts: 30 |
Nov 7, 2009 08:39 pm
mbtlcsw01 wrote:
Hi 2new1s. Your questions are not dumb. I'm having TE exchange on 11.30.09 and an oopherectomy at the same time. I told both surgeons to do whatever they could to take as much off/out of me that would be covered under my insurance. We said it jokingly, but I know my PS does lipo to fill in around the new implants to make a "nice drape." Not sure how much can be done as a tummy tuck--I;ll be interested to find out what happens with you cause I have to have the nipple part done next year. Blessings. Mary
Diagnosis: 10/14/2008, IDC, 1cm, Stage I, Grade 3, 0/2 nodes, ER+/PR-, HER2- |
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Leah_S Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 667 |
Nov 7, 2009 08:40 pm
Leah_S wrote:
2new1s, I don't have any answers for you but I had to say CONGRATULATIONS ON THE WEIGHT LOSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My goodness, 52 pounds, that's fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!! Leah Diagnosis: 11/3/2008, IDC, 1cm, Stage IIb, Grade 3, 6/17 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- |
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2new1s Joined: Nov 2008 Posts: 1,890 |
Nov 7, 2009 08:52 pm
2new1s wrote:
Mary & Leah ~ Thanks for the responses! I forgot to add that I also have to have pocket revisions done on both sides! So now I am really wondering, how Mary mentioned, if my PS can/will use the tummy "fat" for the pocket revisions? Could it even be possible that I could get that lucky to get a tummy tuck covered by our insurance after all this??????? Believe me after having kids, one c-section, & a hysterectomy, there is PLENTY of skin for her to use! |
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mbtlcsw01 Joined: Feb 2009 Posts: 30 |
Nov 7, 2009 09:00 pm
mbtlcsw01 wrote:
2new1s I also lost about 50 pounds before I was dx with BC. I was dx with type 2 diabetes prior to all this so I got serious about losing the weight. gained about 20 of it back during chemo. I have LOTS of skin and had hoped to do some type of flap, but just cannot take that much time off of work to mend. I'm very happy with my new girls--was filled up to 920 cc. Great size D's and my hair came back in absolutley great. Let me know what you can get your docs to do. I'm going to really push for as much lipo and mini tuck as I can. Mary
Diagnosis: 10/14/2008, IDC, 1cm, Stage I, Grade 3, 0/2 nodes, ER+/PR-, HER2- |
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2new1s Joined: Nov 2008 Posts: 1,890 |
Nov 7, 2009 09:06 pm
2new1s wrote:
Mary ~ you luck lady ~ 920cc's!!!!!!!!! I totally agrtee ~ get all you can covered! My left is 800 & the right is only filled to I think 650 or 700. PS stopped the fills because the TE was migrating to the armpit area. She is planning on placing 800 HP implants. I also am crossing my fingers that since I lost the weight she won't want to drop the implant size down. The 800cc's puts me right at the size I was pre-BM. Grant it, they were awful looking ~ but with a great puch-up bra, they did fine! |
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mbtlcsw01 Joined: Feb 2009 Posts: 30 |
Nov 7, 2009 09:15 pm
mbtlcsw01 wrote:
LOL Yeah, I had to have major underwire, push up whatever. Breast fed three children. I woke up from the TE surgery with 450 cc's. I could have shot the doc--boy did it hurt. I was able to tolerate the fills pretty well. I think my implants are going to be 850's. I don't think losing weight will be an issue. If they can up in TE's @ 450cc's with NO breasts at all, surely they can fit yours in with a wee bit more strectching. I swim daily, so I've worked on those muscles to be in better shape after the surgery. I'm with you--I just can't wait to get my new girls. Mary
Diagnosis: 10/14/2008, IDC, 1cm, Stage I, Grade 3, 0/2 nodes, ER+/PR-, HER2- |
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2new1s Joined: Nov 2008 Posts: 1,890 |
Nov 8, 2009 07:26 pm
2new1s wrote:
Bumping for help ~ please! |