Topic: June 08 Reconstruction

   I am having a bilateral GAP on June 16/19. I am very very very very nervous too. My ca was in 2001 and I have had implants since then that I really never liked. They move when I flex my muscles. I look freaky. I have thought about it for years but last year my youngest son had more medical problems than usual. We met our out of pocket max quickly and my husband said, " honey, you know that surgery you talked about? Well now would be a good time to get it done as we have maxed the out of pocket for the year." Just like a guy huh!!!  So although we are into a new insurance year he still supports me getting it done. My son's health has stablized ( knock on wood) so we can afford it now. This is most of the issue but I do also have pain on the radiated side. Not severe but annoying.

  My biggest issue right now is I feel so torn between having a diep and have size B breasts or a GAP and have size C breasts. I think I would like C breasts. I kind of miss my old ones. But then remember I would have enough for bilateral B cups on my tummy with C cups on the chest. Worried that I will be front heavy. !!!

  I am also scared that my GAP will turn out saggy like my natural breasts were. I am going to tell him again.....no saggy boobs!!!

   I hope I remember right that women with GAP's recovver faster than those with dieps too. I have a 16y/o and two 5 y.o boys who need Momma. I think one of the boys will do fine but the younger one has delays and he might not understand I can't lift him for several months.

   I am not so scared of the surgery but am a little freaked out that this is the final option I will have. When I had the implant I knew there was another option. What if I hate them? OK now I am getting anxious. I must remember the doc is great and I trust him.

Stay well and look forward to hearing from you

susan

HI, I'm June 18 - expanders coming out and getting 410's (gummies)... Ironcially I think in the 410 size.

Soo excited.. Want boobies!

Anyone else on the 18th?

Yep! My exchange will be in June--June 12 to be exact. VERY EXCITED to be done with my turtle shell expanders. Just got yet another fill yesterday and it didn't go very well. I had a spasm in my back, I involuntarily jerked and the Physician's Asst. doing the filling jerked, thereby tearing my skin and causing bleeding and now, a doozy of a bruise. Luckily, I got some more percocet 'cause boy did I need that last night! I REALLY want to be done with the fillings and these expanders! Just one more fill to go and then, bye bye expanders! At this point, they are planning on this as an out patient procedure. I sure hope it goes that way, but I don't really do well with general anesthesia (vomiting afterward!) do I guess we will see!

Good luck to all of you June girls!
Anne

I'm having surgery to exchange the expanders for silicone implants on June 11th!  I am also very excited to be so close to this next step in the reconstruction process.

Guess I need to join this topic.  I am having an expander exchanged for implant and lift/reduction/augment on other side on June 2nd.  Seemed like forever ago it was scheduled, now it is fast approaching !!!  Can't wait.  One thing I am worried about is PS said with my good side having to have a lift so high up, I might necrose my nipple because blood supply might be compromised. YUCK !  Praying that isn't the case.

Cheryl 

Just had my exchange--8 days ago.  Was so excited and of course, nervous.  Couldn't wait to get the bandages off.  Spent the first few days feeling sore and tired and emotionally spent!  Its been a long 10 months.  The emotions seemed to come pouring out on day 2 and 3.

Am pleased with my new boobies....they are a huge improvement over the expanders.  Lighter, softer, fuller, and way more comfortable.

Can't wait for my final steps....nipples and tatoos!  God bless and above all be patience...its a process :-)

Just had my exchange--8 days ago.  Was so excited and of course, nervous.  Couldn't wait to get the bandages off.  Spent the first few days feeling sore and tired and emotionally spent!  Its been a long 10 months.  The emotions seemed to come pouring out on day 2 and 3.

Am pleased with my new boobies....they are a huge improvement over the expanders.  Lighter, softer, fuller, and way more comfortable.

Can't wait for my final steps....nipples and tatoos!  God bless and above all be patience...its a process :-)

Yay!

I am signing up on this thread!!!

I had right side mastectomy in July 2007, then chemo, no rads.

I am going in the 2nd of June, for a preventive left side, plus recon. Will do small gummy bears, one step. no need for expanders (surgeon left enough skin on right side... :) ) and I'm getting B size. I am happy with that, as I had a life-time of DD, and hated every moment... last thing I want now at 44 is big boobs!!! Hopefully, by July (my one year cancerversary) I will be in a bikini... with a glass of champagne in my hands.

So glad to find you all!  I am having a mastectomy and tram reconstruction on June 2nd after a diagnosis of recurrent IDC this month. My original diagnosis was in Jan 05 and I had a lumpectomy and radiation.  This recurrence is in the same side, so there are few options for me. I am small breasted and on the thin side, so I am "lucky" to have enough of a belly to make a breast mound to match what I have. From what i've read about expanders and implants and multiple surgeries, I decided this was the best way to go for me. I will have another Sentinel Lymph Node biopsy at the time of the surgery and the nuclear injections were so painful last time, that is what frightens me...oh and some of the complications I've read about. I am not looking forward to pain, but after three children by natural childbirth (granted the last was 18 years ago when people still did such things!) I know I am a strong person, but the one lesson I learned through my last diagnosis was to let people help you.  It makes everyone feel better. I'm glad I won't be in this alone.  Good luck to you all. 

there are several of us that are having June 2nd surgeries (myself included) - that is only a week away !!!   I am getting anxious to get my expander replaced with implant and will also be getting a lift/reduction/augment on right side.  Hope I heal as well as I did with mast. 2 summers ago .

Cheryl 

hi ehall,i two just had my exchange 2 weeks ago and my left side seems much different then my right its like you said a flathamburger buns.my right side looks much better still swollen and i two had lipo and surgury under my arms they were very painful i still am taking pain meds and wonder how you are doing now and what they look like

hi all, i have another question since it looks like i will have to get my l implant switched i was thinking about having lipo in my stomach done anyone has had that i would like to know how it went how much pain and if you were happy thanks lynn

Hi Lynn--yup..my right side is perfect.  Unfortunately, my left side is still painful--a bit fuller & firmer, with some weird pains--not severe..but kinda burning & stinging sensations.  The lipo--is still painful.  I have this kinda "cord" shaped bump under my arm--which is sensitive.  I'm heading to the PS tomorrow to have my stitches removed.  I plan to discuss this with him and should know more then.  I'll let you know what I find out.  My sense is that my left side is where my lymph nodes were removed and an earlier infection caused me to have my expander removed in December and then replaced in February.  I'm hoping its just "trama" pains and will go away in time.

Other than that--I feel pretty good--a few tylenol and I'm fine.  I did put on a bathing suit today and went to the pool.  Of course, I didn't go swimming and wore lots of sunscreen...but it was nice.  I also surprised myself as to how comfortable I was with my new foobs.  My 16 year--couldn't stop telling me how great I looked ;-)

Hope things are going well for you---

Erin

Cat,

I'm having my exchange on June 11th! I am sooo excited. My pre-op is tomorrow, so I'll find out all the details (I hope) then.

I've had these expanders since last October so I am really looking forward to soft squishy boobs.

We will have to check in and say hello after our exchange!

Hi Lynn and others--yesterday marks two weeks since my expander exchange.  I can't tell you how excited I was...and then how disappointed I was for about 3 days.  I think the initial shock, elevated expectations, and the past year just caught up with me. My doctor warned me this morning that the breasts will change shape in the comign months (in a good way).  He showed me some massages and compression exercises--that seem to help with some of the discomfort--especially on the left side. 

As for meds...I stayed in Robaxin for about 3-4 days and then switched to tylenol.  I wanted to drive and get out & about---and couldn't do it while taking Robaxin. 

In retrospect...the implants are much more comfortable than the expanders...I am sleeping on my stomach--something I haven't done since last fall.  But they are far from comfortable.  I know time will increase the comfort.  Sports bras help...with compression and support (I even wear them to bed).

Whatever your goals--if you desire certain size--then insist on it.  I wanted to be back where I started--a full C.  I was scheduled for my exchange in early April at 650 cc.  My PS thought he could put in 550 or 600 expanders and "possibly achieve a C cup".  I fretted over the weekend and to make sure I had no regrets---I postponed my surgery for 6 weeks until mid-may.  I then went on to get 2 more fills to a very full 800 ccs.  The implants he inserted were 700 high profile--which achieved my desired results.

Today my stitches came out and I got the green light to begin walkign again---went straight to the track and almost danced around it for 3 miles.  It was a fabulous feeling!

After your exchange...if your doctor recommends it....massage, compress, and take the meds that make you feel better :-)