Topic: Looking For Post S-Gap Advice
Log in to post a replyPosts: 7
- Posted on: May 16, 2008 08:51 am
Hello to everyone -- I have been reading your posts since being diagnosed last month, but was a little reluctant to show myself. I was diagnosed with a 1.5cm IDC, stage 1, grade, 1 with multiple DCIS around the tumor. No cancer in other breast, but columner hyperplasia. E+, P+, HER2-. All lymph nodes clear. I opted for bilateral mastectomy and SNB 4 weeks ago with Dr. Baron and Dr. Craigie in SC (they're amazing!) with immediate S-Gap reconstruction. The surgery was 12 hours, then 4 more the next day when the right side failed. My recovery has been good, but you all have such great info, I'm hoping that you might be able to answer a few lingering questions. Any advice? Left breast looks great, but right, not nearly as good (too much on top, not enough on bottom, harder, lumpier). How much can they fix in second surgery (PS says all will be well, but???) Also, still waiting for my oncotype results, but assuming they are low-intermediate, any experience with chemo vs. no chemo? What about tamoxifen? I am 44, and getting married in two weeks to younger man with no kids -- we have been thinking of trying (one miscarriage already). Would just like to know of others' experience. Third, how long did you wait before getting back into serious exercise. I am going crazy without my usual running and tennis (literally, exercise keeps panic attacks at bay). Too many questions I know, but thanks in advance to all of you. Even without writing before, I have felt supported and connected by all of your stories.
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Felicia Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 1728 |
May 16, 2008 10:29 am
Felicia wrote:
Hi, Tracy and welcome. We're a rather friendly bunch; glad you showed yourself I had an IGAP last June, but I think I can answer some of your questions. I'm sure others will chime in as well... It is amazing what can be done in Stage II surgery! I don't know of two many women who weren't totally happy with size, shape or symmetry after Stage I and remained unhappy after Stage II. My surgery was with Drs Levine and Allen in NYC and I didn't really need major revisions, but women I've communicated with all have said basically the same thing: that they love the look/shape of their breast after the second surgery. Your doc has lots of experience; I'm sure if you tell Dr. Cragie what you want changed, he'll make it happen - or try really, really hard - for you. My IGAP was delayed (three years after my bilateral mast.) and I didn't have chemo, but I'm sure someone will be along shortly to help you out with those questions... I was an avid runner/ track and field Olympic hopeful before BC. My last meet of the season was in late July and my surgery was in early September. During radiation, I started karate (seemed like a good idea at the time, lol) and was training a total of six days a week by the time my IGAP surgery rolled around. I was walking on a treadmill about two weeks after surgery, running (very slowly, but...) around week five, returned to karate training six weeks to the day after surgery and started lifting weights seven weeks post surgery. Everyone heals differently and it is really important that you not only folow your doc's advice, but listen to your body as well, but as someone who is used to physical exercise, you may be up and about sooner than someone who is not. That old adage about no pain no gain does not apply here; if it feels bad, uncomfortable or hurts at all, stop... All the best to you. Feel free to pm me if you'd like. And enjoy your new "girls" Proud to fight like a girl (don't let the ponytails fool you)!
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StillTracy Joined: May 2008 Posts: 7 |
May 16, 2008 11:01 am
StillTracy wrote:
Thanks for the warm welcome, Felicia, and the great advice. BTW, regarding my chemo/no chemo question, I just received my Oncotype score -- it is 21. Was really hoping for lower...but there are many of you out there who have gone through/are going through far more difficult times than I. |
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Felicia Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 1728 |
May 16, 2008 11:19 am
Felicia wrote:
Don't "discount" what you're going through, Tracy. Sure, others are going through deep crap, but you've got your own deep crap to deal with. It is what it is - and it all sucks big time... I didn't do Oncotype, so I'm not too up on the scores, but if you are at all on the fence, try starting another thread about it to see what kind of responses from folks who've btdt you get... Proud to fight like a girl (don't let the ponytails fool you)!
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nosurrender… Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 4692 |
May 16, 2008 11:45 am
nosurrender wrote:
Felicia, didn't you have lots of problems with contracture before you decided to go with the gap? I am in that place now and the only place I have plenty-o-tissue is my butt. Did you have rads before the gap surgery and did it affect it? How bad is the pain from that surgery? ( I can't take pain killers so this is a biggie) Thanks, g nosurrenderbreastcancerhelp.com
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nosurrender… Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 4692 |
May 16, 2008 11:49 am
nosurrender wrote:
Tracy, I don't know about the S-gap questions, but I hope you are feeling better. If you are planning a family then Tamox is out. It can cause serious birth defects. Good luck with the WEDDING! That is a wonderful thing to look forward to! nosurrenderbreastcancerhelp.com
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Colleen123 Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 348 |
May 16, 2008 12:26 pm
Colleen123 wrote:
Nosurrender.... I had bilateral SGAP surgery over a year ago and I didn't find the pain bad at all... more discomfort. IGAP might be different because the incisions are at the bottom of your buttocks where you sit. SGAP puts the incisions at the top of your buttocks (about even with the top of the crack). The incisions are covered by bikini underwear or bathing suit. When I woke up from surgery, I had a self-medicating morphine drip that you could give to yourself by pushing a button. I only used it twice (on the advice of the nurse) before getting out of bed. If the nurse had not suggested it, I wouldn't have used it. I didn't feel I needed it. Other than that, I took a couple of tylenol for a headache one night. That was it. They sent me home with a bottle of pain killers, but I didn't use any. So... each doctor is different as well, as my ps put numbing balls in my backside incision after the surgery (these are balls filled with a local anesthetic that slowly feed into the incision until the balls are empty.... a couple of days). This allows you to lay comfortably on your back for the first few days. The most uncomfortable thing for me was my chest where they took the piece of rib cartilage to access the mammary artery. It hurt to take a deep breath, and because of that, I didn't breathe deeply enough and developed fluid in my lungs. This was easily corrected with a small apparatus that I had to breathe into to expand my lungs. That was my experience. I am sure others will chime in here with theirs as far as the pain goes. And.... I didn't have rads, so I can't help you with that question. Colleen |
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Felicia Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 1728 |
May 16, 2008 01:45 pm
Felicia wrote:
Hi, Gina, I did have rads after expanders were placed, but didn't have too much contracture. The ps even waited about 6 months after rads to continue expanding, but the blood supply was wrecked and skin opened up twice after the exchange. My options were keep the implant and be prepared for regular trips to the OR to sew the skin back up (yeah, right) or get rid of the thing and think of something else. The other rads-related problem I had was difficulty healing after the implant was removed. I ended up with a quarter-sized hole that took forever and a daggone day to finally close. Not cute at all... Like Colleen said, there was more discomfort than pain with the IGAP - as in, gee, I wish I could find a comfortable position to sit in. That lasted about two weeks. I clearly remember Tammy Lou telling me that every day would get a little bit easier and it did. There was a whole lot less actual pain than I thought; I was only on extra strength Tylenol after about three days or so. Rads did not affect the IGAP because almost all the skin that had been damaged was replaced by my donor site. I'm glad I had it done - just sorry it took so long to get here from there... Proud to fight like a girl (don't let the ponytails fool you)!
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cindiedee Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 240 |
May 16, 2008 05:42 pm
cindiedee wrote:
Tracy - I also had SGAP last summer with Drs. Baron/Kline/Craigie. My surgery was 11.5 hours and I had no flap failure. I was in the hospital 4 days and can honestly tell you I don't remember a single thing- that must have been some good dope they had me on! I didn't have a lot of pain either - more discomfort. I did have alot of post op complications and ended up on a wound vac all summer and in and out of the hospital- I ended up with a crater hole in my left butt cheek. Those docs do amazing work - during stage II, they harvested fat from lipo - filled in the hole, added some to the top of the new boobs to round them out, made nipples, etc - the change between stage I and stage II was amazing! Unfortunately for me, my body reabsorbed most of the fat - I have a very flat butt now but I just don't care. I look normal - top and bottom - and intend to just leave it alone. I was scheduled for the tats back last Sept. but cancelled it - I was just too afraid to have any more done - Dr. Kline still wants me to do it but for now, I am just not ready. After stage II, I ended up with not one, but two (!) suture abcesses necessitating another trip to SC and more surgery - but all is well now! Best of luck - and remember, you will not see your real results from all this for 6-12 months or longer. I am still changing - I thought the lipo had done nothing (abdomen wise) but after 6-8 months, I started smoothing out and became smaller. So, I am a happy camper! Cheers! Cindie |
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StillTracy Joined: May 2008 Posts: 7 |
May 16, 2008 06:38 pm
StillTracy wrote:
Cindiedee, I had read of your complications when I looked up Dr. Craigie before my surgery -- wow, you have such a great attitude for all you have been through! I wish you nothing but good things going forward! Luckily, I live outside Charleston, so can get to the office whenever necessary, which hasn't been often. Since the failure and reattachment of the right breast, I've only had a partially collapsed lung from all of the anesthesia in the two surgeries. I am looking forward to stage 2 -- hoping that chemo doesn't get in the way (I have a meeting with my oncologist next week). My butt looks so much wider because it is flat on top! I was in great shape before the surgery, but now, I feel like I am carrying a double wide mobile home behind me! All the best to you, and thanks for responding! |
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