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The Finishing Touch
I had DIEP reconstruction over fourteen years ago That ended with the plastic surgeon making a little nipple shape (I think it was called a C-V nipple). Since it's pretty much the same color as the rest of my skin, it only gives the illusion of a nipple through clothing. I did some research into areole tattoos back then,…
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Weakness and spasms after DIEP
I had a Diep flap reconstruction in September of 2021. I had ongoing problems with lower abdominal weakness and cramps like large charley horses since recovery. It’s only on one side. I’ve had pt with a group who specializes in breast cancer patients, and pt remotely through MD Anderson. They all focus on building strength…
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DIEP - supporting core muscles long term after surgery
Hi – I had my procedure done a little over a year ago. I still have a lot of weakness in my core muscles. I'm doing exercises to help with that (yoga, rowing, physical therapy), but this lack of support gives me a lot of back pain. I try to remind myself as often as I can to engage my core muscles, but it's just not…
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Tips/Tricks to Heal Incisions After Radiation?
I had my DIEP on 2/20. My non-radiated side and abdomen healed beautifully, my radiated side...not so much. The flap is fine, but the radiated skin necrotized shortly after surgery. After a few weeks of wound care and debridement, I had skin grafted to that breast on 3/18. Some of the grafted skin took, some didn't, so I…
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Breast Reconstruction with Latissimus Dorsi Flap
My name is Sherry and i'm 58 yrs old. This is my 2nd bout with breast cancer. I had it in 2002 and I had a lumpectomy, chemo and radiation. It came back in December 2021 in the same breast. This time my surgeon said that I would need a mastectomy. I have also seen my plastic surgery. On February 16, 2022, they will be…
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DIEP FLAP SURGERY AND RECOVERY SUGGESTIONS
I will be having DIEP flap surgery in February. I am 13 years out from ILC/ bilateral masectomy w/ silicone implants. I have struggled with BII for 4-5 years. Exhausting many specialists, knowing it was silicone toxicity I was struggling with the last 2 years, I finally had Explant surgery last October.i was scheduled for…
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Was fat grafting worth it?
Hello, seeking feedback from those who had fat grafting with their exchange from TEs to implants. All input appreciated, with particular interest in results on those carrying a moderate/lower amount of fat. Was the resultant appearance of your breasts worth the extra procedure and recovery? How did the sites from which the…
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After Flap Reconstruction, Complications More Likely in Women With Higher BMI
After Flap Reconstruction, Complications More Likely in Women With Higher BMI Apr 10, 2024 Women with a higher body mass index have a higher risk of complications after flap breast reconstruction. Read more…
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Anyone Lumpy after DIEP?
I had my DIEP on 2/20. My radiated side has been difficult - the skin necrotized, so on 3/18 I had some skin grafting on that side. However, during that procedure it came to light that some of my left flap had died, so they removed that portion (about half the flap). I have my first post-op later this week. In the…
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Options for reconstruction when you've had radiation previously
I have breast cancer for the third time but had lumpectomy and radiation with prior breast cancer. I am having consults with plastic surgeons for DIEP surgery. For the second time this week, my husband has asked me if there are any other options (don't think he realized how large a surgery this is). I previously told him…
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BIA-ALCL Symptoms ??
Yes, I am aware BIA-ALCL is not breast cancer. I’m having some vague symptoms and what to assuage my fears. Prophylactic mastectomies in 2012 for BRCA-1 mutation. Sientra high profile textured implants below the muscle in 2013. For the past few weeks I am exhausted all the time. Not “I worked or exercised” hard tired. It’s…
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New Implants - Not Satisfied
Hi. I had my exchange from expanders to implants 1 week ago. I can honestly say that I was happier with the look of my expanders. There is little to no projection with my implants and I have my post-op appointment tomorrow. I've done what research I know to do, but is anyone else in the same boat? I know there was a huge…
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Reconstruction ‘PLANE CHANGE’ from under muscle to over muscle
In 2015 I was diagnosed and had double mastectomy with reconstruction. At that time they recommended subpectoral (under muscle) implants as. Over the years the animation deformity when I flex has been annoying and uncomfortable. I am an active person a feel it every day. One side has started to droop noticeably and I am…
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Flap Reconstruction - Decisions
Hello all! I was diagnosed in 2012 and had a mastectomy with TE/implant reconstruction. In November, I had a biopsy (benign 🙏) on three tiny bumps on the reconstucted breast. Unforntunately, the wound became infected and the wouldn't heal so they removed the implant (which they then found was ruptured) and replaced it with…
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getting an implant after radiation and subsequent mastectomy
I'm looking for input from people who have had an implant on a formerly radiated breast that also had a lumpectomy. I have recurrent breast cancer in the same spot so after doing chemo I now must have a mastectomy. I'm considering an implant but I know the chances of it being unsuccessful are higher when the tissues had…
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TE/Implant OVER pectoral Can exercise, comfortable &NO RIPPLES!
I want to put this out there as an option for implant reconstruction. Initially I had uni mx and delayed reconstruction with a TE put under my pectoral muscle. Hated, just hated it. Was painful and crampy for all the muscles of my chest. No strength because my pectoral muscle was cut. So bad I couldn't open a bag of chips.…
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Is it safe to go a long flight after mastectomy with reconstruction?
Hello, I'm not sure yet if I will need mastectomy, but I'm trying to figure how long after mastectomy with reconstruction it is safe to go on a long flight. I have found mix information on this. Unfortunately I will need to so it will be helpful to know in advance. If someone has had experience with this it'd be helpful to…
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Acellular Dermal Matrix (ADM) with your mastecomy reconstruction
Anyone use Acellular Dermal Matrix (ADM) with your mastecomy reconstruction. Can you tell me about it - good/bad? Have you decided against it? I ask because I met with my reconstructive surgeon today, and he suggested it for my skin sparring double mastectomy. Somehow, I hadn't heard of this in all my reading and prep.
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Three-Stage DIEP?
I'm scheduled to have my implants removed next month as part of my post-mastectomy DIEP. However, the Stage I and Stage II I see described in many posts isn't what my PS has planned. My Stage I surgery is only on my abdomen - something about isolating the blood flow to the tissue that will be transferred, so the remaining…
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implants uncomfortable? And questions about saving my natural nipple
Hi, I'm scheduled for left sided mastectomy in one week. I've had mixed messages about whether I can save my nipple. I'm a 38D with grade 1 ptosis and was told it might not look good if I try to save it but that it's okay from a cancer standpoint to keep it. I've heard about the natural nipple looking weird or getting…
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Is symmetry possible with SMX + perky remaining breast?
Hi! I have searched the forum, but couldn't find any posts that were exactly my question. I have been dx with DCIS. As a fun bonus, I probably have body dysmorphia and I am really worried that if I end up at all 'disfigured' in my appearance, I will become significantly depressed. So, my main concern with this diagnosis is…
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Frustrated with non-answers.
I had a lump ectomy and radiation 10 years ago so the doctors tell me I can’t have it again. I must have a mastectomy. And I do want reconstruction but I really don’t want to have silicone or saline. Challenge is I keep getting a runaround from the doctors about how awful it is and all the complications and everything and…
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DIEP and seroma
I had my DIEP four weeks ago and noticed last night when I pressed on the left side of my abdomen incision I got the rolling waves hallmark of a seroma. Contacted my BS today and they confirmed that's probably what it was and told me I could come to the office and attempt to drain it. I have my next appointment 02/28/23…
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Silicone Implants: sub-pec vs pre-pec
Hi everyone, I need to replace my old silicone implants that were placed under the muscle. I have a dilemma that i hope you might help me with. I have heart issues and am required to do Echo at least twice a year. The sonographer has an extremely hard time navigating around my under the muscle implant and taking good…
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Picture Forum?
I have been reading through the old "Exchange City" thread and there is a picture forum of members who have gone through reconstruction. Is that still available somewhere? It would be so helpful to be able to see real women who have gone through the reconstruction process rather than having to weed through all the…
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New York or New Jersey Plastic Surgeons proficient at stacked Diep
Looking for recommendations for plastic surgeons who do stacked Diep for thin women who don’t have enough belly fat for reconstruction and need additional sites to form a breast. New York and New Jersey please. Thank you!
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Insurance and MRIs on Silicone Implants
I see that the FDA recommends MRIs on Silicone implants to monitor for leaks. My PS recommends that also. Has anyone had any trouble getting insurance to pay for this? Thank you
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Radiated Skin, Wound Not Healing
Hello Ladies, I wonder if anyone can help? I have 2 wounds the size of a quarter that will not heal. It has been over a month now. I had some reconstruction to fix bad job from 15 years ago. The radiated skin would not allow the implant to work. So the implant was removed and left me with open wounds. What can be done…
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Looking for recommendations for plastic surgeons in Massachusetts
Hello. I am looking for recommendations for plastic surgeons in Massachusetts. I had my last reconstruction 8 years ago and have since lost a lot of weight (99 lbs!). My implant has become so uncomfortable, I think it’s time to address this issue. My prior PS has moved out of state so any help is appreciated. I had a…
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Who has had both implants and DIEP?
I had a direct to implant BMX with 535cc silicone implants in October 2021, followed by radiation on my left side in June 2022. I had fat grafting in June 2023 to try and break up/loosen the radiated tissue, with limited success. My chest feels heavy, cold, and tight, especially on my radiated side. My boobs look…