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Questions and any advice for straight to implant reconstruction?
Looking for advice and suggestions on how to be best prepared for my surgery and any other questions I should consider for my PS. Two weeks ago I had a lumpectomy bilateral reduction. Love my new breasts. Sadly, the left reduction tissue was chock full of DCIS. The more you know… right? I get to heal for a couple of months…
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Surgeons in NY/CT/NJ area that do mastectomy + BRAVA expansion system + fat grafting reconstruction
I am BRCA1 positive, needing to do prophylactic risk reducing mastectomy very soon. Almost all of my immediate female members in my family have been diagnosed with breast cancer (mother, both grandmothers, three aunts), some in their 30s. Most have BRCA1, the rest have not been tested. My oncology team in located in NYC. I…
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Seeking DIEP recovery stories
I had a bilateral mastectomy with tissue expanders and am now trying to decide between implants and DIEP reconstruction. If you have had DIEP reconstruction, here's what I'm curious about: - How did you make your decision? - What was recovery was like? - How long ago was your surgery and how you feel about the outcome?…
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Re: explanting and going flat
Hello! I am 5 years out from my mastectomy and reconstruction and I want to remove my implants. I don't like the feeling of them in my body to put it simply. I am a tall thin person and don't qualify for any fat transfer but I do have a decent amount of skin (32C) over my implants and have been reading about the goldilocks…
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TEs. A Beginner's Primer
Hi. If you've found this thread, you are probably interested in information, tips and help. We'll all do our best to help. We'll post links to several other threads that may be of help as well. But many of us realized that we were scaring Newbies on the TE Trouble Board and that there should be an information Board…
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Women More Satisfied When Breast Reconstruction Uses Their Own Tissue
Women More Satisfied When Breast Reconstruction Uses Their Own Tissue Oct 25, 2023 Even though the surgery is more complex, women are more satisfied with their breasts if they have reconstruction using their own tissue. Read more…
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Which implant is better?
Hi there, I was diagnosed in 2019 on right side, mastectomy was one and then implant was placed( silicon, mentor textured). After few weeks of implant placed I have some pressure and puffiness on side where implant was placed but I was told that it will go way as I heal and I took it positive and it has reduced as well. I…
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implant exchange
Hello. I had a bilateral skin and nipple-sparing mastectomy with a tissue expander on 9/19/23. My PS and I decided not to expand further as the size works for me. This means I have not done any expansion since the surgery, which he placed 200cc at that time. The next step is the implant exchange, and I decided to go with…
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Direct to implant, plastic surgeons only want to do prepectoral
Met with 2 plastic surgeons in my area and both said 'under the muscle' implants for reconstruction are a thing of the past and modern doctors only do prepectoral implants now with ADMs (allograft to create the pocket). The reason being that under the muscle implants can cause animation deformity when flexing the muscle.…
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Plastic Surgeon in Maine Recommendations for Treatment of Capsular Contracture
Hi all. I had bilateral mastectomies in 2008 after a diagnosis of bilateral BC. I had implant reconstruction with a successful outcome. However, in the past couple of months, I have noticed capsular contraction on one side. Since my surgery, we have moved to Maine and I need to find a plastic surgeon who is an expert in…
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MSK Plastic Surgeons
Hi! Newly diagnosed with DCIS in my right breast. It is in my entire breast and my breast cancer surgeon who is at MSK said i need a mastectomy. She has recommended plastic surgeons within the hospital but none of them have any before and after photos I can find. Also, i can't make more then 1 apportionment at a time to…
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Implants...does your "foobs" get itchy!!!
I've had my current set of implants....mentor silicone implants for 3 1/2 years now...and there are times I feel like I want to claw my chest off...this is mostly in the evening....I haven't been to the PS in 1 1/2 years (or is it 2 1/2 years) and have no plans to make an appt for him to just look at them and say yup, they…
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Breast implants impacting sleep?
Apologies if this is already somewhere on this forum, but I could not find it. I was recently diagnosed and I'm trying to determine if I will get 2 lumpectomies or a mastectomy with reconstruction. I sleep on my stomach and I am wondering if implants will negatively impact this, i.e., will I feel them as foreign objects,…
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Pain in only one expander?
So I've been getting fills for a while now and am down to just one or two more. They are getting progressively more painful, which I expected. I had a fill Friday and the left side is still pretty uncomfortable. The right side seems to have settled down. When I bend over, the left side hurts. Is this normal? There is…
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Overfilling 400 CC Tissue Expanders
Quick question: How many ccs can a 400cc tissue expander actually hold if overfilled? I am at 540ccs right now…how much higher can I realistically go? Christina
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Breast implants
Is anyone happy with their breast implants? I have expanders currently. Need to decide on what to do. Is there such a thing as fat transfer? Please advise.
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Sizing questions and saying hello!
Is anyone still on this thread? The last ones I saw were from 2014.. anyway hello anyone who’s there! I’m 38yrs old diagnosed with triple neg stage 3 grade 3 , going through neoadjuvant chemo and immunotherapy abs almost done. I have met with my bs, meeting with PS this Thursday. I’m a 36A/34B 5’6 130lbs so I’m pretty…
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Itchy chest wall 2 yrs after reconstruction
I had double mastectomy with immediate reconstruction after previous DCIS lumpectomy and recurrent cancer in both breasts. I wanted my original C cup, but ended up with D cups (go big or go home surgical approach?). The extra weight is not fun, and the chest wall itching started after year one. What helps me the most is…
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Long Shot - DIEP experience with Drs. Cacioppo and Cohen in Indianapolis?
I am currently undergoing delayed reconstruction with tissue expanders. My first plastic surgeon left the practice and I was transferred to Dr. Jason Cacioppo in the same practice after my first two or three fills. My current PS seems to think that my 400 cc expanders are likely too small for my frame (and I tend to agree,…
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RBS (red breast syndrome)
Has anyone else experienced RBS? Before I go into much detail, I'd like to find out if anyone else has experienced RBS in the last few years. I've been searching for more recent RBS info on the internet and there is hardly anything to be found. I developed RBS 3 months plus after I had my right breast reconstruction. I am…
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CMS Will Maintain Breast Reconstruction Codes
Cheers to the most incredible community! We did it!!!💕 We are thrilled to share and help spread the news that as of yesterday, CMS announced their decision to maintain HCPCS codes S2068, S2067, and S2068, and it will not sunset their availability on December 31, 2024. We are so grateful for your advocacy efforts over the…
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abdominal bulge after tram flap
I am 5 years out (YAY!) from unilateral mastectomy & my tram flap reconstruction surgery.The bulge on the right side of my abdomen is very uncomfortable & I am very self conscious about it. Onc says it is not a hernia,,,Anyone else have this problem? Has anyone had surgery to correct it?
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BREAST IMPLANT SIZING 101
DISCLAIMER! I am not a physician or medical professional. The information provided is my own personal opinion. You must discuss every aspect of your reconstruction with your plastic surgeon. PLEASE NOTE: New information!! Allergan now has a very easy chart to follow to help you see how sizing works in relationship between…
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Unilateral mastectomy & reconstruction
It seems that bilateral mastectomy is the norm. Anyone else have unilateral Mx? What are you doing with reconstruction for symmetry? I am still in the expansion process but will need to make a decision soon if I want any work done on the "healthy" side. I'd love to know what others are doing. Thanks.
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Problems with implants
Hi! I have breast implants with Mentor silicone, since 2017. I think there is something wrong with them, because the shape has changed, they have become very soft and one of my breasts hurts. I read an article in which it was written that exposure to extreme temperatures, during heatwaves, can affect the lifespan of the…
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Red spot
Debated which forum to ask about this. About 2 1/2 weeks after my exchange surgery I noticed a small red mark on my breast (about 1 to 1.5 cm in diameter). It is not near nipple (I had nipple sparing) or incision (inframammary fold). About 3 o’clock position. Went from completely clear skin to noticing this mark. No other…
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Latissimus dorsi flap reconstruction after surgery
Has anyone out there had the latissimus dorsi flap breast reconstruction that can help me understand what and why I’m still going through pain and discomfort after 7 months since my surgery? I truly wish I had never chosen this type of breast reconstruction and need others to tell me their stories if they are experiencing…
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Latissimus Dorsi Breast Reconstruction
Has anyone here had a breast reconstruction using the Latissimus Dorsi? If so can you please share your experience and suggestions? I am due to have a delayed reconstruction beginning of May. I'd appreciate all responses. Thank you.
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Recovery Time for Expander Placement
I am scheduled to have tissue expanders placed on July 18th. I had my double mastectomy with immediate reconstruction back on Jan. 4th, but the expanders had to be removed due to non-healing mastectomy wounds. My question - if you have ONLY had the expanders placed at a later date - what kind of recovery time did you have?…
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Is this silly?
My 77 yo mom asked the surgeon today, "is it silly to consider reconstruction at my age?". We went for the appointment after mom got the results back from her metastatic workup. Multi focal idc in her right breast...it looks like a lot of large, overlapping tumors the surgeon said. We went for a consult since no sign of…