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Checking implant integrity
I’m ten years out from DMX with implant recon behind the pecs. My onc has released me to my PCP for follow up and I haven’t had an MRI in several years. Are screening ultrasounds good enough to check the integrity of the implants? Seems a lot easier and cheaper than an MRI. Anyone getting screening ultrasounds after DMX to…
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Implants under the skin or under the chest muscle
Hi Everyone! I had a breast cancer a while back and a double mastectomy with the silicone implants reconstruction. The implants were put in behind the muscle, following the tissue expander. It's been 10 yrs and I plan to have the implants replaced. The reconstruction surgeon I saw suggested a prepectoral procedure using…
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Crutch in armpit
HUNH??! I have a broken leg (upper end of the tibia). Knee brace and crutches (using only one). On the right side. I have reconstruction with implant on my right side. I have been feeling many pinpricks in my right breast. It seems to be looser, and it sags as much as my left breast, which had been lifted to match the…
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Recovery from fat grafting?
I will be having fat grafting on one side to even things out a bit following mastectomy, but will have to travel abroad for work approximately 10 days later. Just to check how long recovery usually takes - to feeling comfortable and having full movement etc - after fat grafting? What garments would I need to wear and for…
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Expanders and expansions
Hello everyone! Had BMX with expanders 8 weeks ago. 3 weeks in had to have Debridement surgery. Now I’m healing well. I was supposed to get my first fill today. But, because I had a pin dot size scab the PS said no he wasn’t doing it till the scab fell off. Sooo another two ish weeks we wait. I understand the cautiousness…
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Revision Experience-DIEP
Hello All, I’ve been reading threads looking for some experience on the revision surgery after the DIEP. I had a BMX in Nov of 2020. I have been pushed back for the revision until March 25,2022. As this approaches I am curious about pain compared to the original surgery? How long was your recovery time? Any suggestions for…
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Plastic/Reconstruction Surgeon recommendation in Los Angeles
Hi Everyone! After 10 years of having a sub-pectoral (under the muscle) implants I am in need of getting them replaced. I am deciding on whether to go with the same, sub-pec placement, or dowhat the surgeon i saw said and try pre-pec. I would like to see another PS for a second opinion. Any Los Angeles doc’s…
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Mastectomy and reconstruction photos
Hello, I thought I made a post and it seemed to have disappeared. If it reappears- I’m sorry. Not a double post on purpose. Anyways, Someone shared this gallery with me and I thought some others might also find it useful. It includes lots of different options (flat closure, implant based, male mastectomies). People submit…
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Pain starting years after DIEP
Hello! I am 5 years post double mastectomy with DIEP reconstruction. Over the last two months I have been having pain in both breast, nipples and armpits. I can’t feel any noticeable lump and the pain is more on the right but happens on both…? Has anyone had this start so many years post surgery?
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Nipple tattoos in Ohio
Nipple areola tattoos done. Took me 10 yrs to finish... when I was ready. And this week was my turn.
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Implant vs Diep Flap Reconstruction.
I had a lumpectomy on right breast followed by radiation last year 2018 for DCIS and was diagnosed with another DCIS by biopsy Oct 21, 2019 post MRI same on right breast. I am a BRCA2 mutation gene carrier so I decided to go for double mastectomy this time as all medical team had advised me since they found I was a gene…
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People who have had TEs: Lump where your port used to be?
Hey, folx. For those of you who have had tissue expanders, did any of you discover hard spots or lumps where the port had been after they were removed? I had reconstruction last month and initially thought everything had gone perfectly. And maybe it did. But last night I discovered a small, hard lump in the reconstructed…
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Breast Reconstruction Experience
Hi everyone, I need to decide whether I want breast reconstruction or not. So far I have been leaning heavily toward going flat because I don't want to have foreign objects in my body, but more importantly I don't want to have multiple surgeries. I am not a candidate for DIEP. But these days I am kind of questioning my…
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Sports Bras for running?
Well, I am about 1 month and 3 weeks BMX post-op. I have a saline implant in my breast. I will complete the reconstruction next year. I am back to exercising daily. I checked out running today to see how it felt finally. The sports bras I had before surgery don't support the breast with the implant. That breast is just…
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Nipple saving or not
hi everyone Had a lumpectomy on my right breast Dec 2020 ( large lcis with papillary carcinoma of less than 1 mm). Rads finished Febr this year. Left side okay so far. My mother and sisters all have had breastcancer but nothing found in genetics. Now my surgeon (together with other board members oncologist , plastic…
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Help! Needing info on Latissimus dorsi with implant
I'm sure I'm not the only one to have to Have surgery this way I will be having surgery in November. I will have a bilateral mastectomy. On one side they will do an expander and fill it like protocol for the implant. On the cancer side there will be all skin removed sooooo not able to fill an expander. So until after…
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Change of Insurance during Revisions
Does anyone have experience with having a change of health insurance during breast reconstruction? I am wondering if a new insurance company would be required to cover Phase 2 of reconstruction. Thanks
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Breast reconstruction complication (radiated breast)
Hi - I'd love to learn from anyone's experience with an LD flap or without a flap on skin that was previously radiated. My situation: stage 1 cancer with lumpectomy and radiation. Diagnosis 3 years later of stage 0 with mastectomy as treatment. I have an excellent plastic surgeon who thought I could proceed without the…
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Drain tube still in after 3 weeks
Hi everyone - I’ve hit a new personal record with attempt #2 at reconstruction of my radiated breast: drain tube is still in and in the next couple fo days it will be 4 weeks. In the past it’s been 2 weeks most. Has anyone else had this experience? The PS wants it out as soon as possible due to infection increase but I’m…
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Sub-muscular silicone implant rupture
Good Morning Ladies, I'm in need of your advice. Although I don't have breast cancer, I need your input to navigate the system of removing implants, and possible reconstruction without any implants or fat transfer. It's not quite the same as the awful experience you've had with breast cancer, but it's similar in that some…
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Deciding on your implant location; Subpectoral or prepectoral
Good Afternoon Group. I met with both my BS and PS this week and was not aware of some decisions I need to make. Specifically under or over the muscle. I was naive and thought it was just a done deal to go under the muscle/Sub-pectoral. Turns out this was not the case. Both surgeons made arguments for and against both…
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Experiences with flap reconstruction
I have my initial consult with my plastic surgeon next week and I’m trying to gather as much info as I can before going in. I’m a smidge afraid of getting implants because I already have some inflammatory issues and I’m worried I’ll be one of the few that react to their implants. On the other hand, I read a study that…
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Dr. Budd Plastic Surgery
Has anyone had reconstruction surgery with Michael Budd at Kaiser in Downey. If so how was your outcome
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DIEP Flap Reconstruction 2016
I'm reading through the 2015 DIEP Thread and gathering tips: What to Have at Home: Walker? Recliner/Lift chair Stool for shower Lots of pillow to support arms and raise knees Button down pajamas, sized up one size for drains: post mastectomy camisole for around the house, a lanyard or a necklace of IV tubing to pin the…
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NOLA in September?
"NOLA IN SEPTEMBER?" - Started in June 2009. A place to connect with other women having DIEP, GAP, and stacked type surgeries; in NOLA and other places. Original post in June 2009: I will be having my surgery with Dr. DellaCroce at The Center for Restorative Breast Surgery in New Orleans, Louisiana (aka, NOLA) on September…
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Finally going for consult to finish up what I started.
8 years ago I had a DIEP to reconstruct my left breast. I was so thin there was not enough tummy to complete so I was left lopsided. At that time we discussed building up the breast with a small implant, lift and reduction on the other side of lift and fat grafting. As time passes I got use to being lopsided and nippleless…
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Looking for a surgeon
Hello, I had a double mastectomy with implants. Things have not gone so well. At this point one of my implants has been removed and I would like to have corrective surgery. This time around, I would like to have flap surgery - not sure which type. I am currently out of the country and can move back to any location. If you…
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Podcast: Reconstruction Options After Lumpectomy
Reconstruction Options After Lumpectomy July 16, 2021 Dr. Monique Gary is a board-certified, fellowship-trained breast surgical oncologist and medical director of the Grand View Health-Penn Cancer Network Cancer Program in Sellersville, Penn., where she also serves as director of the Breast Program. As a physician,…
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Removing Pre-Cancer Implants During Lumpectomy
This might seem like an odd question but I really don't see anything on here about this. I had implants before being diagnosed and now have the option to have them removed at the same time as my lumpectomy/dissection week after next. I'll need 6 weeks of radiation and have read that often the breast will drop up to 2 sizes…
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Dr. Andrew Da Lio at UCLA Med Ctr
Hi, I'm scheduled to have the reconstruction revision surgery (under the muscle) by Dr. Andrew Da Lio at UCLA med ctr and would like to know if anyone has done it with him. I got my first surgery at Kaiser last year and the doctor there screwed up on both sides so I'm getting the revision surgery and I really hope that…