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DIEP flap and mastopexy questions
Hello to all of you - firstly, I wish you the very best in your struggle, and secondly, THANK YOU for sharing your insight and experience. I'm new to the "club" - right breast mastectomy done June 17th 2022 and sitting with these awful tissue expanders while I figure out next steps for my Frankenboob. Very ugly and…
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Anyone have experience with cupping massage?
I had my BMX in November and my exchange in April. I recently started going in for myofascial release to relieve some of the tightness in my pecs and now my therapist has started using cupping too. Cupping is where they place small glass cups on your skin and then use a suction device to suction the skin under the cups.…
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Plastic surgeon recommendation at MSKCC
Hello I am scheduled for mastectomy and reconstruction at MSK. My surgeon mentioned Dr. Cordeiro, Dr Disa or Dr Matros. I have to wait an extra week for Dr. Cordeiro. I am looking into implants.Which doctor is the best?
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Scared I will hate how I look no matter what
Content warning: HUGE body hate issues. I'm 42, about to have a unilateral mtx, and really struggling with how to decide whether to have reconstruction or not. I know I don't want implants. It's DIEP or flat closure. My problem is that I love my breasts. Like REALLY love them. When they started growing when I was 13, I…
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Pec tear during expander placement, anyone?
I had a mastectomy 4 wks ago, and during the expander (under pec) placement procedure suffered two tears to the pec muscle. It has been excruciatingly painful since, and any activity just aggravates it. There is no way I’ll be able to tolerate expansions, especially while dealing with chemo. I’m going to discuss having the…
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implant after radiation?
Hello all, I had a mastectomy and then 16 round of radiation 3 years ago. I don't want to go through the DIEP flap surgery. My original reconstruction surgeon refuses to insert implants on radiated skin, since you're more prone to infection and failure. I got a 2nd opinion from a reconstructive surgeon who is willing to do…
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Nipple reinnervation (nerve grafting)
I've recently learned about this procedure, wherein the main nerve to the nipple is reattached with a nerve graft at the end of the mastectomy, with the intention of restoring sensation and preventing neuropathic pain.Has anyone had this done? Can you tell me where, and what your experience has been as far as nipple…
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Reconstruction without sling?
I had a mastectomy 5/2021 and had implants placed. I had the implants replaced 2/2022 due to size. At the time, I had some mild capsular contracture in one breast that the doctor released and all was well.... until recently. I'm not sure if I am having severe capsular contracture or if I am reacting to the vicyrl sling…
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"Decorative" tattoos over mastectomy/reconstruction?
Hi! I was wondering if anyone got/is planning to get tattoos over their breasts after their mastectomy? I'd love to hear about it, what you got, how big the tattoo(s) are, how it looks with scars, how it affected your self-esteem, anything. Also, how long do you have to wait before getting the tattoo? I'm impatient, and…
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Nerve pain
I was wondering if anyone has experienced nerve pain in reconstructed breasts, years after DIEP surgery in Nola? In the past few weeks I have had pain in one or both breasts that is a burning type pain. If I didn’t know any better, I would think I have shingles, but there is nothing there. No lumps, no rash, nothing. Just…
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Uni mastectomy w/reconstruction fail, infection, radiation
Hi I was diagnosed with R side breast cancer (stage1, grade1) a few months ago and with team of drs decided to have a unilateral mastectomy on right with immediate reconstruction and R sentinel node. Left breast underwent lift and had benign result from MRI 'weird line' so they cut that part out. Had 2…
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Reconstruction revision due to necrosis
I was diagnosed stage zero DCIS this past April, and because of a benign surgical issue I had two years ago on the other side, opted for bilateral mastectomy with direct to implant reconstruction. I know I chose the nuclear option, but I wanted the least chance of recurrence possible. On the morning of the surgery, I was…
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What are the best implant types in 2022? Need to decide ASAP
I am scheduled for reconstruction revision. Original recon after BMX was 2008; now I have a rupture and I am reading about many different newer implant types but don't know what might be best. I got in 2008 Mentor smooth high implants: 500 cc, which was more than I wanted but PS said that it needed to be that much to fill…
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Esthetic flat closure question
Hello, Had a mastectomy with reconstruction about 4 years ago. On the side that had radiation, I have a grade 4 contracture. I have decided to go for an esthetic flat surgery but am looking for some folks to help me out with some questions. What was your outcome? Did you have one or two scars? What was your range of…
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Cases of BIA-ALCL May Be More Than Double FDA Estimates
Cases of Breast Implant-Related Cancer May Be More Than Double FDA Estimates July 25, 2022 The number of U.S. cases of breast anaplastic large-cell lymphoma — a rare cancer linked to textured implants — may be twice as high as U.S. Food and Drug Administration estimates. Read more...
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Reconstruction revision after rupture: Advise please
2008 BMX, with silicone reconstruction; Right rupture now: I need to have surgery asap due to swelling and pain. PS has scheduled me for 8/23/22; I need to prepare for pre-op visit: what questions do I need to ask? How have implants changed: Allergan / Mentor? which is better? I never had capsular contracture, but he plans…
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Rupture/replacement
Hi everyone, After a stressful few days of possible “Bia-ALCL vs something else” it has been determined that the pain and swelling in Lefty is likely due to a rupture in the lower part of the implant. An MRI has been ordered to confirm. Even without the MRI, my PS is ready to schedule an implant exchange, and said on the…
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Pictures of Breast Reconstruction
We thought it might be helpful for members considering different types of reconstruction to see our page from the main Breastcancer.org site: Pictures of Breast Reconstruction We hope this helps! --The Mods
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MRIs on Silicone Implants
I see that the FDA recommends screening silicone implants for leaks every couple of years. Has anyone had trouble getting your insurance to pay for these screenings? Thank you
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Leak in implant
I had my implants (silicone) put in at the start of May. Last month I felt a lump, but an MRI showed it was scar tissue. But the MRI also showed a leak in the implant -- with what appears to be two small specks of silicone outside the implant. I obviously need it replaced, but have no idea how that would have happened…
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Breast pain when wearing a bra/swimsuit
Hi. I had a DMX last August. I had a revision and fat transfer at the end of this past December. Overall..I am just really happy to still be here and good with the aesthetic results. However, I have pain in my breastbone and under my implants when wearing a bra or swimsuit though. I am pretty active. I do spin classes,…
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Any regrets, Nipple-Sparing or Skin-Sparing Reconstruction?
Anyone out there regret having nipple-sparing with reconstruction and wish they would have gone with skin-sparing and reconstruction instead? OR vice versa? Is the partial or no sensation worth keeping your nipple? I am wavering on whether keeping my nipple is necessary... Just want it to be right and look good. Looking…
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Microfat grafting or BRAVA doctor recommendations
There is already a great forum regarding micro fat grafting and some really supportive posters that have been through the process. Although some have posted doctors in their area, I thought I would start a discussion where we could post the PS doctors in our own areas so it's easier for people to research and contact those…
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3D tattoo vs. nipple reconstruction or both
I see that someone posted a similar question on a different forum without a lot of responses. I thought I'd post here too. I've had my bilateral mastectomy and implant reconstruction and am now at the point where I have to decide between nipple reconstruction, 3D tattoo or both.( I have decided to do something, not just…
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Experience Removing Implants & Going Flat
I had dbl mx w dti on Christmas Eve 2022 after a synchronous bilateral recurrence/new tumour of heterogenous IDC. My implants are bigger than I wanted (200cc of tissue removed, 300cc implanted) and just super uncomfortable, tops dont fit anymore, its harder to donthe sports i like, and they look matronly. I just want them…
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Zenn Delay Reconstruction
Has anyone had the Zenn Delay method of reconstruction? A friend is interested. It sounds very interesting! (I had muscle/skin sparring TRAM flap b/c I wasn't a candidate for DIEP.) Hope there's someone out there! Thanks
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How to manipulate flipped implant?
Hi there! Does anyone have any tips on manipulating flipped implants on yourself? I have subpec high profile silicone implants an can't seem to do it. Would love to avoid more surgeries. Thanks!
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Unhappy with areola tattoo--what can be done??
I am about 4 years out from my unilateral mastectomy/DIEP reconstruction, and just had a nipple constructed this spring. The nipple looked fantastic. I had my areola tattooed last week, by a highly recommended tattoo artist/permanent make-up person--and I am so far unhappy with the result. She made it dark around the…
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Chest Pain
Hi, I'm many many years out of reconstruction, latisimus dorsi, and implants.. I've been getting chest pain, Been fully checked out by cardiologis, gastro, and even had a chest ct, looking for blood clot.. No one can explain my pain. Has anyone else had this? I'm thinking scar tissue, but can't find any ifo on this.
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Unhappy with Reconstruction (pics) FEEDBACK NEEDED!
Hi I had my exchange in October and right away noticed massive rippling particularly on my cancer side. I got a second opinion from a Stanford surgeon who said my breasts look amazing and he wouldn't advise attempting to change anything as it likely won't improve or it would make things worse. He said my outcome is a…