-
Athletics,exercise and rehab after Masctectomy
Hi All! I am recently diagnosed and I am struggling with how to treat this diagnosis. I have met with an MO (medical oncologist) and last week a Plastic surgeon. The MO recommended a lumpectomy with radiation but I told her that I would rather have a BMx for peace of mind and to avoid radiation. She said it's a big surgery…
-
PS appointment today. One and done!
I met with my PS today to plan reconstruction. He does not want to remove the existing implant due to rads, and he said it could cause too much tissue damage that may not be repairable. He will do fat grafting to fill it up. He said not enough in the tummy area, so he would have to pull from my tummy and thighs. He's going…
-
Best options for Pain Management
Hi, I am scheduled for a PPMX with Diep flap reconstruction in April and have questions about pain management. From all my research it sounds like it could be quite painful and I know some people have been able to get a nerve block which helps for the first couple of days postop for pain management. I’m not sure if that…
-
Unusual surgery - Local Axillary flap
I have an unusual situation and am hoping someone has some input for me. Background...in 2005 I had lumpectomy, TAC & radiation due to TNBC. In 2010 I had gastric bypass and lost over 100 pounds. Fast forward to 2020 TNBC again. Chose to have DMX. Had to put off reconstruction because of being on Xeloda for one year. Met…
-
Replacing breast implants
I have had textured implants since my double mastectomy 6 and a half years ago. I am concerned because of the recall on textured implants but they have also shifted and there is scar tissue that makes them uncomfortable. I have decided to have them replaced and am trying to decide between plain silicone vs saline. My PS…
-
Anyone had omental flap reconstruction?
Hi, I'm considering omental flap reconstruction (a technique by which omentum from the abdominal area is used to reconstruct a breast). Has anyone had this procedure done? If so, I would love to heat from you. I'd love to learn how that experience went for you in terms of hospital stay, recovery at home, pain/scarring, and…
-
Squeaking Implant
I had my implants exchanged in November 2021 and 2 months later, started hearing a "squeaking" noise on 1 side. I met with the PA from my P.S. office and am waiting to hear if it is more than the implant rubbing on my chest wall. Curious if anyone has had this? How long did it last? Any advice? TIA
-
Lipofilling or Implants?
Good evening, I had a lumpectomy and a second operation to remove further breast tissue last year following a diagnosis of breast cancer. The second operation left my nipple attached to scar tissue so has become unpleasant to look at. My operated breast is also smaller than my other breast. I am dueto have reconstruction…
-
Radiation and expanders then implants
Hello ladies! I don’t even know if this is the place i should be! I’m trying to kind of find out some stats on something. So here it goes I will be having radiation on expanders that are under the muscle. My plastic surgeon said we will overfill and max out the expanders so that radiation won’t shrink that side so much. My…
-
Nipple reconstruction from inner thigh
hi there, this is what my PS is planning for me around April. I haven't seen him since last year after a few check ups after my DIEP flap. I didn't want to ask him so ahead of time regarding the details. Has anyone had this specific procedure from the inner thigh? is it a day visit in the hospital or is it a stay over?…
-
Reconstruction after Radiation in COVID
I had DCIS in 2015 which was treated with lumpectomy and radiation. I was diagnosed with triple negative couple of weeks ago. After few appointments with general surgeon, Oncologist and Plastic surgeon, it looks like double mastectomy is the best route for me due to my history. I am tired of getting stressed out every year…
-
weird breast implant tightness
I have had my silicone implants for 2 years and have noticed when I am sick with cold, flu, covid really anything. I feel like my implants are tight or swollen. It's a weird feeling and disappears when I am well again. Has anyone else experienced this? Curious to see if I am the only one
-
Skin too stretched out!
Hello I had my final exchange 3 months ago and I am not that pleased. On my cancer side, the skin is very dimply and resembles a deflated balloon! It seems like the skin was almost too stretched out and/or the implant is too small. My surgeon said most would be pleased with the results I got sigh. I do not have a lot of…
-
The Itty Bitty Titty Committee
I really should have started this thread two years ago, but I didn't, so I'm starting it today. If you are wanting to stay small-breasted or are just generally thin and want advice on reconstruction from other women in the same boat, this is the place to ask. Hopefully other small-breasted/thin women will chime in to offer…
-
Traveling for mastectomy and reconstruction
I live in Atlanta, and I've heard a lot about the surgeons at St. Charles Surgical Hospital in New Orleans. I'm curious - if you traveled for your reconstruction (whether to New Orleans or elsewhere!), how did you handle travel? When were you able to go home? How did you handle any follow-up care? If you feel like your…
-
Center for Restorative Breast Surgery Center
I’m having a difficult time with my post-radiated breast implant incision healing. My incision has been revised twice now. I’m currently recovering from the second one as I write this. My doctor referred to my complications as capsular contracture. He doesn’t think this second incision revision will hold. He mentioned…
-
Breast warmer bra inserts for mastectomy patients
Has anyone tried the Brilliantly Warm inserts? They were made by a mastectomy patient to combat the cold feeling some of us get from implants. They look a little pricey, so I was wondering if anyone had tried them. My chest gets a little chilly when I'm in a room any cooler than about 68 degrees.
-
Fat grafting after going flat?
I had BMX with immediate silicone implant reconstruction in October. I had figured I'd go back to my natural D cup, so my implants are each 535cc. They actually look great, but....they're heavy and feel weird. They seem sooo much bigger and in the way than my natural breasts were. I am extremely active (although not so…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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?
-
Nipple tattoos in Ohio
Nipple areola tattoos done. Took me 10 yrs to finish... when I was ready. And this week was my turn.
-
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…
-
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…