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Hey there Lilah, I have lived to tell the tale! I am blissfully 10 days post- op Extended DIEP, meaning all of my tummy fat ( but no muscle), plus the blobs on each anterior hip have now been rearranged and re-purposed as my new warm, soft, jiggly breasts. They are heavenly! I could not be more pleased with having made this choice to remove my implants. I woke up from surgery and cried to feel real breasts made out of ME. While it may seem difficult to travel to New Orleans, the Center For Restorative Breast Surgery and the St. Charles Surgical Hospital are an exceedingly well-tuned institution. From the minute you book a surgery date onward, every possible need is anticipated. All travel and hotel arrangements, every transfer from airport to hotel to appointments to hospital, etc, is pre-arranged with private limo so you never have to worry about arrangements. The hospital and facilities are immaculately clean. All staff are constantly sanitizing their hands ( you know me in this department!!). The nursing care is amazing-- the care is one to one with nurses highly skilled in management of microsurgical patients and there are no sick people (with their sick germs ) around. Anesthesia and pain management were perfect. They called my husband every hour with updates from the OR. There is a second bed in the hotel - like private rooms and your partner is as well
attended to as you are -- food prepared for both of you by the chef, no less. Of course,nallmof this is really icing on the cake and the medical/ surgical care is what is most important. I can not speak highly enough of my wonderful doctor. I feel so lucky to have learned about him and about NOLA --- on these boards!!! My recuperation has been easier than after BMX with TE's. I expect to return to work in less time. I know that this route is not for everyone, but it is so important that women are given accurate information when making their choices about reconstruction. I had been told by a very reputable PS at MSKCC. that a DIEP would take 14 to 18 hours on the table ( a deal breaker for me) and that my breast size would be an A-minus ( whatever that is!) and that the recuperation would be very very painful, long and difficult. My surgery at NOLA was 4+ 1/2 hours ...only a half
hour longer than my BMX's and my breast size is around a C or D. At NOLA the surgeons work in teams of two or three. There are no residents or fellows mucking things up. They are highly specialized and do only this kind of surgery -- so O.R. time is cut in 1/2 or 1/3 ( as with me).
And just in case you are thinking that perhaps they removed my brain and replaced it with an artificial one programmed with a NOLA info - mercial tape... Let me add that my LE is gone! All women are given LE education and have their arms wrapped prophylactically before surgery. My LE hand and arm were wrapped. When I woke up from surgery and had the wrapping removed, I was ecstatic to find that I had no more swelling. My LE, which was atypical in certain ways, had always seemed to me to be related to inflammation from the implants or actual obstruction from the implant, and so far, my theory seems to have been borne out. Time will tell. I continued to have wonderful LE massage throughout my stay, and I plan to keep that up for a bit.
OK. Sorry to hog up the board. I just want women to know their REAL options. We are so vulnerable when we are making these decisions that it is hard to know when we are adequately informed and when we are not!0 -
can someone say again how to get to the site that gives info on what would be a good size for our implants? I pretty much quit wearing regular bras after my lumpectomy 13 yrs ago, plus I have lost weight (and want to keep it off) since all this bc stuff happened again.
thanks!
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jerusha how exciting for you!!! That is wonderful. Yes there are so many different opinions out there from the PS it gets so confusing!
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Jerusha - I am shaking my head in complete amazement, happiness and just sheer joy over your whole experience. I cannot believe your LE is gone!!! I am soooooooooooo happy for you! Words cannot express!!!!!
Did I understand correctly that they only removed fat but didn't move muscle? What is holding up your new breasts?
I'm so happy for you!!!!! xoxoxoxoxoxo
Continue to rest and heal!
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Dawne-Hope: I think that's the difference between a TRAM flap and a DIEP flap. No abdominal muscle is taken in a DIEP flap surgery. Right???
Jerusha: Wow, I think we can all feel the happiness and excitement in your post. What a great success story. Hope all continues to go well!!!
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Thank you so much Dawne-Hope. You are a sweetie-pie! The more common kind of autologous (meaning- from yourself) micro surgical fat transfer procedure was/is the TRAM, where abdominal muscle is moved along with fat. Lat flaps , muscle and fat moved from ones back, also involve muscle. When muscle is taken from your tummy or back you are subject to problems involving weakness, and in the tummy area - to hernias. A newer approach, that is more specialized and available from fewer surgeons, involves " Perforator Flaps", so called because the layer of fat that lies between muscle and skin is taken along with the perforator arteries -- a few big fat (relatively) vessels that then get reconnected in your breast -- they hook the hunk of belly fat up to the blood supply in your chest. That's what makes it " micro-surgery" -- hooking up the blood vessels is done under a microscope. Most surgeons will tell you that they can not promise a DIEP ( Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator flap); that once you are on the table they might have to convert to a TRAM. At NOLA, they never convert midway. If you have a skin envelope , that is if it is your initial MX, or if you have had TE's and/or implants, that skin envelope is essentially re-stuffed. Breast tissue out, or implant out --- your tummy fat, in. If you've had mastectomies with no reconstruction and are flat, they use the skin as well as fat from the donor site to make new breast skin. BTW, the amazing doctors at St Charles Surgical Hospital create beautiful, bountiful breasts from very thin, athletic women by using fat from hips, butt,etc. It is absolutely AMAZING.
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Jerusha - Don't want to hog this thread ... but I've never of this before. I'd only heard about the flap surgeries where muscles were moved as well as vessels. In this new version, where do the arteries come from? Do they come from the abdomen? Or do they come from wherever the fat is taken? And so ... in your case ... in the case of someone who has had implants ... they put the fat in the pocket where the implant was? What keeps all the fat from being reabsorbed? Fascinating. I was told I didn't have enough body fat ... but boy, I sure do now! I bet I did then too from what you're saying.
Fascinating stuff! What we've been through is barbaric ... good for you for keeping on striving and not settling for pain. So, so, so happy for you!!
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Dawne-Hope, They come along with the fat, tummy in my case. Part of the criteria for where the fat is harvested is that there be good blood vessels in that spot. The day before my surgery I had a CT with dye to provide a map of the vessels so the surgeon wouldn't waste time hunting around. When my implants were removed, they remove as much of the capsule as possible, and also the alloderm that I'd had. When it is just fat in your breast, you dont need a " pocket " to hold it in place -- it's just like your natural breast , only it's tummy ( or hip or butt) fat instead of breast fat. It feels exactly like your original breast. That is the truly lovely part.
Barbaric is exactly the word I'd use to describe everything that preceded this for me.
But I know that this is not the case for many women with implants. I do not want for these posts to hurt anyone's feelings. BC.org has been, for me, a circle of generous and caring women -- with outstretched arms, who have caught me and steadied me as I've lost my balance and my way. I hope that telling my story will light the path for someone else
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OMG Jerusha,,,I'm reading your post and feel like calling to make an appointment. I had no clue I was just told that I did not have enough fat to make a foob so I sit here with TEs in waiting for implants in June. It's amazing what you do not know about this whole process. Keep us posted. You sound great!
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Nolo. I will!
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Nolo. I will!
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Jerusha -- I am SO happy to hear how happy YOU are! This is just wonderful news because I know you were suffering greatly with your implants (and wow I am surprised they used alloderm -- my PS at MSK said she doesn't use it... so I assumed it was hospital policy... guess not). Anyway, this surgery sounds like it was fantastic and I am truly truly delighted for you.
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Thanks TinaT! Got bandages off and drains taken out today. I barely have any pain. I went to Nordstrom after PS visit to get 2 more pair of Spanxs, need to wear them 24/7 for the next month to keep lypo'd area from moving. My foobs feel good, DH and sister like the look. Not quite the look I was going for (not the round look on top) yet. I still have great range of motion. Took drain camisole in and sports bra and am wearing the camisole. I still do not know what bra size I am, guess I will figure it out in a month when I can wear real bras again. It is a good feeling to be done!
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Congratulations Jershua, I am so happy you got your happy ending. TE's are much heavier (in my opinion) than implants, mine feel like feathers on me, TE's felt like concrete. PS was not planning on using drains, but did put them in for caution, to make sure I healed ok and to minimize infection since I had had fat added. PS only did 2, DH emptied them every 12 to 18hrs. Only drained 3 times in 4 days. Didn't hurt when came out and were not bad to deal with. I am feeling fine, not much pain, but still taking pain meds. I did go to Nordstrom on way home for 2 more pair of Spanx to hold in my tummy from lypo. I took my "drain" camisole and wore it home and will wear it as it has better support than the sports bra I got from Nordstrom. I am not doing nipples. Can't wait to hear from Cindy and Cameron. Prior to getting bandages off, uncomfortable and itchy, now I can move better and not as sore. Surgery was Thurs., post op today, Monday.
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So much wonderful updates on here!!! Congrats to Jerusha, Tina, greyt, Cameron and Cindy!!
Jerusha, the NOLA story is just incredible. Thanks for all the details.
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I agree... so much news on here is so great! So happy for you all!
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Nolo. I will!
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Oops. Don't know how that happened . Nolo, I clicked on something else and my post to you re-posted...
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rowan: Breast Implant Sizing 101 under reconstruction.
Jerusha: I am so thrilled for you!!! I have heard nothing but good things about NOLA and I am quite impressed. My PS specializes in DIEP but told me I would only be a small A cup so I opted for implants. I haven't had a problem with them ever, but it's great to hear they truly can find fat on us skinny girls if that were my only option! Congratulations and a big hug. Can't wait to see the "after" pictures!!!
Congratulations on all of the new exchanges!!!
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jershua- how eonderful you are so happy with the results- in the end, that is what we are all seeking- being happy with the new version of ourselves:) Be great ifyou would post some pictures- would love to see!
Grey= that is wonderful....even two months out from my exchange I still wear my danskin zip up= just feels good to have "everything in place":)
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MBJ--thanks, now I got some reading to do!
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Dear Lilah Whippetmom asked me to PM you to get access to reconstruction pics. She said she was having connection problems. Thanks, identtwins
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Identtwins -- that isn't a PM
But I will PM you! (PM = private message).I think someone posted asking about the bra thread?
It's Bras 101: The Great Post-Exchange Debate.
Edited to add: Identtwins -- I have sent you a private message. Click on the Private Messages tab next to My Favorite Topics and you will find it.
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Cindy glad you are enjoying the new foobs. My DH was happy too that they feel soft and squishy and look like real boobs. I am happy you are doing so well after surgery too, what size implants do you have? Did you have any lypo? Had a shower today, felt so good and my hair is getting curly! If I wasn't on pain meds I would be ready to go back to work. How is Cameron? I am enjoying my surgical cami, looks nicer than I thought it would and feels good.
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annettek: A few have mentioned Danskin zip-front bras, but when I go on the Danskin site I can't find any model numbers so I can find one. Do you have a SKU number on the label so I can do a little search? I think it's going to be a while before I'm shopping for "real" bras and the shelf camis just aren't doing it for me.
Thanks!
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Hi Gals,I am back from my fill and got 50ccs in one side to even it up. Now 350ccs on both-sides and I am done with my fills! Yeah!! My ps is doing 400-450cc high profile silicone rounds. We both agreed that having that size is a good match for my body. Any wider and they'd stick out and bump my arms."My "e-day" is July 21 as I had told you guys before. So, just have a pre-op appointment next month and we are there. Also, he gave me a set of "fipples" to wear and check out to see where to eventually place my nips. Very cool...I'll post some updated pics on the photo forum- give me day to resize the pics as it might take some time.0
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Hi Lilah,
I'm back. I now have nipples and yes, they are shrinking. (I don't know how long they will shrink because some people have mentioned that even after 7-8 weeks they shrunk..)
I also found that my estrogen test report was ER/PR 90% positive and I've been told that I don't need to get on tomoxifen. So my PS told me to wait 4 months to have nipples/areolas tatooed.
I can't believe I'm almost done!
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wasin: Every time I think I've got things straight in my head something comes up to make me start to question.....I thought that being ER/PR + meant that it was a GOOD idea to take Tamoxifen or Arimidex to prevent recurrence. Do you mind me asking why they're not recommending Tamoxifen? Sorry, I don't know your history so there's probably something I've already missed. Thanks!!!0
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Hi TinaT,
Sure! I had a bilateral mastectomy even when I just had a DCIS. I asked my breast surgeon when I had a follow up visit yesterday and a radiologist who had diagnosed of my condition when I had a stereotactic needle biopsy. I asked them to confirm if I need to take tamoxifen to prevent from recurrence, but they both had advised me not to since I had a BM and it wasn't invasive.
My breast surgeon told me that had I chose to do a lumpectomy then, she would have advised me to take tamoxifen(although my cancer was not invasive). I was told by my radiologist that if the estrogen report came out negative, then she would have advised me to take tamoxifen.
I also learned that there are some side effects like blood clots, and it would make the body start the menapause which means I would not have been able to have children either.
It also depends on if you have a history in your family as well. I don't have a history in my family and since my estrogen report came out ER/PR + there is no need to get on that medicine for me.
Hope this helps..
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