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Prepping for Reconstruction? Join us on Zoom.
Our professionally facilitated In Treatment Zoom meetups are a great space to meet others going through surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or reconstruction to talk face-to-face and get support while going through active treatment. You'll pick up great tips from others who've been there, gain immeasurable support, and learn…
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Thinking About Reconstruction? Start Here
The main Breastcancer.org site features great, extensive information about Breast Reconstruction, including: * Is Breast Reconstruction Right for You? * Types of Reconstruction, featuring details on each kind of reconstruction surgery, what to expect, and risks * Pictures of Breast Reconstruction * Questions to Ask Your…
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Was fat grafting worth it?
Hello, seeking feedback from those who had fat grafting with their exchange from TEs to implants. All input appreciated, with particular interest in results on those carrying a moderate/lower amount of fat. Was the resultant appearance of your breasts worth the extra procedure and recovery? How did the sites from which the…
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DIEP FLAP SURGERY AND RECOVERY SUGGESTIONS
I will be having DIEP flap surgery in February. I am 13 years out from ILC/ bilateral masectomy w/ silicone implants. I have struggled with BII for 4-5 years. Exhausting many specialists, knowing it was silicone toxicity I was struggling with the last 2 years, I finally had Explant surgery last October.i was scheduled for…
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Is it safe to go a long flight after mastectomy with reconstruction?
Hello, I'm not sure yet if I will need mastectomy, but I'm trying to figure how long after mastectomy with reconstruction it is safe to go on a long flight. I have found mix information on this. Unfortunately I will need to so it will be helpful to know in advance. If someone has had experience with this it'd be helpful to…
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Acellular Dermal Matrix (ADM) with your mastecomy reconstruction
Anyone use Acellular Dermal Matrix (ADM) with your mastecomy reconstruction. Can you tell me about it - good/bad? Have you decided against it? I ask because I met with my reconstructive surgeon today, and he suggested it for my skin sparring double mastectomy. Somehow, I hadn't heard of this in all my reading and prep.
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Three-Stage DIEP?
I'm scheduled to have my implants removed next month as part of my post-mastectomy DIEP. However, the Stage I and Stage II I see described in many posts isn't what my PS has planned. My Stage I surgery is only on my abdomen - something about isolating the blood flow to the tissue that will be transferred, so the remaining…
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implants uncomfortable? And questions about saving my natural nipple
Hi, I'm scheduled for left sided mastectomy in one week. I've had mixed messages about whether I can save my nipple. I'm a 38D with grade 1 ptosis and was told it might not look good if I try to save it but that it's okay from a cancer standpoint to keep it. I've heard about the natural nipple looking weird or getting…
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Is symmetry possible with SMX + perky remaining breast?
Hi! I have searched the forum, but couldn't find any posts that were exactly my question. I have been dx with DCIS. As a fun bonus, I probably have body dysmorphia and I am really worried that if I end up at all 'disfigured' in my appearance, I will become significantly depressed. So, my main concern with this diagnosis is…
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Breast Reconstruction with Latissimus Dorsi Flap
My name is Sherry and i'm 58 yrs old. This is my 2nd bout with breast cancer. I had it in 2002 and I had a lumpectomy, chemo and radiation. It came back in December 2021 in the same breast. This time my surgeon said that I would need a mastectomy. I have also seen my plastic surgery. On February 16, 2022, they will be…
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Frustrated with non-answers.
I had a lump ectomy and radiation 10 years ago so the doctors tell me I can’t have it again. I must have a mastectomy. And I do want reconstruction but I really don’t want to have silicone or saline. Challenge is I keep getting a runaround from the doctors about how awful it is and all the complications and everything and…
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Replacing implants after 15 years
Has anyone had implants replaced? I would appreciate sharing about the experience.
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DIEP and seroma
I had my DIEP four weeks ago and noticed last night when I pressed on the left side of my abdomen incision I got the rolling waves hallmark of a seroma. Contacted my BS today and they confirmed that's probably what it was and told me I could come to the office and attempt to drain it. I have my next appointment 02/28/23…
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New Implants - Not Satisfied
Hi. I had my exchange from expanders to implants 1 week ago. I can honestly say that I was happier with the look of my expanders. There is little to no projection with my implants and I have my post-op appointment tomorrow. I've done what research I know to do, but is anyone else in the same boat? I know there was a huge…
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Silicone Implants: sub-pec vs pre-pec
Hi everyone, I need to replace my old silicone implants that were placed under the muscle. I have a dilemma that i hope you might help me with. I have heart issues and am required to do Echo at least twice a year. The sonographer has an extremely hard time navigating around my under the muscle implant and taking good…
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Options for reconstruction when you've had radiation previously
I have breast cancer for the third time but had lumpectomy and radiation with prior breast cancer. I am having consults with plastic surgeons for DIEP surgery. For the second time this week, my husband has asked me if there are any other options (don't think he realized how large a surgery this is). I previously told him…
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Picture Forum?
I have been reading through the old "Exchange City" thread and there is a picture forum of members who have gone through reconstruction. Is that still available somewhere? It would be so helpful to be able to see real women who have gone through the reconstruction process rather than having to weed through all the…
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New York or New Jersey Plastic Surgeons proficient at stacked Diep
Looking for recommendations for plastic surgeons who do stacked Diep for thin women who don’t have enough belly fat for reconstruction and need additional sites to form a breast. New York and New Jersey please. Thank you!
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Diep flap surgery after 10 year old implant removal?
Has anyone had their implant removed and gotten the deip flap surgery?
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Insurance and MRIs on Silicone Implants
I see that the FDA recommends MRIs on Silicone implants to monitor for leaks. My PS recommends that also. Has anyone had any trouble getting insurance to pay for this? Thank you
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DIEP - supporting core muscles long term after surgery
Hi – I had my procedure done a little over a year ago. I still have a lot of weakness in my core muscles. I'm doing exercises to help with that (yoga, rowing, physical therapy), but this lack of support gives me a lot of back pain. I try to remind myself as often as I can to engage my core muscles, but it's just not…
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Fat grafting for reconstruction after implant loss
Hi, I am looking to find more recent experience of fat grafting for reconstruction. ie using only liposuction obtained fat, not the DIEP procedure. My surgeon has suggested this for me. It would result in a very small cup, possibly further procedures to "top up" with. He mentioned downtime and pain was "minimal". I was…
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Radiated Skin, Wound Not Healing
Hello Ladies, I wonder if anyone can help? I have 2 wounds the size of a quarter that will not heal. It has been over a month now. I had some reconstruction to fix bad job from 15 years ago. The radiated skin would not allow the implant to work. So the implant was removed and left me with open wounds. What can be done…
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Looking for recommendations for plastic surgeons in Massachusetts
Hello. I am looking for recommendations for plastic surgeons in Massachusetts. I had my last reconstruction 8 years ago and have since lost a lot of weight (99 lbs!). My implant has become so uncomfortable, I think it’s time to address this issue. My prior PS has moved out of state so any help is appreciated. I had a…
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Who has had both implants and DIEP?
I had a direct to implant BMX with 535cc silicone implants in October 2021, followed by radiation on my left side in June 2022. I had fat grafting in June 2023 to try and break up/loosen the radiated tissue, with limited success. My chest feels heavy, cold, and tight, especially on my radiated side. My boobs look…
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Reconstruction ‘PLANE CHANGE’ from under muscle to over muscle
In 2015 I was diagnosed and had double mastectomy with reconstruction. At that time they recommended subpectoral (under muscle) implants as. Over the years the animation deformity when I flex has been annoying and uncomfortable. I am an active person a feel it every day. One side has started to droop noticeably and I am…
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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…