Advice about reconstruction

Hello Faith96,
I had my surgery first last May 2011. I had Mastectomy with
axillary node clearence plus immediate reconstruction LD flap with
small silicone implant.
I have had no problems at all and am very happy with it so far. I had
33 rads and although was a little worried about capsular contracture but it seems fine so far and I finished rads in Janurary.
The reconstructed breast is definitely smaller than my normal breast but in a bra it's fine.
Please let me know if I can be of further help?
You have the worst over with!! The surgery was definitely a lot easier than the chemo and I found the radiotherapy very ok. Just got stiffer as the weeks went on but was more of a results of the taxol than the radiotherapy.
You seem to be doing very well so keep it up girl!!!
x x x x
[quote="faith96":3mqjlcua]Hi folks, am new onto this site. Aged 37. Diagnosed Nov 11 finished 6 doses chemo, am on Herceptin for rest of year. Been told need mastecomy because of size of tumor - 5 cm at diagnosis but has definately reduced. Also had tiny spots on lung and they also reduced in last scan I had (Feb - just after 3rd chemo) Not sure if need radiotherapy yet think they waiting on results from op.
Met surgeon earlier this month and he recommended that I get reconstruction. Having spent last few months getting head round having breast removed to be told it could be reconstructed was a 'nice' surprise. While was in with him he called surgeon in Galway and they set date for 24 May. Met surgeon in Galway last week and he thinks that best option for me is implant because of previous surgery on tummy.
There are 2 different types of implant options available but not sure what I should do? Was wondering if anybody on here could give me advice. Is the inflatable one better than the silicon one? Think edging towards inflatable one because of what I read about radio treatment afterwards.
Hope that is clear, any questions please ask and look forward to getting your responses.[/quote:3mqjlcua]

Hi Faith
I had mastectomy with immediate reconstruction using LD flap and implant, then had chemotherapy and radiotherapy and am now on Herceptin.

I have had a bit of encapsulating and while I was warne it could happen from radiotherapy, in fairness, it had started even before I had RT. However, while it certainly has caused tightness, I have no pain as such, my surgeon is going to fix it up once I'm finished Herceptin. I can say hand in heart (or hand on new breast!) that I don't have any regrets and would do it again if I had to!

Best of luck, hope everything goes well x

Hi Faith,
I was diagnosed in Jan 12 with breast cancer, had 3 lumps, Had a mastectomy with reconstruction on same day, it was the best decision ever have no regrets. The surgeon in Galway used my own fat, muscle and skin. Didn't have any pain just discomfort as most of surgery was on back I just had to get used to sleeping on left side and not using right arm etc. The breast care nurses in Galway are brilliant and will talk all through with you. Its very hard to get your head around all and everything happens so quick. Good luck with your choice and I wish you well on your journey.

Hi girls. Thanks for replies not been able to get on to laptop for last while - technical problems.
Am glad that surgeries worked out well for you all. I wasn't to keen on back surgery that you had but reading your replies made me see that it cant be that bad. Surgeon didn't really discuss that option with me.
Have decided now that am going to get the inflatable implant and see how I go with it. Met with breast care nurse last week and we discussed options and that seemed to be best option in my case.
Surgery is 2 wks today and starting to get really nervous. Prob seems like a stupid question but what been going through my head is getting dressed. If am not able to raise hands will have to get some tops with zips/buttons. If anyone has any tips for after surgery will be grateful. Never thought of discussing with nurse last week - head was mince thinking about implants!! Also will be getting nodes in armpit removed.

Hi again,
Great to hear you have decision made! The expander is probably a good idea! Really pleased for you!
I too had the glands removed and I didn't have button up pjs but managed absolutely fine and they encourage you to use your arm almost straight away after surgery! The more you don't use it the stiffer you get so I think the most important post op plan is to make sure your pain relief is adequate enough to allow you to mobilise as much as possible! There are no medals for martyrs so take as much pain relief as you deem necessary! I definitely found the back the most sore, the reconstruction and under the arm wasn't too bad! You will be amazed at how do able this surgery is! They kept telling me that I had major surgery but it didn't feel like major surgery! I suppose I just thought that major surgery was something like a heart transplant! Us woman are just so resilient!!! You will be absolutely fine!!! Oh the one thing I found very difficult was washing my hair so maybe arrange for someone to help you with this as staff were just too busy when I had my op!!
If I think of anything else I will post again and maybe some of the other women may have some more practical tips!
Looking forward to hear all your progress!!
Take care x x x x
quote="faith96"]Hi girls. Thanks for replies not been able to get on to laptop for last while - technical problems.
Am glad that surgeries worked out well for you all. I wasn't to keen on back surgery that you had but reading your replies made me see that it cant be that bad. Surgeon didn't really discuss that option with me.
Have decided now that am going to get the inflatable implant and see how I go with it. Met with breast care nurse last week and we discussed options and that seemed to be best option in my case.
Surgery is 2 wks today and starting to get really nervous. Prob seems like a stupid question but what been going through my head is getting dressed. If am not able to raise hands will have to get some tops with zips/buttons. If anyone has any tips for after surgery will be grateful. Never thought of discussing with nurse last week - head was mince thinking about implants!! Also will be getting nodes in armpit removed.[/quote]

Hi Faith
I opted to stock up on button down tops and pyjama tops but I wouldn't necessarily start buying a large stock as you will be wearing t-shirts in no time. As Spadge mentioned, they will have you doing the exercises the morning after surgery and if you have no complications and stick with the exercises, before you know it you will be waving your arms over your head like a mad one!!

You may have already been told what bra to wear after surgery, but it seems like a simple cotton sports bra is what most surgeons recommend after surgery. Penney's do a two-pack for a couple of quid and are well up to the job. I got my husband to buy me expander clips for the back of my bra when I was in hospital, as I hadn't considered allowing for bandaging.

Morphine might make you constipated so try to keep ahead of that if you can - I was in a right way when I got constipated and I thought I was going to burst from the pain in my gut from being constipated - waaaay worse than anything else I had been through!!!! You shouldn't be in pain after surgery, and keep ahead of the pain!!

You won't be able to have a proper shower for a few days so in the meantime you will need to freshen up with babywipes and face cloths - you will have drains in also so when you are doing your laps of the corridor you will want something to carry them around in; you might find the pockets of your dressing gown will be big enough, or else just get a small shoulder bag to carry them around in.

Janey, I'm struggling to remember everything, but there is a thread somewhere here where I was given loads of tips before going for surgery; I'll try to link you to the thread.

Best of luck, I hope it all goes well for you x

viewtopic.php?f=11&t=531
was where I was given advice for surgery

thanks again. out shopping yesterday and got the bras in penneys and also got one set of pj's with buttons. Not going to spend a lot of money on clothes I want to throw away when all this is over - try and get rid of memories or is that just madness. Explained to hubby and he just shook his head!!
Met surgeon again yesterday and told me that am definately getting radio after. Mixed emotions - another step on the journey or a holiday in Dublin. Trying to convince myself be a nice break in the city. Treat after chemo and op!! Deep down think am glad that getting radio tho at least I know that they are throwing everything at it. Even willing to do more chemo if it means getting good news.
Saw this today and definately gave me hope
http://www.donegaldaily.com/2012/05/15/ ... -headlines[/url]/

Will be heading to Galway a week tomorrow. Will probably be on here another few times before that having more wobbles and worries
xoxo to you all