| Author |
|
marybeth
Regular
Joined: 28 Feb 2005
Posts: 38
Location: Syracuse, NY
|
 Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2005 3:42 pm Post subject: Reconstruction |
 |
|
I am seriously thinking of having my other breast removed now that I am more informed than I was when I found out I had breast cancer. What I'm planning to do is implants, I do not want to do the tram flap or other procedures. I'm told by my plastic surgeon that the mastecomy should be done at the same time he is placing the expanders and then he would place an expander under the chest muscle on both sides. I would do periodic visits over 6 months and then have the permanent implants placed.
For those with experience with reconstruction what are your experiences and advise on removing the other breast and reconstruction?
Also a few questions:
Saline or gel implants? My Dr. recommended gel (closer to the 'real thing')and gave me tons of information that indicates they have not been able to prove some illnesses developed by women with gels are due to the implants. He feels they are safe but the decision is totally up to me. He had samples of both, and I agree the gels do feel 'normal', but I don't want to jepordize my health. Thoughts?
Not that I'm a sissy especially since I got thru a mastectomyand chemo (and know what to expect if I have the other breast removed) but what degree of discomfort should I expect after the placement of the expanders and also how painful during and after those visits to 'pump up'?
I don't have a problem putting myself thru this ordeal; My husband assures me this is totally up to me and if I don't feel I want to do it, he is OK with that. But I think psycologically it would be good for both of us. But, I want to make sure we'd be happy with the result. In the end, would they look 'normal' or at least close to it? I keep thinking 'oh I'll have nice perky boobs' LOL but I want to be realistic in my expectations. I need to make an informed decision and that's why I came to you...
Any thoughts/advise would be greatly appreciated.
As an aside, this is a next step for me in my life and Dr. Leo and you ladies have been there to offer advise and answer my questions from chemo to head shaving. Here I am done with chemo, my hair, eyelashes and brows almost all grown back and I'm moving on. I remember right after my diagnosis thinking "dear God where will I be in a year?" Well, here I am almost that year later and moving on with my life. I hope those just learning of their diagnosis/going thru chemo and reading this will be encouraged to know you CAN do this, just hang in there! I truly appreciate everyone's support. Thank you all! MB
_________________
Dx 12/28/04 at age 51
DCIS and ductal carcinoma invasive
6mm tumor
lumpectomy 1/5/05 unsuccessful margins
left mastectomy 1/14/05
1 +/5 lymph nodes
Chemo started 3/15 AC, then Taxol
Herceptin 6 rounds/stopped b/c of low EF
Armimidex
right prophylactic mastectomy 2/17/06
Implants 1/07, final w/tatto 9/07 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
Regi
Regular
Joined: 24 Feb 2008
Posts: 21
Location: Staten Island
|
| Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 8:53 am Post subject: Implants versus Tram |
|
|
I have to tell you I had both breasts removed I had 2 implants put it they were like a rock then I got infected on the right side I went in to surgery and had a tram flap so I have a tram on the right with a small implant and an implant on the left. I have to tell you if I could redo everything I would do a tram on the left too. The right side looks and feels so real and natural. the left side is like a brick. SO I hope this helps. You can hardly see the scar that goes across my lower body from hip to hip its like a line that you really cant see. I really would advise you to get the tram Im telling you its so much more comfy and real, I love the right side ,, and my dr said I would and she was right,
Good luck Im sure you are in good hands |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
marybeth
Regular
Joined: 28 Feb 2005
Posts: 38
Location: Syracuse, NY
|
| Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 7:20 pm Post subject: Reconstruction |
|
|
Hi Regi -- Thanks for replying! If you notice, you responded to a post I did over 2 years ago. Here's an update on what when on since then:
In Feb of 2006 I decided to have my other breast removed and had tissue expanders place. I did weekly 'expanding" and in May of 06 I had saline implants done. A few months later I had nipple reconstruction and I actualy have 'projection' as they call it; basically a protruding 'nipple' that amazingly looks real. A few weeks after that I had the areaola tattooed in. I am extremely happy with the results and couldn't have asked for a better outcome. Just 2 weeks ago I had my ovaries removed to reduce the change of ovarian cancer (my cancer was an aggressive ER+) and so since the beginning, when I was diagnosed in Jan of 05 to Feb 08 I have gone through 9 surgeries. (mastecomies, port in, port out, expanders in/out etc etc) A lot to endure, but in the end I am cancer free and thrilled with the results. Tremendous thanks to the care of my surgeon and plastic surgeon's here in Syracuse, NY. Dr. Maini and Dr. Guillermo Quetell. They are wonderful caring Docs! Thanks so much for the reply.
_________________
Dx 12/28/04 at age 51
DCIS and ductal carcinoma invasive
6mm tumor
lumpectomy 1/5/05 unsuccessful margins
left mastectomy 1/14/05
1 +/5 lymph nodes
Chemo started 3/15 AC, then Taxol
Herceptin 6 rounds/stopped b/c of low EF
Armimidex
right prophylactic mastectomy 2/17/06
Implants 1/07, final w/tatto 9/07 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
Regi
Regular
Joined: 24 Feb 2008
Posts: 21
Location: Staten Island
|
| Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 7:30 pm Post subject: Your so lucky |
|
|
| Im so happy for u my results arent that great I have had tons of surgey only to have the cancer return in my bones. I am terminal and Ive had lets see Expanders in and out , double mastectomy , then implants saline and then my right breast got infected and I had to get a tram flap which caused a hernia so I needed that repaired then I needed a stent in my chest and an angioplasty and then to top in off I had a fractured femur so I needed a rod put into my leg, SO after all that I had radiation twice and chemo now twice I have 6 months of it left and Im miserable with my boob job to be honest I had the nipples done but they look different because one boob is a tram and the other is an implant one is hard the other more realistic. One is bigger and higher than the other and they both have scars going across so its a mess. Im a nightmare my husband doesnt come near me and I can understand why, he never likes fake boobs so I guess these are a turn off especially since they dont look real.Now its a constant reminder of what I went through and after all of that Im dying anyway, its sad.. But Im so happy you have a success story for me.. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
brainman
Site Admin
Joined: 13 Oct 2005
Posts: 3313
Location: Tennessee
|
| Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 8:13 pm Post subject: Re: Reconstruction |
|
|
marybeth, I was going to tell Regi that you had not posted in 2 years so I did not think you would reply  . Glad to hear that you are doing so well and glad to see you still monitor the forum... or at least receive email notifications when someone replies to you  .
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/ |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
Search 
Email Digests
Register to post
Profile 
Check private messages 
Log in
What is this ?
We subscribe to the HONcode principles. Verify here. All content and posts are copyright.
