Mastectomy and reconstruction advice
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* To protect your identity do not use your full name.
7 posts since
2 Feb 2019
Hi,
I have been diagnosed this week with high grade DCIS and a small cancer cell broken through into tissue. Need to make decision regarding reconstruction etc. I am considering diep or back flap and unsure if better to have same time as masectomy or delayed? Unsure if radiotherapy required, scan showed lymph nodes clear, but biopsy to be taken at time of surgery to confirm. I am feeling very baffled and emotional, shocked by whole ordeal. Any help and advice
much appreciated!!!!
Thank you , Lisa x
26 posts since
4 Jan 2019
Hi there
I had a mastectomy three weeks ago (high grade DCIS) but don’t need further treatment and I opted for no reconstruction. I had a small chest anyway and am not concerned by my appearance, don’t wear low cut tops etc. Surgery was absolutely fine, no drains and I’m recovering really well.
Im sure someone with experience of reconstruction will be along soon, just thought I’d send a reply until they do!
Sheila xx
7 posts since
2 Feb 2019
Hi,
Thank you for your reply, I am finding it all quite overwhelming at the moment! I’m edging towards diep tummy reconstruction at yhe sane time as i am hoping no furtber yreatment will be necessary. Seeing consultant on Thursday, so I will see if she can guide me!
Thanks again, I’m glad your surgery went well and that you are recovering well also.
Lisa x
227 posts since
5 Oct 2018
Hi,
I had a diep immediate recon. My nodes were clear before and after surgery. Best choice I ever made. My stomach looks amazing now it’s flat Lol to be fair though my back wasn’t a possible donor site lol I only had one drain in chest, was in hospital 3 days, operation was 8 hours, the scar isn’t even too bad its pretty thin. I was walking straight within a week the Dr’s couldn’t believe they operated! My stomach was very tight where they stitched me back together and you have to walk like The Hunchback of Notre Dam for a while afterwards but once you can walk upright it’s fine. And the OraMorph is delicious! I mean if you’re in pain definitely take that. To be fair there wasnt much pain. My op was in Nov scars are fading well already.
The surgeons will definitely tell you what they think hopefully you will have a great team around you. I always have a great laugh with mine (well except the big boss) he doesn’t laugh
7 posts since
2 Feb 2019
Hi,
Thank you for your reply, that all sounds so positive and encouraging! I am booked in for both on Monday (decided to go for tummy diep) had pre ops and ct scan this week, just want it over with now!
Thanks again, fingers crossed my op is as smooth and successful as yours was!
Lisa xx
227 posts since
5 Oct 2018
Hi Lisa,
No problem at all! Good luck on Monday please let me know how it goes when your able to. I’m sure your op will be fine =) just think positively. Think of it this way you get a nice new boob and a flat tummy on the NHS =) LOL Everything will be fine I’m sure =)
7 posts since
2 Feb 2019
Hi,
Well all started really well, op went well Monday and I was thrilled with how it looked. But by Tuesday they realised there was a problem and I had hobgoblin for another op to investigate. Ended up having to have it removed. I have really struggled and been quite down about it. But I have now picked myself up-the nasty has gone, I have had a tummy tuck and I am now having back flap reconstruction on Monday! Going home tomorrow for 1 night and then back in for op 3! I keep telling myself it’s a minor blip and it will all be over next week!
Lisa xxx
227 posts since
5 Oct 2018
Hey @Lisag
So they initially did the diep? Sooooo you get a new boob, a tummy tuck and a back flap recon??? Don’t be down about it it’s a minor blimp and I’m sure it will look amazing when it’s all finished! I mean… Just try and think of it as. Youre getting rid of uneccessary fat that your body doesn’t need you get a brand new boob. The scars will fade, you can always cover them up with a nice new tattoo if you like them if not scars tell a story and yours say your a fighter! After Monday it will be ll be done with and you will on your way to recovery. I’m sorry yours wasn’t a straight forward op but it will look great when it’s finished! =) when it’s done all the Dr’s will be coming to have a look lol
Please keep me posted =)
7 posts since
2 Feb 2019
Hi,
Well all over! Home now following back flap op on Monday. Tummy scar is healing nicely and I am thrilled with my new boob! So just on with recuperating and getting over the last couple of weeks. I can’t believe how my body has coped with 3 ops within 7 days!
Thank you for your words of encouragement and support, it meant a lot when I was struggling with the disappointment last week!
Lisa xx
227 posts since
5 Oct 2018
Hey @Lisag
So glad it went well!! I told you you would love the new one!! Now you have to do those pesky exercises! They do really help even when you feel like you can’t do them. I found the first one of the day was the hardest and I got frustrated when I could move my arm that much and then by the second session I could move my arm much further.. So don’t get discouraged if you can’t do them at first you will be able to!! I have full movement now. And if you develop cording they will pop!!
It hasn’t been a problem at all–I’ve been where you are, well not the three operations part but there are minor hiccups in the road sometimes but it all works out in the end. If I can help I will.
Now we both have a new boob and a flat stomach lol =)
7 posts since
2 Feb 2019
Hi,
Yeah loving my flat tummy too, I didn’t have much of a tum before, but can’t believe the flatness! (Which my eldest son thinks is awesome as he is really into his fitness and thinks ill have a fab 6 pack ha!) Had a rough night sleep last night, just couldn’t get comfortable and feeling like I’ve been hit by a bus this morning! Got hospital appt tomorrow to remove dressing off my back and hopefully my drain too!
Lots of r and r ahead and baby steps!
Lisa xxx
227 posts since
5 Oct 2018
Lol yes my tum is turning into a 6 pack! Lol mine was really very extremely tight at the start lol
Have you got a maternity pillow?? It really helps with sleeping! I slept with mine for the first few months Nd then kicked it out once I could sleep flat! I felt like I got hit by a bus when I had my first chemo !! So I know how that one feels lol they sent you home with the drain? That’s a tad mean lol they took mine out beforehand It’s a bit uncomfortable when it comes out but it doesn’t hurt…i was surprised at how much pipe was inside my chest when it came out lol
Yes lots of r&r needed =) buy yourself something nice =) it’s well deserved!! Xxx
7 posts since
2 Feb 2019
Hi,
Yeah had 3 drains removed after first op but still got drain in after back flap as still getting quite a bit of fluid coming out, but it is gradually getting less! I’m managing to sleep with 4 pillows under my head and back and a little cushion under my right arm, hardly any room for my husband! Lol!
What did you use to massage into your scars? I’m undecided if vaseline, nivea or an oil is best?
Lisa xx
227 posts since
5 Oct 2018
You had three drains!!! Flipping heck woman I only had one! They sent me home on day four drain was out! Lol I had one of those sit up cushion and a maternity pillow I don’t know how your managing to sleep like that lol then I went down to two pillows like a criss Cross under my head. They stitched my stomach so tight I couldn’t sleep the way youre managing to sleep lol no actual way. I had to sleep slightly folded for a while and my dog wouldn’t leave me either she slept at my hip.
For scars I used bio oil. I’m now at the stage where they said it doesn’t matter just the massage maters!! I don’t know if that’s good or not but hey ho =) I did have necrosis though so I had the inodine patches and adaptic on my boob up until December. I switched to nux oil because I had it in the house. And now I’m using cream. Just don’t use anything that’s perfumed because it irritates it. X
Oh don’t use the vaseline it’s too wet they suggested u used that to get my necrotic tissue off! Yh don’t put that on it lol
Xx
5 posts since
18 Mar 2019
Hi I was diagnosed on 6th March with also a high grade of dcis and have to have a mastectomy and offered reconstruction. I have chosen to have a diep too as my weight fluctuates quite a lot, all quite daunting and still find it hard to believe that I have cancer but I’m trying to get my head straight……. last week I had breast clinic appts to see how to progress after making my decision but now feel in limbo as the operation I have chosen can’t be done at that hospital and now I am have to wait for my file to be sent on to the other hospital and start again with a new team and surgeon….. I could be waiting up to two weeks just for the first consultation and this is what I’m finding hard ☹️
Thanks for reading, Sharon x
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