Breast reconstruction: Questions and answers

295 views
22 times supported
21 comments

JosephineO

Community manager

23/01/2019 at 10:05

Good advisor

JosephineO

Community manager

Last activity on 15/07/2024 at 09:21

Joined in 2018

989 comments posted | 18 in the Living with breast cancer group

6 of their responses were helpful to members

Rewards

Good Advisor
Contributor
Committed
Explorer
Evaluator
Friend

View profileView Add a friendAdd Write

Hello everyone,

Has anyone here had a breast reconstruction? Or are you looking into one? I think it would be a wonderful support tool if you could you share what you wished you had asked the plastic surgeon before you had the procedure so other members know what to look out for.

I hope you share your advice!

All comments

Go to the last comment

Cevarror

23/01/2019 at 14:46

Cevarror

Last activity on 27/09/2021 at 12:11

Joined in 2014

4 comments posted | 1 in the Living with breast cancer group

Rewards

Explorer

View profileView Add a friendAdd Write

@JosephineO I would be interested in hearing what others have to say about this...considering getting it done next year

See the signature

Cevarror

Breast reconstruction: Questions and answers https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/living-with-breast-cancer/breast-reconstruction-surgery-questions-and-answers-2691 2019-01-23 14:46:48

maddoglady

28/01/2019 at 18:16

Good advisor

maddoglady

Last activity on 04/01/2023 at 12:00

Joined in 2016

109 comments posted | 29 in the Living with breast cancer group

Rewards

Good Advisor
Contributor
Committed
Explorer
Evaluator

View profileView Add a friendAdd Write

My reconstruction was started in 2013 and completed in November 2015!

I did a great deal of my own research, including checking out the surgeon and his handiwork. My biggest concerns were the amount of disability I'd be left with and how long the recovery period was for each.

Not all reconstructions were suitable for me but my surgeon was lovely and actually listened to what I was to achieve. After much discussion we opted for a modified LD flap with the option to fat graft later to achieve symmetry and finally a nipple tattoo. I spent only 2 days in hospital after the first surgery left hospital with no drains. Better yet the fat grafting actually involves liposuction which I had from my upper thigh. So I've got 2 matching boobs and slim thighs!

My advice to anyone considering reconstruction, is do what's right for you, do your research, ask loads of questions and don't be talked Into things you don't want.

See the signature

Maddoglady!

Breast reconstruction: Questions and answers https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/living-with-breast-cancer/breast-reconstruction-surgery-questions-and-answers-2691 2019-01-28 18:16:56

Pinky64

12/02/2019 at 23:42

Good advisor

Pinky64

Last activity on 23/04/2022 at 12:58

Joined in 2017

6 comments posted | 3 in the Living with breast cancer group

Rewards

Good Advisor
Explorer

View profileView Add a friendAdd Write

I am seeing my PS next week regarding reconstruction but after listening and reading up on it and talking to others I am going to choose going flat. I don’t want to go through all this unnecessary pain for the sake of vanity. I don’t know if anyone else has felt the same.

See the signature

Jackie

Breast reconstruction: Questions and answers https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/living-with-breast-cancer/breast-reconstruction-surgery-questions-and-answers-2691 2019-02-12 23:42:11

maddoglady

13/02/2019 at 09:53

Good advisor

maddoglady

Last activity on 04/01/2023 at 12:00

Joined in 2016

109 comments posted | 29 in the Living with breast cancer group

Rewards

Good Advisor
Contributor
Committed
Explorer
Evaluator

View profileView Add a friendAdd Write

Pinky64, whatever choice you make , make the one that is right for you. There is no right or wrong way, reconstruction or not.

For me I couldn't wait for the reconstruction to happen and then be finished so I could feel normal again.

You are obviously a strong confident woman, go girl! xx

See the signature

Maddoglady!

Breast reconstruction: Questions and answers https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/living-with-breast-cancer/breast-reconstruction-surgery-questions-and-answers-2691 2019-02-13 09:53:21

Jellag

14/02/2019 at 22:42

Good advisor

Jellag

Last activity on 19/12/2024 at 16:08

Joined in 2017

30 comments posted | 20 in the Living with breast cancer group

Rewards

Good Advisor
Contributor
Committed
Explorer

View profileView Add a friendAdd Write

In June 2017 I had my mastectomy and reconstruction the same day on my right breast 1 Week in hospital, drain for a few weeks. No problems thank god re infections. Best decision for me. But you do what feels right for you Pinky64. It’s a personal decision. I had LD flap. My strength is not as good on that side and I do have pain where the muscle was removed. Hopefully that will go in time. Good luck

See the signature

Jellag

Breast reconstruction: Questions and answers https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/living-with-breast-cancer/breast-reconstruction-surgery-questions-and-answers-2691 2019-02-14 22:42:35

Tigger.co.uk

15/03/2019 at 10:10

Good advisor

Tigger.co.uk

Last activity on 20/12/2024 at 12:13

Joined in 2016

748 comments posted | 22 in the Living with breast cancer group

41 of their responses were helpful to members

Rewards

Good Advisor
Contributor
Messenger
Committed
Explorer
Evaluator

View profileView Add a friendAdd Write

Hi had a mastectomy im 64 years of age but I never had reconstruction on my breast I have a artificial one where I can wear it inside my bra as being old and having so many different illnesses I didn't want to go through anything else I have got friends that had it done but there is so much to have done that I cowered out but I do get on well with my false boob and it does look real when I have my outfits on it even has false nipples on to which you can get because I wanted to wear loose clothing I got some special tape that sticks to the skin but you can buy Bras that have pockets in so you can slip the boob in to secure it more hope this helps you to decide love tiggs

See the signature

D M A

Breast reconstruction: Questions and answers https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/living-with-breast-cancer/breast-reconstruction-surgery-questions-and-answers-2691 2019-03-15 10:10:53

Moya1962

15/03/2019 at 10:12

Moya1962

Last activity on 19/01/2021 at 13:44

Joined in 2017

1 comment posted | 1 in the Living with breast cancer group

Rewards

Explorer

View profileView Add a friendAdd Write

Had my mastectomy in 2013, the surgeon wouldn’t do a reconstruction at the same time due to my size, he told me to go away lose weight and go back to him , I have done what he asked me to do but now he tells me he isn’t doing delayed reconstructions, to say I feel deflated is an understatement x

Breast reconstruction: Questions and answers https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/living-with-breast-cancer/breast-reconstruction-surgery-questions-and-answers-2691 2019-03-15 10:12:48

Unregistered member

15/03/2019 at 12:33

Maddoglady may I ask why it took so long from start to finish ,ld with lipofilling is my option but I never realised it was such a long thing to do .maria

Breast reconstruction: Questions and answers https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/living-with-breast-cancer/breast-reconstruction-surgery-questions-and-answers-2691 2019-03-15 12:33:57

maddoglady

15/03/2019 at 14:03

Good advisor

maddoglady

Last activity on 04/01/2023 at 12:00

Joined in 2016

109 comments posted | 29 in the Living with breast cancer group

Rewards

Good Advisor
Contributor
Committed
Explorer
Evaluator

View profileView Add a friendAdd Write

Hi Maria

I waited 4 months from referral to a plastic surgeon until my first consultation with that surgeon. It was then a 6 month wait until the first surgery, that involved removing some of the Latissimus Dorsa muscle from my back and some skin to fashion a new breast. It should have been 6 months to allow for healing, however the surgeon was off sick himself with a back injury so the 6 months became 12! The second surgery involved liposuction on the outside of my upper thighs , the fat then injected into the New breast to achieve symmetry. The final procedure was a nipple tattoo in November.

The reason for the slightly protracted time was because a standard LD flap removes the entire muscle and I was concerned about the level of disability, so at my request he pioneered a modified operation with the option to fat graft at a later date.

My original breast surgeon also didn't do reconstruction so I needed a referral to a different surgeon at a different hospital.

See the signature

Maddoglady!

Breast reconstruction: Questions and answers https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/living-with-breast-cancer/breast-reconstruction-surgery-questions-and-answers-2691 2019-03-15 14:03:34

NatalieG

15/03/2019 at 16:15

NatalieG

Last activity on 14/07/2024 at 19:43

Joined in 2017

3 comments posted | 3 in the Living with breast cancer group

Rewards

Explorer

View profileView Add a friendAdd Write

I had exactly the same as yourself, at the same time. How bizarre xxx I have the same problem with aching arm/Breast where lymph nodes were removed. Xxx

Breast reconstruction: Questions and answers https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/living-with-breast-cancer/breast-reconstruction-surgery-questions-and-answers-2691 2019-03-15 16:15:28

Breast reconstruction: Questions and answers

All comments

Give your opinion

What do you think about the Carenity Forum and community?

What are your expectations from Carenity and what would you like to see in the future?

Articles to discover...