Well, on Tuesday I will be meeting with a PS to see about recon. I havent yet decided if I want recon or not, and if I do want it, what type - implants or flap. I am worried about the lifting restrictions during recuperation (lifting DD), and, with implants, the risk of rejection and infections. But because I am relatively young, I dont want to go breastless...especially during the summer. And I'm really not too fond of the idea of a prothesis. Rock, meet hard place. I'm fairly small chested, so it really wouldnt be too much of a change to not have any at all, but still...I'd rather not look totally flat in a bathing suit. I would love to have some opinions on the situation, and if anyone could also give me some ideas as to what questions I should be asking the PS, that would be greatly appreciated too.
On Wed. I go in for my port removal - local aneth. Hopefully only about an hour. Jeez, will there ever be a week when I'm NOT at the hospital???
On another front, DD isnt crawling, but she is walking - while holding onto my hands. And she is not happy unless she is moving - which is hard as heck on my back, but it keeps her happy. And, even better, SHE IS SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT!!!!!Ah....blessed sleep.
chantry
There are no wrong turnings, only paths we did not know we were meant to take - Guy Gavriel Kay
There are no wrong turnings, only paths we did not know we were meant to take - Guy Gavriel Kay
Hi Chantry,
Good luck with your decision. Just one thing, and I'm sure you already know this, but you can get really beautiful swimsuits and use protheses (is that the plural of prothesis? LOL). I have 2 protheses and the only times I realize they are not real is when I put them on/off or when my ds accidentally smacks me in the breast and it doesn't hurt ;-). The upside is that I have 2 different sizes and I can have whatever look I want! Kinda cool! Course my dh likes the bigger set!!!
Also, congrats on your dd sleeping through the night! What a break you get now! Although she's making up for it making you help her walk around! What a great age - enjoy!
L&H,
Laure'
The finger of God touches your life when you make a friend.
----Mary Dawson Hughes---
Good luck with your decision. Just one thing, and I'm sure you already know this, but you can get really beautiful swimsuits and use protheses (is that the plural of prothesis? LOL). I have 2 protheses and the only times I realize they are not real is when I put them on/off or when my ds accidentally smacks me in the breast and it doesn't hurt ;-). The upside is that I have 2 different sizes and I can have whatever look I want! Kinda cool! Course my dh likes the bigger set!!!
Also, congrats on your dd sleeping through the night! What a break you get now! Although she's making up for it making you help her walk around! What a great age - enjoy!
L&H,
Laure'
The finger of God touches your life when you make a friend.
----Mary Dawson Hughes---
Chantry
As you know I have not had a mast, but almost wish that I had now. I would do the tram flap from what I have read it sounds like the best. Plus the thought of a free tummy tuck is great. Great news about your dd getting around so well and sleeping all night........ah I remember those days.
L&H
Bernadette
As you know I have not had a mast, but almost wish that I had now. I would do the tram flap from what I have read it sounds like the best. Plus the thought of a free tummy tuck is great. Great news about your dd getting around so well and sleeping all night........ah I remember those days.
L&H
Bernadette
chantry,i have had a double mastectomy and i have prostesis,the good thing about this is you can choose in the summer when its hot not to wear them, or they have really cute bathing suits you can wear with the prostesis. Tammy
Chantry,
Like you, I thought I didn't want reconstruction at first. However, after wearing the heavy prosthesis for a year, I decided I didn't want to wear it the rest of my life. Once I made that decision, I knew also I didn't want an implant. My PS agrees with me, because I'm still relatively young. The implants need replacing somewhere down the line and I didn't want to deal with that or the complications that can arise. That's why I chose the Tram Flap (plus I liked the tummy tuck part). However, in your case, with a small child, that will be hard. It's a difficult recovery for the first couple of weeks and you can't lift anything. You can't even stand straight for 2-3 weeks. PS has me on a lift restriction for 4 more weeks (it's already been 6 weeks) of only 10 lbs.
Things to ask your PS: how many of that particular procedures has he/she done, what are the risks/benefits to each procedure, what is the recovery time, how many drains will I have, how long will I be in the hospital.
My PS is great. He sent me a packet of information covering all the risks, recovery time, etc. Also, if you decide on a tram flap, ask if he/she does a 2 step procedure. The first one is to prepare the blood vessels in the abdomen to create a better flow during and after the actual tram flap procedure. My PS did this and it worked great. I, so far, have no necrosis of the breast tissue.
If you have any questions specifically of this that I haven't covered, feel free to ask.
Good luck on this tough decision! I know you'll make the right one.
L & H,
L & H,
Kathy
Thanks so much for your replies.I'm still waffling back and forth between just having the mast. and getting recon. I guess I could wait a few years, and do the recon later, but then I couldn't do a skin sparing mast - which is what I was thinking of doing - even though there is a greater risk of recurrance with it. As "The Donald" would say....This is a tough one.
chantry
There are no wrong turnings, only paths we did not know we were meant to take - Guy Gavriel Kay
chantry
There are no wrong turnings, only paths we did not know we were meant to take - Guy Gavriel Kay
Dear Friends,
It's been a really long time since I've posted, FORCE has kept me very busy. Hopefully some of you remember me.
A really really great source for information on reconstruction is the Breast Reconstruction Guidebook by Kathy Steligo. It can be ordered online at:
It contains the most up-to-date and easy to read information. I know that the author interviewed over 500 women for the book.
Hope this helps.
Warm regards,
Sue
**********************************************
FORCE: Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered
for women at risk for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer
"Joining FORCEs against cancer"
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For the first time ever, I wish that I had a few more pounds to me... The PS said that I was too thin to have a LAT flap done, without also having implants. I really dont want to have a TRAM flap done because I am very active, and terrified of having any problems with my stomach muscles. So, that means that implants are the way I am going to have to go if I do recon. I am taking until this weekend to decide what I am going to do.
Wish me luck!!
Chantry
There are no wrong turnings, only paths we did not know we were meant to take - Guy Gavriel Kay
Wish me luck!!
Chantry
There are no wrong turnings, only paths we did not know we were meant to take - Guy Gavriel Kay