First Revision Booked
Hi,
Time to update on my situation. I had my 6 month review this week after my bi-lateral mastectomy and TRAM reconstruction, which was done in February.
Had really been looking forward to this appointment, as there were a few areas that I desparately wanted improved - these being a flat "profile" and a crease across the top of the left breast where the flap transfer ran out. Apparently because I was a very thin candidate. I went from a D/DD to an optimistic B. Size wasn't such an issue for me - just the flatness of the profile and it has been upsetting me.
So... Plastic Surgeon tells me nothing can be done about the profile and that not much improvement could be made with lipo/fat transfers either. Somehow I convinced surgeon that I had issues and not even trying was not satisfactory to me. I was even told that it was a matter of cost v benefit. Hello.... I'm already $16,000 out of pocket even though my surgery was done through the public system, plus you can't put a price on the emotional turmoil. Luckily I didn't have to argue back and have a debate on cost.
Surgery is booked for 14th October, with nipple reconstruction same time. Thanks for your observation Louise (I think it was you) who suggested that the nipple will take away some of the focus from imperfections. Really hope I don't have to have more of these conversations if further revisions are necessary.
To complicate things in my life - I was made redundant 1 1/2 weeks ago, temping at the moment, but either I'll still be unemployed when I have surgery - or at a new employer, who hopefully will have more compassion than my last.
Linda
Nipple Reconstruction
Yesterday I had my fat transfer revision, dog ear repair and nipple reconstruction.
All went well I think - can't really tell re the nipples as they are well wrapped up and I won't see them until the dressings are removed next week. So at the moment I have huge dressings that are nearly impossible to disguise. I'll be wearing scarves for the next week I think. My only concern is that they don't appear even according to the dressings - one appears to be angled more to the side, but I'll just have to wait until the unveiling until I can judge.
As far as the operation went, I think I was under for nearly 3 hours - longer than I expected, but my fat transfer was from my inner thighs and apparently that's a bit more complex. Bruising is minimal so far. Lots of puncture holes and alot of oozing last night. I think where the fat was transferred to is much better and smoother - but hard to tell with the dressings covering the area.
After arriving home I even accomplished a phone interview for a job and have two interviews today - plus another one tomorrow that I will squeeze in before work. In addition I have a networking event tomorrow night. Facing unemployment in two weeks time, so this is a really challenging time.
Linda
