Forum Discussion

Mechell's avatar
Mechell
Member
14 years ago

RECONSTRUCTION

Well, im not new to this page but am now floundering in the reco' stages and really not sure of pros n cons. Ive been to see 2 plastic surgeons and as you can see by my Tag, these are the options for me. I do not want the TramFlap. I am just wondering if there is anyone out there who has had the External Oblique successfully on this site and who would be willing to help out with info etc,,

The lady offering the Ext Ob, had no photos to show me which put me off strait away but then the lady offering the Diet, did and I wished Id never asked, , the scarring was terrible and I would never have lived with it,,

They both put up their reasons and one i will be out of pocket around $6000, but I dont care, its worth it to me and the other is the minimum 2yrs waiting list public.

 

Just curious on others experiences,, and I might add, what a hassle to get on a waiting list, I have been trying to get on at least ONE since May 2011 and am still waiting,, now thats just to get on the waiting list,, what happens when you actually get on it?? My BCN said to me that secretly she didnt think her ladies were moving up the list,,  hmmm,,

any help, advive,  dos/donts all welcome,, Thanks, Mechell  and thanks for the Beacon, great read ,, hugs and love to all you beautiful ladies xxxxxxooooo

coping
Reconstruction
  • Mechell's avatar
    Mechell
    Member
    12 years ago

    Hey Loiue,

    Glad to hear you are well and yes, i too have lost that place, I just put another Blog on the page about where Im up to, I dont seem to get around this site with much ease lol,, as to the stitches?? hmmm,, I dunno,, but they were removed and now Im taped,, not much pain, just the odd pinch, stab, throb,,, will see how we go this time!!

    They are definitely settled in to the wall of my chest, as all that pulling has  stopped,, the cancer side has still to stretch out though and still have swelling under my arms,,  its going so good,, they just need to get it together and heal uP!!!

    peace and light, Mechell

  • LouiseTurner's avatar
    LouiseTurner
    Member
    12 years ago
    Hi Mechelle, I've lost where we are up to in our conversation but didn't want your question going without a reply. Yep,I ended up having a free TRAM as they did take a small amount of muscle. I was discharged Monday this week, now Sunday night. I'm getting better each day, but fairly full on. I'm surprised how great the breasts feel. Very natural. Just need some shaping I think, but we'll see in a few weeks. After being told I would have no sensation in my torso area, my breasts are actually very sensitive so I feel more comfortable wearing a bra of some kind. So hopefully this will settle down a bit. It's not all over but at least there is some feeling. I can't believe you are allergic to stitches! You are very unlucky. Are you happy with your work? Or is it too early to say? Xxx
  • Mechell's avatar
    Mechell
    Member
    12 years ago

    Hi Chris, Im not sure if when I blog on my page it answers/replies to you, but I did reply ages ago to let you know how I was traveling and have posted again this morning, love Mechell xx

  • Mechell's avatar
    Mechell
    Member
    12 years ago

    Hey Louise  and all my sisters,, well had a bump in the road, turns out I was allergic, of all things' to the STITCHES that were put in from the 2nd surgery lol,, ohh, Im just toooo special :)

    So now taped up again on the right side, but the left side, which had the initial cancer and treatment, is coming along fine. I feel a bit naked without my bandages which came off yesterday when maria fixed the site. So more antibiotics and just rest again,,,,,

    Just thought Id let you all know,,

    Louie, I see you had a tramflap,, how are you going now??

    love to all,, Mechell xxxooo

  • Mechell's avatar
    Mechell
    Member
    12 years ago

    Hey Louise, yes, I had my surgery at petermac, they told me,, (was your surgeon from Tas skinny blonde, Chantelle) she did my 1st mastectomy,,, they told me they could do that op while they did the mastectomy, but the radiation 'could' destroy the job,, at the time I felt like they were  Centrelink-Giving you choices,,NOT! lol,, It took me 6mnths to get the 1st appointment with their surgeon which had to be followed up by a see you after xmas around Easter, another 7 mnths to ensure I still wanted it!! They did my head in..

    So  i went and took out just Hospital, $98 pm with ahm ,, knowing full well that the waiting list here in Tassie was well into 3yrs and more and petermac were saying 2 more realistically 3-4yrs. Ive done it had and still am financilly, but i couldnt wait here forever!And with my excess being $500 for the year, Ive already had 2 weeks in there,, the hospital was the dearest part of it all, around $900 per day!! Ridiculous,,and once again, my beef with the BCN for not telling more info on this FACT.

    I didnt like what they offered either, the TramFlap,, showed me photos and I freaked out, thank goodness I saw them as it made up my mind NOT to go there. Until I came to Tas I had not heard of Ext Obl either, , I met a young gurl who had had it done and the scars were awesome, after only 3-4mnths. Mine (where there are no probs, see other post) are settling down nicely as well.

    So what is in Sydney for you Louise? Faster system? I hope it all goes well for you and will let you know how this goes once we get rid of the bugs, lol

    peace and light

    mechell

  • LouiseTurner's avatar
    LouiseTurner
    Member
    13 years ago
    Hi again, I was looking at your blog history to get to know your situation more, sounds like you had a really hard time similar to me to get recon started. I saw 4 plastics till I got the one I wanted. BUT....I also saw a lady doctor (who moved here from Tasmania) for the Ext Obl. I could not find anything recent about the procedure ( info found was 1984-1990) but it sounded ok. She was really nice, but only had pics of a couple of ladies. In my area in the public system there is only her and 1 other plastic to choose from. I never found any other surgeon or anyone supporting the procedure....didn't even know about it. I found that strange. I'm going to Sydney now. Louie