Hi everyone, My name is Kristy, I found out in Nov 2013 that I had the BRCA 2 gene. From there everything has happened pretty fast. I went to visit my breast specialist in Dec 2013 to discuss my options and from there we discovered that I had a small lump in my right breast. I was totally shocked!I just thought I was going to him to discuss whats best for me not thinking that there was already a lump there. With complete shock, lots of tears I decided to have a bilateral mastectomy. With having the BRCA gene I felt it was the best option for me. I received great results. My lump was only 6mm & DCIS. I was very fortunate as I didn't need any further treatment. I am due to have the Tram Flap reconstruction in Jan 2015. I will be honest and say I am feeling very nervous about the whole op!! I am happy to be having the reconstruction, I am just feeling very overwhelmed with how big the operation in itself is. Could any of you lovely ladies offer any advice and feedback if you have had the Tram Reconstruction. Thanks. Kristy

Hi Kristy I had my mastectomy and reconstruction done on th e19/8/14. Iam home recovering and all good, very scary and a long recovery but feeling good. The whole decision making was as hard as having the surgery. My only advice is to ask any questions, even if you think they are dumb. Every question is important Take care xx

Hi, Thankyou for letting me know about your progress. Wow you have been through alot in the last few weeks and to know that you are feeling good has put my mind at ease. As you said it is such a huge decision and when I had my mastectomy I didn't really have time to think about it. With the recon I have. I think its just the unknown, but I can't wait to look down and see my new body! I have another visit to my plastic surgeon early December and I have already started my list of questions. By then I will say my list will be long!! Thanks and let me know how your recovery goes xx I

Hi Kristy I was wondering how your surgery has gone? My story is similar, in Dec 2013 a routine mammogram revealed a DCIS, fortunately very small, .6mm, which all came out in biopsy. Lumpectomy showed no further cancer which meant no radium or chemo thank God. I had my ovaries removed as prevention in Apr 2014 and then had genetic testing in October 2014 which unfortunately tested positive to BRCA2 gene. Consequently, I have opted for bilateral mastectomy with TRAM flap reconstruction in April 2015. My surgeon said it is a 10-12 hour operation with 7 surgeons/assistants working on me at once, which is a bit daunting. I would like to talk to any ladies who have had the same surgery, if they're happy with their decision, and any advice on what to expect or tips on assisting recovery. I hope you are recovering well, and wish you all the very best. Love Louise x

Hi Louise, Oh my goodness Louise how similar we both are. Like you I had a full hysterectomy 12 months ago. It was all so much as I had my mastectomy then 6 weeks later my hysterectomy. I am now 4 weeks post op from having my Tram Flap reconstruction and I can honestly say for the first time in over a year I am smiling again!! I seriously just can't stop looking at my chest!! I was so nervous and worried before my reconstruction as I think it was the unknown. I had mine done through Megan Hassall in Sydney and I went to Hunters Hill private hospital. Everyone was so wonderful. My op was approximately 10 hours. Its true with what people say. You go to sleep and the next minute you are awake. I found the first 3 days were tough. I was made so comfortable when I was in bed and by day 3 I was up sitting and walking. I was only walking to the shower and toilet and by day 5 I was walking up and down the corridor. I got my central line out day 5 and day 6 I got my drains out and came home. I went to see my dr the week after and she asked me if I would do it again? My answer to her was YES!! It was so worth it. Its a week out of your life where you don't feel great but its the reward you get at the end. I now have my nice new boobs and a flat stomach! I have found the pain to be nowhere near as bad as what I anticipated. I have only been on Panadol since day 5 and now I am down to twice a day. I think the biggest thing is just to rest and don't over do it. I have been very fortunate as my Mum has been staying with us to help. A month on and I am only just starting to do more now. I hope this has helped a little. If you would like to ask me anymore questions I am more than happy to answer them. Take Care Kristy xx

Hi Kristy Thanks so much for your reply. Sounds like you have had a very positive experience which is excellent, I hope mine goes as well. I will just be glad when it is done, I think the waiting and anticipation is difficult. Mine has been delayed because they wanted me to lose some weight and so far I have lost 12kg and I'm also trying to exercise so that I can be a bit fitter before surgery. Did they use mesh in your stomach and if so, has it given you any grief? I have read where some ladies have said it feels hard and sometimes painful. I am a little worried about the mesh, being a foreign body and all. Like you, I have a wonderful Mum who is going to stay here and look after us all, which is wonderful. I also have a beautiful husband who loves me no matter what and a wonderful supportive family, so I'm very blessed. I also think I have been very fortunate that my DCIS was found so early and that I have not had to have chemo or radium, and that, given I have the BRCA2 gene, that nothing happened earlier (I was 48 when first diagnosed in 2013). I know this won't be a walk in the park but I am a fairly positive person with a good sense of humour and a strong faith in God, so hopefully all of that will help me get through it all. One day at a time hey. Thanks so much, I'm really happy for you that things are looking up and I pray you continue to heal and recover quickly. Love Louise x

Tram Flap | BCNA Online Network

13 Replies

Louise_Macgrego
Member
11 years ago
Hi Kristy I was wondering how your surgery has gone? My story is similar, in Dec 2013 a routine mammogram revealed a DCIS, fortunately very small, .6mm, which all came out in biopsy. Lumpectomy showed no further cancer which meant no radium or chemo thank God. I had my ovaries removed as prevention in Apr 2014 and then had genetic testing in October 2014 which unfortunately tested positive to BRCA2 gene. Consequently, I have opted for bilateral mastectomy with TRAM flap reconstruction in April 2015. My surgeon said it is a 10-12 hour operation with 7 surgeons/assistants working on me at once, which is a bit daunting. I would like to talk to any ladies who have had the same surgery, if they're happy with their decision, and any advice on what to expect or tips on assisting recovery. I hope you are recovering well, and wish you all the very best. Love Louise x
kristy77
Member
11 years ago
Hi,

Thankyou for letting me know about your progress.

Wow you have been through alot in the last few weeks and to know that you are feeling good has put my mind at ease. As you said it is such a huge decision and when I had my mastectomy I didn't really have time to think about it. With the recon I have. I think its just the unknown, but I can't wait to look down and see my new body!

I have another visit to my plastic surgeon early December and I have already started my list of questions. By then I will say my list will be long!!

Thanks and let me know how your recovery goes

xx

I
rowdy
Member
11 years ago
Hi Kristy I had my mastectomy and reconstruction done on th e19/8/14.

Iam home recovering and all good, very scary and a long recovery but feeling good. The whole decision making was as hard as having the surgery. My only advice is to ask any questions, even if you think they are dumb. Every question is important Take care xx

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