Deciding on Reconstruction or not

Hi Kel

My surgeon does the nipples on the third op. First is mastectomy and expander, second is removal of expander and insert implant, time between these ops depends on how big you want to be. Then everything left to settle in it's final place approx 6 weeks then nipple reconstruction. This is so they get them in the right place otherwise they may settle differently and the end result wouldn't be as good. My understanding is they use the skin that is already there and just pinch or pucker it. I have seen a photo and to be honest was better than my old one. Then if you decide you want too you can get it tattooed to create an areola - I'm going for a nice small one, I like the look better and I'm not real keen on getting tattooed, surely it's got to hurt. I googled it like I google everything so do the same. I have found it is harder to get images of reconstructed boobs but some are out there.

Your biggest op is the first, I have been told the second is easy because the pocket has been created so is straightforward and the third is easiest of all approximately 20-30minutes. Can even be done under local apparently.

As with recovery when I woke up it felt like I had a truck parked on my chest. Not really pain just pressure and I could only take little breaths. But I had morphine on one of those pumps that you just push when you need it also  helps with sleep so I went with it. By the next day the morphine pump was removed and I was up and about moving around, although had 4 drains attached. I suffered nausea and dizziness a bit which I was surprised about as I don't normally. Probably from moving around too much, being a mum of two 4 and 8 sitting down doesn't happen very often does it? Apparently it is common with this type of breast surgery so I just took all the tablets they offered - I don't normally even take panadol but I wasn't taking any chances. I was also so relieved to have the cancer out and the major surgery over I think I was on a high for the first week even though I was still waiting on results.

As for now I have a weird neuralgia (nerve problem) down my upper inner and under arms and also down my sides. It just feels really burnt and sensitive. I have just started some medication for this so I am hoping for some relief soon.

As for driving I was able to after my post op appointment two weeks after surgery. However everything is still really tender so as much as I love my independance wouldn't attempt a long drive or in too much traffic. School runs etc ok!

Although I was hoping to keep nipples I am happy now I don't have to worry as much and feel it is a small price to pay for peace of mind. At the end of the day we would all happily live without boobs if it was life or death. Luckily for us we now have more choices.

Any more questions fire away - you have probably worked out I'm a talker!!!

Take care

Lara xx