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Jennt28's avatar
Jennt28
Member
13 years ago

Plastic surgeon follow-up appointment

Had my 3-4 week follow-up appt with my plastic surgeon yesterday, following my bilateral mastectomy with free TRAM reconstruction. He was really happy with the way I've healed. Pretty much all the incisions are "calmed down" now. Just a couple of spots on my left breast incision that had these tiny plastic stitches popping out so his nurse trimmed those off. I'm having to wear an unwired bra 24hrs/day for 6 weeks - so for another 5 weeks from now. Can't say it's comfortable having to wear it to bed. I hate the feeling of tightness around my ribs! The surgeon won't do any follow-up surgery for 6 months so I have an appt already set up for March next year to go and organise nipple reconstruction and any shape size "tweaking". I don't think there'll be much to do as the shape of both is very good and natural. There is a bit of a "pointy" skin at the end of the left breast side incision that can be fixed and while I currently think these breasts are too big I will have to seriously think about whether I want them reduced as that would be a major surgery that would then delay the nipples... I'm going to be back at work on Friday this week, working from home. Then physically back to my office from next Monday - 4 weeks after surgery. Jennt28

4 Replies

  • Dancing_with_Ne's avatar
    Dancing_with_Ne
    Member
    13 years ago

    HI Jenn, glad all is well with you;) I did go smaller but really I'm pretty sure there isn't a whole lot of difference from the natural boobs except these ones sit a little higher and that might be what makes you feel like they are bigger maybe...I had a reconstruction, Lap Dorsi with a silicone cohesive gel implant on the mastectomy side and a reduction and lift on the other.  It's now over 8 years since it was "finished off" and I'm happy with the end results:) All the best with the nipple reconstruction...are you having a tattoo?

  • LouiseTurner's avatar
    LouiseTurner
    In Memoriam
    13 years ago
    I am seeing Gazi Hussain at Macquarie. I will ask him all the outstanding questions I have. They are a hard bunch to talk to really. He comes very well regarded. The first ps only really offered the one solution..external oblique flap with implant. Sounds ok if I need to go with an implant, but not really keen to do that. This is so hard I think coz I'm terrified of regretting the choice I make. Can't say I've ever had a fitness regime....I'm more 14-16, losing weight now though. Anyway, all will be revealed (literally) soon enough. Ipad is so convenient, love it.
  • LouiseTurner's avatar
    LouiseTurner
    In Memoriam
    13 years ago
    I am seeing Gazi Hussain at Macquarie. I will ask him all the outstanding questions I have. They are a hard bunch to talk to really. He comes very well regarded. The first ps only really offered the one solution..external oblique flap with implant. Sounds ok if I need to go with an implant, but not really keen to do that. This is so hard I think coz I'm terrified of regretting the choice I make. Can't say I've ever had a fitness regime....I'm more 14-16, losing weight now though. Anyway, all will be revealed (literally) soon enough. Ipad is so convenient, love it.
  • Jennt28's avatar
    Jennt28
    Member
    13 years ago
    I'm only ever on here on my iPad and until the latest OS update I couldn't upload a photo! It really wasn't that long ago that I too was bald all over... The reason why my PS recommended the TRAM to me was because I didn't want to go "big" and due to the width of implants I would have needed I would have ended up at least a D... But I've come out of this surgery a D anyway... Will just have to be patient and see if I change my mind and love them or still want smaller. My PS secretary phoned this am and changed my appt from March to February so this all may happen a little faster :-) Good luck with your appt. I think you need quite a bit of tummy if you want both breasts done. At a size 16-18 I had no problem with providing enough tummy. I used to be a size 10-12 a few years ago but working full-time while studying part-time for a degree meant an end to my fitness regimen and the weight piled on. At my smaller size there would have been no way I would have had enough fat for the reconstruction. I gather one of the surgeons here in Sydney, based at Macquarie private might now be doing GAP or hip flaps (using your butt, thighs or hip fat). Not sure if you've asked anyone about that - or you would have enough fat in any of those places :-)