Reconstruct

Having inflammatory metatastic triple negative BC, I wasnt a candidate for reconstruction.  

Hi Claudia, @primek is right from what all the ladies in choosing breast reconstruction group comment.  Changeover seems much less painful and most of the ladies say they are much more comfortable than the implant. I have had a bilateral TRAM and as I have no breast tissue, do not have any followup testing of that area.
Paula xx

Thank you so much for your comments. I've just arrive bright n early to my surgery so it's only matter of time to get call in.
@primek  hopefully I also do a speedy recovery. 
I've just left my 4 year old boy at home with a nasty cough/cold... n it's time like this that u need to be there .... (I got my mother in law helping but for a 4 years old it's not the same
love
clau

I found the changeover surgery was so much less pain and hassle than the 1st. I felt slightly tight as a different shape. A bit painful upon first wakening from surgery but once on ward panadol was enough for me. I didn't need any drains as no further work was needed on the pocket.  I stayed in hospital 2 days only for IV  antibiotics. Recovery was unremarkable. 

Both my oncologist and breast surgeon have said Yearly screening isn't  required due to bilateral  mastectomy. My job is just to awsre of axilla area.

A breast mri if ever needed  (like an implant leak) doesn't pose any issues. Mammograms only are for breast tissue and they don't recomnend ultrasound to armpits etc. unless any issue identified. So basically once done...it's done. If any changes of any minute breast tissue left you would  feel and see it quickly as basically it would be in the skin. 

Hi @Claudia79, I had a left nipple sparing mastectomy with immediate silicone implant last August and am heading towards my first anniversary checks.  My surgeon has given me a referral for a mammogram on my right breast and an ultrasound on the left where the implant is.  Also an ultrasound to check lymph nodes under both arms.
I think having implants after expanders would feel a bit different to having an implant put straight in after mastectomy. Hopefully more comfortable for you.  Even though the implant was the same size as my original breast it goes under the pec muscle which hasn't had the opportunity to be stretched.  No major dramas but there was some tightness for the first couple of months which I could easily massage away.  
You must be so looking forward to the next stage in your recovery,  Wishing you all the best with your surgery. Jane xx

Hey @Claudia79 welcome aboard, yes I agree with @nikkid here's the link to ask to join http://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/group/1-choosing-breast-reconstruction ;

I've had a a single left breast mastectomy/diep flap reconstruction as has Nikki, there are lots of other women however who have had implants. My understanding is that you wouldnt have mammograms at all.

There's a wealth of information in the Group, so do pop over there.

Hugs
Melinda xo

Hi @Claudia79 - why don't you join the Breast Reconstruction group? It's a closed group with loads of information. X