Reconstruction or reduction

Welcome to this forum.  It appears from the previos comments there is lots of advice for you to follow.  I would agree that it is important to discuss your options with you oncologist and breast surgeon.  You really need to have a referral to a plastic surgeon to get an expert opionion.  there are certainly some restrictions in realtion to reconstruction after radiation.  So you need to be well informed.  I was diagnosed at the end of 2000 and had a tram flap reconstruction at the time of the mastectomy.  Although there were some problems with healing at the time.  I am more thatn happy with the results.  I would recommend this type of reconstruction if it is a possibility.  I am more than happy to discuss this with you an time.  Take care  Love

Lorraine

Welcome to this forum.  It appears from the previos comments there is lots of advice for you to follow.  I would agree that it is important to discuss your options with you oncologist and breast surgeon.  You really need to have a referral to a plastic surgeon to get an expert opionion.  there are certainly some restrictions in realtion to reconstruction after radiation.  So you need to be well informed.  I was diagnosed at the end of 2000 and had a tram flap reconstruction at the time of the mastectomy.  Although there were some problems with healing at the time.  I am more thatn happy with the results.  I would recommend this type of reconstruction if it is a possibility.  I am more than happy to discuss this with you an time.  Take care  Love

Lorraine

Hi Dale,

I missed out on the breast care nurse, so missed out on so much info that was needed. Hope you have had contact? 

Your BC Surgeon will refer you to a plastic surgeon, mine was not interested in size difference, in fact when I mentioned it to him, he said, "yes, thats what happens with lumpectomy".......? They all deal with their speciality and thats it.

Get yourself the berlei bra through the BCNA, BC Nurse will fit you.  It is a horrid looking thing but with no wires and wide straps, it was the most comfortable. 

I used Moo Goo udder cream, made my appointments first thing in the morning, got zapped and applied Moo Goo in dressing room, then in the middle of the day and at night.  My skin was very itchy, so Rad Onco gave me two types of cream on script, and I took antihistamines (I later found out that this gave me bad itching down below, apparently it dries everything out, I thought at the time it was the tamoxifen putting me into menopause, there is a blog on this search - Tamoxifen side effects please help.  Nipple was really sore, used the sorbolene cream on this. Week 5 I had broken skin in the underside of breast and two big blisters where they did the booster shots (last week of radiation), Rad Onc gave me a surgical cream for this.  

Having a warm shower on the boob is a great relief, but have to watch that you don’t overdo it as this can dry out the skin.  Everyone’s experiences are different, I had sharp shooting pains which lasted for  about 4 months after treatment,now have the odd one every so often, I have just realised that my breast doesn’t heat up anymore, had my own hot water bottle through winter.

I have a seroma in the surgery site, not sure if this would have happened anyway or if the radiation encouraged it?  This has then caused lymphedema in my truck, no one tells you about these things until they happen, apparently I should have seen a physio straight after surgery, normally arranged by the bc nurse.

The bc road is full of pot holes; we just have to make sure that we don’t dig the holes any bigger.

Feel free to add me as a contact, and ask any questions.

Viv

 

 

 

 

 

Hi Mich, My doctors have not discussed options with me at all about the odd shaped breast, but I plan to discuss it with the oncologist at my next chemo treatment....fingers crossed. If not I shall take it upon myself to find a good plastic surgeon. Thanks Dale xoxo

Hi Viv, Thanks for your reply, I agree we are both in that crappy little tinny but hopefully 2014 will bring better things and a clean bill of health. Neither my oncologist or surgeon has discussed any form or reconstruction or reduction surgery with me so I am going to speak to them at my next chemo appointment and hopefully get somewhere with that. I am on private medical but not sure if it will cover the plastic surgeon another thing to investigate! Something I am hoping you can help with is the effects of radiation...I start my six weeks on 17th January and other than the fact of it will burn my skin the doctors haven't given me much help. As you have been through this already could you explain the after effects? Thanks Dale

Hey Dale

Hope you are doing well following your chemo and you had a great Christmas.

I luv your profile pic by the way. It is a morning motivator to put on my visulation board.   I might have to copy it if you don't mind hun.

With regards to your breast issue have you joined the breast reconstruction group as the girls there are super helpful.  They may be able to give you some advice.

All I do know is that radiation can make it harder for you to have surgery on the radiated breast.  Do you have a breast surgeon you can talk with perhaps.

Lots of love,Mich xoxooxox