Reconstruction

Hi Jeanine, I'm not sure whats going on there but you can go another way. First go back to the main network page, then at the right you will see groups, and 'find groups'. Click on find groups and type 'reconstruction' in the keyword search. The "Breast Reconstruction" group should come up. Then at the left request membership. Let me know if you have any probs, Louie

Hi Louise I am interested in joining this group but can't seem to do so via the link you provided. Please could you advise me how to join in another way? Thanks so much, JeanineG

Hello. I am a year down the road from my double mastectomies and my sister went through the same thing a year before me - double mastectomies and reconstruction. It is definitely better to take it slowly. I had some fluid put in my expanders at my initial surgery which probably made it more painful initially. However, I didn't know how it felt without saline so that was good. I had fills at three weekly intervals and found that I needed that time to allow the skin and muscle to stretch and then settle before going back for more. My sister, on the other hand, had weekly fills and suffered with a variety of complications. I really believe her body just never had time to adjust to the expanding and it didn't serve her well. Take your time as this will affect the end results and this will determine how you feel about your new body. I am having a difficult time adjusting but I can appreciate that I have been given a good pair of breasts. Good luck and don't hesitate to ask any questions at any time. Xxx JeanineG

Hello. I am a year down the road from my double mastectomies and my sister went through the same thing a year before me - double mastectomies and reconstruction. It is definitely better to take it slowly. I had some fluid put in my expanders at my initial surgery which probably made it more painful initially. However, I didn't know how it felt without saline so that was good. I had fills at three weekly intervals and found that I needed that time to allow the skin and muscle to stretch and then settle before going back for more. My sister, on the other hand, had weekly fills and suffered with a variety of complications. I really believe her body just never had time to adjust to the expanding and it didn't serve her well. Take your time as this will affect the end results and this will determine how you feel about your new body. I am having a difficult time adjusting but I can appreciate that I have been given a good pair of breasts. Good luck and don't hesitate to ask any questions at any time. Xxx JeanineG

Hi there, I don't know if you are aware of the private blog group called Breast Reconstruction. There are many women in this group who have a variety if experiences that may be able to help you. If you are interested please follow the link and request membership, cheers Louie http://www.bcna.org.au/group/61026

This is really interesting. I have had my reconstruction done in Adelaide 5 hours from home.

Plastic surgeon was excellent. I had 150ml put in when the expander was put in. I then had to wait 6 weeks for the scar to settle  and then fills could have been done weekly but distance put an end to that. So I had three more fills, then waited a while and had the exchange done. 

I think the most important ingredient is patience. I agree with the doctor that is closest. Slow and steady will get a better result. This is a big statement for me because when I started this I wanted it done and dusted in 3 months , Im a very impatient person.

This week I have my final trip and thats for the tattooing. Im very excited and also very peaceful because I feel Im at the end of the tunnel. Its been 19 months from when I had the other boob off and the double recon started. We had a few family issues in between and I had to put my boobs on hold.  But at the end I can see Im a completely different person, much better.

Please just be patient and let it unfold over the next 12 months. Your doctor sounds good. Maybe you can put his name on here and the other girls can give opinions from their own experience. Be happy and kind to yourself.

Good luck, Annie.

PS> Im very happy with my boobs now and will unveil them here soon.