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Hi Heidi & Ree

I had a mastectomy and reconstruction on my left breast back in 2003 and then was diagnosed again in July 2010 and had a mastectomy and reconstruction done on the right side!  you could say I've had the works!!  The first time I had a TRAM flap reconstruction which uses part of your flabby tummy (great, got rid of the baby bulge!!!) to make a new breast.  The second time I had the same as Ree, tissue expanders and now permanent prosthesis.  The breast with the TRAM flap reconstruction is a lot softer than the one with the implant - more realistic in my mind, but I am also really happy with the implant side.  With the implant I had my lattisimus dorsi muscle moved from my back to the front and the implant is behind that.

The beauty of having the TRAM flap operation as opposed to the implants is that if you lose or gain weight, your breasts grow or shrink accordingly.  Also, as I said it is also a lot softer.

With both reconstructions I have had my nipples reconstructed also.  My surgeon uses the skin on the reconstructed breast to make a new nipple.  There are no grafts so maybe your surgeon does it differently Ree??  I had the left one tattooed after the surgery last time and was really happy with the result.  It looks very lifelike LOL,  I have to wait another couple of months before I can have the other side done as I only had the tissue expander replaced with the permanent prosthesis at the end of Feb.  My surgeon did the nipple reconstruction at the same time as this operation, which was great :)

Obviously once you have had your nipples removed there is no longer any feeling in them, even if you have them reconstructed, so I definitely don't have to worry about the "high beams" being on (to use your terminology Ree!!).

I am in the process of organising to get genetic testing done but haven't got an appointment yet and I understand that it could be a few months yet before I do.  I have a cousin who was diagnosed before the age of 40 and myself with 2 separate diagnosis (one at 35 and the other at 42).  My grandmother also died of breast cancer. If I test positive to the gene I may decide to have my ovaries removed so that I don't have to go through all of this a third time!

Please don't hesitate to ask any questions regarding the reconstructions etc.  That's how we help each other :)

Louise xx

PS my pain was minimal both times, although the TRAM flap is more painful due to the major abdominal surgery.  I had a couple of weeks off work each time.

Hi Ree,

Are you Post Op now and all healed?

If so are you happy with things?

The look, the feel, the emotion??

Did you get nipples tattooed on?

Sorry to be so blunt but I need to ask and know.

Heidi

Just a quick reply re: removing and replacing the nipple. My surgeon advised me against it, even though those cells came back clear, it means leaving more breast tissue cells behind and increasing the chance of (re)occurence in that area. I was devasted, was VERY attached to my nipples (pardon the pun) but I chose in the end to have a clean sweep, as such and make my statisttical chances as low as I could. Perhaps some of the other ladies got different info or advice? This is one of the questions you would need to talk to your surgeon about if you choose to go down the path of surgery...

Thanks Ree I will talk again as a little of the  terminology I don't understand so would like you and others to educate me.

You have had it hard for a long time, I would have had them cut off a long time ago with all the testing and worry etc.

I saw a programe on SBS I think last week about a girl who's Mum died and her search for infomation, it was amazing now what they can do removing the nipple and pulling out all the breast tissue through that hole and giving you perky silicones and sewing nipple back on. Apparently there is a min chance of nipple cancer?

Another thought I don't really know is true or not???

Good luck talk soon

Heidi

Hi Heidi,

Welcome to our little place of sanity - well, mine anyway although I'm sure the other girls would agree  :O) My name is Cherie - Ree usually - and I am 34 with 3 small boys as well. Don't they get to be a handful at times! 

You have had a rough trot haven't you? Make sure that you take time just for yourself, it will make it easier to find your balance.

I don't think that I really know anything that can help you with your questions. I had thought about having the test a few years ago but put it off - young, breastfeeding devotee, regular checks, blah, blah, blah - then got caught anyway :O( I am the same as your family background, a really strong matriarchal history of BC and OC. I know one of my cousins chose to have a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy and has never regretted it but she had the gene test as well and although she never disclosed to me the results, I assume it was a very high likelihood of her developing BC.

I am sure though, that the other wonderful ladies in here with the wealth of knowledge will jump forward to help you or point you in the right direction. I hope your journey will be a positive one and if you ever wish to just chat, vent or need support, feel free to contact me.

Ree xoxox

Hi Narelle,  just wanted to say welcome to the site -- I'm glad you found your way here. :)   I'm Di, the network admin, so ask away if you have any questions, otherwise enjoy browsing around.

Just wanted to let you know that this is a reasonably old post so you might not receive many replies here.  Best idea might be to make a new post in your own blog (click on the 'my blog' link in your pink profile box on the right side of the page, and then the 'create a post' link.  That way your post will show up on the "all posts" page and others will see it (you can find the "all posts" page here: http://www.bcna.org.au/node/all/blog/network).  ;

If you want some more information about how the network works, then take a look at the 'Help' page.  There's a link at the top right of all network pages, and here's the page link if you want to bookmark it: http://www.bcna.org.au/help.

Anyway, enjoy the network and don't be afraid to try things out, you can't break anything! :)

Hi

I had a Left mastectomy 2006, right mastectomy 2008, senital nodes clear. No further treatment. I have CHEK2 breast cancer gene.

I am interested in basic reconstruction, using tissue expanders and then silicon implants.

I was wondering what the usual down time, and what the limitations/time of recovery. Time in hospital, time when you can drive or lift etc.

Also pain level of this surgey.

I would appreaciate any information

Regard,

Narelle

Hi

I had a Left mastectomy 2006, right mastectomy 2008, senital nodes clear. No further treatment. I have CHEK2 breast cancer gene.

I am interested in basic reconstruction, using tissue expanders and then silicon implants.

I was wondering what the usual down time, and what the limitations/time of recovery. Time in hospital, time when you can drive or lift etc.

Also pain level of this surgey.

I would appreaciate any information

Regard,

Narelle

glad to hear things are on the up, i still have pain in my breast now and again but not as often, i had my  lumpectomy in 2008, and my surgeon said my breast would be changing for a good couple of years.  i almost think now the operated breast is bigger than the other one, strange the way our bodies react, but if there is one thing i have learnt from bc, is to now ask the doctors questions if there is anything worrying me (even if it is a niggle thought).

Take Care Moira

this is an added p.s

....just wanted to know if you will accept my invite as a friend, and hmm...we are about 2 hours distance from each other(give or take a few minutes, traffic wise)  ...but im here if you would like to chat, or talk on the phone..i dont mind...i just think its wonderful that you are within meeting distance..if you get what i mean

anyways...the offer is there

Caron x