Mastectomy/Diep flap reconstruction - What to prepare for
Hello, I am heading into hospital shortly for a Mastectomy with a DIEP flap reconstruction at same time. I am starting to prepare everything now, ie stocking freezer, ensuring I have everything at home ready and staying to look at what to pack for my stay in hospital (5 days). My Plastic Surgery has asked that I bring in post op bra and if I have spanx or similar bring that in. The bra was no issue I got ones from Kmart and Berlei. In terms of compression pants, I am at a lose. So much on the market, Any recommendations, do I go for underwear type, shorts or just stomach ones. I would be grateful for any tips.
Partial mastectomy & Tdap flap experience
Thought I would share my experience here for future users as I didn't find many examples for partial mastectomy and Tdap (thracodorsal arterial perforator) flap reconstruction. I was diagnosed at 43 with stage 1 idc of 3.5cm in my right breast. It was found in my first ever mammogram which I only had as baseline because I was starting HRT for perimenopause. Thank god it got caught early. My Surgeon was very thorough and ordered CT, bone scan and MRI, which didn't show any spread to lymphs or beyond. The tumour was located at about 10o'clock between the nipple and armpit. Due to its largish size of 3.5cm the Surgeon recommend partial mastectomy but indicated would be able to spare my nipple and key sensation nerves. Understanding the options available to me was really important including the pros and cons of each. In particular I wanted to understand options that would maintain sensation. My breast surgeon put me in touch with the plastic surgeon to talk through options. I strongly recommend you ask for this consult if it isn't offered to you. Given the size and location of my tumour if I had opted for a reconstruction only the breast size would be very small, and then I would have needed to consider reduction of the healthy left breast for symmetry. The Plastic surgeon identified I was a good candidate for a TDAP flap reconstruction as part of a single surgery. While there are some risks a flap might not take, I felt it was the best first choice option for me. And I was positive that if everything went well I would only need one surgery rather than subsequent later reconstruction surgeries. Involving both breast surgeon and plastic surgeon did add a few weeks and a number of appointments to the first month after diagnosis. Luckily for me with my particular diagnosis the surgeon wasn't concerned it would impact on my prognosis. I am very aware how lucky my circumstances have been to allow me these choices. My surgery was about 4 hours I'm told. The breast surgeon removed the tumour, x-rayed to check the margins and then handed over to the plastic surgeon. In the end the flap needed to be taken from between Tdap and ldap area on my back close to my armpit area in order to have suitable arteries for blood connection. 1 lymph node removed. Thankfully when I came out of surgery I didn't have any nausea and ate a meal that evening! I was in hospital for 6 nights afterwards as you have two drains for flap surgery and the plastics team like to Closely monitor the flap and drains. The main discomfort I had for first few days was a sore shoulder because my arm had to be above my head for the four hours surgery. So anti-inflammatory cream was in high use. I was able to walk from day 2 and pretty much just on Panadol for pain. The bruising all over the entire breast was epic so arnica cream was essential. After 6 nights in hospital I was allowed to go home with my drains and have daily nurse visits to check. I also had direct mobile number for my specialist nurse if I had any questions. Being home in a quiet bedroom was a relief after the noisy nights of hospital ward. Currently on day 10 post surgery and still have the two drains, although I think they will be out in next few days. Flap surgery can also mean longer period of recovery before you can drive-up to six weeks. Although that is very individual and I'm hoping I might be able to drive in another week or so. Still early days but thought I would share my experience so far. S
One is BIGGER than the other!
Hi I had an early diagnosis and lumpectomy, chemo, radiation and follow up treatment of right breast in 2003 (aged 45 years). As I've aged, my treated breast is shrinking and shrinking and shrinking and is now very obviously a different size to my left breast. 1 Has anyone else experience this? 2 Do you think it would be considered 'medically necessary' surgery if I wanted a reconstruction for health fund purposes? Appreciate any feedback - thank you so much.
Mastectomy /post surgery pillow
Hi all, I have a brand new mastectomy pillow that I found really helpful that is basically as new. I would be really happy to post it to anyone that is about to have surgery at no cost. I just can’t bear to throw it away and would be happy for it to help someone else! Just dm me with your address if you would like it. I’ve attached some photos x
Scar Management for anyone finding them taking a long time to heal, red, bumpy, itchy...
Hey All, I just wanted to say in the past I haven't really worried about my scars from surgeries, however since doing my Diep Flap recon in February and subsequent revision surgery in July, I had my abdominal wound reopened. It was red, itchy and bumpy so thought I'd have a consult with people who specialise in scar management. Thanks to my friend @nikkid for the contact, I went today. I know in my post op visits there really wasn't much talk of scar management at all, so thought I'd pop a post for anyone who is finding them annoying red, itchy, bumpy and wanted some help with it. They use silicon dressings that I wear at night only, I then massage over 4-6 weeks in circular motions, (even an electric toothbrush) to break up the scar tissue about 4 times a day. My scars are so annoying and irritating,so that's why I decided to get some extra help. So I have a great recommendation in Melbourne for anyone needing that. Big hugs Melinda xoUpcoming masectomy
Hi all, Second time around for me unfortunately. Diagnosed 2016, Triple Negative breast cancer aged 37. Gene tested, negative result. Full treatment and got to almost 4 years cancer free. Fast forward to November 2020, routine check up to discover an anomaly. 2 weeks later to find out its back and I had a 1.7cm tumour, Triple Negative again in the same breast. Different course of action this time. 12 weeks of chemo and immunotherapy (Carboplatin every 3rd dose and Taxol weekly, with immunotherapy every 3 weeks). I have 4 weeks left til I finish. I will then be having a double mastecomy with immediate reconstruction. I opted for double mastecomy with skin and nipple sparing then direct implants. Plastic surgeon last week said great choice but talked me out of nipple sparing. So I mentally prepared myself for that change of plan. I saw my general surgeon today who says I'm a good candidate for nipple sparing and he's confident with the choice. Now I'm confused about which way to go? Tumour is almost gone with 8 doses of chemo. It should pretty much (hopefully) be totally gone over the next 4 rounds. It was 2cm from my nipple which my surgeon says was far enough away to not be a risk yet plastic surgeon said it was too close. Any advice right now would be great! Who's advice do I go with? I'm leaning toward my general surgeon who's been there the last 4 years and who's job was and is to get rid of the cancer. This was the first time I'd met the plastic surgeon and really, his job is to make me look like me again. Any advice or similar experiences are welcome.
Do I or Don't I
Hi Girls I have 4 weeks of a 20 week chemo treatment left and then surgery to follow. I am lost after my surgical consultation. I signed up for wide incision { actually signed the form } then was examined by a second doctor and things just went pear shaped from there. The tumor is in my right breast and am am considering bilateral surgery with reconstruction. I am currently in public health care and would greatly appreciate any help with finding other options in Brisbane area as public health will not offer Bilateral elective surgery.
Mastectomy and reconstruction - Replacing ruptured implants
I had a breast cancer diagnosis in 2012 which led to bilateral mastectomies and reconstruction with micro-textured silicone implants. One of the implants ruptured about 18 months ago. Since then I have noted that the shape and feel of the implant has changed. There are lumps and small hardened bumps which would be consistent with areas of leaked silicone. Given the news about lymphoma and textured implants, I’m wondering if anyone has had a similar experience with reconstruction and implants, and would appreciate any input as I attempt to come to a decision about whether to replace them.
Bariatric surgery after TRAM
Hi! First time poster here :) I'm 6 years post Tram Recon (7 years post BC) I was just wondering if anyone has had bariatric surgery after a Tram? I've done alot of research but I can't find anyone who has and not had any issues with the mesh, any info would be great! Thanks xIntro- Triple Negative and Hodgkins Lymphoma
Hello Beauties, Found a lump in late Feb which was Triple negative breast cancer. 6 months to live if no treatment. When advised, I had found out day before I also have Hodgkins Lymphoma (returned) in 4 places near heart and pancreas. Right now all All 6 lesions have shrunk. On chemo no 10 for TNBC (AC and taxol).. In my 5th month of BC chemo. Surgery looming. Awaiting surgical appt soon. I am 3rd generation with BC but brca negative. Lots of decisions coming up. Surgeon talked mastectomy last time. If I have reconstruction I am guessing it will have to be after chemo/rads for the hodgkins and I may need rads for BC after mastectomy. It's been a hard road. Still a way to go. Wish life was back to normal soon... Thanks ladies. I look forward to sharing your journies. Your fellow warrior Kylie in Brisbane( North Lakes area)
