Struggling to make surgery/reconstruction decision
Hi everyone I have been diagnosed with high grade DCIS with an MRI showing a potential small spot of invasive cancer in my right breast. I have to have a mastectomy and I am booked in for surgery next Monday (8/9) but I am struggling to decide whether to have a bilateral mastectomy and what type of reconstruction to have. I have phone consultations with the plastic surgeon and the breast surgeon tomorrow and have to make the decision during these consultations. I am conflicted with what to do as I am waiting on the results of genetic testing (I had a tumour that was borderline cancer removed in December last year, which included removing an ovary and a fallopian tube) so am extremely fearful of having to go through this again. My initial reaction has been to get rid of both to be on the safe side which my surgeon was supporting but during a phone call with her yesterday she thinks my best option is to do only the affected breast and leave the other one. The reason she is recommending this is the left nipple can not be spared due to this breast being more saggy and the blood flow (don’t really understand it completely so that may not make too much sense) so at then end of the day if I choose to have the bilateral mastectomy I will have no nipples which she is worried I will regret. if I only do the one breast I may have enough fat on my stomach to do the flap surgery and they should be able to spare the nipple. I do not have enough fat on my stomach to do two breasts so would need to also take fat from my thighs. I have decided against this due to the scars that would be left in my thighs so if I have the bilateral mastectomy I would opt for implants. I would appreciate any input from anyone who has had a similar experience as I am at a loss what to do and only have tomorrow to decide. Specifically, if anyone has had to choose between a single or double mastectomy and has experience with nipple-sparing versus non-nipple-sparing procedures, or if anyone has had regrets about their choice, I would really value hearing your perspective. Any advice or experience would be a huge help right now. Thanks.
after an axillary clearance
I had a bilateral mastectomy plus axillary clearance with DIEP reconstruction 13 weeks ago. I completed chemo on the last day of 2018 and radiotherapy finished in early March. What does it normally feel like in your armpit after an axillary clearance? Numbness yes. Swelling yes. Otherwise it’s feels normal, except for a lump which I have noticed for a few weeks now (swelling has settled). Would it be normal to feel a solid but moveable lump, size bigger than a pea in the armpit area? I’m seeing the GP Tuesday but just wanted to know what other’s armpits have felt like after an axillary clearance. thanks
Radiation post DIEP
Hello all, I am exactly 4 weeks post double mastectomy and DIEP (including complete node clearance) which I had after 6 months of neo-adjuvant chemotherapy. I had TNBC in my right breast with 3 nodes involved on the same side. My pathology report said I had clear margins and a complete pathological response 🙏 I have now been given the option of skipping radiation if I want to. A new study (B-51 study) published last year found that patients with complete pathological response to chemotherapy and a double mastectomy don’t benefit from radiation therapy. My question is has anyone skipped radiation or was given the opportunity to skip it and chose not to? Also, has anyone with a double mastectomy and DIEP done radiation and what were the side effects on the breast? Lastly, has anyone received radiation in the neck region and what were the side effects like? Difficulty swallowing? My radiation specialist suggested if I choose to go ahead with radiation she would recommend the sub-clavicle nodes in the neck (along with breast and armpit) as they’re the only nodes I have not checked surgically. Would be keen to hear anyone’s opinion or lived experience. Thanks 😊
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.
Electing to have double mastectomy?
I apologise in advance for not necessarily knowing all the correct terms when I am asking this question! I was diagnosed three weeks ago with invasive lobular cancer in my right breast. I also had one lymph node that the biopsy showed as being inconclusive. I was told the tumour was very slow growing and was hormone receptor positive. All PET/CT/MRI scans etc showed everything else as clear. I had a right sided mastectomy last week with a breast expander put in and 6 lymph nodes removed, two came from under the arm. The pathology post surgery said the tumour was removed with clear margins and also that the lymph nodes were all completely clear with no cancer in them either. I have been told that I don’t need chemo or radiation but will need to start the hormone blocking tablets soon as well. We are now looking at the reconstruction options and I do want to do a reconstruction. My surgeon and plastic surgeon have said I am an excellent candidate for a DIEP and it has been suggested I could do the left breast at the same time if I wanted to. I am quite keen to never go through this again and am thinking of doing the other breast. My husband has said it’s up to me and is supportive of whatever I choose. Has anyone else had the second breast removed despite there being no indication that it’s necessary? If I do have the double mastectomy do I still need to take the hormone blocking tablets? thanks in advance (and I have requested to join the reconstruction group).
DIEP reconstruction
Hi. I am just wanting to hear how other people's recoveries have been after DIEP reconstructive surgery. I had surgery in July last year. I ended up in ICU for 10 days the week after with an infection in a lymph node in my groin. I became septic and nearly died. I have experienced nothing but discomfort since. My stomach feels like I have a knife or razor blade inside, trying to cut me from the inside out. I still have pain in my chest plate and I'm in pain in numerous places when I press on numerous areas on my reconstructed breast. I am due to have the last lot of surgery to remove the petal and make adjustments etc but I am very nervous and anxious about going through any more surgery.Chances of phase 2 of DIEP flap reconstruction
Hi all, I am considering doing Diep flap reconstruction after a Mascetomey tissue expanders. But I've heard from other chats that women have had to do "phase 2" of diep flap reconstruction, my PS hasn't mentioned this. I was under the assumption that if all goes well, that it was only one surgery to transfer tissue to reconstruct the breasts. I am feeling a bit anxious with the chances of having to do more than one surgery and thinking of implants now. I'd love to hear from any women who've had diep flap reconstruction and implant reconstructions. Thanks 😊Flat or DIEP Flap - doing my head in
I've looked online, and spoken with friends and others who've been through it, but my indecision is doing my head in. The time between available surgeon consultations is really dragging this out and giving me more time to work it out. History Bilateral BC, double mastectomy with immediate silicon implant reconstruction last October. In January, midway through chemo, an unknown infection sent me to hospital, and was only resolved once one of the implants was removed (during that stay, I was double-dosed on a strong antibiotic and my kidneys shut down temporarily). Now So now I have one implant, one deflated. I thought I definitely wanted DIEP Flap, but now I'm second guessing myself about possibly going Flat pack. I have thought about it a lot, and am currently continuing to lose sleep over it. I know this is my decision, but I would appreciate your thoughts, opinions and comments. I plan on trying your words on for size and seeing what resonates for me. How did you decide? Thank you in advance I want both the same - either filled or flat. (I know it won't be perfectly symmetrical) I'm tired of uneven. I like the shape of boobs. I'm 59, I know they've fulfilled any physical purpose they may have been needed for. I had a full hysterectomy 11 years ago, and boobs are part of what helps me still feel like a woman. The12 months since diagnosis have been a rollercoaster of tests, research, learning, surgeries and hospital stays. I'm ready for these boob chapters to be all over. I know my friends and family love me regardless of my shape. Other considerations DIEP flap - costs a lot - it's a long surgery - could be hard on my kidneys - long recovery The future could still include - revision surgery - more scans - random nerve pains Associated tummy tuck would be good! There are more fun things to do with 30 grand. When it comes down to it, Costs and risks. What if I regret my decision? DIEP Flap - having things go wrong, either with the surgery, the result, or down the track Flat - feeling less me From your personal experience, is there more I haven't considered? Thank you 🙏 P. S. I know this post is all over the place, but so is my head 😏
Post surgery help
I'm having surgery in a week and a half - double mastectomy and reconstruction. I've been advised it will be a 6 week recovery period with two weeks of not being able to drive. I'm an immigrant single parent (two kids, 9 and 12) with no family here but a strong social network. I've been mulling over how to organize help at home - what level of help have others found was needed after similar surgery? One of my siblings has offered to come and stay with us for a couple of weeks - I'm inclined to accept as I'm thinking it will be easier to have another adult with us full time rather than having to organize multiple different people who are coming and going. How long was help needed with housework etc?
