Lumpectomy didn't work - now what?
After being diagnosed on my 50th birthday, I'm now staring down the mastectomy path given we didn't get clear margins on the lumpectomy. No chemo or radiation required. Of course I've got the standard myriad of questions, and given the fonts of knowledge here I'm hoping for some words of wisdom on how people came to their decisions on the following (noting there's no right and wrong, but hoping there's some others out there that can share how they figured out what was best for them): Unilateral v Bilateral? I've only got in my right breast, but the thought of going through this twice is beyond me. For those in a similar position that opted for a bilateral, do you wish things were different? Do you miss having your own tissue? Implant v DIEP? I'm terrified of the pain and recovery aspects of the DIEP but on the flip side I'm also scared of having to revisit implants in 10-15rs time. Small-breasted women - you're my peeps! I'm only an A/B cup, so hoping some of you with similar build are able to jump on and let me know your thought processes, too - did you stay small, take advantage of going up a size etc. Thank you for reading, and look forward to your insights xox
Reconstruction implant only
Hi Everyone, I had a mastectomy and lat flap recon in 2019 and may need another mastectomy on the other breast (awaiting results hoping for the best, planning for the worst to get organised!) I'm wondering if anyone has had an implant only reconstruction and how it has been? I was advised against this last time and told that it would lead to a lot of puckering, and may look and feel unnatural, which I don't really care about. This or a mastectomy with no recon are my only choices at this point as I have had a lot of trouble with my back after the lat flap so couldn't repeat that option Many Thanks
SELF CHECKING AFTER A DOUBLE MASTECTOMY AND LOBULAR CANCER
Hi all, I have just had my reconstruction which hasn't been successful..(that's another long story) but I am wanting to know if any one had Lobular Cancer , double mastectomy and breast implants? I was booked in for an MRI and my surgeon canceled this due to me having my tissue removed in both breasts, she then told me I have to self check my boobs as there is no screening etc. Again I left the hospital appointment with no clue how to do this self checking, and my anxiety has hit the roof thinking... I had no lumps in my breast that I felt and the mammogram picked up calcifctions not my cancer, and I was then told I have the 'Sneaky Cancer' So how do I know if the cancer returns? if technology did not pick this up, how do I do this to 'prevent' this going to my lymph.(The breast Care nurse stated that I will feel a lump in my lymph) But I don't want to get to the stage of it returning in my lymph.. Also I have the Zoledex injections every 28 days as I was high risk as near my chest wall.... how do I check the chest wall etc? My breast care nurse said to speak to my oncologist at my next appointment, to show me how to test myself, but im wondering if anyone else had a double mastectomy with lobular and how is the after care with testing? Thanks and hope you are all keeping well xx
Flying after mastectomy
Hello all, Thanks in advance for your comments. I am 5 weeks post a skin and nipple sparing single mastectomy with immediate implant on top of the muscle. Margins are not clear so I will be back in surgery in a few weeks to have the nipple and skin removed (gutted but that’s another post). I have an annual girls weekend coming up that I would love to get to (flights and accommodation pre paid before all this came about). It will be 7.5 weeks post original surgery and involves a one hour domestic flight. Does anyone know if it will be ok to travel by air 7.5 weeks post surgery? Could the implant explode? Sorry if that’s a stupid question!! I am really nervous about it and won’t go if there is any chance of a complication etc... thank you
Explant surgery done and all well
My explant was done on Thursday and I'm happy. Titanium mesh gone as well - yay! It seems my new surgeon has done a very neat job. I had two nights in hospital - came home on Sat afternoon and I feel well. They've been generous with drugs so pain is limited. Swelling is going down. In fact, yesterday I believed that the lymphedema swelling and ache in my left arm from first surgery has disappeared. I have a PICO device, which I didn't have the first time, and it's occurred to me that it's possibly being of benefit re the fluid in my arm as well. I learned from this surgeon that the pain I get in my ribs is because of radiation damage to the rib area; it's a relief to finally know what it is. When I'm healed I'll be fitted for bras and of course get a prosthesis. So - full steam ahead now. :smile:
Exersize with sub pec implant
Hi everyone. I have just started back my favourite sport, lap swimming 18 months after my single side recon with silicon implant behind the muscle. It's going well just a little bit weird stretching feeling. The implant still feels really firm and slightly tight . My question is for other ladies that do chest exercises with a sub pec implant. I'm scared that the exercise is going to build up the muscle in front of my implant and flatten it or make it tighter. I mean that's usually the whole point of exercise but I don't want this muscle developed specially since it's single side and there's already a difference. I know a lot of you have gone back to gyms etc and would b interested to know your experiences. Any insights gratefully appreciated. Thank you.