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
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.
Perth Breast Reconstruction Support Group Lunch
Join us on Saturday 28th June 12:30pm Herdsman Lake Tavern Wembley to meet with other ladies who have done reconstruction. Simone Hall the tattooist will be there to answer your questions about 3D nipple tattooing & you can purchase her temporary 3D nipple tattoos to see what a huge difference those circles of colour will make. You may bring a female friend for company - you will find us in the function room. We are a very informal friendly group - so bring your questions along and get realistic answers of what to expect.
Going flat after implant rapture
Hi All I had a bilateral mastectomy 8 years ago with expanders and silicone implants (aged 48 at that time). Here I am 8 yrs on and find I have had a implant rapture and now have silicone in my axillary, clavicle and chest lymph nodes. Rapture likely 12 mths ago due to spread of silicone, that is why its called a silent rapture. I had the mastectomy to not live in fear of getting breast cancer (as my mother had it twice) and I had a young son. Here I am now living in fear of what the silicone toll will take. Have received advice and can do reconstruction but would need to use flap under arm area as well as implants as the skin is thin due to expanders from first reconstruction for a swap out or I am thinking go flat. Going flat will prevent the fear of further possibly of another rapture and more silicone in my system. If I had have been told 8 yrs ago I could have the mastectomy to prevent cancer but they cant reconstruct I would have still had the mastectomy so I am coming to terms with the flat chest option. Has anyone on this forum had reconstruction with implants then gone flat later? Any advice, regrets, experience with prostheses double breasts at all?
DCIS - Mastectomy - Recon - clear for two years....now potentially something else
My situation in a brief paragraph: At 50 years of age, I was diagnosed with DCIS in my left breast. I opted for a bilateral mastectomy and recon. Sentinel nodes were clear. No radio or chemo required. That was almost two years ago. Apart from now suffering all the typical effects and symptoms of menopause due to no HRT, I've been blessed with a dream run and fantastic road to full recovery from BC. Completely grateful and thankful for the team and support I've had around me. The latest situation is that I've just been for my second annual post BC ultrasound with a view to reducing visits with my surgeon from three monthly to annually. I was looking forward to kissing cancer goodbye!! However, the sonographer has found an inflamed and vascular looking lymph node in my right armpit (opposite side to original BC diagnosis). It was explained to me that this can be due to a number of reasons: fighting off an infection, breathing in smoke, recent flu vaccinations or, at worst, something more sinister like cancer. My surgeon reviewed this and wants another ultrasound in three months to check on it and if need be, will biopsy then....I have a sick feeling about this. Since I don't feel like I'm fighting an infection, I haven't breathed in smoke lately & my flu vax was done 10 weeks ago in the opposite arm .... I am feeling extremely anxious that cancer has returned and that it's found a spot in my right armpit to grow and spread. A three month wait to see if this is or isn't the case seems like absolute torture and a return to 'the waiting game' that only cancer sufferers know. I'm sure that most of you reading this post can relate to the worry of 'the wait' when you have that initial cancer diagnosis. The awful feeling of being out of control and the unknown picture of what's up ahead. Sleeplessness has returned. Constantly thinking about it has returned. The worry has returned. I have back and neck pain that I'm sure is due to the stress, but am naturally concerned it's cancer returned. Since my mastectomy and recon, I've been able to put all of that aside - until now. Has anyone here experienced a vascular anomaly with their lymph nodes post having BC and recon? If so, what was it attributed to? How was it handled by your team? Should I be asking for a lymph biopsy or intervention earlier than waiting three months or am I worrying unnecessarily? I'd be grateful for any thoughts, honest advice or similar experiences & decisions that anyone can offer.
Animation Deformity- Botox
Hi ladies, I have had a double mastectomy with immediate reconstructive surgery with implants under the pectoral muscle. I have developed breast animation deformity, with spasms and pain. I have read lots of medical articles that an option is to have Botox injected into the pec muscle to stop the spasms. I am wanting to know if anyone has had this treatment? And can recommend a specialist. Iβm in Qld and having no luck trying to find a specialist who will do it. My plastic surgeon has recommended it but doesnβt know who would do it, and whether it would need to be done under ultrasound so to avoid puncturing the implants. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
All Clear happy and healthy, BUT pre admission tomorrow for Mastectomy/Recon struggling mentally..
To say its been a tough week, has been an understatement even after a recurrence multiple surgeries and treatments over the past 6yrs. As much as I knew it was coming, I wasnt prepared for the call from Hospital for my pre-admission tomorrow. 19 months on from a lumpectomy, 13 months post chemo, happy, healthy reclaiming my life. The mental torture has been relentless this week, knowing I'm WELL but in light of a recurrence don't gamble Melinda, do a Mastectomy/Diep flap reconstruction. Even knowing deep down its the best thing I could do, I still struggle with the loss, the prevention, the surgery. Its always been my struggle getting to this decision now it is here, I don't feel any different, I'm still struggling with it. I can be honest, I'm scared, petrified of the actual surgery, the recovery, the loss, the end result. Struggling with feeling Im damned if I do, damned if I don't. Maybe I'll feel different once it's done? Ive looked at it every which way possible, and its just so mentally challenging when I know Im so well...the tears havent stopped. I will also be mostly alone through recovery as my kids are going to live with their Dad as its easier for them to get to Uni and my baby in VCE. Whilst its the right thing for me to do...am heartbroken to not have them with me loving and supporting me. My Partner lives an hour away, due to work and life will only be able to manage at different times. Another reminder of traveling this road nearly 7yrs without my Mum, lucky to have my Dad who wants to help but is 77. Inspite of all this, knowing how incredibly lucky am I really!!! how dare I be sad, upset, angry, so why do I struggle, don't know how to resolve this for myself?? I've always been proactive, positive and upbeat...hoping its purely the fear thats getting in the way...
Double mastectomy Tasmania
Hi Can anyone recommend a plastic surgeon for a double mastectomy and reconstruction in Tasmania? Iβm yet to decide if I want a flap reconstruction or implants so ideally would like recommendations for surgeons that do both. Launceston is my closest town for surgery. I could also look to Melbourne but am aware it will likely be more costly. Thank you for any insight.
Radiotherapy after skin-sparing mastectomy & diep-flap-reconstruction?
Has anyone had radiotherapy done after their skin-sparing mastectomy & diep-flap reconstruction? Did it cause any issues with the breast flap? like hardening or shrinking? I had no lymph node involvement and had clear margins. It was decided in a team meeting with radio oncologist for me to have 5 weeks of radiation on the flap, due to younger age, size of lump (ILC-5cm) - although it was 2 bits lumped together into one and grade 2, pathology of the sample found focal-vascular-space-invasion, which hadn't spread anywhere outside the breast, but radio oncologist thought it could spread to lymph nodes in the future. Does this warrant radiation? I am on zoladex and ai. I have an appointment with the surgeon to discuss further but wanted to see if anyone has any suggestions or similar experience?
Federal petition for paramedical tattooist registration and increased Medicare rebate < 19th Feb2025
Please sign our petition before 19th February 2025. Link to petition https://tinyurl.com/zsy38u25 β’ The aim of this petition is to gather support for previvors (people who have had or are considering having preventative mastectomies) and breast cancer survivors who have undergone breast reconstruction after mastectomy and who would like to have intradermal colouration of nipple or areola or both (medical tattooing) by a Paramedical Tattooist with a good Medicare rebate. The petition will be given to Jenny Ware MP - Federal Member for Hughes, who is supportive of both issues, and she will be taking it to the Health Minister in early 2025 to lobby for change. You can also really add weight to your support, by emailing Your related Story to Ms Ware. Jenny.Ware.MP@aph.gov.au πππ ππ§πππ©ππ¨π© ππ’π₯πππ© πππ₯π₯ππ£π¨ π¬ππ©π π₯ππ§π¨π€π£ππ‘ ππ£π ππ’π€π©ππ«π π¨π©π€π§πππ¨. *Please advise in that email to Ms Ware , if youβd like your name to be redacted for privacy or not, when Jenny presents the summary of some case experiences , along with the petition numbers to the Health Minister. By participating in this petition, you are advocating for changes that could lead to better patient care and support for those affected by similar breast cancer reconstruction experiences, to include paramedical tattooists as part of the Medicare subsidy providers and a higher rebate. The petition is open until 19 Feb 2025. Please share this so we can get as many signatures as possible. Thank you! Petition link https://tinyurl.com/zsy38u25 β’ Earlier this year, the Australian Medicare system added a rebate of $191 for the intradermal colouration of the nipple or areola or both under MBS item 45546 for use only by medical practitioners and MBS item 82228 for use only by nurse practitioners. I would like to see the integration of qualified and regulated Paramedical Tattooists into the Australian Medicare system. By including these highly trained professionals, we can ensure that high standards of aesthetically pleasing and artistically rendered medical tattoos, such as 3D nipples, are achieved. This can significantly enhance the quality of life and mental health outcomes for patients compared to the results often seen with hospital-performed tattoos where most havenβt been given adequate training to perform to an acceptable standard and comfortably execute such an important closure of someoneβs breast cancer experience, leading to negative psychological and emotional outcomes. β’ Current costing of medical tattooing of both areolas and nipples is between $1200-$1600, the current Medicare rebate $191. β’ If men were diagnosed in the same numbers that women are this would have been changed a long time ago! The following information is an extract from Pink Lotus Australia - Disadvantages of tattoos done by Nurses & Doctors with inadequate training. 1. Limited Artistic Freedom: Medical tattoos may lack the artistic finesse and customisation available with paramedical tattooing, resulting in less natural-looking results. 2. Suboptimal Ink Healing: Due to differences in technique and equipment, medical tattoos may exhibit poorer ink retention and fading over time compared to those performed by highly trained paramedical tattooists. 3. Insufficient Training: Medical staff may not have specialised training or experience in cosmetic tattooing techniques, potentially leading to subpar outcomes and patient dissatisfaction. 4. Lack of Tailored Care: Paramedical tattooists offer personalised solutions tailored to each patient's unique needs, whereas medical tattoos may follow a standardised approach that does not account for individual variations in skin texture, scarring, and color matching. 5. Limited Information and Aftercare: Patients may receive less comprehensive information and aftercare guidance from medical staff compared to paramedical tattooists, potentially affecting the healing process and long-term satisfaction with the results. Regards Sam & Kristen PS I have pinned this post on Facebook for Sutherland Shire Breast Cancer Support Group public page for easy sharing. https://www.facebook.com/sutherlandshirebreastcancersupportgroup/ and it is on insta @ssbcsg @Mez_BCNA FYI