Belly button after DIEP
Hi Network, I’m 8 weeks post-mastectomy and DIEP reconstruction following a DCIS diagnosis. Overall, recovery is going well—except for my belly button. I developed an infection 10 days post-op, which landed me back in the hospital, and since then, it just hasn’t felt right. It pulls and hurts when I move, especially on one side. I’ve raised my concerns with my surgeon, breast nurse, and physio—they all say it’s normal. But you know that feeling when something just doesn’t seem right? I’m reaching out to see if anyone else has experienced this—does the belly button just take longer to settle during recovery or should I get another opinion? Thanks in advance xDiep pain.
Hello, I am 2 weeks out from my Diep recon and I was wanting to get an idea of how other people recovered. I have extreme tightness and it does not seem to be improving. I just cannot walk straight even when I really try and it is causing such terrible back pain from being hunched. I was hoping to hear from someone who could perhaps shed some light on when I may start to see/feel an improvement and when their tummy’s started to soften up and allowed them to begin to stand a little straighter xx Thank you so much xx
What are you supposed to do if you have been given the textured implants (linked to lymphoma)?
I have the Mentor Memorygel textured implants which are on the "voluntary recall" list in the US but I don't know what the advice is here in Australia. I had my reconstruction (after double mastectomy) in the public system in Sydney but I have not been contacted by the plastics team about the lymphoma risk. Does anyone else have textured implants and if so what are you doing, are you leaving them in or having them changed for the smooth ones or having no more implants? I have no idea what to do. I don't really like the idea of waiting to see what happens. Thanks!
Dead Breast Tissue after DIEP
Has anyone had a problem with breast tissue dying when circulation was not maintained after DIEP? 2 weeks ago I had a skin sparing mastectomy of my non breast cancer side by the surgeon who did my original mastectomy, before my plastic surgeon did bilateral DIEP. As soon as I was out of theatre I was told my breast surgeon had unfortunately made the tissue and skin too thin to maintain circulation and it was going black in a triangle below where my nipple was removed. I know it was just to try to remove every bit of breast tissue. However, it is quite painful and I now have to get it dressed twice a week to debride the dead skin and encourage a scar to form. My Plastic Surgeon says it will b an easy fix, just Day Surgery but won't risk it for 3-4 mths until everything has healed. I am disappointed as I was hoping to finish the crappy breast cancer process and get on with my life. Has anyone experienced anything similar and give me any feedback please? TIA
Back pain after implant removal and second implants
I was experiencing repeated seroma and infections 7 years after having bilateral mastectomy with recon with lat dorsi. So, I recently had implants removed(textured tear drops)... Loads of capsular contracture and 6 weeks later (2 weeks ago) had round microtextured implants inserted... More removal of capsular contracture. I also had fat grafts from thighs and tummy to make a more natural shape. Anyway... I'm struggling with the mist debilitating back pain. Anyone else experience this???... I'm wondering if it's from lat dorsi......
Post propholactic mastectomy, immediate implant reconstruction
Hi Everyone, I am 1 week post surgery and am feeling great, although fatigued and in pain at times. I decided on my surgery due to a high family history and 18 months worth of breast changes and biopsies and screening and specialist visits. I felt mastectomy was the only way in the end to try to relieve my anxiety and constant fear that of bc. I am 39, a mother to 3 healthy boys and a wife and student. I found very little information in regards to immediate implant reconstruction following preventative bilateral mastecomy, which is why I have decided to blog. I am unsure how long the recovery process will take. i understand every one heals differently and difficulties may arise along the way. People ask me when can I drive again, when will the medications cease, when can I sleep on my stomach. All questions I have asked my surgeon and all with a big ? for a reply. I am expected to return to full time uni placement in February 2015, which will be quite physically demanding on the healthiest of people, so hopefully recovery is smooth sailing. I feel heavy in my chest, which is what I was expecting, but on a lesser scale. At first it was hard to even breath. I never expected my arms to be as weak and sore as what they have been. Currently there are 2 drains in each breast, and I am getting almost a full 75 ml from each side in 2 of the drains, yet barely 5ml in the other two. Hopefully this is normal. I see the surgeon tomorrow for removal of 2 drains so I guess I will see then. My wonderful husband has taken 6 weeks of work to help out, and my dinner has been served so I will leave my first blog at that. I am new to all of this blogging stuff, and to the bcna.
Why dont we talk about this?
Hello, I was diagnosed October 2013, surgery and reconstructive surgery continued, chemo and then tamoxifen which I have stopped taking. Why aren't we told about all the side effects? Why I wasnt told I had cancer from the start then that's a whole new question too as surely this process would have been handled differently. The chemo has depleted my oestrogen and I am now with a nil operating vagina. I'm a happily married woman but its impossible to engage in let alone enjoy intimacy and what can I do about it? It's like the doctors don't care! I have taken on alot of naturaly therapies and diet lifestyle changes but if anyone knows anyone we can talk to, to get this important part of our relastionship back on track please anyone any direction would very much appreciate it :-)
Expander Update
Hi All Thought I would provide an update. Bilateral mastectomy happened June 6 so it is now 2 1/2 weeks later. Had expanders put in and 100ml in each during op. Had 4 drains. Stayed in hospital for 8 days. (One drain leaked a lot at home for first 24hrs which was a bit gross. Surgeon said the nurse should have put a steri-strip on the drain wound before I left). Recovery going ok. No infections. Off medication now although taking the occasional sleeping pill. Quite difficult to get comfortable. Most pain is under arms. Going back to plastic surgeon Fri. He will do the first "fill". Have told him I don't want him to do too much each time. He said he usual does about 60ml. I will have about 6 fills and he said he will recommend I go to about 450ml which was apparently what my breast tissue was when they removed it. Will have silicon implants put in about 6 weeks after final fill. Hope everyone is going along well with their many and varied reconstructions. I am amazed out how many different ways there are of doing this. I guess we will all get there in the end and have a couple of bumps under our shirts again which is the basic aim. Always interested to hear stories of those who have tread this path before me and are at the end of the reconstruction process. Really appreciate those wonderful women organised and brave enough to post photo stories as well (not me, sorry). Sonya
Lat dorsi reconstruction.
Five months on from my bi-lat mastectomy and I am now looking at reconstruction. Although my op was nipple and skin sparing complications meant a return to OT and the loss of my left nipple and some skin. I've been to my plastic surgeon - seems my only option is a lat dorsi with implants. I'm too thin for a tram, and probably a TUG, plus do not want to change surgeons, only two in Brisbane do the TUG, and I'm too scared to contemplate seeing a different surgeon. I'm currently with Lily Vrtik. Has any one else had a double lat dorsi? What difference has it made to your life in terms of being able to do things - nothing spectacular just being a working mum, wife and doing everyday 'stuff'. I do swim and have been told I may have to stop, but research shows it's possible to continue with good Physio post op. My chest looks so bad right now, it is concave and I find the forms too uncomfortable to use, they're so hot. Every time I see those dents in my chest I'm reminded of the phyllodes - oh and the area in the other side that came back as 'not good' on my final path post op. Thank goodness I got both done! Emotionally though I'm all over the place. Can anyone please help?
Update on recovery
It's been 6 weeks since my surgery, and my recovery has been pretty good. I saw my PS (Dr Moradi - awesome dr) on Wednesday and he's very happy with how things are going. My right boob is slightly fuller than my left. It kind of bothers me, but my husband says he can't really tell the difference. And they look the same in clothing. So not sure if I'll bother with fixing. I'll wait & see how I feel in months to come. My tummy is still very tight. The right side is still swollen, and dr isn't sure as to why. It's not a hernia. My thoughts are it's still trauma from the surgery, as where it's swollen is where he had to take a small portion of muscle. It's been meshed & quilted to repair, and possibly it will just take time to settle.. Now I'm 99% upright! I'm hoping it will settle. So, am I happy with it all, and is it worth the pain & discomfort?? A very big YES.. To have even shape and form on my chest again is so amazing, it's hard to put into words. So for anyone considering reconstruction I say go for it. Research the options but go with your gut as to what feels right. Love and light to all Kat