Unilateral mastectomy with delayed reconstruction
Hi everyone, I’m currently in treatment for TNBC and starting to plan my surgery and reconstruction, and I’m really hoping to connect with others who have had a similar pathway. Others who chose unilateral mastectomy with expander/implant reconstruction I’m 41 and currently undergoing chemotherapy (AC followed by weekly Paclitaxel). Surgery is planned after chemo finishes very soon. My current plan, pending final discussions with my surgeon and a plastic surgeon, is: Unilateral mastectomy (left side) Nipple removal (due to previous lumpectomies and blood supply concerns) TExpander placed at the time of mastectomy Later exchange to a permanent implant (skin is tight and I'm too small for immediate reconstruction/DIEP) Possible fat grafting and/or minor adjustment to the natural breast for symmetry Genetic testing was negative, so my surgeon feels comfortable with a single-sided mastectomy rather than bilateral. One of my biggest challenges right now is that most of the stories and photos I find online seem to be double mastectomies and DIEP, and I’m finding it hard to visualise what unilateral reconstruction looks like long-term. Some things I’m especially curious about: How close did the reconstruction get to your natural breast over time? Did you end up having adjustments to the other breast? What did the expander stage look like under clothes? Were you happy choosing unilateral rather than bilateral? Anyone who slightly increased their size with implant? Did anyone here go on to have fat grafting to improve symmetry? I’m quite small-framed and originally around a B/C cup (medically-induced menopause and weight loss have decreased this somewhat), and ideally would love to maintain a similar size and shape if possible. I’m also trying to understand what the timeline looked like for others, particularly between mastectomy, expansions, and implant exchange. I would really appreciate hearing from anyone who has taken this path, especially if you: had unilateral reconstruction had expanders then implants were younger (30s–40s) when treated Even just hearing your experience would help me feel a little less like I’m navigating this blindly. I’m finding the lack of similar stories and images a bit overwhelming, so I’d really value hearing from anyone who’s been through something like this. Also, anything to potentially be aware of for out-of-pocket expenses. Thank you so much in advance.
Surgery decisions
Hi everyone, So many decisions. I am having ALL the treatment started with 8 weeks of 4 F/N treatment of AC medication. By the end i was cooked. Now at the half way mark of my intended 12 weeks PAC treatment i don't think ill make thr full course as the side effects ramp up. Then Radiotherapy of up to 5 weeks of targeted therapy. They weren't lying when they said prepare for a marathon. I have hormone related lubenal BC to my left ONLY. Based in Melbourne. Post radiotherapy i have to make a decision about surgery. A mastectomy is required as the chest wall has shown intrusion there so I have been advised the surgery will mean they will take half or all the chest wall. And they also want to remove the lymph nodes. The surgeon has shown me pictures and he wasn't lying when he said it can be quite disfiguring. I thought I was certain I wouldn't care about being flat but the disfiguring images have made me reassess. I will not have the opt to do an implants. The choices are as follows. 1.Left removal stay flat or left removal diep recon. Dispose other half of diep flap. 2.Double mastectomy removal remain flat or diep recon using all flap. Im so overwhelmed and worried that if i choose flat especially on left that i might regret not doing recon. Recon and mastectomy and recovery time and double wound sites of areas that didn't need to be cut also flip me each day I think im going this way then I flip and go another way each day is different mostly im unsure whether I should continue cutting into parts of my body that have no issue. What im hoping to gain from the group are lived experiences as to what made you come to the decision you did. Any experience that might have had similar options presented to you. What was recovery like? What did you prepare for post surgery? What tips could you recommend for pre and post surgery rest and care. I fly at least once a month for my work and am told I will need compression stocking on my arms before during and post flights. This BC is like a gift that keeps giving the worse gifts. Then to find out in review that even the Hormone blocking meds come with its own side effects some people reporting its worst than treatment! Anyway sorry for the long post but will welcome anyone's share of experience. Thank you and i wish you courage and bravery if you are straddling this journey too!
TUG Flap Surgery
Hi all, I'm new to the group.. Just wondering if anyone has had TUG Flap surgery (removal of upper thigh muscle used to reconstruct breast) and if they have had any complications afterwards? I had a mastectomy last August (a 50th birthday present lol), and after complications with an implant and also an expander implant, it was decided my only option for reconstruction was TUG flap surgery. So within 3 months I ended up with 5 operations and finally my thigh muscles (plus skin, fat and blood vessels) transferred to reconstruct my breast. That last surgery (TUG flap) was in November and I have had constant issues in my thighs since - constant pain, discomfort, unable to move properly, can't stretch the area and over the last few months have had 8 fluid aspirations and one further surgery to fix seroma (fluid build up). I can't seem to find anyone who has had this surgery or much information on this (I did find some info on the BCNA website), but would be keen to connect with anyone who has had this surgery and find out how they have recovered. I have been a runner all my life for mental and physical health, and I'm terrified I am never going to be able to run again. Cheers, Ness
Post mastectomy shoulder pain
Hi Ladies, I had mastectomy, reconstruction, recurrence, removal of implant(another mastectomy) and finished chemo and radiation on April 2020. My question is i keep on getting this bad shoulder and neck stiffness and pain on the right side where my surgery was, I was wondering if anyone experienced the same. I called the breast clinic physio and she is no help, didn’t even bother to ask me to come in to have a look. Also if I have any issues am I meant to follow with them or a private physiotherapist? would love to hear from you beauties. much appreciated.
Happening so quickly
Hi,im new to all of this,everything has just been a whirlwind,in the space of 3 month,found a lump,had tests which confirmed cancer,had right breast mastectomy and fitted with expander Thursday 19/7 home Sat 21/7 with drains.drains look clogged up to me but community nurse seemed to think they are fine and I've developed a weird sunken space in my non boob in the last few hours..sorry for the long post just a little worried,has anyone had the same experience??
Diep surgery recovery
hi everyone I’m having double mastectomy and diep reconstruction in about 3 weeks and I was wondering if anyone could give some insight into recovery and how they managed once at home from hospital ? Are you able to move around the house yourself and do small things like make a sandwich ? They have said to expect to be in hospital for 7 nights Thanks!!
How long between mastectomy and reconstruction
Hi, new to this online group and after some advice please. I was diagnosed with stage 2 IDC HER 2 positive. End of March this year. Have just finished 4 th round of AC dense chemo and start paclitaxel and hercepin in 2 weeks then mastectomy and radiotherapy . When I asked the surgeon about how long do I have to wait for reconstruction she said 2 years. I was really shocked it seems so long. What is other people’s experience?? Thanks
Breast Implants following major double mastectomy and lymph nodes removal
I am having surgery in May for breast implants and am anxious of what to expect. Though I have been told by my surgeon it will be 2 operations and very painful I am still going through with it. My double mastectomy was in October 2014 followed by a second operation in November 2014 to remove cancerous lymph nodes on my left side not originally found. Went through chemo, allergies to the drugs, etc etc. If there is anyone who might have some insight or advice on this operation I would appreciate it. Judy
Decision time: bilateral mastectomy with recon OR radiotherapy
Hello wonderful ladies. What would you (or did you) do if you were me? Cancer details: triple negative, grade 3 tumour 9mm, lumpectomy with clear margins, three nodes removed and all tested clear, BRCA negative. I'm 33 years old. 6 rounds of chemotherapy - FEC and Docetaxel. When my genetic test results came back I thought it would be straightforward pathway - onto radiotherapy after chemo is completed. But my radiation oncologist surprised me by saying if she was sitting in my chair, she would have a bilateral mastectomy now as radiotherapy will only be beneficial to one breast. She'd want to be doing everything she could to ensure the cancer doesn't reappear in the other breast too. Because I'm so young. I know this is ultimately a personal decision but I'm putting the question out there to get as many thoughts as possible before I inevitably see what my gut tells me to do. I'm also seeing my surgeon again soon to get his thoughts. I appreciate you taking the time to respond. Libby
