Lipofilling - tips for preparation and recovery please.
Hi everyone. Back in 2024, I was diagnosed with DCIS and subsequently had a lumpectomy and radiotherapy. I'm now booked for my first round of lipofilling/fat-grafting at the end of July. The thighs are most likely going to be the donor site. I would like to hear from anyone who has experienced this type of surgery and what helped them to recover comfortably. Any tips on what to have in place for recovery? Are there similarities in the recovery process for this, as they are for a lumpectomy? I bruise really easily and dramatically, so it should be interesting to see how my thighs react. I'm also still experiencing daily pain from the lumpectomy and radiation (although I'm under the care of a Pain Clinic). Thank you. Cozycat.
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.
Diagnosed with Grade 1 DCIS and with pre-existing Cardio disease wish to do mastectomy
Looking for info and experience of people with both pre-existing Cardio disease and now diagnosed with Grade 1 DCIS, has gone ahead to successfully did a Mastectomy surgery? I am a public hospital patient, cardio team assessment of my high risk to adverse event due to general anesthetic and hence the breast cancer team decided to cancel my scheduled mastectomy surgery appointment. I feel like I have a death sentence. Looking for supportive experience and reference of surgeon and hospital and willing to travel to where the breast cancer team has strong anesthetic and cardio support, as I just found out my Medibank fund cover cancer treatment.
Breast reduction and the risk of recurrence
Hi everyone, I wasn't sure which category and forum to post in; hopefully this one makes sense. I had a lumpectomy in December 2017 (left breast) which was followed by chemo (hello menopause!) and radiation therapy. I've also been on aromatase inhibitor tablets since 2018. My right breast was always a little bigger than my left but the radiation stopped the latter from behaving normally in the menopausal years and my right breast is now significantly bigger and spreads wider. I've been thinking about breast reduction surgery for the right one and am wondering, if anything needed to be done to the left breast, if surgery might increase the risk of recurrence. I've tried Googling this but the results are all about surgery to treat the breast cancer, not post-treatment surgery. I'm thinking of making an appointment with my surgeon to see what he has to say, but thought I'd post here first in case anyone had some information.
Cryoablation & Breast Cancer. FREEZING the tumour via MRI! The treatment of the future?
https://www.facebook.com/watch?v=2233946977028488 Cryoablation for breast cancer is a minimally invasive procedure where extreme cold is used to destroy cancerous cells. A thin, needle-like probe, guided by imaging like ultrasound, is inserted into the tumor to create a freezing ice ball. This treatment is used for patients who are not good surgical candidates due to age or other health issues, or those who prefer not to have surgery, and is most effective for small, early-stage tumors. How Cryoablation Works Imaging and Probe Insertion: A doctor uses imaging, such as an ultrasound or CT scan, to locate the tumor. Freezing the Tumor: A cryoprobe is inserted into the tumor. Ice Ball Formation: A gas, often liquid nitrogen or argon, is pumped through the probe, creating a ball of ice that freezes and destroys the cancerous cells. Thawing: The tissue is allowed to thaw naturally, and the dead cancer cells are then cleared by the body's white blood cells. Who Is a Candidate? ... (Hmmm Why not ALL patients?) Poor Surgical Candidates: Patients with significant comorbidities (like heart/lung issues) or advanced age who are not eligible for surgery are good candidates. Patients Opting Against Surgery: It is a viable option for those who simply choose to avoid traditional surgery. Small, Early-Stage Tumors: The procedure is most effective for small, unifocal tumors that are visible via ultrasound. Potential Benefits Minimally Invasive: It avoids large surgical incisions and often can be performed on an outpatient basis. Preserves Breast Appearance: Cryoablation can preserve the breast's shape and result in better cosmetic outcomes with only a tiny scar. Faster Recovery: Patients typically experience a quicker recovery time compared to traditional surgery. Potential Immune Response: The process of freezing and thawing can increase the presence of tumor-specific proteins, potentially helping the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells. Things to Consider Scar Tissue: A small amount of scar tissue will remain at the tumor site, which may form a painless lump that shrinks over time. Not Always a First Choice: While effective, it's important to remember that it's not a universal breast cancer treatment and is best suited for specific patients and tumor types
DIEP fails in surgery
Hi everyone, just wondering if any one went in for a Double DIEP surgery and because there were complications had to have a double TRAM instead? My surgeon is saying if I start with a DIEP I have to be accepting of the possibilty of TRAM flaps. Plus, he tells me, only 20% of DIEPS are successful??? Help, so confused JodieLooking for suggestions after double Mastectomy
Hi everyone. How good is this website? I have learnt so much. I have been recently diagnosed with Breast Cancer 😒 and will be having a double mastectomy in the coming weeks. I am looking for suggestions/ideas for post surgery. For example clothes to wear, pillows, chairs, sleeping positions and the like. Looking forward to your ideas. Thank YouSurgery 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!
Mastectomy /post surgery pillow
Hi all, I have a brand new mastectomy pillow that I found really helpful that is basically as new. I would be really happy to post it to anyone that is about to have surgery at no cost. I just can’t bear to throw it away and would be happy for it to help someone else! Just dm me with your address if you would like it. I’ve attached some photos x
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
