From the article: Breast Reconstruction Surgery
What do you wish you had known before having breast reconstruction? Were you pleased with your results? Let us hear from you about what you might have done differently. Share your type of breast reconstruction and talk about your expectations before and after plastic surgery. Share Your Experience
All going well
- Hi all, and hang in there. I'm 31, had stage 2b triple negative Breast cancer. Full mastectomy along with lymph nodes done last April. Chemo in the summer then on Sept 28 I had the TRAM along with second prophylactic mast. It went really well, healed terrifically. The side that had the original mast was very flat. But I had tissue expanders placed YESTERDAY. I feel right now like I've been beaten up pretty badly but the results will be worth it. All of my treatment has been at Bellevue hosp in NY. I can't speak highly enough of them all.
- —Guest Sandra
Reconstruction after my lumpectomy
- I had a lumpectomy to my right breast 2/09. Finished chemo and radiation by end of 10/09. I started looking into reconstruction 8 months later. I knew what I wanted but struggled with do. I deserve nicer than I started with since I was not paying for it? I ended up w/a small implant in my right side only. I knew w/in days after surgery they did not look anymore alike than before. When I asked my Dr why, he suggested against an implant in my left side too, he said he didn't think my insurance would pay for it. It took over 7 months to decide to look into what my choices were now. I went with a new surgeon. A female this time. She was great. She removed the implant and said once I healed she could put implants in both sides. Ready for implants! I came out of surgery w/no implants and my right aureola/nipple area was almost black. It ended up dying. Why did this happen? My Dr said radiation causes damage thats hard to work with. It was fine before surgery?? How do I know if something went wrong? Help!!
- —mchubbuck
Double Masectomy/ Diep
- I went to the Center For Restorative Breast Surgery in New Orleans and had a double masectomy/ Diep for my reconstruction. I saw the work of Scott Sullivan, MD and Frank Dellacroce, MD ( both are Reconstructive Microsurgeons) at a FORCE Conference and was so impressed that I flew to New Orleans from Hawaii for a consult. I was 59 ( 3 years ago) when I had the surgery. I had minimum pain and one day after no pain meds were needed and I was showering and walking the halls of the hospital and walking about a mile within the week. The results are spectacular and my breasts are beautiful and look like breasts of a younger person. This center and the Docs are the most skilled, compassionate, sensitive Physicians that I have ever met. (I am a healthcare professional myself). They even have their own Hospital that is state of the art. For me, this was quite spiritual and I look back and tears are in my eyes. I feel blessed for the Universe to have brought me to them.
- —Guest Phyllis
I chose DIEP and am very happy now
- I didn't want implants due to numerous disadvantages to them, and sacrificing muscle in my back (LAT), abdomen (TRAM) or thight (TUG) was not acceptable to me. Check out www.BreastCenter.com. Drs. DellaCroce and Sullivan have done over 3000 flap reconstructions and are widely regarded as the best in the world. I made the mistake of having my DIEP in Los Angeles with the chief of plastic surgery at a major university teaching hospital, and ended up such a mess---I almost lost the left breast! I needed a real expert to fix me up and Dr. DellaCroce did it. I went to him with hamburger bun (flat) flap breasts and now have cleavage even better than before cancer. All travel is arranged for you by their staff--half their time is spent fixing up bad reconstruction and they have patients from all over the world flying in because they are the BEST! They have built their own hospital dedicated to breast reconstruction. Check the photos on their site--they are artists with amazing results!
- —Guest Sandy
DIEP for Slender Ladies
- I wish I knew that doctors only give you the options they can do and some will "fabricate" the truth. I wish I would have gone to a breast recon specialist not just a general plastic surgeon. I wish I knew that DIEP is available for those who are thinner. I wish I knew that expanders have a high degree of infection. I wish I knew there were more options than what was originally given. I know have a stacked "DIEP" and I couldn't be happier. Check out Dr Frank Dellacroce. You won't go wrong!
- —Guest Michelle G
DIEP reconstruction for Previvor
- I have the BRCA1 gene mutation and, as a previvor, had time to consider my options for reconstruction after a bi-lateral mastectomy. I knew that I didn't want implants as they often have to be replaced in 10-15 years. I also knew that I didn't want to be under anesthesia for 10 hours or more. After seeing the results of the NOLA team of Dr. Scott Sullivan and Dr. Chris Trahan, I knew that I was placing myself in very capable microsurgeons' hands. I was under anesthesia for only 4.5 hours (mastectomy + reconstruction) and awakened to beautiful breasts. The shorter time was possible because the NOLA doctors operate as a team, one reconstructing the right side while the other reconstructs the left side simultaneously. Within 6 days, I was out walking around New Orleans, feeling well and energetic. The discomfort was minimal and, once the drains were out within 7-10 days, I was able to wear my usual clothing. I am so grateful that I found these remarkable surgeons.
- —Carol.M
Stacked DIEP & GAP in New Orleans
- Didn't have much fat, but wanted breasts from my own body. Went with very experienced docs in New Orleans (DellaCroce and Sullivan). (Google Frank DellaCroce). Had pleomorphic LCIS. First breast in '06 with delayed recon. These guys perhaps only ones who know how to stack tissue flaps - had stacked DIEP. (they can stack other flaps, too - don't let anyone tell u you don't have enough fat) DIEP does not use any muscle (like lastissimus, TUG, TRAM), so won't affect back, leg, or abdominal strength or cause hernias (like TRAM). Had prophylactic mast and recon in '10 - went back to same docs. Had GAP - uses gluteal fat, with skin and nipple-sparing mast. Again, amazing results and care. Don't know of any other docs with this much experience in breast recon. Two micro-surgeons operate on you at once, cutting surgery time. Traveled from MN to get there. Waaaay worth it!!!!! Do your homework. Don't limit yourself to what the doc in your town does - and beware their biases. Good luck, gals!
- —Guest Guest Eve W.
DIEP-would do it again!
- The "Horton-Buntic-Grissom" team IS the best. Had double mast. With DIEP in SF. Would do it again in a heartbeat. Was off pain Meds first week home. Breasts are gorgeous. You go to sleep with cancer and wake up cancer free. The care was phenomenal---the results outstanding---the discomfort very manageable! The care at Davies was exceptional. Life is short,ladies----cancer is horrid----I can't recommend this procedure or team high enough. As a side note though, I would RUN from anyone who does any procedure but may have gotten an MD license via "special" programs.
- —Guest Mary
Immediate Implant and Success
- My "right" choice ~ may or may not be yours. I had DCIS, but a large area, so I had a mastectomy in that breast with an immediate implant. Looks good, feels comfy most of time. Never hurts. Before your surgery: research your docs, see before and after pics that are like your specific situation. If they can't show you ~ go somewhere else! No woman of any age should be left looking mangled in advanced medicine ~ plastic surgery can make even unimplanted post cancer breasts look nice! and should. Do a yoga and start a walking / stretching program in the weeks before your surgery, no matter what your age. It is proven to heal you faster and more successfully! Continue after your physical therapy is done, you will continue to heal better and scar less.
- —Guest Dori at the Shore
Breast Implants
- i had a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction in June 07, and ever since i feel very tired all the time and my back hurts tremendously. I am considering having my implants removed,but i don't want to remain without breasts.
- —Guest souad bouchentouf
Breast reconstruction encouragement
- Thank you all for the response. If you are 40 and younger - go for it!
- —Guest Charlotte
Breast reconstruction trouble
- Modified Radical Mastectomy in 2009. Finished treatment 2010 Chemo, Radiation, on Tamoxifen for 5 years. I am in my 7 Month with Tamoxifen. Ask my Oncon.Doc. can we do the Reconstruction because no cancer recur. He advise me not to do - there is too many complications. My sister lost her life 2009 from breast cancer. Well, i was upset but see some of you with so much trouble i think it is wise for me to wear prosthesis.
- —Guest Charotte
Diep Surgery
- I am in the middle of DIEP reconstruction surgery. It is the most painful thing I have ever endured. My doctor is a "Dexter" and lies. I would never have this surgery again! Wear your prosthesis or have implants, but don't do this!
- —Guest Lynn Arrington
TRAM failure
- I had mastectomy in 2007 on right breast. A Year later had TRAM flap done, but because of negligence by hospital staff lost it. I would recommend anyone undergoing a flap procedure of any kind to make sure you are put on the right surgical floor of the hospital, the nurses know how to take care of you and what to look for in case of complications. I tried having an implant, but tissue was compromised from being on a wound vac and didn't have enough elasticity. Will be having a latissimus flap done over my implant in a few months.
- —terfaye
I have opted for SIEA flap
- I will be doing my reconstruction soon. I did my mastectomy - left breast at the end of 2006 and completed all of my active treatments (chemo, radiotherapy and Herceptin). I am feeling very depressed about the whole cancer ordeal because I am the third sister who has had the disease. One sister died and the other had her cancer return. I would like to boost my self image by having reconstruction.
- —Guest Judy
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