I have just completed my second operation for reconstruction and feel absolutely fantastic. I am 52 and have the tits of a 20 year old. what a bonus!
Hi Everlyn
what type of reconstruction did you have. why a second operation was it to match the old boob with the new.
glad you are feeling great, to hear this is a tonic to all of us who are heading that way.
chris
Hi Chris
I had muscle removed from my back to make a new boob with implant and have had my other boob reduced to match. Very yellow today with bruising but still looks great. So glad I did it.
Hi I had reconstruction on both boobs, risk reducing ops, 3 months ago, and have not regretted it for a moment. Glad you are pleased with yours!
Hi Everlyn
What a great thread, I have had the last couple of weeks deciding which recon to have and have decided to go the4 way you did, did you have an implant??
I am seeing to consultant on Monday with my decission, bring it on!!! cant wait!!
Lesley
Hi Tinfish, I had an implant on the reconstructed side and the other side has been lifted to look the same. Can’t believe I didn’t get this done years ago.
Hi Everlyn I had a reconstruction in Dec.2007, on my right breast, muscle taken from my back, Everything has gone well, and I feel fine, have to have my other breast lifted to look same in six months time, just waiting for my appointment, how long does this op. take?
Hilary
A word of caution.
The LD flap maybe one of the less difficult reconstructions but they are not always successful, I can testify to that. If in ANY doubt then pleased the get the second opinion hat you are entitled to.
Reg.
Hi
Glad to hear your recon went well and that you are chuffed with it.
Just wanted to echo Regina that LD flap is not always successful. I had mine done Dec 2007 and have nerve damage which is very painful and may or may not go over a 3 month to 2 year period. Also about 3 weeks ago saw my surgeon who now tells me I need a 2nd op as the ld flap muscle has torn away and needs to be pulled over again. So another 2 or 3 days in hospital for me and a push back on my recovery. I had been saying since 6 weeks post op that my sternum was still painful and that I had dents and felt like the recon was trying to hide under my arm.
Make sure they tell you the cons as well as the pros for this recon.
Good luck to all, luvnhugsCarolexxx
Hi Carole
Sorry to hear that you have had so many problems with your recon. As you know Lisa’s was really successful and is still looking really good and she has no problems at all from it. Unfortunately i have been posting on Secondary cancer thread because Lisa has 2 brain tumours. Big worry for us she has op coming up on Sunday.One is very large. If you want to follow what I have written you will find it on the secondary thread. She was bouncing along until 5 weeks ago when she started getting headaches. Only thought you might be interested because you and Lisa had your recons about the same time and i have been wondering how you were doing.
All the best for your stay and op in hospital
Love Sue xx
Hi,
Is the LD Flap the same as the Diep Flap? I had this operation nearly 5 weeks ago, they took the tissue etc. from my abdomen, which is still very tight and uncomfortable, is this the same for everybody. I have never had any pain with my breast but I notice it is now softening up and gradually moving into the shape it will probably be in 6 months time. It seems to be a lot more ‘pert’ than my other breast but I am very loathe to touch my other breast as it is very precious to me. I think my reconstructed breast will look a lot better when the nipple is tattooed on. I have never had any regrets about the reconstruction, psychologically it is the best thing that I could have done.
Love
Jean
They are certainly not the same Jean.
Did anyone have reconstruction with silicone implants? I did and I’m 2 weeks preop. My implants are drooping, is that normal? I will not take off my sports bra because I’m to afraid they will droop more.
Jay
Jay - I had recon with silicone implants just over two years ago (am really pleased with them). It depends what you mean by drooping. In my case, for example, the plastic surgeon said she would not reconstruct the nipples for at least six months, as the implants need time to “find their place” and they do tend to sink a bit. Can’t say that mine did very much (perhaps it depends on muscle condition?), and now sometimes I wear a bra and sometimes I don’t. Maybe check with your plastic surgeon or her nurse? best wishes, petitepart
Hi hilary, The breast reduction and lift takes about 2 to 2 and a half hours. I only stayed in hospital overnight and am now 10 days post op. It is still quite yellow but looks fantastic. I would like to hear from anyone who was originally advised not to have the reconstruction done as their BMI was over 35! I had to fight to get referred to a plastic surgeon and that wasn’t on the NHS. I am so angry with my consultants attitude and so grateful for my plastic surgeon’s skill, attitude and treatment. I can’t wait to show my new boobs to the consultant when I see him in July. He didn’t think that I would get a good result! I left hospital hysterical - not one of my best days.
Hi all,
Very interested to know more about the removal of muscle from the back as I’m having that done too. I read an article that says it leaves some women with chronic back pain and wondered in anyone has experience of this? Also, how big a scar does it leave and can you feel a difference in what you can and can’t do? My surgeon says the only thing I won’t be able to do is serious rockclimbing but thats no loss!
Andrea x
Hi Petitpart,
Thankyou so much for responding. How did your breasts look at about 3 weeks preop? My one breast is much larger but also bruised as the other one is just drooping. My pain is more the skin stretching, so when I’m wearing my bras it feels better. So basically did your breasts look kind of crazy shapewise and then in time will it get better? Thank you so much.
Best,
Jay
Jay - I have to say my breasts looked pretty good from the start. They are about a 36B size and the implant was what you could call tear shaped, so looked quite natural when I saw the sample. I think perhaps you mean 3 weeks post-op? They looked good, even with no nipples. I had a scar right across the middle of each but it was a beautifully fine line (the stitches were done on the inside) and within a year had just about disappeared. The implants did “drop” slightly over the six months after the op so the plastic surgeon was right to wait with the nipple recon. In fact I would not say drop but settle. Obviously the implants get a bit squashed from the muscle but basically they look pretty natural according to those that have seen them! Apparently one of my muscles was tighter than the other, but in fact from the implants I don’t think you can see that. The bruising you have is perhaps also the reason why one breast looks larger. Do you mean “drooping” as if it really needs a bra? I have to say mine did not come down that much which is why I don’t really a need a bra even now. Incidentally, a hint a similarly-operated friend gave me was to gently massage the breasts every day , it helps to keep the implant supple. Just use a little Nivea lotion or whatever body lotion you use - although I have seen ads that Bio Oil is good for getting rid of scar marks. Hope this helps but fire away if you have any other questions. petitepart
Hi Andrea1
I had my op last Nov. and I can do any of the things I used to do. I was told it would limit skiing or rowing and I had no desire to do either. My scar is quite long as I had an extended LD recon. and therefore no implant, but the scar is nearly 12 inches long. It is mostly under where the bra goes so is not a problem. I have not experienced any back pain other than the slight stiffness due to the scar tissue which should loosen in time, and a bit of shoulder pain if I don’t wear a supporting bra.
I have to say that I am very pleased with my result. My surgeon did a great job and I should get the nipple recon. in June, and he will see if I need a lift on the other side. At the moment probably not. The recon is a bit wider, but may still shrink, it is not noticible with a bra on and I feel more comfortable with one on.
Hope this helps
Best wishes
i had a dble mastecomy 9 weeks ago with a diep flap, my new flat tum is wonderful but i wanted to have smaller boobs! they are now bigger than before a size 40dd has this happened to anyone else? i have been told i can have another op to make them smaller,has anyone had this done?
zsazsa