Oh zsazsa, I’m kicking myself for not asking for an increase on my original 38B… !
Andrea, I’m same as Absimum, reconstruction from muscle in the back with no implant. Very big scar on back but largely hidden by the bra. So far so good for me. Surgeon said that I would never be an olympic swimmer but wouldn’t notice much weakness apart from that. 7 weeks out of surgery now and I have good movement, A bit of tenderness and odd twinges here and there, but much, much better than I thought. I get a bit tired steering if I drive a long way, and found it hard mashing pottoes the other day - but early days yet.
Hi Petitepart,
I just got back from seeing my BS and she thinks my breasts look great. I’m a size C now and I was a D, so maybe because I’m a little larger plus she thinks once they settle in the breast pocket it will look better. Either way if I’m not happy she said the PS will do a day surgery and make then even better. As for the massaging, how do you actually do it? And the reason is to soften them? Thank you so much for all of your info. it really helps.
Best Regards,
Jbaby
Jbaby, Hi! if your BS thinks they look great, then I am sure they do. I went from 38DD to 36B and am really pleased. The implants do take time to settle. I imagine yours are also under the muscle; do you know if they are in a “net” (not sure if that is the English term, I was operated in Geneva as I live in Switzerland). My surgeon also said she would change my implants if I didn’t like them - we had a good laugh when choosing the model before the op. Massaging: I use my normal body lotion (Nivea Q10), and gently massage each whole breast with both hands, very gently kneading them - yes, it is to soften them. They feel - I think - pretty much lifelike. Glad to be of help, let me know if you have any further questions.
petitepart
Hi girls, I am due to have my reconstruction (Lat Dorsi) in June and I’m getting very nervous and having second thoughts. Am I going to be satisfied with the results? I have been reading previous entries about reconstructions, giving me some idea of what to expect. I have search the Internet looking at before and after photos and found very few examples that I would be satisfied with. May be I’m expecting too much! Most of the examples i have seen have horrible wedge shaped scars that could be seen when wearing clothes that show some cleavage. I was looking forward to actually having a cleavage again after 2 years. However, if that’s what i can expect (scarring) i might as well not bother having the reconstruction, as i would not feel comfortable wearing anything too revealing and may as well stick with my falsies. HELP!!!
hi chaddy, the scars are lower down than you think and you can wear very low cut dresses without seeing them. There is some scarring but it is not that scary. I am delighted to have a cleavage after 4 and a half years of feeling unattractive and unsexy. My daughter asked me yesterday if I felt good in myself and I had to reply a big definite yes. She then asked if I had felt bad about myself before the reconstruction and was shocked when I replied a big resounding YES. Everyone thought I was ok but it was all front on my part (or not as it turned out). But now I am OK. I don’t regret it one bit and my PS is my new super hero genius idol.
Hi everyone
I’m having mastectomy and DIEP flap reconstruction next week. I am not sure what to expect when I come round after the op. I’ve been told I’ll have a catheter at first and expect to be in hospital for a week. How long is it before you can get out of bed? I’ve had 2 caesarian operations in the past, is the stomach pain worse than that?
Polly x
hi polly,
just found you! i had dble mastectomy and diep flap 9 weeks ago at east grinstead,no pain after just uncomforable,out of bed after 2 days,home after a week,had 7 drains as well,but at no point was i in pain.
good luck.
zsazsa
Hi zsazsa
Thanks for your reply, it has put my mind at rest. How are you now 9 weeks on??
Polly
hi polly
im fine thanx,went back to work for a a few hours today,am tired now tho! i am really pleased with what i had done,my tummy is luvvly boobs a bit to big but they say they can sort that out! have got to go back
ext week for checkup.where are you having your op?
zsazsa
Just answering Chaddy really … my daughter had lat dorsi recon in November and its great. Surgeon did whole boob bit through nipple area so no other scar on her boob. Then other scar is at back and about 5 inches long running along her bra line. She has no nipple or pink areola (spelling?) of course so when you look at her boob the only difference is that she has a white nipple area instead of pink. she is really pleased with it and at no time was she in pain just a bit uncomfortable with drains for about 10 days. No pain in back area at all either. Hope this helps
Sue x
Hi zsazsa
Glad to hear you are doing so well. I am having my op at Selly Oak which isn’t my usual hospital but mine don’t do DIEP. I am having the same PS that did a reduction on my right side and scar revision after WLE on the left in December (that’s when they found the nasty).
polly
Hi Polly, good luck with your op, I was in Selly Oak 4 months ago for bilateral trams and was v well looked after.
Hi Polly
I am also having a DIEP on the 2nd April, and have also had 2 Caesareans. A few friends who have had it says you feel better after than you think you might… When I went in for the pre-op yesterday the Head Nurse said that you leave after a week with just paracetamol! Mind you, we do have to wear the lovely corset and bras for 6 weeks she said… Just glad there is no risk of a heatwave in the near future…
Good luck
Rebecca xx
hi polly and rebaccag,
just want to say good luck to both of you,im sure you will be fine.
i didnt have to wear a corset dont know why?i did buy vest tops from m and s tho,the consultant advised me to and they were sooo comfy!!!
i came home with only paracetamol to,i really isnt that painful,just uncomforable.
Good luck Rebecca for your op, we will be able to swap notes afterwards. Nobody has mentioned wearing a corset though, I suppose all surgeons are different.
Good luck
Polly xx
Hi Guys I had my mastectomy and recon from the back at the end of Sept last year and I was up and out of bed the next day, drips drains and all !! My consultant suggested just wearing a very light support for the first few weeks something like a vest with a support so that your new boob can find its natural place. I did find that sleeping with a pillow almost propping it up helped though and I felt it gave me protection in case my husband knocked me in the night. I feel great now and just have a little stiffness across my back scar line now, but I did my excercises as often as I could and I’m sure that helped. I’m back in hospital on Monday to have a tuck to make me a new nipple and the tattooing comes in a few more weeks!! Good luck girls Xx
I had mast and immediate DIEP 6 weeks ago, my plastic surgeon doesn’t fit a ‘belly band’ after the op although some others do, but I had to get firm-control girdles (Playtex 18 hour girdle, or similar - high waisted work better on me), to wear 24/7 for three months. I was in hospital 11 days as my drains were filling a lot, put the girdle on when the abdomen was down to one drain. Also told to wear a high-impact level 3 sports bra day and night for 3 months but as I’m only B cup I use a softer one at night, medium impact, so I can turn over in relative comfort. The tummy wound looks good, slight dog ear which will be sorted out when I have nipple reconstruction later on. Tummy a bit tight, better for walking as long as I don’t overdo it or it starts to feel heavy. The recon breast is firmer than the other, and feels bruised, but the wound looks ok. In normal clothes it’s impossible to tell anything’s been done, which is exactly what I wanted! All the best, Lyn x
,meant to say the only real pain I had in hospital was from constipation and piles, the tummy wound just hurt like hell when I coughed or sneezed (or broke wind… sorry, too much information!), and only this weekend did I sneeze without it hurting. Took paracetamol at night, or diclofenac which I have for lower back pain anyway, but only when I felt I needed it. Massaging Palmers Cocoa Butter or E45 lotion into the scars helps keep them supple. Also wear big cotton knickers under the corsets as the elastic fabric sticks and they’re much easier to get up and down with a cotton layer under them!
Hi everyone, i,m new to the site. Am considering reconstruction. Had mastectomy Aug. 2006, followed by chemo.
My questions are: area where had mastectomy still quite sensitive to touch - is this normal. Also seen p.s. Mr. Baildam.
Anyone know anything about him? Thanks girls. Would appreciate your reply,
Ann x