I just got results today of second op (first a lump out, then a WLE) and now have to have a mastectomy. My lymph nodes are fine so that’s a relief. However I am confused and could do with a bit of info/advice from those of you who have been there.
My consultant said they would do immediate reconstruction (i am 35) but I would lose the nipple. He also said the reconstruction would involve an implant which they gradually inflated to stretch the skin and would be later replaced by another one. Why didn’t he suggest a reconstruction using tissue? I have DD size boobs so I also don;t understand why skin would need stretching. He also said, no need now for radiotherapy or chemo just tamoxifen. My cancer is grade one invasive by the way and they found lots of random precancer cells too. Can anyone help?
The technique using your own tissue instead of implant is new and not many surgeons (maybe half a dozen) do it in the UK. My surgeon wouldn’t do it because I don’t have enough spare tissue but said 2 or 3 years down the line would re-visit. I am happy with that because he is doing what is best for me and he did say that the lady in the UK who first learned the technique in France, Eva Weiler-Mithof, is an excellent surgeon but right now very little is known of the effects on the moved tissue. In Lipo Suction they just remove the tissue, done. In Lipo Modelling, which is what we’re talking about here, the tissue is removed from one area and put in another.
The implant only sounds like a good option as it’s smaller op and you are VERY lucky to be keeping your nipple and as you’ve no radiotherapy either then your skin will be eleastic enough to accommodate the implant. Radiotherapy damages the skin so much that it becomes very fragile and like paper and that is permanent.
I know it won’t feel like “lucky” but when you’ve read a few more tales on here you might just come round to the idea.
I’m sure you’ll get loads of responses from all the ladies out there giving their views so read them all and feel everyone’s love and support coming through for you.
Thanks for getting back so soon. Actually I have been told I will lose the nipple, I was just wondering why i won’t need any chemo or anything. Is it because my lymph nodes are clear. It seemed when I looked on the site everyone was having flaps removed from their backs or tummies so I was wondering why not me. Anyway, thanks again x My surgeon also said he would look at using my own tissue if I wasn’t happy with the implant. I’m just tired as now this will be the third op in 4 months
Hi Ruth, recon involving back muscle is only recommended if you are small chested, also, if you are slim you probabley wouldn’t have enough to do it from the stomach, or if you have been a smoker you can’t have the stomach one done. my cancer was grade 3/2 invasive and i had to have a full mastectomy, but no rads or chemo, if you ring the helpline on here they are very good, or if you go to www.cancerbackup.org.uk it will tell you all about recons.
Hi Ruth,
Been almost in your situation. Had mastectomy with imm recon. They used my LD Muscle from my back & an implant. Not an inflatable one though. I had the choice of stomach or back, I chose back as would have less scars. My surgeon was great, didn’t even cut my back all the work was done from my breast. I think you may need an inflatable implant to stretch the skin as they cant save your nipple, therefore i presume you will be losing breast skin too. Not sure why they don’t use muscle in all circumstances though. I was luckier in that respect, they saved my nipple and skin so no need for skin stretching. I think all this is an individual thing as using back muscle cant be anything to do with being small busted. Before the cancer I was a 32 FF, I am a bit smaller now though. Also I don’t think mine could be classed as a small op because of implant as over 5 hours. I think it could take longer when saving the skin as a bit more fiddly. Rads must also be an individual thing as my skin on affected breast seems perfectly normal…So pleased to here your lymph nodes were clear, yeah that’s probably the reason why no chemo. My cancer was grade 3 invasive with lymph node involvement. I had lumpectomy with Ax clearance, Mastectomy with imm recon, Chemo, Rads now on Tamoxifen for 5 Year. Also waiting to go back in next week for further recon as not 100% successful first time.
Chin up chick I’m sure it will all work out fine
Love & Best Wishes
Judy X
Just reading your reply. Your BC sounds similar to mine - how long since you have been diagnosed. Iwas diagnosed 30th July had WLE and SNB 21st Aug and now have to go back for mastectomy with imm recon (LD flap) and aux clearance on 28th of this month. Then Chemo and rads.
Would love to know more of what to except.
I didn’t have a mastectomy (had a good 1/3 of breast removed) but I did have a reconstruction using my own breast tissue as I was a very ample 34JJ before surgery. I am now a 34DD/ 36D. My other breast was reduced to match up. I have no nipple or areola on the cancer side but I have the option of having tattooing and nipple made if I want to. I am having radiotherapy as I did not have a mastectomy. My surgeon and Onc said that if I had the mastectomy then I would not need radiotherapy. I hope this helps.
I am due to have mastectomy and immediate reconstruction in a couple of weeks - I started out with IDC Grade 3 and had WLE and complete lymph node removal about 3 weeks ago but more is needed. They are doing the back flap on me - mostly because that’s what my consultant does and I would have to travel to a hospital 4 hours away if I wanted the stomach one done. I have loads of confidence in the guy here and he went over the whole procedure yesterday no rads needed only chemo because a lymph node is involved and tamoxifen. The WLE was done by removing my areola and nipple and then it was sewn back on and what amazing results - shame it has to go now - he says in my case it is best not to keep it and will be replacing it with a bit from my back and I can get it tattooed and a nipple made at a later date if I want.
It sounds as though you have had a really hard 4 months - keep your chin up - I hope you get all the answers to your questions - it makes you feel a bit more in control of everything.
Hi anne5
I was diagnosed in Jan 06. Had lumpectomy with aux clearance Feb, mastectomy with imm recon March, chemo April-Aug, Rads Sept-Oct. Got straight on with life in Oct 06 not really because I wanted to more a case of having to lol. Its been a tough year with working long hours and being very tired at times. Also with a 10 year old Son to take care of on my own but hey if we didn’t get on with it we would feel even worse ( that’s how I feel anyway). Its surprising how quick the time has passed since diagnosis. Been waiting a year to get recon touched up as not 100% successful but got letter today saying been cancelled. I’m devastated, have to wait till Xmas now. Then more waiting to have uplift on other one. Any specific questions you may have I am willing to help if I can. Just remember to stay positive and be determined not to let any of your treatments get you down, yeah accept the occasional off day but don’t allow your self to think it will be more than that. The power of the mind can be a great thing (another one of my beliefs I’m afraid). Good Luck with the surgery and all that follows.
Take Care x
Hi Dahlia
I live in the County Durham / Cleveland area. Muscle not removed endoscopically, I had a large cut from underside of breast almost to my arm pit. How it was explained to me, he would go in through cut, reach round to my back and pull muscle through. I don’t think it would of been quite as simple as that though. I believe he is only surgeon in this area to do op that way as people I know in this area but with different consultants did have their backs cut. Hope this info has helped a bit.
Love to you all
Judy X
I think having done some reading and listening to you all, the expander implant may be best for me anyway, but I will ask the surgeon why he is ruling out the rest just in case. Still recovering from the lymph node and WLE op but back at work tomorrow to keep busy before the mastectomy on Oct 19th. Wish me luck! Is it horrible when they take off the dressing?
Anyway, all the best with your various ops and recoveries. Keep smiling
My plaster started to come off five days after op and hospital said I could just take it off and use water to wash - pretty scary taking it off but the scar looked as if it had been there for years - maybe 3" long - no weeping or anything.
I took the breast one off two weeks after my op, the day I was due to go to the hospital and fully expected my nipple and areola to end up on the floor - but it was perfect and it still works perfectly (movement and sensation). There is a purple line around the areaola and it seemed to sit slightly in more than the breast skin but it was fine (so sad that I will end up losing it).
At first I felt that it did look a little different to the other but my husband was really impressed and as time goes on it is just starting to look normal. I hope your scars heal well - hope returning to work keeps your mind off the mastectomy and good luck for 19th.