Hi Ladies
Back online!
Good to know all went well Dani 
Hope you are getting lots of rest! It is a big op and you need to take it easy!
Glad to hear you are still mending well Tinfish Be patient you will be able to do all the things you want to do soon Hope you are moisturising your sealed wounds I did not start till 8 weeks after the op and got told off! Apparently as soon as the wound is closed over we are supposed to start with the oils and creams!
I am finally clear of all dressings! Only taken nearly 11 weeks!!! I can now oil and cream everywhere instead of having to miss bits cos they are not sealed! I almost have full use of my arm too - just having to be patient about the weight restrictions!
Hope your op goes ok Dima
All the best to all
Liz xxx
What oils and creams??? My surgeon etc havenât mentioned anything about this, what should I be doing please?
Hi Ali
Apparently to reduce the scarring it is recommended that you moisturise the scars as soon as they have healed sufficiently. I recommend that you talk to someone - your breast care nurse seems the place to start.
Ladies
Well I spoke too soon! I have slough on my tummy wound again 
Back to the medihoney and dressings!
Tinfish
I asked at my 8 week checkup whether I could give up the wearing of a bra at night and the PS Registrar said that I could if it was comfortable - was not recommended before the 8 weeks was up! I found that I needed something so I wear a soft crop top type thing (the ones from ASDA which are advertised - PM me if you want to know which ones) which are more comfortable as they have no fastenings. They are just supportive enough now that I am further away from the op. Hope this is helpful.
Liz xx
Hi Ali
If you would like to give our helpline team here a ring theyâll talk to you about how to help with scarring. Calls are free, 0808 800 6000.
Take care
Jo, Facilitator
Hello Ladies
Thought as I had time before dinner I would catch up
Well my new boob is softening nicely still have a small wound but hay ho!! I love it
Went into our local âWorksâ store to buy some cards and spoke to a lady there no idea how it started but she siad she had had chemo etc and then we got speakling about reconstruction, my Mum brought that up (the one who didnt want me to have it done!!) and she asked me how and where etc I had my done, gave her a short story and told her at this time I feel its been the best thing. My Mum also agreed and could not praise the hospital enough.
Lizdeb:
Thanks for your reply I have also seen another of your post re: nipples and as the others say its up to you, I at the moment am thinking I may have mine done if poss next year.
I will ask my consultant about bra and support pants but am still wearing them day and night!!! bought some cheap size smaller sports bra from Sainsburys for ÂŁ5 each and they seem Ok although I do have my Genies for later .
I have been moisturising to an inch of my life so I hope it helps and have just been using E45.
Hope to start driving next week, have been a bit worried re: insurance so am looking forward to driving and getting my independance back.
As my Mum has been doing my ironing for me I hope she will continue for at least another couple of weeks, especially as I hate doing it!!! every cloud has a silver lining
Also I havent got back to heavy housework and my nurse told us not to rush and my husband keeps reminding me so I am making the most of that too!!! what a lazy B***h I have become
I hope you are all recovering well love to hear your journeys
L
xxxx
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PS
On the down side I have had to pluck a couple of dark hairs from my new boob I think they are form you know where but dont seem to be curly !!! LOL
L
xx
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Hi All,
Nice to get an update Tinfish. I am still doing very well too. Only problem I have is that I have developed Lymphoedema in my arm on my op. side. 
I am upset and I have an apt. at a Lymphoedema clinic next week. I contacted my breast care nurse as soon as I came out of hospital. I saw my breast surgeon last week for a check up and he is sending me for a MRI scan and I am also due a Mamogram which will be my 2 year check (which I should of had in April) I am sure it is due to the surgery but my breast surgeon likes you to have an MRI scan to be sure.
I am able to do a lot more for myself now as well, I am very glad to say. I didnât like having other people doing things for me.
I am still not able to use the vacumn. Am able to use a soft brush as mostly hard floors any way.
I am itching to get back to the gymn and especially to go swimming. I have a check up with the PS on 5th Sept. which will be exactly 2 months since the op. So i will wait untill then. I am able to drive but mainly because I have an Automatic car so itâs easier.
Sleeping now almost back to normal, just having to take care when turning over in bed. At least have ditched all the pillows!
My wound has healed really well and I just have a few popped stitches which they said to leave as they will fall out by themselves. Am glad to say they are slowly one by one. Have started to use cream on my scars too. (E 45)
Well ladies i hope you are all getting better as the time passes. It is 6 weeks since op. for me and I am still really glad I had the op. and pleased with my new boob.
All the best from Angie
Iâve switched from E45 to Bio Oil, and much prefer the Bio Oil. Everything is healing nicely, but it is weird when the odd bit of stitch works its way out!
Iâm still in sports bras and support pants 24hrs, but canât wait to ditch them!
Sue x
Hi Ladies
Saw my consultant today and he is very pleased with how things are going, I am too!!!
Forgot to ask a couple of questions, my husband had said I had started hoovering and he told me to take it easy and only now to start walking (as exercise) . He stressed to still take things very easy for the next month or so, I am now feeling a lot better in myself and forgot to ask the sex quesion your input would be appreciated!!! I feel a little scared (my OH isnt even talking about it) but i want to be prepared as I am sure it will come up in conversation soon!!!
L
xx
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Hi all,
Thanks for all your encouragement. I had a left DIEP and a right reduction and uplift at the same time, and am now 10 days post-op. I was discharged from hospital on Tuesday. I havent been on here since then as I had nothing positive to say and didnt want to discourage anyone, but Iâm now getting a little better every day. My boobs are great (cant believe Iâve got 2!) and causing no problems at all, but my abdomen is really painful and tight, though itâs OK if Iâm sitting. My biggest problem seems to be that I was fairly slim already before the operation, so not much fat to transfer, and my surgeon has really had to draw my abdomen together very tightly. I believe I have had mesh inserted (I thought that was only done with a TRAM ?). Anyway, slowly but surely Iâm moving around a little bit more, but cant imagine Iâll ever be able to stand up straight again! Is this normal?? How long did it take to stand straight? Am I being impatient?! Maybe I am. Iâm terrible at sitting around at the best of times and cant bear seeing housework that needs to be done, flowers to be changed etc - the things OH wouldnt notice!
Glad you got your op went well Dani - you are 2 days ahead of me I think.
Thinking of you all and hoping you are still making good progress. Iâm really sorry to hear of your lymphoedema beaniebaby - something we all dread. I hope it gets dealt with quickly.
Good luck in the sack Tinfish! - itâll be a case of look but dont touch in this house for a long long time I think!
D xxx
Hello ladies
Day 11 - Thursday 16th -
Saw my plastic surgeon in clinic who examined me and was happy to see the reconstructed breast was healing well and looking good! I even have a cleavage! Result! Even have a heart shaped tummy button. The wounds on my tummy are healing nicely and have to make sure I take it easy and do the required arm exercises as it is important to get the full range of movement back. My next follow up appointment is in 4 weeks time, 13th September.
On the same day I saw my MX surgeon who is very happy with the pathology report although the Multi Disciplinary Team would be discussing my case next Tuesday he wanted to tell me that there was only 10% of the cancer found left behind in the biopsied tumour after the chemo treatment (90% gone) which was a very good response. Out of the 20 lymph nodes only 1 had a micromet, there wasnât any evidence of any other node being affected in other words no scar tissue found on the nodes.
The histology also confirmed that the skin above the areole was not affected and a 1cm clear margin which meant the skin was spared in surgery⊠On Tuesday the MDT (multi disciplinary team) will be discussing whether I will need radiotherapy and in his opinion there was a 50/50 chance on whether I would need it. Again it will be decided by the team however I would prefer not to have any as quite frankly Iâve had enough and want my life back. My OH knows how I feel but Iâm not going to be silly about it and I will have to defer to the experts.
Also confirmed is that I am HER2 receptor negative which is good news indeed. As it means it is not aggressive. However I am ER positive and probably be prescribed Tamoxifen but he did say that I could take a blood test to find out whether I am post menopausal although I was having regular periods before chemo. He also examined my breast and felt a little fluid to the side of it but isnât concerned as Iâm not in any pain.
Dressings are changed every day after shower and was advised tobleep them on another week. I am walking upright and not feeling discomfort in the tummy area like I was last Week as the wound felt very tight due to cesarean scar below.
OH doing everything and heâs juggling work and looking after me and as I am a complete control freak I want to do things myself but he warns me that it would be foolish to ruin the good work the surgeons have done by trying to do too much too soonâŠ
Beanie - sorry to hear you have lymphedema and hope you are getting the right advice and care. I am also aware that I have to take more care of my arm and it distresses me to think that all my lymph nodes have been taken!
Dima - like you am very impatient but you have to rest as much as possible as it iswary days. Be kind to yourself and above all be PATIENT.
Tinfish - I miss the sex but I would do myself an injury trying it lol! I was told by BCN to wait at least until I felt less tender around the bionic boob and to do it when I felt ready!
I canât waits to ditch the embolism socks!!!
Love to all
Dani XX
PS Dima - I signed a consent from and it stated that if for any reason surgeon would be required to perform any other surgery then he would. I was told prior surgery I would have DIEP/muscle sparing TRAM.
Maybe ask in your next visit why you had full TRAM??
Take care
Dani XX
Hi all
Tinfish - sex shouldnât be a problem as Dani says once your boob and tummy say it is ok - I personally did not feel at all that way inclined for the first 10 weeks anyway!
I laughed a bit at you finding pubic hairs on your boob only to discover this morning in the shower that I have them all over my replacement skin ROFL - my OH of course said that it was a very good reason for having a nipple recon HAHA
Beanibaby - how horrid for you - as Dima says it is the one thing that all of us dread getting - I do hope you can get it under control quickly.
Good news on your histology Dani - hope you donât have to have radiology as well after all your treatment!
Dima - sounds like you have had muscle taken as well as fatty tissue so you will have to be a lot more patient as it will take a lot longer to recover. I hope you are wearing your support knickers as you will need them! I was lucky as I did not have to wear mine! If you are in any doubt about how much trying to stand straight you should do talk to your BCN or your Plastic Surgery nurse or even the physio from the hospital if there was one that came to the ward.
I am still having the dressings on my tummy wound changed every other day when I have a shower - I was able to pull the shopping trolley home today for the first time in nearly 13 weeks! (nearly 13 weeks since my SNB nearly 12 since my mx and recon) - every day I feel a bit better
The sad news for me is that my brother-in-law died on 4th August after 3 years struggle with melanoma mets. We had a Thanksgiving service for him on Thursday and 100s of people were there! Such a lovely fellow - a true gentleman.
Liz xx
Thanks for your advice Lizdeb - Iâm going to phone the physio on Monday and see if I can make an appt on Thursday when I go back to the dressings clinic - the hospital is around an hour away.
Iâm really sorry about your brother-in-law. You have my sympathy and I hope you can take some comfort from the fact that so many people thought well of him.
Take care
x
So sorry to hear your sad news Liz, my thoughts are with you and his family.
Take care xx
Hi Liz
I am sorry for your loss, my thoughts are with you and your family.
Re: sex I am not ready yet I know that and to be honest I am frightened as I dont want to rush anything. Idrove my car for the first time since the op just a bit by myself and I realise how much the op has taken out of me, I think I can do more than I can.
Angie: you sound like all is going well for you, I have my mammo before going in hospital on the other breast as their was a chance I was going to have the other one off but decided just to have one done.
Sue: yes bio oil is great, Wilkinsons do their own one which is a lot cheaper and i think the same. I cant wait to get out of the sports bra and support pants but in a steange way I feel comfort wearing them !!!
Dima: take your time you have had a big op, I am sure in a few weeks time you will feel better. I wish we all lived nearer sass we could visit and encourage face to face. I also had mesh inserted, it helps prevent hernias and I think by talking to my surgeon yesterday its something most use.
Well ladies its really hot here and I am so glad I dont have to wear a prohesis, have a good weekend
L
xxxx
Dani: you sound like you are doing really well, I hope you continue with your positive attitude it really does help. I am so pleased you love your new boobs and your belly button sounds great.
Dani:
Thank you all for your thoughts and good wishes
Doesnât everyone have a moved belly button? Mine was moved - bit tight now but looks ok - You are braver than I Tinfish - I have not had the courage to get behind the wheel of a car yet! Trouble is the longer I leave it the worse it will be - I know that but I still canât do it! What a coward!
All the best to all
Liz xx
Liz - my tummy button is higher. Iâm also surprised that my PS said I could stop wearing dressings after next week!!
I really want to get back into my clothes as Iâm having to wear tracky. bittoms and loose top!
Also been told to wear embolism socks for next 4 weeks day and night!!
Has everyone had axillary clearance? The underside of affected arm feels numb still and tender!!
Iâve been told to do arm exercises 2-3 times a day but not been advised on tummy exercises?
Hope everyone feeling ok and enjoying the weekend.
Love Dani Xx
I was told to stop wearing the socks on leaving hospital as once ambulatory they were unnecessary.
I was also told to wear whatever was comfortable - all I find comfortable is loose skirts (cotton) and cotton tops - no elasticated waists as they irritate my tum.
My underarm is numb and uncomfortable - ditto the top of my arm - since my SNB.
I was told to do my arm exercises but although the tummy exercises were in the same book the physio did not tell me to do any of them.
The only reason I have to have dressings is cos the wound is not sealed over - once the wound is sealed over they want you to stop the dressings and start the creams.
Best wishes all
Liz x
Thanks Liz
Youâre input is invaluable! Iâm going through a metamorphosis as I had neo adjuvant chemo so I have major growth on head (fuzzy baby hair and eyebrows and eyelashes making a cone back! As well as having to focus on post surgery recovery the post chemo hair growth is distracting! Even have fine downy hair on my face that was never there before!!
Managing to go for short walks albet vey slowly but makes me tired and have to rest as soon as I return home.
MDT will be discussing whether I will need radiotherapy tomorrow and am praying they decide I wonât need it however I will
give in to their professional opinion!
Hope everyone enjoyed their weekend and kept cool with such high humidity!
Take care
Dani
XX