Hi Liz,
That’s good news about your bladder problems, at least they are monitoring it at last. Hope it’s not long before you are back to normal.
I have just come back from an oncologist appointment. All is well and she was very impressed with my recon. So that was encouraging.
The plastic Surgeon who did my recon. told me he was leaving the Trust in October. I was sad to hear this and so was he at not being able to finish what he had started, so to speak. I will see his replacement in December, where I can discuss going on the list for my nipple.
Hoping Be Strong is recovering and hope to hear from her soon.
A x
Hi all, sorry I have not posted for a week. I hadn’t realized that anyone had posted even though I’m supposed to have subscribed to this thread! Grrrrr. Feeling much better now and healing up well - I think. The surgeon saw me last Monday and seemed really pleased. I’ve had a double reconstruction with a prophylactic mastectomy and two implants by the way in case I hadn’t mentioned that. I’ve completely lost track! I’ve got another appointment with the surgeon on Monday and am stressing a bit about the results of the biopsy on the mastectomy as my breast was itching like hell as I mentioned before. The side where I had the first mastectomy and then lots of radiotherapy looks different in colour from the other side but apart from that I think they look quite even and good. Now that I am managing to get lots of sleep everything feels more positive and I don’t think I have any seromas unlike when I had my first mx (fingers crossed). I’m still taking pain killers though but not nearly as many. I hope I haven’t frightened anyone off. It really is the first couple of days that are difficult. All the drains on both sides and getting up and down and to the loo were very challenging. Be sure to take in two bags (long-handled carrier bags) and button down the front nightie or pyjamas with elasticated waist trousers. My PJs were tie up and I got in a complete panic trying to hold on to 8 drains and tie the bloody things up in the loo! I’m thinking now it’s a case of short term pain, long term gain. Oh I forgot, I got my date for the oopherectomy today. It’s the 6th November so that’s not too bad. I should be over this more or less by then. Hope everyone else is OK.
Love
Jan
Hi everyone,
Thank you for all good wishes and support, it is amazing how much difference it makes to know I can ask questions, moan or cry and you will all understand. Marcie, the great thing for you is that it makes no difference where you live you are still part of this community so I hope we can support you in the run up to surgery as well as I felt encouraged and held.
My surgery was 6 days ago and it all went really well. I had a diep reconstruction having had an mx almost two years ago. The surgery only took 6 1/2 hours which seems really short compared to others on here and there were no complications. Like Rita I have problems with chemo vein but I discussed this in advance with my lovely anaesthetist and he used a small cannula in my wrist to get me asleep (and that did sting but only for 5 minutes). Once asleep he put a cannula in each foot and then all week one was used for my drip and IV treatment and the other for my bloods. I also had a catheter until I was fully mobile so no problems struggling to the loo.
The care from the nurses, physios and surgeon was incredible. I had been very worried about my stay in hospital as the standards in the ward where I had my mx where appalling and led to OH making a formal complaint. This time in the same hospital but different ward it was completely different sowe will once again be writing to the trustees but not to complain!
From what I can see under the wadding the results look good. I will see my surgeon on Wednesday and hope that my corset will be removed so that I can see my tummy.
The only (small) problems I have had have been bed sores on my bottom , a heat rash under the corset and a sore weapy drain site. No pain at all from the actual surgery sites. I am feeling well in myself, especially now I am home in my own bed and managed a shortwalk on the beach yesterday.
I just want to add a thank you for tinfish for starting this thread;following it helped me to not back out and also to anyone reading this thread and worried about surgery; don’t be alone, ask questions,keep reading the thread and good luck!
Sian
Hi all,
So glad to hear from Jan and Sian. Really very pleased to see that they both seem to be coping well and starting their recovery.
Great that you both seem to have coped very well with your surgery too. Keep up the good work both.
All the best Angie
Hi ladies,
Sian I’m so pleased your experience on hospital was better this time. Like you, my hospital stay when I had my mastectomy wasn’t great, and I was dreading being in again, but I was in a different one this time and it couldn’t have been more different. Brilliant care from everyone. Makes all the difference! Hope you are recovering well.
Im now 2weeks and 4 days post op and am feeling ok. I had all dressings off and it’s all been ok except yesterday when getting undressed I caught my tummy wound and made it bleed, so had to put a steristrip over it. Hope it will be ok. My breast wound is very neat ( unlike the previous one where I think they used a darning needle!) do any of you ladies knowwhen it’s ok to start massaging the scar with oil or something? I don’t want to do it too soon but know its important to do it.
Hope everyone is doing well love Rita x
Hi there,
I had another appointment with the surgeon yesterday and got the news that the biopsy on my 2nd mx was clear. What a relief. I got quite stressed about it waiting to go in as the pesky boob had been itching like mad as I’ve already mentioned a few hundred times! The wounds are healing well and the reconstructed breasts look good I think. The only thing that struck me was when they removed the dressings from my back the scar on one side looked horrible (like it has been sewn up with a darning needled as Rita said about hers) but the other side was so neat. I know that they had two surgeons working on this so am a little concerned that one side is so much better than the other. I’m not too bothered about the appearance of the back but nevertheless I think I will ask the question next week. My surgeon is the same one who did my first mx and the scar that time was so neat too so I’m assuming the dodgy wound was done by the 2nd surgeon or by someone they hauled in off the street and asked to try their hand at stitching!
Still in some discomfort with a little fluid build up on each side where the pain busters were but I’m not complaining really.
I really feel that the level of care is very dependent upon the nurses in charge of the ward at the time. It varied so much from shift to shift with me and I practically burst into tears when one of the really good ones said that she was going off duty!
Best wishes to all.
Jan
x
Hi Rita,
Glad you seem to be doing well. You sound really pleased. I started massaging my scars at around 6 weeks. That was recomended by my PS. I started with E 45 but now use oil. It seems to be doing the trick as scars are looking good. Tummy scar is still a litte red but he says to perserve with the masage.
This is from my “going home” info.“The scars are best left completely alone for the first 6 weeks. After this time they will be as strong as they are likely to be. The scars are likely to be quite firm, red and possibly slightly raised and lumpy. At this point, we advise that you spend five minutes every day massaging each scar.
You should use E45 cream to stop you from rubbing away the top layer of skin. You should start to rub along the scar rather than across it otherwise you may stretch the scar. You should start massaging gently with your fingertip or thumb and increase the pressure untill you are rubbing quite firmly. This will speed up the healing process and should soften the scars.”
I hope this helps.
A x
hi beaniebaby, thank you so much for the info. I didnt get any going home info, so it was really helpful. im nearly 3 weeks post op so will wait a few more weeks. Hope you are doing well love rita xx
Hi Ladies
Havent been on here for a while,
Friday I met my new consultant as my old one retired, he seems really nice and has put me down for nipple reconstruction. I wasnt going to have it done originally but I am s pleased with my new boob I have changed my mind, also he is going to transfer some fat to above my boob as when I had my mastectomy alot had to be taken away.
It looks like it will be in the new year but they did say they would phone me if it can be done quicker, I go on holiday 15th November and with christmas I have decided to wait until New Year. I will have it all done with a general and they say the op will be about 1 1/2 hours, no time when you compare with the DIEP.
Looks like all are recovering well
Keep smiling
L
x
Hi Tinfish
Good to hear you are doing well 
How is your tummy scar? I still find it uncomfortable (sometimes painful) to wear jeans. Do you find that? Or is it just me? (I have a very low pain threshold!)
Hope everyone is still doing ok.
Best wishes
Liz x
Hi Liz
My tummy scar is great, I dont really have trouble wearing jeans although I make sure the knickers I wear cover the scar!!! I dont have any dressings now and all has healed very well, I am so pleased I had the op.
I did say to my new consultant I have a numb feeling around the scar area, he said it may always be like that it depending on the nerves coming back.
Must go I am going to see my grandson at his swimming lesson
Hope everyone else is OK
L
xx
Hi all,
Glad to hear that you are all doing so well. Seems a lifetime away now since the op.
Tinfish I will be having a change of consultant too as mine is leaving the Trust. Looks like he will only be doing private work. It is sad but at least I got the main reconstruction done by him, which I am really pleased about. I have yet to have an appointment to see another consultant (which I should have had by now). I think I will give them a ring next week to remind them. Definatley need to get my nipple done as I still see it as work in progress. So next year I hope to get it done sometime.
Well no other news, have a great weekend all. I’m off to see the new James Bond film tommorrow. Can’t beat a bit of Daniel Craig 
A x
Hi Tinfish
Thanks for the reply - I think maybe I just need to toughen up a bit
I spent yesterday humping boxes again but this time with no ill effects Must be getting stronger The major humping is nearly over now hopefully
Hi Angie
Hope you enjoyed 007 - I have yet to see any Daniel Craig James Bond films as I dont think anyone can beat Pierce Brosnan!
Hope everyone else is doing well - I am off to watch my recording of SCD - didnt get to watch it last night as we were still humping (boxes that is!)
Best wishes all
Liz x
Hi Liz
I think we all have aches and pains in different places and different strengths so dont beat yourself up,The humping bit made me laugh I thought someones getting some action. We are too worried etc and its playing its tole but as we are in our middle/late 50’s it seemed to be getting less anyway, we go on holiday on the 15th November and for some reason that helps, I think its because you dont have other things on your mind, just sea, sand and sunshine!!
I totoally agree with you about Pierce he is also my favourite, I love his voice and well everything else!!!
I am looking after my granchildren today and my daughter has the D & sickness bug so by this evening I wil be shattered.
Anyway enough about me
Hows everyone else doing, hope you all recovering well
Keep smiling
L
xx
I havent been on here for ages so apologies, i had my diep and tram (had one one each side in the end) 6 months ago… just been back for check up, sadly the size difference is still huge, probably down to rads on one side and blood clot on other but hey Im still chuffed compared to before hand, have to wait another 6 months to totally settle then have reduction on one side. Good luck to anyone thinking of it, it changed my life. Tinfish, sounds like you are ahead of me now lol!! xx
Hi Lisa
I am not sure I am just waiting for the nipple and a bit of tidying up (will be next year), although they did say they my be able to do it sooner but i think if an appointment does come up before 2013 I will kindly refuse it (they do know that too). You also had more done than me so I suppose it would take longer!!! and once you have the size difference done you will have 2 super boobs. 
I second “It changed my life”, I dont feel like I am all the way out of the tunnel yet but once I get the final touches done I know I will be and it has been the best thing I have done.
I am going on holiday on Thursday and it will be the first time in 6 years I will take 2 boobs both my own!!!
Good luck to anyone having the op soon, and if your thinking about it all I can say is “go for it”
L
xx
Hi girls, it’s been ages since I last posted, but I have dipped in and out and it’s great to see that everyone is doing well. I can’t wait for stage two of the reon to finish them off!
Sue x
Hi eveveryone - been ‘lurking’ around this site for a few weeks. I finally had my reconstruction using the TRAM flap technique. I was diagnosed with bc 10 years ago, had WLE, mastectomy, chemo and radio but not a candidate for reconstruction with my breast surgeon. Not enough skin for back flap or for expander, and he was not registered to do any other kind of reconstruction. He did offer to send me to a plastic surgeon for the TRAM but felt that as I had had a hysterectomy (cervical cancer 2 years previously) that the operation might not be possible.
After a few years I did indeed take up the offer of meeting the Plastic Surgeon in Oxford and much to my surprise he felt the scars were not a problem as he would make 2 flaps to make the breast instead of one. I did have to lose weight in the months before but it has been really worth it. I went in to hospital the night before, Monday 5th November and came home on Friday 16th due to two drains that were misbehaving, but am well on the road to recovery. I had a bit of redness near my armpit and was put on a course of antib’s for a week as a precaution but other than that I feel really well. I do fall asleep some afternoons very unexpectedly but I suppose that is my body telling me to slow down. I’m back to see them tomorrow to have my dressings looked at, and appointment with surgeon on 29th.
i would say to any women even if you have scars on your tummy the Plastic Surgeons are really creative artists that take great pride in their work, in most cases they will find a way to work with what you have available. I am really thrilled with my results (it’s a bit big at the moment, but that will settled down) and I have a fantastic cleavage already!!
Evening eveveryone
Went to clinic today and had my dressings looked at by my surgeon who just happened to be around I had all the tapes removed and apart from a couple of bits, all the scars are healing well and dry. He suggested I start massaging the scars which will help soften and flatten them out, and massage all over my breast which willhelp with any lumpy bits and soften it.
I asked about wearing support vests/bras but he said I didn’t need to wear anything in bed unless I wanted to, nor did I need to sleep propped up on pillows. He did give me some waist twist exercises to help with the stiffness and tightness in my tummy, and advised I should carry on with the arm exercises. I then had the nurse dress the couple of leaky bits and left armed with a bag full of dressing to manage them at home.
It took almost 2 hours to get to the appointment, normally it’s about 45/50 minutes, due to the weather conditions, and not unexpectedly I fell asleep for 3 hours this afternoon.
I still can’t believe I have a cleavage, AND a new breast!!! Is it just me who feel this way when they look down at their bodies??
Hope everyone is well.
Hi Girls
Looking for some advice… Ive had chemo, mastectomy and radio, finished treatment in July. Im now contemplating having a reconstruction, ive seen the surgeon and he has suggested the tummy recon (DIEP) im quite big breasted so the remaining breast would be reduced. Just wondering is the operation really painful? Recovery time? Hospital stay etc… Also ladies that have had it, would you say the final results are worth all the trauma?
Is there any ladies around the York area as i’d like to speak in person to people too.
Thanks
Chris xx