I am 3 years post mastectomy at Norwich. had chemo. right breast just MRI’d and OK. But I am getting a bit fed up with my one sidedness. I have recovered well from mastectomy but still have numb areas and my back aches when tired. No power loss. i am very busy at work and love tennis and (?love) running. I would love to have the micro surgery from tummy but I am so frightened that i will not be able to get back to "normal " and I’m not too bothered about one boob but it doesnot go away and its hot with prosthesis. If I have the op-How long will i be off work? how long to get back to normal? HELP!!! i need to decide if i want to be referred.
Hi Jane,
I had my recon in Norwich using that procedure last April (12th) and returned to work on June 4th. It is a pretty heavy operation - mine lasted 8 and half hours, but that was because I had my mastectomy and recon at the same time, and it also turned out I had a hernia which was repaired at the same time. The recovery is quite a long time - I was still feeling tired in September, but I was a single mother to three boys and working full time. However, I don’t want to put you off - I’m very glad I had mine done. I still have numb patches, and my scars aren’t faded yet but that will come with time. You WILL get back to normal though - I am and have been for quite a while.
Hope this helps,
Sally xx
Hi Jane,
I am being treated at Norwich but a different type of recon to what you are thinking of (I had immediate recon (expander implants) and am planning to have these replaced with silicon implants in approx 6 months).
Norwich has a good reputation for reconstruction - so you’re in the right place. I found it really helpful to talk to the specialist reconstruction nurse at Norwich (Ruth Harcourt) - I think you can contact her direct or else ask your breast care nurse to refer you. She is very approachable and can talk you through the different types of recon. I found her explanations much more down to earth than my surgeon. I met a lady when I was in hospital who had her mx 10 years ago and was just having a DIEP recon. She was sporty and said it was inconvenient with the prothesis and was so pleased to be having the recon…
I hope you decide to look into it further. You’re not committed to the surgery if you ask for a referral.
Regards
Misha
hi all
i had a diep flap which took 10 1/2 hours in sept 05, very long op but i feel it was the right decision, the fact is if i hadnt of had the immediate recon i would never would have gone back for further surgery i did have to have a reduction done at a later date because the surgeon had made it a lot bigger in case i needed r therpy and then i had a nipple created last year, and tattooed this jan ive now finished seeing my plastic surgeon… As Misha has said do look into it further its well worth it x
Hi Jane
I had tram flap in December, nearly 2 years to the date of mastectomy, I hated living with one boob (37 at diagnoses) I had 9 weeks of work, could have gone back sooner but the sick note was already dated and I didn’t feel safe to drive for 8 weeks. I was still walking slightly bent at my 2 week checkup and slowly managed to build up walks and back to high impact areobic classes and swimming after around 4 months. I have told the instructor and when he does stomach I just do my upper tummy or bum lifts for my thighs. I am really please with the results, I wore a really pretty dress for my 40th this year without worrying about a bloody prothesis falling out, also back into pretty bras that match my knickers.
My PS has warned me that my tummy will never be as strong and sit ups would be slightly at an angle (I find this when getting out of bed) also when swimming you can feel a slight pull on the tummy like its having a good stretch, I am also thinking of joining the gym now as its been nearly 8 months as need to start shifting my tamoxifen hips.
I have found recovery fine, but like you recovered quickly from mastectomy and have always enjoyed excercise, my PS and his team were quite amazed at my walking in unaided for my 2 week check up but it was christmas eve and husband and 2 kids dropped me off onroute to the supermarket, am also considering running again as want to do a 10k race for cancer research.
I have been fine after op.
Debbie
hi debbie
pleased you said that about belly never being as strong tried the other day to do sit up cant do them at all know, and your right about the pull on the tummy feels like an eleactic band i thought it was just me and the weight i had put through the tamx and zoladex injections x
Hi Jane,
Forgot to mention the ‘Keeping Abreast’ support group in Norwich for anyone with or considering reconstruction. There is a website. Next meeting is Mon 15 Sep 2008 at NNUH. Some ladies there will show others their reconstructions.
Regards
Misha
had my reonstruction 10 years ago, I had a Patey reconstruction, they took the muscle from my back brought it round to the front and inserted a silicone prosthesis and put the muscle over the top. It was a long operation but it was done at the same time as my mastectomy so I felt rotten anyway. Glad I had it done but have always felt that my back is very tight, it doesnt stop me doing anything though.
hope all goes well.BarbaraH