Have been to see plastic surgeon today re reconstruction of my left boob since mastectomy a yr ago. He has told me that he would do a ld with a expander which i would initially have filled up with saline prior to op.I am not big busted, as a size 10 mostly and there is little skin remaining on my chest since mastectomy.Feeling very confused at present as to what this recon op would really involve as far as the amount of pain i would be in post op and how long i would be off work for?Would really appreciate any replies from anyone who has had this op and is glad they did, as at the moment i still can’t decide whether i want to go ahead or not due to fear of the unknown. Thank you
Hi Mounties
I just wanted to let you know about the reconstruction booklet published by Breast Cancer Care which you may find helpful to read, you can read it via the following link:
breastcancercare.org.uk/docs/breast_reconstruction_dec06_web_0.pdf
Best wishes
Lucy
I had an LD reconstruction 2 years ago but I had a small implant as well, not an expander. Although I had an immediate reconstruction none of my existing skin could be used due to radiotherapy so most of it is from my back.
Much to my surprise there was very little pain just a bit of discomfort, it is a big operation and I would think you would need at least 6/8 weeks off work.
I am glad that I had it done, but whether I would have been so keen if it hadn’t been at the same time as my mastectomy I don’t know, for me it was just one op.
If there is anything else you would like to know I will help if I can.
Take care.
Jan
Thanks jan for your reply, just one more question.Is there any sensation in your new boob? as dr told me it will feel quite cold and prob won’t get any sensation back due to nerves being cut during mastectomy.Would really appreciate your advice
No I haven’t got any sensation, in fact I had a nipple reconstructed and didn’t need any form of anesthetic, it worried me at first as I was frightened I might do some damage and not know about it. It doesn’t feel cold though it feels the same as my normal one.
Best wishes.
Jan
hi
i just had mastectomy and reconstruction on 6th DEC with back and implant. i must say i was scared stiff i cant believe it there was hardly any pain more of an ache. i think the shape and colour match from back is perfect and when scar gone down it will look gt. i had a bigger scare as had lumpectomy three weeks before so thought he would take more so i had one scar. i have more trouble doing the exercises. again no pain stiffness but we have to persevere. i do think also i would not have gone through it if i couldn’t have had it done at same time. no one can tell in low cut tops and my new boob had lots of visitors over Xmas they couldn’t tell with clothes on which was which. i must admit i looked like a lopsided Jordan with all the swelling. i also know if i had needed a double mastectomy i wouldn’t have bothered but i personally couldt bare the thought of looking down and only seeing one. the scar across my back is very neat and the consultant measured where my bra line went and he has done the scar in that area . i would recommend it if that’s the right phrase. i am suffering at moment due to allergies and dressings but apart from that gt. good luck xxxjuliexxxx
Hi i too had an ld recon, its really good, get my nipple recon on the 21st of this month, the only thing i find hard is that i can no longer get in or out of the bath as i find the sensation too much to cope with, plus i have some problems with that shoulder, also i am quite hot on that boob whilst the other can feel really cold, but you wouldn’t know i had had anything done if you saw me in a t shirt without a bra, i too have an expander, it has been expanded up to its maximum but will have some saline removed when the nipple has been done, i think the surgeon has done this to stretch the skin to give a more normal look when he deflates it a little, i really am happy with mine and would highly recommend it to anyone who wanted it doing, and being small busted, well, i can’t say enough about how good it is xxxxxxx
Alisonxxxxxxxxxx
Hi Mounties,
I had a bilateral recon using the ld flap in May 07 after waiting a long and hard 9 months after the bilateral mast. I too found it more uncomfortable than painful and would be up watching dvd’s in hosp on my portable dvd player in the early hours of the morning as I just couldn’t get comfortable what with four drains etc. I am so glad I had it done I am well pleased with the results and am now awaiting a date for the nipple recon and they are also tidying up my underarms at the same time as I appear to have a bit of excess skin there, normally they do the nipple recon under local but because of the tidy up I am having a general.
As I said earlier it was more uncomfortable then painful, I was in hosp for 6 days and off work for approx 8 weeks but able to drive after 4 weeks . You do loose some strength in your back but if you do the exercises it soon comes back, I did have to have some fluid drained off a couple of times after the op but it was no big deal. I didn’t have the expander, I had two implants but you wouldn’t know they were implants as the muscel goes over the top of them giving them a more natural look.
It is just so lovely to be able to wear lower tops now and nobody would know I’d had recon.
Hope this has been of some help
Take care and good luck
Let us know what you decide
Love
Karen
xx
Hi, new to the site. I was dx in july 2005 with bc and had a masectomy and chemo. I now have my appointment for my breast recon in two weeks LD flap and implant. I am now dreading it and considering cancelling it. Have my pre op tomorrow which I’m also dreading. Any advice?