I need your help ladies regading the above subject.
My history is:- DX April 08, chemo, mast + node clearance (6/21 affected) rads, oophrectomy (spell??) currently on Herceptin and Femara. I am 37 years old with two children.
I always knew from the start that I would want recon, but after speaking to my surgeon DIEP was ruled out as I have had a c-section, expander was ruled out because of rads, as was immediate recon for the same reason.
I have since been to see him, having researched the LD recon and he then tells me that the rads have not damaged my skin very much and that I have tolerated them very well and now expanders would be an option! Im not complaining that I have a choice (at the begining of this journey I looked the expander recon up on the internet and actually asked if it would be possible to have this type, he didnt think I would due to forthcoming rads) but now I dont know what I want. Choice is good, but on the other hand this is my body and having to make such a big choice, and one that will affect the way my body looks for the rest of my life is scary.
I need all the info I can get me hands on. I need positive stories and negative on both options, healing times, are you pleased you chose one type against the other, and how you made your choice, etc etc, anything that might help me make this fully informed decision. I am due to return to see him next Tuesday. If anyone knows of the surgeon, he’s Mr G and operats from Lincoln.
Thanks
Vanessa
hi ness1 and starforever,
I,m havin a double reconstruction using the tissue expanders as i have had a c-section also carnt use skin from back as i have a skin condition, so the expanders are the only option, It,s 3 yrs since dx, so worried about the pain and if cancer does come back will i be able to feel it as the back of my arm,in arm pit and some of the front of my chest it is still numb even after all this time, thanks for postin the site,
Lorna xxx
Hi Vanessa and Lorna,
Hope you don’t mind me asking but can you tell me why your surgeons wouldn’t consider DIEP due to your caesarian sections?
I had 2 c/sections (albeit 23 and 20 years ago) and I’ve been on the waiting list for DIEP since October.
My surgeon never gave me any inclination that a c/section would contraindicate DIEP although I have to have a MRA scan to check the anatomy etc is suitable for the procedure, which I assume is standard practise.
This is the first time I’ve heard of DIEP not being suitable after c/section and am a little concerned now, particularly as I already have failed bilateral LD reconstruction and this seems to be last chance at reconstruction.
I thought I’d ask you two first before I speak to my surgeon - I’ll be really grateful if you could share your information.
Many thanks in anticipation
I had bi-lateral masectomy and immediate recon using expanders and the muscle from my back on my right side (due to rads) and the left side with just the expander, that was dec 08. I have to say the right side with the muscsle has a much more natural looking and feel to it. The left side feels hard. I didnt have any problems with the op or recovery, i was home 3 days after op and back driving after 4 weeks, im fully inflated now i used to go every 2 weeks im a c cup now used to be a b cup they put a saline gel in the implants my surgeon did 50-100mls at a time. I go back in may for my ports out and nipple tatooing. Hope this helps a little. Let us know how you get on and what you decide.
Sorry but gonna jump in too,I had a double mastectomy in Jan with immediate reconstruction with becker implants(tissue expanders) i have to say i have healed fantastic and have had no problems at all,went every 3 weeks for top up and am now a c cup previously b cup.My surgeon would not consider me for any other recon as i have had 2 c-sections and i have such a small back it wouldn’t be possible to do it that way either.Good luck ladies xx
hi doxey
Surgeon wouldn,t consider diep cause i,ve had 3 ops on stomach,last one being only last april,
Thanks for the positive feedback allybally, carn,t wait for mine to be done on june 4th
Lornaxxx
Thanks Allybally for your comments. I have since discussed this decision with my GP, she was really helpful. She suggested why dont I ask is there any reason why I cant have the expanders and if at a later date im really unhappy with the result have the LD? I feel that such a weight has been lifted, as I had already thought of this but thought it might be way too cheeky to even ask! I think I will now.
Vanessa x
I have been to see my PS today to discuss DIEP or Tram reconstruction, I had major stomach surgery as a child and have had to live with 2 scars on my tummy one all the way across just below my belly button and the other an appendix scar but my surgeon is still very hopefully of being able to do my reconstruction.
hi Vanessa…I’ve just had a mastectomy with immediate Diep recon, 2 weeks ago. I also had 2 cesareans…but that was 27 and 30 years ago. I think I would ask your surgeon to explain the reason why he says he can’t give you one…because possibly the time thing makes a difference. It’s early days for me yet, still recovering, but I had full confidence in my surgeon.
Tummy area, underarm, breast and chest areas are quite numb as yet, but I expect feeling to come back to differing degrees over time.
Oh nearly forgot I didn’t have rads or chemo…
good luck with your decision Vanessa
Helenx
In reference to Sallylou comment my c sections were 12yrs and 7yrs ago but surgeon would not even speak about it.Having the tissue expanders in does not have to be permanent at anytime i can request that they be taken out and silicon implant put in.My sister also had tissue expanders and has opted for silicon implants but i am so pleased with what the surgeon has done i think i will wait.Without being hard our main priority is to get rid of the disease that we have all been cursed with and i think whatever the surgeon can do with sometimes limited tissue we should be thankful.Just my personal opinion.
Hello all. I have been to see my surgeon today, he is wonderful… after further discussion (was in there for 1 1/2 hrs) and loads of discussed regarding the LD v Expander, I have chosed to have the LD recon. Before going to see him I had more or less decided upon the expander. On discussing the expander he says that because of the rads scar tissue on the inside I would have a 70% chance of problems, the main on being where the scar tissue moulds around the impant and crushes it, causing pain and poor appearance.
I was moving away from the LD due to the ones I had seen having an eyelet like scar across the middle and a big scar across the back. But having voices these concerns he explained that the bigger scar across the back would be if I didnt want implants, but as I do want implants, the scar would be small in comparrison. After futher discusson I asked him if he could put the skin flap in in a way that there was only one scar across the middle and the otnher join would be at the bottom of boob underneath, so that only the top scar would be visible.
Anyway bottom line is he has put my mind at rest and is confident that I will be pleased with the results. I have been measured, photographed and signed the concent forms. My op will has been schedulled for 19th August, just as soon as I get back from my much needed 2 week holiday in the sun!