Hi there,
Just thought I would update all who are concerned about having reconstruction after mastectomy as I am now nearly four weeks post op and feeling much more positive and much much better!
Just to recap - diagnosed with 2 5cm Grade 3 triple negative tumours in July 2011 - no lymph involvement. Advised to have chemo first to try to shrink the tumours which was successful in that, after mx in December 2011, the biopsy only found 1 Grade 2 1.8mm tumour! Then had 5 weeks rads starting Feb after which a genetic test showed that I was Braca 2 positive and that I would therefore have an 85% chance of a recurrence in healthy breast and increased ovarian etc etc. Elected to have 2nd mx and finally, after much consideration to have a double reconstruction at the same time. Had the op which was long and required two surgeons on Sept 21st. As you can read from my previous posts I felt very ill and in a lot of pain/discomfort for the first week after the op which may have been made worse by the fact that I needed blood transfusions and my veins are clapped out from the chemo and they struggled to get blood either out or in. However, because the surgery was on both sides much of the advice saying ‘make sure you use your good side to get up etc’ I couldn’t take. Everyone who saw the results though were very positive and said that my breasts looked amazing. They took muscle from both sides of my back and used permanent implants. Because of the rads on one side they said that my choices were limited in that respect. All of the dressings back and front were removed on Monday so that I can now see why my back hurt so much as the wounds there look very livid and sore. The shape, size and position of the breasts are excellent though and I can now see that, as long as things continue to heal as they have done up to present, they will be marvellous in the long run and I’ll have the figure of a much younger woman! The discomfort has also all but gone and I’m starting to feel really good about my decision to have this. I don’t feel that the muscles in my back have been too badly affected and can move, lift and function much as I could prior to the op.
In conclusion, if anyone is thinking of having this I would like to say - go for it. It’s a case of short term pain, long term gain. My surgeons were wonderful and very caring and if anyone wants advice about what to take to hospital or tips for after care I’ll be very happy to give them.
Best wishes to all.
Jan
x
Hi Jan
What a lovely positive story to read and so glad you are on the mend.
Keep going with your healing and you will be back to yourself soon. I’m going for a diep recon after a bilat mx and can’t wait to have 2 boobs again! I lost one of my temp implants due to infection.
Well done you.
Viv xxx
Hi Jan
Really great to read your post as I am just deciding on what reconstruction to have as have bi-lat mx planned for middle of next month.
Thank you for your comments and I hope you continue well in your recovery.
Beth x