Reconstruction from tummy----> Need your help

Hi everyone!
I have had the surgery two weeks ago:left breast gone and reconstructed.

But the feeling of the new breast is really awful!
It is heavy, much bigger than my natural right one, and also it is hard on the edges. I feel like I am wearing a heavy padded, very tight bra on my left side, which causes me constant pain.
Also I feel like they took off too much of my skin on my tummy, so that now I can’t straighten up and I have to be bent when I am walking.
Otherwise my tummy will be torn.

Please, tell me that this is a temporary feeling…
Or not?
Is it only me or there are other people who is dissatified with the reconstruction surgery results?

I did not ask for a n ideal tummy or breast. All I wanted to feel adequate after the mastectomy.

Thank you in advance for all your discussions.

Kind regards,

Julia

Hi Julia,

I haven’t yet had my DIEP (due in a few weeks). In preparation for my own operation I’ve spoken with some people who have had the op and read up on other patient experiences and what you describe appears to be quite consistent and normal for just a few weeks after the operation It will take time to settle down, for you to be able to straighten up, and as the tissue heals for it to soften.

If you are at all worried that things aren’t quite as they should be make an appointment to see your PS so that they can take a look and reassure you (or address any issues if there are any).

Wishing you all the best with your recovery,

Mia

Hi Mia,

Thank you for your comment. May I ask who they are you spoke to?
My suspicion is that you represent this website and are one of those supporters who always says only positive things no matter what.

Wheras I need to hear the truth!

I am surprised that no one else posted any comments.
I can’t believe there is not anyone who is not happy with the results of their surgery.

Hello real ex patients of reconstruction ops!
Please, I would like to hear from you!

Thanks.

Julia

Hi Zena

I have sent you a long PM about my experience of this surgery.

I had same op on 5th July. I think that you are actually worrying much too soon. Two weeks is very very early … you have had a big op and your body has lots of healing to do. I couldn’t really stand up completely straight for about 5/6 weeks and even then I could certainly feel a pull on my tummy tissue even though it was no longer painful … everything is stretching and the abdominal incision is large so it is going to take a while for that to heal. Even now 3 1/2 months after sugery my tummy doesn’t feel ‘back to normal’ though it isn’t painful at all.

My breast still feels a little like it doesn’t belong to me and because of some scar tissue formation it now sits higher than my ohter breast, but generally it looks good when I am dressed and I have a very natural looking cleavage. Alot of the ‘hardness’ that was there originally has gone now and my new breast had started softening considerably before my radiotherapy, which does seem to have cause a little more hardening again.

Give yourself time to heal and don’t make any assumptions about the end result at this point. I should have thought that your PS would have pointed out to you that the recovery was long and slow and that there were likely to be changes to your new breast before it finally settles down to be the breast that you will have for good. Mine suggested that it could be as long as six months before we should think about changes to my ‘good’ breast to even them up as it may be that long before the new one has settled.

Jacqui

ps … do make sure that you do the exercises given to you frequently and for a good few months beyond the time that you feel you have full range of movement back. They really helped my breast to feel less tight, I could notice immediately if I had been lazy and only done them once in the morning.

Hi Zena,

I had a diep reconstruction back in Dec 2009, and still now if i stretch too far i feel a pull in my tummy. I made sure that I did the excerices regularly to get good movement back quicker. They may seem at first that they are not worth doing but I can assure you they are. As for my new boob it does feel different, but mine is a lot smaller than before, I had a reduction on my other breast as well.

Hope this helps.

Liz xx

Hi Zena,

No, I do not represent BCC or any other cancer related organisation. I’m just a patient going through this crap journey like most other people here. Hopefully the other posts since mine have shown you that 2 weeks is too early to be concerned about the outcome of the surgery and that I wasn’t being overly positive - just realistic.

All the best with your recovery,

Mia

Hi Zena,

How are you feeling now? I hope that things are looking better to you.

Jacqui

Hi Julia,
I had my DIEP 11 days ago and I can relate to every word you’ve written. My new left boob feels hard and very large. I had a delayed reconstruction however and my chest is definitely more comfortable now. Having my ribs right next to the surface of my skin was… wierd, and even though what’s there now isn’t my real boob, it feels more natural (?) than it did before my recon. It’s very difficult to put into words. I’m reserving all judgement on cosmetic results for at least another 10 weeks, I think I need to give my body a break and just let it heal. I think it’s easier for me to say this however as I dealt with all the emotions of losing my breast and my diagnosis last year when I had my mx. Things are still very new to you.
How are all your scars healing? My tummy scar is doing really well I think, especially considering the size of it. I have little breaks in the scar underneath my boob in the crease if you know what I mean. I’m going to dressings clinic tomorrow to get these looked at, so I’ll let you know how I get on. I’m dreading the 20 min car journey to clinic. I still find it hard to still upright. How’s your mobility?
All the best,
Annie x

my car journey from hosp home takes about 15 mins wasnt to bad oh drove and i put a pillow under the seatbelt so it didnt rub you could try that hope all goes well x