Hi again NMT,
How goes it with your underarm pain?? Has it settleddown ? because your last post was a matter of days post your surgery. Plus you had pressure from the slightly expanded expander on the immediate surgery scar area.
Please let us know how you’re doing with it all.
Dellywelly xx
Windchime it’s definitely worth it from my point of view. One bit of advice is to make sure wounds are completely healed before chemo starts. I was in a rush to get on with it and, with surgeon’s blessing, started chemo with a tiny bit of unhealed scar. Result was infections after first 2 chemo’s and implant removal.
Hi everybody
Windchime - what were your reasons for opting for implant recon versus self tissue ?? There are so many options and makes a decision harder. If you hadn’t had the option of self tissue, and you’d wanted immediate recon - implants would have been the only option. I completely understand you saying rushed decision, head all over place. Leave recon till after chemo etc. they wont be able to start chemo till your completely healed. Can i ask how old you are Windchime ? If you are young, that’s below 50 to me, as oppo to oldER - if I were in your shoes now, I would get recon done so all the MAJOR surgery is done and out of the way. Later inflation appts and replacement with silicon op, are very minor further procedures. But . . . you need to feel sure that IMPLANTS are the right recon decision for you to start with. If so - go for it! Then deal and cope with any further probs if and when they arise. The advance in recon techniques is constantly improving so SHOULD you have future probs ref chemo/rads after implant recon, it’s much more likely that something else can be done later to solve it.
Riversidedawn - I’m shocked that your surgeon hadn’t HIMSELF ENSURED that your wounds were completely healed, before “giving his blessing” to you for chemo. It was his responsibilty. Would have saved his patient load of bother ref infection, then having to have implants removed, and then having to have them replaced again at some stage. Just goes to show that they aren’t all infallible and a need for us as patients to take more of an interest in our own body welfare, rather than leaving it all up to them which we are all so used to doing.
Good wishes for Thurs. Hope everyone else is doing ok, Delly xx
Hi everyone.
Windchime - my apols. I hadn’t picked up on your initial thread that self tissue was a No No due to risks.
I’ve been away a couple of days so having a catch up. Have you you still decided to go for it ? - immediate recon as well ??
I was in 5 days for both my masts without recon, but that was 9 years ago Was same as you, 46, then. Both drains were out after 3 days. How long are you likely to be in with it being recon as well ?? and presumably the drains may be in longer.
I don’t like all this 1 day in biz then home with drains. I don’t think people are receiving the standard of care they need after such an op. Plus if you have any probs, you don’t have the medical staff/nurses to hand. All a bit DIY sounding to me. So I’m hoping you’re staying in a few days.
On top of Cate’s really useful help and advice - EXERCISES! - majorly important to do as often as possible, be strict with yourself. The more often you do them, the quicker you’ll get back to your normal upper body mobility and life. Physio’s came round to us on day 3 to show/run through them and a leaflet with them all on a to refer to. We started them from that day. Did mine every 2-3 hours with a couple of other ladies to encourage and have a giggle same time. You got someone to help you out at home ? fam/friends ? x
Cate - How goes it ? Your surgery sounded fantastic - never ceases to amaze me what these surgeons can do. Different kettle of fish when no BC. I agree - that was a brave, tough decision At what age with you? These “anatomical” shaped silicons make a difference shape much more natural than the 1/2 sphere’s stuck on look ! Did they use tissue matrix/mesh/Stratis with it also x
I embarked on recon last year. It’s a long process from the delayed position (1-1 1/2 yrs expanders to nipple tatoos), as said, has taken 9 years to be in the position to because of other major life changes, trauma’s and bereavements, hence me advising better to get done in one go. Plus it’s had a devastating effect on my confidence due to being single, haven’t had a partner since 2nd mast and really miss having a partner. Am part way through, all expansions done ready for silicon replacement op last September, but surgeon Xc and I then lost momentum as I was struggling with grief and depression etc., so haven’t got back onto the recon horse yet. But, am working up to again now I feel I’ve turned a bit of a mental corner. . hoping to maintain it
How’s you Riverside? Did you need rads as well. How’s the chemo going? Sounds a long slog for people. I didn’t need either with both. x
Doubledd - You’re around 2 wks on from mast. We’re all diff ref healing. Yeh, like you, I was up about back to gentle rambling after 2 wks. But I hadn’t had immediate recon surgery as well as. , Were you not visited by the physios whilst you were in either ?? To run through your exercises, how to do + give you a leaflet with them on ?? You should NOT have been left to find them out yourself. It’s a huge part of the persons rehabilitation, shoulder and arm mobility and strength wise, to get you back to norm asap. As long your scars fully healed with no sign of infection - just do what your body allows without pain. You may be a fast healer. Also, were you not given no’s for breast care nurses for if you had any ??'s or wanted some advice. They’re the people to tell you what to expect and what to or not to do. I would contact them, This is major surgery, you shouldn’t be left to work it out for yourself. The after care can also make a huge difference between a good result and not so good result - You get an infection in the wound that goes unchecked it can leave a messy scar line when it eventually heals etc. x
I’m not getting this - what’s the point of BCN’s if they’re not advising and not available for you to contact. Or is it that your hosp and breast unit don’t have them or what ??
Love to everybody, Delly xxx
Thanks Cate. There was a really interesting prog on about 5-6 yrs ago about a woman who like yourself had the strong familial BC gene and opted for prophylactic surgery. She was only about 25 !! Brilliant job surgeon based up here in Manchester. She opted for a slightly larger pair - guess that was some, albeit small consolation !! Good for you. Hope it gives you the peace of mind
XX
Hi all, Hope you are recovering well, my underarm pain is still there but getting better slowly, I’ve had an infection in my implant that I’m now in my third week of strong antibiotics. My surgeon has said I can’t have my radiotherapy until it clears up, the infection seems to be getting worse again, but I’m trying not to panic! X
Hi Ladies
Oh Dear to you both, ref infection, infection, infection. (D’you like that play on location loc. . . . .never mind, it’s my droll sense of humour)
NMT_1 - how long do you have to have the expander in ?? I’m presuming that you can’t have “inflations” if you’re having them, until your infections cleared. Difficult matching a recon up to a natural. One of the FEW consolations with me having come from NONE. Hope your infection clears up soon. Mess your body up antibiotics, shesh us women.
Dawn - yeh, you’re expecting too much to RECEIVE a phone call. To be honest, they’re there to do a job so make USE of them. If your talking miles away and an inconvenience to get to hosp, that’s another matter, but yeh, make a pleasant nuisance of yourself. What were you wanting to ask them ?, were you concerned about your wounds, shape of your tum ??
Yeh I agree with you, I’m always keen and interested to know about ANY woman and ANY boob op.
Haven’t got back to my surgeon yet - but will do. I’m conscious it’s THAT time of year when everything stops for a month anyway, but you given a jolt to my memory to give him a ring, 'cos it’d be good to be in the book and work towards. I’m also toying with whether to have another “inflation” appointment to what I’m already at. Apparently, they size the implant slightly LESS than the expander size, so you already have a “DRAPE”, rather than a “stuck on” TIGHT appearance.
I also had damage to the skin 2" below the bra band area, due to “HEAVY handedness” by the registrar/trainee surgeon who was working with the surgeon I was under. Loads of broken veins. You only have to press too hard on my skin and the capillaries rupture, just an inherant "deli"cateness. I had the sense to warn the surgeon that my skin was great at healing but not STRETCHING, but didn’t think I’d need to warn about pressure. I can go have diathermy or sclerotherapy at a specialist beauty place, BUT at a cost. Was pretty peed off when I was told I’d had TWO of them working on me, cos I was literally red raw down both sides to my hips - BRIGHT RED. Took me 3 days to be able to get in/out of bed without being in a load of pain. I’m on my own at home, so no way would I have coped if I’d gone home after the supposed 2 days !! If I’m struggling in hosp how was I expected to cope on my own at home. Kept telling them this - idiots and insisted I wasn’t going ANYwhere until I was comfortable with moving. Was in 5 days !! AND sent home totally BUNGED UP !! despite me asking for prophylactic laxa-bloody-tives !!
Eeeeeeee, I don’t know. Had my rant/moan.
Keep in touch both. BTW. are you both back at work yet ?? or is it too early yet? Guess it also depends on what you do, whether it’s physical, using your arms for lifting or such.
Loadsa Love Dellywoowoo xx
Keep in touch. Good to hear how you’re doing.
Thank you All
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