Hi Im seeing my plastic surgeon tomorrow and have been told that I should be able to use my abdomen and maybe reduce the size of other boob to match as I dont want implants (no particular reason) any one had anything on same line? I would appreciate any comments.
Thanks
Hi Joseee
While you are waiting for the other forum members reply you may find Breast Cancer Care’s publication, Breast reconstruction,helpful. The publication can either be ordered via the website using the link breastcancercare.org.uk/docs/breast_reconstruction_dec06_web_0.pdf or by calling the helpline on Helpline - 0808 800 6000 Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm Saturday, 9am - 2pm
Kind regards
Katie
Hi Joseee,
I had that op (a DIEP) in April last year - I also had an implant as I didn’t have quite enough tummy tissue to match the other side (I’m a 32E). I was offered a reduction on my “good” side but felt don’t fix what aint broke!
My op was 8 and half hours and I was in hospital for a week. I have to say it’s quite an op to go through but the results are great - my new boob is now exactly the same as my other one - how my PS does it, I don’t know.
Am having my new nipple done this Sunday using the nipple sharing technique - a bit worried about that one though as under local anaesthetic.
I would recommend the DIEP - lovely flat stomach, though I do look like I’ve been attacked by a shark - hey ho.
Hope this helps,
Sally xx
Hi Sally
Thanks for replying glad to hear all went well with your DIEP, Ive seen plastic surgeon today and im not a good canditate for an 8 hour op owing to other health probs so having to have a expander. Just what i didnt want I have more than enough tissue on my belly and was hoping to come out looking like Betty Boop ah well.
Anyone any experience of the expander method???
Hi,
I had my fitted on 16th Jan, i’m very pleased with results and have not been expanded yet, due to a complication. Was pain free, on paracetamol the day after surgery and up and about, chest felt very tight at first but not painfull. You cant feel them in you but to touch they are very hard, but over time will soften, 8 weeks on and having my first expansion on Mon 17th, the edges are a lot softer but still have no feeling on my breast and feel consious when i cuddle people (kids/family) that they can feel how hard they are.
Hope all goes well when is your date?
Michaela x
Hi Michaela
Thanks for your comments, my date is 5 April and I was told that it would be expanded over 2 weeks!! So would yours have been expanded at this point had you not had complications, do you mind if I ask were the comps from surgery or from other health problems?
Hope it all goes well on Monday for you.
Thanks again
Jo x
Hi Jo
If i had not had complications i would be near the end and thinking about having my exchange implants.
I asked to be cut in the breast crease so that the scar would be hidden, which they agreed to, I’m BRCA1 so had my breast tissue removed and on one side they had to go closer to my skin to remove it all, and the skin died. When they took the dressing off I had a sore bit under one nipple the size of a match box (looked like when kid falls over and grazes their knee) and had to wait for the skin to reform, this took 8 weeks, they would not expand me in the meantime because if the scab came off i would have been open to infection and then had to have implant removed and start again. But on the bright side at least I am completly healed inside and out before they expand me. The other ladies have said it can be painfull and can only handle 50/60ml a time. I’m hoping to be expanded every other week untill i get to my choosen size, i was only 32b/34a so hopefully it wont take too many. In someways i already feel bigger than before, but i think this is because i am 8/10 the implants feel quite wide on me. I think they put in 100ml during surgery.
Hope this helps dont be but off buy my skin problems it is very rare,
Michaela x x
Hi Michaela
Thanks for the explanation, and im glad your fully healed, unfortunately im on the large size (38G normally!!) tho I am having a reduction to a C/D cup on the good side at the same time, but fear it will still take a long time to inflate me and probably gallons of saline lol. And ive just found out they’ve put the operation back from the 5/4/08 to 10/04/08 because the surgeon needed a holiday!!! Ah well. Hope the 1st expansion went well on Monday?
Take care
Jo x x x
Hi Jo,
First expansion went well, but only 50ml’s each side, they said that is the norm as it was first one. I felt i could have had more as i had no pain atall, but think that was because I was so well healded on the inside, which was good. I am going back on Tues (8 days later) for 2nd expansion. I went into town yesterday and went to get measured by one of the little old ladies in out town local department store, she was very understanding and said I was 30D OMG could not belive that. Thought I was bigger than before, they only prob is you cant push them together and get nice cleavage.
Where abouts are you having your op? I’m in Devon
Michaela
Hi Michaela
Good to hear your first expansion went well and I hope todays goes just as good, you have obviously lost weight if you have gone from a 32 to 30 lucky you! Maybe I will get a good cleavage as im a lot bigger than you but im being reduced on the good side to a c/d cup so we’ll have to wait and see. Although im getting fed up of waiting now I just want it over with, its the only topic of conversation at the moment, and everyone who knows treats me as if im an invalid.
Im having my op in Pinderfields in Wakefield West Yorks not too far from where I live, and the hospital has got a good reputation, so hopefully i’ll look good afterwards.
Take care
Jo x