Hi @Abi7 - first of all a big welcome to this lovely forum, although it goes without saying that I’m sorry you find yourself here. Unfortunately it’s not clear which messages you are replying to - not your fault I hasten to add, just the way the software is on this site. So I’m going to jump in and offer my help if I can. You are very welcome to ask me whatever questions you would like, so fire away. I’ll start by summarising my experience. I had my surgery about 5 years ago. I had chemo first, then a right mastectomy, an implant, and then radiotherapy. Mine is a solid implant, I’m not sure what it’s called but it doesn’t expand. Initially my consultant wasn’t keen to do an implant if I was having radiotherapy but then he came up with the option of a “pre-pectoral implant”, so it’s sits on top of the muscle, rather than underneath it, in some sort of Braxon sling and that is supposed to cut down the risk from radiotherapy. I’m giving the medical terms so that you can google if you’d like more info - or want to ask your own consultant about these options. Please do stick to safe, reputable sites if you choose to google. Looking at some of your questions - I had the implant done at the same time as my mastectomy. I believe it healed in about the same time as a regular mastectomy. I think it was about 3-4 weeks before I could drive again. My implant doesn’t quite match my real breast, but I’m used to that now and it doesn’t bother me any more. I even them up with a small breast form. If I had my time again I would discuss the sizing of my implant in more detail with my plastic surgeon to see if we could get a better match. He did offer to put an implant in my real breast, but I decided against that. Yes the loss of feeling was odd at first, but again I’ve got used to that - it’s a bit strange when you hug someone and I’m a bit conscious that they can feel my rather “firmer” breast! I’m sure that’s all in my head though. It certainly doesn’t affect my day to day living, I’m actually only really aware of my implant when I see myself naked. I exercise pretty much as usual - I have adapted my exercise on medical advice, but at the classes I do many people also adapt the exercises because of some injury or other. I always planned to have the nipple rebuilt but I’ve actually never got round to doing that. After my breast healed I wasn’t sure I wanted any more surgery - but also other things got in the way. I hope some of that helps to start with. But please ask as many questions as you’d like and I’ll try to answer. If you are speaking to your consultant you might want to ask to see photos of previous operations so that you can see what to expect. If you want to reply specifically to me - you can either just use my name at the start, or the “@“ sign and that will bring up a list of names and you can choose to tag me, as I’ve done with your name at the start. My very best wishes to you. Evie xx
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