Breast Cancer Now Forum

  Hi Lisa,   I'm sure if the doc says its a cyst, then thats what it will be. It being tender is a good sign actually, because breast cancer lumps are usually painless. They will probably drain it with a fine needle. It doesn't hurt, I have had it done many times.  Good luck   Annie ... View more

Hi ladies, Thanks for all you replies. I agree Sheila that surgeons should make their patients more aware of what is happening. I very naively didn't even realise they would tattoo the nipple itself! Greycat, I too am very disappointed and upset, and wonder why I went to the trouble of having it done only to find it has gone flat. It hasn,t faded too much yet. I was told they will send for me again in a couple of months to see if I'm satisfied! As i said the areola is not as big as my natural one, so i will have a few things to say, which i am not looking forward to, as i found her rather intimidating and less than sensitive! Rosie x ... View more

Hi B50, I had an inverted nipple on and off 6 years ago. It wasnt inverted when i went to the docs in april, so i said i would wait for my regular mammogram that was coming up soon. By the time i had my mammogram in june, the nipple was permanently inverted. I was diagnosed with bc in july and had a mastectomy. I had one lymph node infected so had to have chemo. Your case could be completely different, but i would urge you to go back to hosp and have proper tests. I may have avoided chemo if i had gone earlier, who knows? Good luck, Rosie x ... View more

Hi Naz, I had my nipple recon on 16th Jan. My ld reconstruction with implant was done a few years ago. I am fairly pleased with the recon, although p surgeon did liposuction on the recon side as i had a little too much fat left over at first. My recon is a good match for my nat breast so am not considering having it lifted, although there is more volume in the top half of recon, it isnt that noticeable. He did the nipple by cutting a flap of skin in the recon and twisting it round somehow! I,m surprised how good it looks even at this early stage. I have disolvable stitches in and have been advised to wear a sterile pad inside my bra (they will give you these in hosp) with the centre cut out, so as not to flatten the nipple. I have had no pain (apart from bruising where he did lipo). I stayed in two nights. I suffered from feeling sick on and off the first week, due to the anaesthetic. I have to wait 12 weeks now for the tattooing. Hope this helps. Rosie x ... View more

Hi Majesty, I don't live far from Bolton. I finished my treatment some time ago, but would be glad to meet up for a coffee. Perhaps you could pm me. Rosie x ... View more

Hi ladies, I am back home after my nipple reconstruction. Haven't seen it yet as there is a dressing on, and will stay on until my appointment in the clinic in 10 days or so. I also had a bit of lipo to the side, so am a little tender at the moment. Will be very nervous when i see it for the first time though! Thanks for all your replies, they were very helpful. Rosie x ... View more

Hi ladies, Thanks so much for all your comments. You all seem to have had an uplift on your normal side, but as i am not having one, it would be interesting to hear from someone else who has not had one and is happy with the outcome. I will be having my nipple done tomorrow, so i will let you know how i go on. Fingers crossed. Rosie x ... View more

Hi Jane, Thanks for your reply. I'm sorry you lost sensitivity in your normal breast. I do believe they can shrink down, but like you, i think i would rather have something there than nothing. Has anyone else any experiences they would like to share about nipple reconstruction, does it matter if they are not exactly symetrical? Thanks, Rosie x ... View more

Hi ladies, Yes i would like to join you also, but, like Carol i,m quite a bit over 45 too !! Rosie x ... View more

Hi crystal girl, I had excess skin at the side of my recon, so consultant was able to take some of this away and inject into top half of boob. I believe this doesnt always work first time, and disperses back into the body. It actually isnt too bad, have lost a little bit i think, but as there is still a little excess skin at side, when i go for nipple, i will see if he will do it again. I am the opposite to you in that my new boob is slightly bigger than my nat one, so hoping the more fat taken out the better! I think i am favouring the nipple that is created by the recon boob where its all gathered up in the middle, and then a tatoo around it at a later date. ( i am too squemish to have skin taken from the top of my thigh or anywhere else!) My consultant said he would see me again in 3 months, but as he is always so busy, i suspect that will not be the case. My only concern is that the nipple will end up in the wrong place, as my recon is slightly higher than nat boob. Rosie x ... View more

Hi bluebella, I had an implant change from a becker to a silicone implant in march this year (previously had ld + becker oct 2009). I had also heard that the silicone one would be softer, it is actually slightly softer. I found the becker rippled more and now this one is smoother. I also had liposuction to the side, and some of this lipo put into a small area around the top of new boob to smooth it out. I am pleased i had it done, but dont expect too much, mine is still relatively firm. Am now waiting for a nipple! Good luck, Rosie x ... View more

Hi Miss Sixty, I had r sided mx nearly 5 years ago, LD with becker implant. The reason for this was to gain symmetry by adding saline two weeks after op, and then two weeks after again, although this can be done several more times, or even taken out if too much has been added. In my experience, I think I had a bit too much saline added. However, 7 weeks ago I had the implant replaced by a slightly smaller silicone one, at my request (my consultant was quite happy to leave becker one in as they can be left in permanently, just the port being removed when desired symmetry is achieved). I wanted it exchanging because I believed the silicone ones would be softer. To a certain extent it is and it feels more comfortable and the whole boob appears smoother. It is early days yet and I am still hoping it will drop a little more and become more softer too. Hopoe this helps Good luck, Rosie x ... View more

Hi drabble, thanks for reply. Had my ld op with expander in Oct 2009. Was in hosp for 7 days. Had regular painkillers (bit stronger than latest op). The drains were taken out before i left hosp, but had to return a week later, and then twice more to have back area drained, but you cannot feel it as you are numb around there. A physio came each day i was in hosp to do gentle exercises with me. Two weeks after op, expansion started, 50mls first time and two weeks later second expansion, ano 50mls (for me the second expansion was too much as it was v tight and too big - in hindsight i would have opted out of this second expansion, or had a lot less put in). I was driving after 4 weeks (but it was a r/side recon). If you are having left side done, you may need longer, as you do more ie gear stick/hand brake. My back ached for a few weeks, and I didn't have much energy for about 5 weeks, but it slowly came back. I got extra physio. Even though i did my exercises 2 or 3 times a day, i felt i needed that extra push, even though i was progressing. She gave me different exercises and manipulated my arm gently, and i,m so glad i went. I,m really glad i had the op, and i'm sure you will be. April isn't long off, and then you will have the summer to look forward to with two boobs! Good luck, and let us know how you get on. Rosie x ... View more

Hi ladies, Just posting this for anyone about to have the same. Had my implant change and liposuction to the side 13 days ago. He also smoothed out the top with lipo. I stayed in hospital 2 nights, as I was still a bit groggy after the anaesthetic. All went well, and now i have a better match as ps changed expander to a slightly smaller implant. Pain wasnt too bad, just needed paracetamol and ibuprofen regularly for first few days. I had my follow up apt at clinic yesterday, where they removed tape from underneath breast (I could have removed myself, but was a little anxious in case I disturbed anything). Was bruised, but now just yellow! They give you more exercises to do, which you must do to ensure full movement coming back in arm and shoulder. No heavy lifting. Not driven yet, but plan to do so later today. You need to feel confident to do an emergency stop (just like recon op really). Good luck to all about to embark. Rosie x ... View more

Hi Linky, I dont have lymphoedema, but had all my lymph nodes removed 4 years ago. I asked about a sleeve, and was given one as a precaution. I have worn it on most flights 2 and 4 hours, but didnt manage to get it on last time, due to time, and i was still fine. There is no way i could get mine on on my own without the plastic sleeve that comes with it - you put this on first, then the sleeve slides over easily. I think you should have been given one with your sleeve, there are instructions for how to put it on. I would contact your bc nurse again. Best wishes, Rosie x ... View more