Breast Cancer Now Forum

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Hi I had lipo filling and nipple reconstruction 5 weeks ago, like you after an LD flap last July. It was rather complicated with an infection at the lipo filling site but I had my stitches out last Friday. I was also back in pre op underwired bras but went back to the soft post surgery bras from last year after the surgery. Immediately after surgery on visits to the consultant he was careful not to squash it whilst redressing it but said normal bras are ok now. I started today with my normal bras and just pop a piece of gauze over the nipple in case of 'leakage'. At first the nipple looked enormous but is gradually diminishing! ! I am tentatively hopeful that it is going to be a good match but is slightly lower than the other one. I go back in 3 months for tattooing . Do ask with any more questions. Jayne x ... View more

Hi Fhi Thanks for adding your experiences and yes information is scant and my consultant was very low key about the whole procedure. Like you I am not sure whether I would go through this again. We will both just have to see how things look when it's all settled and keep our fingers crossed! ! I just wish this blasted infection would clear up. I think I am going to be really pleased with the nipple recon - it seems to be settling well and is a good match albeit larger till it settles. It makes an enormous difference and makes the reconstructed breast look less "reconstructed" if you get what I mean!! Take care with your recovery Fhi Jayne x ... View more

Hi Denise Wishing you all the best for tomorrow. I am sure you will be pleased with the results eventually!!! Seven weeks on mine is getting better everyday and puts other breast to shame!!!! Take it easy and do not push yourself. I am tentatively thinking of returning to work gradually the week after next -not a physically demanding job but very stressful. Please let us know how you get on. Will be thinking of you tomorrow. Jayne xx ... View more

Hi Denise I replied earlier but see it has not posted so will try again — apologies if it comes through twice!! Istruggled to find bras but found some on amazon -ebay has them too. They are Gemm style no CB222. I got quite a few as I was changing many times a day at first. They have wide straps and a 5 front hook and eye fastening. They are really comfy and forgiving. They wash really well and were about 7.99. Not my usual style of bra but they have beeh invaluable. As I said I escaped quickly from hospital so just had a strip wash there. My husband took 2 weeks off work and helped me shower the first week. Long drain leads help so you can easily leave the bottles outside the shower. Be careful with them as I caught one round a cupboard knob and that hurts!! I usually sleep on the right side in bedcbut had to swop to the left to accomodate the bottles safely. The v pillow is so useful . Do let me know if you have any more questions and good luck -it will be worth it. Jayne xx ... View more

Hi Acorn I had a left side mastectomy and immediate reconstruction with LD flap on 29th July this year. I am really pleased I had this op but underestimated how tough it was!! I was due to spend a week in hospital but after having the op on a monday persuaded the consultant to discharge me on the wednesday as I knew would recover better at home and hate hospitals. He let me go home with 3 drains still in place,daily district nurse visits and frequent clinic visits to him and breast care nurses. I gradually reduced the drains and 10 days later was "drain free"!! The last drain came out earlier than it should due to a blockage so I was warned about fluid build up. I have since had to have my back aspirated twice and had a steroid injection. Fingers crossed it now seems to have settled. I was very tired for the first 3weeks as I also developed anaemia and slept a lot. A V pillow was essential and also front fastening bras and bra extenders. I lived in button front cotton pjs. Doing the exercises really helps and I have no movement restrction but am very careful with my left arm. The actual breast is amazing. Better than my other one albeit with no nipple yet! I did not want an inplant if at all possible and my wonderful surgeon managed to do it just using my back muscle -Iam 36a. Although the first week was painful and awkward with the drains etc painkillers controlled this well. The tightness around the back can feel strange as can the odd way the breast can move by itself!!!! This is settling down a lot now. I had planned to go back to work six weeks post op but am not up to it yet. I think I probably need a couple more weeks. This was my third operation under general anaesthetic since May and Ithink my body just needs more timecto recover. Hope this helps and please do ask me any questions you want. Take care and good luck!! Jayne xxx ... View more

Hi Debs Sorry I can't help specifically with the DIEP surgery but wanted to reply as I too struggle to get replies!!! I had a mx and immediate LD flap reconstruction on the left breast 29 July . I went in Monday and was home weds with 3 drains. I could have stayed longer but hospital was not conducive to peaceful recovery!!! I lived in cotton button top pyjamas in a size bigger than normal and found front fastening soft supportive bras on ebay. I also got bra extenders which are invaluable. The first couple of weeks at home I did barely nothing- only my exercises which are very important. I had amaemia post op so tiredness was a problem- washing a lettuce in week 3 took me 35 mins and I had to have a break in the middle!!!! I am now 4 weeks post op and each day is bettter despite having to have two seromas drained. The actual breast is amazing- such a talented surgeon. Everyone is different but I know I underestimated the recovery time. I had planned on being back at work after 6 weeks but the earliest I am looking at now is 8 weeks. Hope this helps a little Debs. Jayne xxxx ... View more

Hi Jo It is so agonising but my Bcn arranged for a lady who had had a LD flap with the same consultant to phone me tonight. That was sooooooo helpful to hear it "warts and all"! Think my mind is made up for tomorrow depending on results and I will go for the LD flap. Don't know how I will feel at 3.00 am when the anxiety and panic train seems to hit. Also enormous guilt as I know so many go through so much more My appointment is 2.15 tomorrow and I will let you know. Huge cyber hugs winging your way Jayne x ... View more

Hi Thanks for your reply it is so appreciated. I agree this xxxxx disease just bites us and pulls all sorts of nasty tricks!! My Bcn arranged for a lady who had had the LD flap to phone me tonight. That was sooooooo helpful. I think I have decided on this procedure but depends on the results tomorrow. I am aiming to go back to work monday till surgery date. I work in mental health in the voluntary sector and they are very supportive employers but I am on a guilt trip most of the time as my client group is under such pressure at the moment. Huge cyber hugs winging your way. Jayne xx ... View more

Well my fears of last week have now been taken over by a new one which I had not considered. Results yesterday were good and bad. Lymph nodes clear but no clear margins. New affected areas found - lower breast pre cancer 3cm and 9mm grade 1invasive (.5mm margins) and inner aspect 2cm pre cancer margin not clear. Total affected areas now 5。 The consultant is willing to do another WLE if I insist but uses words like "I am an occult type"!! This I think means my cancers are very adept at hiding. The teams preferred option is mx with immediate reconstruction and it seems I won't then have to have radiotherapy. As the last paths were ER8/8 PR3/8 and HER2 negative they are recomending Anastrozole. The path results from the new areas will be back this friday when I see the consultant again to give my decision. The choice of mx is LD flap (with or without inplant ) or reconstruction using a tissue expander inplant. The tummy flap is not an option due to my figure. He showed me lots of pictures etc and at the time I took it all very calmly but reality hit bigtime in the middle of the night. Now very anxious and tearful. I had planned to go back to work today after last wle and snb but postponed till monday - it wouldn't be fair on clients!! I am so confused as to which mx to chose. I know so many ladies go through much worse and in lots of ways I am escaping lightly but I am devastated. I would really like to hear about others experiences in this sort of situation Jaynexx ... View more

Hi Maggie Like you I have Grade 2 invasive ductal and DCIS. I was diagnosed 17 may and had another wle and sentinel node 2 weeks ago -results from that this tuesday. At first I took it all very calmy but the constant waiting for results to fill in another bit of the jigsaw takes its toll!! My sleep is very broken which doesn't help. I am trying to just accept the roller coaster and put my energy into fighting the blasted thing. I have found this site invaluable for info and support. It's a steep learning curve. Be kind to yourself. Cyber hugs winging your way. Jayne xxx ... View more

Hi lols Just had to give yoy some more positive vibes. The ups, downs and waiting are really horrid. I never know where I am from one minute to the next!! Be kind to yourself and cyber hugs winging your way. Jaynexxx ... View more

Hi Jo My stitches from both this op and the last one have been dissolvable if that is the right name. I have not had to endure your removal and really feel for you. Let us know how you get on today and cyber hugs winging your way. Jaynexx ... View more