Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Ladies,   At the end of 2013 I had mx with immediate recon of an implant. It isn't good, two sizes bigger than my natural size, very high, hard and to close to my arm pit. I've been referred to a new surgeon and have a provisional date in November to have a flap recon, where they take muscle from your back as I don't have sufficient in my tummy. I am worried about having this done though as im not keen on going through the pain and recovery again but long term im hoping it will all be worth it. So hard to make decisions on these things. Hope it all goes to plan for you ladies xx ... View more

If the lumps still there you need to know what it is. Definitely get a second opinion for peace of mind! Xxx ... View more

Hi joojoo, I have dense breast tissue too which does mean mammograms don't tend to work and for me neither did mri, only ultrasound worked for me and they won't offer it as standard or unless there is a physical lump. I have a real issue with this as most people aren't aware of the dense tissue problem, so have written to the secretary of health. They have to US it for you at this appointment! I didn't have any heat from my lump, not sure if this is a symptom or not. Fingers crossed it's just hormonal thickening but insist on that ultrasound. Love and luck xxx ... View more

Hi, I don't think you can judge severity by pain or not, seems to be different for everyone. Mine was no pain but large mass, not pea like (even Dr told me if not pea like unlikely to be Cancer) however mine was, but mastectomy last year and all ok. I worried most though before I knew what it was, once diagnose you know what's needed and get on with it. I'm hoping for you its a cyst. Love and luck xxxxx ps I noticed the lump in the jan, Dr dismissed it and wasn't diagnosed till September but luckily still early enough to have not spread ... View more

Hi Gingette, it really is never too late and personally I don't get it when people are diagnosed and they do nothing different. I have always been fairly slim and active and thought my diet was healthy, however when diagnosed last year I did lots of research to see what I could do to help myself. My findings mean I now only eat organic produce at home (obviously not possible when out). Although I only ever ate chicken and fish I've cut right back on both with the realisation that hormones pumped into chicken could be a cause of hormone related breast cancer. Organic chicken isn't pumped with this so I don't worry if it is organic. I've also chosen to filter all the water I drink. To be sufficiently active you only need to walk daily, doesn't need to be strenuous. Alcohol, I have cut down but to be honest for some reason, could be psychological, but I can only manage a glass or two of nice wine now (organic if at home!)Good luck with the changes you choose Xxx ... View more

Hi, I've had mine since December and it's quite solid, I think because there's no natural fat in there too it will always be quite firm x ... View more

I had this too, end Nove 2013. I didn't go back to work for 2 months either and I think it was about 6 weeks before I could drive (you wouldn't be insured anyway). I didn't need expanders so stratiss implant went straight in. When dressed you would never know, it looks great. When undressed the natural breast looks small and saggy in comparison. I have a slight dent on the inside cleavage area of implant.The implant is very hard and doesn't move so feels weird when you hug someone! I haven't had nipple recon as I can't see the point although my surgeon said it will hide a lot of the scar, which is a good point. If i do I will have a tattoo as wouldnt like the skin one personally as it then looks like a permanent erect nipple. Surgeon has also offered me fat transfer but there's only enough in my stomach to fill the dent. He will transfer from thighs to make natural boob same size but there are risks with that and I don't think I'm prepared to take them. I could have a small implant but not recommended really as I had lobular which can come to healthy breast and would be hard to feel any lump in the area then. Overall I am really pleased with how it looks but the only thing is the breast nurse kept saying it won't look natural, it will look like it's off an 18 year old, I now know what she meant. It's high and a bit far from centre and a perfect shape that doesn't move when you do eg. Run, one moves but not the other! Like the others have said, do your exercises religiously they really do help. Good luck xx ... View more

I had a wide local excision with clear margins but a second tumour, then had another lumpectomy where yet another was found on top. Scans could only see the biggest at the bottom, because of this they didn't know if they had got it all so had mastectomy to be sure . They then test all the remaining tissue taken and confirmed there was no more cancer in this, so like you I didn't need this final op. However there was no way they could have known, if would imagine it would be something like this for you too. ... View more

I had mine on for over 3 weeks! I didn't get it wet at all until the week it came off and then only a little but it did start then to peel off from the water. I had lumpectomies first too and the surgeon always liked the dressing left for 2/3 weeks ... View more

I think it depends on the surgeon. I didn't have drains for lumpectomies but did following mastectomy. They are not painful when in or when removed, just uncomfortable. I ended up with mine for nearly a month and by then just wanted it out regardless of pain. But I was shocked that it didn't hurt at all. I even told BC nurse I thought she was fibbing when she said it wouldn't hurt. You can feel it being pulled through your body, just a weird sensation but honestly not at all painful xx ... View more

I had red itchiness around the edge of my dressings , I think it's the gum they use as once removed and washed all ok. To ease it I peeled back the edges and trimmed them the washed the sore area and used a honey based cream, was soon much better! ... View more

I too agonised over this decision but ultimately I didn't want any other scars or invasion in other body areas (as the other ladies have said) .however I have spoke to a few ladies who had flap reconstruction and they were pleased with it. I had immediate recon with strattice (even with the risk of radio, which I thankfully ended up not needing). I am really pleased with the result although you have to be aware that it really doesn't match the remaining natural boob. I had op end Nov 13, and go back to see surgeon in March to discuss levelling and matching up! I haven't been able to wear a normal bra since surgery because the implant is so wide and doesn't sit well, it's ok for a few hours but gets uncomfortable. I'm expecting to have an uplift to my remaining boob and possibly a small implant so they are better matched,but I'm still glad I went for this option. Good luck, it's really not an easy decision to make . Claire x ... View more

I'm really surprised at your breast nurse, that's not what she should be doing. Mine and my surgeons although steering me towards lumpectomy did on several occasions say they would do whatever I want , whenever. So if I decide a few years down the line I want a double mastectomy they would do it. As it happens, none of the scans showed my lump and I ended up having 3 ops then finally a mastectomy with immediate reconstruction with strattice (nove 2013) As they got all of the cancer with the mx I was very lucky and didn't need chemo or radio just tamoxifen. Make sure you're happy with your decision and do what's right for you. I have spoken to many ladies who have opted for mastectomies and none have regretted it or thought to be radical. Good luck with it all xx ... View more

Hi Wicko, I had immediate recon using a strattice implant just over three weeks ago. I didn't want the extra scars and pain associated with the flap options. I'm pleased with how mine looks but it does look odd and will need a small fillet or an uplift in my natural boob. although I'm still in a surgical bra so once back to normal bras it may be ok when dressed. I agonised over what to do and so far think this was right for me Good luck and best wishes xx ... View more

Hi, I had right side mx almost 3 weeks ago. I took a gamble and opted for immediate recon with a stratiss implant. This has a much lower risk of the radio sending it hard (only 20/25%) I was told. I took this because I wanted to avoid further surgery and scars if possible. As it happens I have been very lucky as there were no more tumours in the breast tissue the surgical team agreed I needn't go through chemo and radio. It's a tough decision though. Good wishes to your Mum xx ... View more

Hi Sue, I had my right breast removed almost three weeks ago, with immediate stratiss recon. When my surgeon saw my m&s post op Bra he said it didnt give sufficient support and told me to go to the nearest city hospital (local doesn't keep them) to get a Plié bra. They are comfortable but very tight (but maybe because I have to have mine on the tightest hook) £25 each, front fastening, look like a sports bra. Hope you find one that suits 🙂 Xx ... View more

I had right side mx with immediate recon with strattice on Thursday. Sent home following day with one drain. So far I'm getting about 150 mls a day. Have been told to expect it to remain for up to two weeks (poss longer) and they won't remove until I have two consecutive days of 35 mls or less xx ... View more

Hi luluspice, thank you for your reply. The pain killer tips are very useful and I will bear in mind . Sorry to hear you need more surgery. Keep in touch and let us know how things go. Will be thinking of you too, all the best. Lots of Love Claire xx ... View more

Thank you for your reply Tracy, yes my surgeon said 20/25% risk and slightly higher risk of infection! but that normal implants are a 59% risk. I'm with you on the crossing the bridge if and when it comes to it and taking a gamble. All the best for your impending treatment. Lots of Love & let me know how you get on at each stage, will be thinking about you. Claire xxx ... View more