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Cate M
Member
since
04-08-2015
22
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1
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16-03-2016
01:21
La-La I had bilateral mastectomy with immediate direct to implant. I do know that my foobs are so very very round which is nice, but flat as hell. I might try Camberley as its not that far from me. Nicola Jane, London may also get a visit, but only when I've mustered up the energy/courage.
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12-03-2016
08:44
I've been putting off getting a bra fitting as I'm not really sure what I really need and where to go. I know i can't wear an underwire but what else do I have to take into consideration? My foobs are flatter than natural breasts but they appear wider, even know I know their not. Pre-mastectomy I got fitted at Rigby and Peller and bought my bras from them, I'm not sure they cater for mastectomy/reconstructed foobs. Does anyone have any good experiences with Marks and Spencer?
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08-03-2016
06:21
I still haven't had a bra fitting since my bilateral mastectomy in Oct 15 so thanks for the positive feedback regarding John Lewis in Reading. Reading is about an hour away from me but I'll make the trip if I can get fitted well. I am quite happy in my genie soft bras though and have no idea what my foobs (implants) will look like in a proper bra.
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04-02-2016
09:16
When I had my bilateral implant reconstruction my surgeon told me that my implants had a life time guarantee and they don't usually need to be replaced unless you have a complication. I was in hospital for 1 night and came home with 2 drains but they were both removed after 3 days. Others have different experience with the drains and have them for a lot longer than I did. I think I was lucky. I choose implant reconstruction over the other options for a couple of reasons; 1. I didn't have enough tissue for flap reconstruction, although I was offered the option of flap plus implant. 2. recovery time was quicker, only one site needed to heal as oppose to back and breast or stomach and breast. And finally 3. If the implant reconstruction failed then I could move forward to plan B, which is flap surgery. I'm 3 months post op and my foobs are looking incredible (if I say so myself). They are becoming softer and even have a little jiggle in them, they are like rocks when you first feel them.......the pectoral muscles really hold on to the implants tightly to start off with. My foobs do look natural, if a tad perky, with the exception of the crease scarring.
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04-02-2016
09:01
What are your reservations about implants? Are you able to have a Lat Dorsi reconstruction (tissue from your back is used for you recon). I too had the issue that I couldn't have the DIEP unless I gained some weight which is why I ended up with the direct to implant. I was offered the Lat Dorsi WITH implants if I wanted to go up a cup size of 2, so perhaps this is something you can discuss with your surgeon. I don't know if you can have the DIEP with implants if you don't have enough tissue but it might be worth checking. I have to say that my outcome with implants has been excellent, you wouldn't know that my foobs are reconstructions unless you notice the scarring along the crease. I was able to have skin sparing and nipple sparing because like you, my surgery was preventative.
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15-01-2016
10:15
I was seeing my Consultant on the NHS and was set to have the surgery done on the NHS but the waiting list was too long, so I went privately in the end. The Consultant did assure me that my options for NHS and private would be the same under her. I saw the same Consultant on the NHS and for when I decided to go private and was lucky that ALL the expensive tests were carried out on the NHS. I'm happy to answer any questions within my experience and I can understand your concerns about delayed reconstruction.
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14-01-2016
11:40
I had a prophylatic bilateral mastectomy 3 months ago. My mastectomy and implant reconstruction were done during the same surgery and I've had an excellent result. I had the choice of DIEP flap, Lat flap, expander with implants or direct to implant. My Consultant informed me that whatever surgery I choose I would have the mastectomy and recon at the same time. My Consultant specialised in Oncoplastic with breast reconstruction so I don't know if this makes a difference. In the US I think a patient needs to find a breast surgeon and a plastic surgeon but I think the norm in the UK is that one consultant will do the whole surgery.........I'm happy to be corrected but this has been my experience.
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06-12-2015
01:08
1 Hug
I recommend these for those dredded drains http://www.draindollies.co.uk/collections/all I used them and they came in handy after the drains were removed for storing my medication in. They are made by a young girl, aged 26, who went through a prophylatic bilateral mastectomy. A percentage of the money goes to a cancer charity.
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26-11-2015
01:30
Hey Matty, thank you so much for reporting back. You have answered my question and also reassured me about the squishing involved during mammograms. This is so strange because I have reassured quite a few work collegues and friends that mammograms aren't that bad. I feel like an old pro, I'm 45 but have at least a dozen mammo's under my belt (or above, which ever way you look at it ). Now I can just call up my clinic and reschudule my annual mammogram and not say anything about the recon until I roll up in 6 months time. *No one called me back to answer my original query anyway* PS......the Foobs are all yours
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23-11-2015
11:52
The good thing about reconstructed breasts is that the breast tissue that remains is very close to the surface and therefore easier for a mammogram to pick up any changes. Its also easier for you to notice any changes. Another upside to mastectomy and reconstruction. I will continue to bug my clinic until they give me a definitive answer.
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23-11-2015
11:05
Thank you for your reply. I would feel more comfortable if my annual surveillance continued because I've had skin sparing and nipple sparing mastectomies. I'd rather continue the monitoring because, as pointed out, not all breast tissue is removed during a mastectomy. I don't think my breast clinic is used to performing mammo's on reconstructed breasts becasue they acted surprised when I asked. I might try calling them again. I had very small breasts prior to the mastectomy and mammograms were always uncomfortable, glad they won't be that much of a chore with my reconstructed ones........can't feel a thing!
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19-11-2015
06:15
I really wish that more pilates intructors would undergo courses in pilates for women with breast surgeries. They have lots of classes over in the US called Pink Pilates, I would love to do something similar. My love is hiking and pilates and I have a pilates reformer at home.
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19-11-2015
06:04
It seems that no one has had a mammogram on the implanted foob side. I actually received my annual mammogram appointment this morning. I called them up to postprone for 6 months as I'm only 4 weeks post op. I told them that I've had a bilateral mastectomy with implant reconstruction and the person I spoke with was going to talk to the radiographer and ask them for their opinion. Maybe I should have mentioned that I had a nipple sparing mastectomy. If they can't do the mammogram will they switch to an annual ultrasound instead? Or did I misunderstand my Consultant? I remember asking her twice because I was surprised when she said I should still keep up the suviellance mammograms. Can I ask how long did everyone wear their post op bras for? I'm still wearing mine 4 weeks in and I'm still compressed becasue of it. My foobs are flattened and solid. The BN told me the longer i could wear it the better the results will be.
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12-11-2015
11:37
I've had a prophylatic bilateral mastectomy, in fact I'm only 3 weeks post op. I've been told that my calculated risk has been reduced from 90-87% to 5-2%. You can still develop breast cancer because it's impossible to remove absolutely every cell of breast tissue. The up side is that any BC that does develop is going to be closer to the surface of the breast, and thus easier to find/identify. I had the BRCA1 & 2 gene test and my results were inconclusive but my surgeon told me that all things indicated that my family probably have a gene mutation not yet identified. You can't get the 20 gene test done in this country like you can in the US. In the US they test for CHEK2, P53, V.U.S as well as the much known BRCA1 & 2 in a 20 panel test. This test costs $250 (£164) in the US while the BRCA1 & 2 test costs £2,000 to have done privately in the UK. What is with that? I can understand the part of you that wants to give serious thought to the surgery.
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12-11-2015
06:08
I've read that there is a third image that is taken on an implanted reconstructed breast, I can't imagine what that is. I would be so very interested to know.
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12-11-2015
04:56
I have had a bilateral prophylatic mastectecy with immediate reconstrution using implants and strattise. My surgeon has told me that I will still need to attend my yearly mammograms, I started surveillance 7 years ago at the age of 38. Every mammogram resulted in recalls, followed by ultrasounds and more mammograms. I'm not faulting the diligence but thought that as I have so little breast tissue remaining there is hardly anything to look at. I also thought that as the implant in under the pectoral muscle all my remaining tissue has been pushed to the surface, thus making any abnormalities easy to spot. I was hoping that I would be like the general population and only have mammograms every 3 years and only when I reached the age of 50. Has anyone here had mammograms on reconstructed breasts, especially with implants, and was it uncomfortable? I mean is it even possible? I'm only 3 weeks post op and can't even imagine putting these firm boulders between those plates.
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12-11-2015
04:39
Delly - I'm 45 now and have been undergoing surveillance for the past 7 years, that's 7 years of recalls following mammograms, biopsies, scans and prods and probes. I have an extensive family history of BC on my Mothers side, no-one has reached the age of 46 years old without being affected, thats mother, grandmother and aunts. I also have very dense tissue and extensive microcalifications. Mastectomy seemed like my only choice. My thought is that, I was going to need to have a mastectomy eventually so might as well do it when I'm fit and healthy. I had reconstruction with Mentor implants and Strattice mesh sling. I'm told that the mesh sling will eventually soften and become part of my own tissue but at the moment I can feel its postion. I agree its amazing what surgeons can do now and I'm lucky I had an excellent one. So heres hoping you can see that final recon hurdle and smash it to pieces.
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11-11-2015
11:44
Windchime, my mastectomy was prophylatic so no chemo. There's the link for the drain dollies http://www.draindollies.co.uk. They arrive within a couple of days so should arrive in time for discharge. Sending you healing thoughts.
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10-11-2015
01:58
Hey Windchime, I had a bilateral mastectomy with immediate implant reconstruction 3 weeks ago and I'm healing quite well I think. Yes, the recovery is slow but I'm able to do more things each and every day. For example I can now sleep on my side which was impossible a week ago. I still get really tired after even a little bit of exertion but this will get better I hope. Cosmetically, I'm really pleased with my results. I had skin sparing and nipple sparing so my reconstruction looks as natural as they can with implants in. I won't lie, there is some discomfort in the armpit and where the drains were but overall its discomfort and not pain. I stopped taking pain medication about 3 days after the surgery when my drains were removed. I would say that the things I found most helpful after the surgery were: drain bags (I used draindollies), heart shapped pillows (for the tenderness under your arms), wet wipes, button up PJ's and straws. Take your pain medication regularly and don't wait until you need it, its better to keep it topped up than to chase the pain.
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09-11-2015
10:07
Kate48 - Thank you for your words, I am only 3 weeks out from Bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction and starting to feel guilty that I'm not stronger or healing fast enough. I'm not at work at the moment and can't bear the thought of returning in the immediate future. I'm so very tired all the time and need to nap constantly. My surgeon did tell me that the initial recover peropd is 6-8 weeks but some people take longer. I'm by myself at the moment and I'm finding everyday activities difficult and very tiring. Your words let me know that I'm doing OK in the great scheme of things.
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