Mastectomy and reconstruction advise

Hi. I had an immediate reconstruction by DEIP on one side. it's a big operation , mine was about 6 hours and it's a slow recovery. It took me ages to straighten up. The abdominal surgery is quite significant and you will have a scar from hip to hip and a new tummy button. However, the results are amazing you end up with a new natural looking boob with a natural droop that is warm and soft to touch. I have had some lipo modelling and nipple recon and presently having nipple tattooing. If you can face the surgery - well it's more the recovery than the surgery, it's well worth it and I'm very pleased with the result. In underwear or in a bikini you can't tell the difference from the original except you now have a flat tummy!!!!

Hi 

Thanks for replying to my post. Its the operation and recovery that is making me wonder if I should go ahead or not. As I feel very lucky with how my treatment and results have gone so far. 

I am seeing my consultant on Tuesday to speak about the next steps. I don't have to decide there and then.  

Its good to find out from other women what their experiences are. 

El

Hi.. I had a single mastectomy with immediate DIEP recon, just over 2 weeks ago. It’s early days in terms of my recovery - I’m still very stiff and sore - but suspect that would be the same regardless of the route I’d chosen. What I can say is that I’m delighted I decided to do it all in one go and that I went for a DIEP. They’ve managed to keep the same overall shape (mine was a skin-sparing procedure), and although the scarring is dramatic at this stage, I can already see that it will look amazing in the end. I’ve lost the nipple (I had DCIS), but otherwise, it looks pretty much like me. I also have an amazing flat stomach - flatter than it’s been for 30 years.

Another factor for me is that I’m self employed, so didn’t want to have to take 2 periods of time off work if I could possibly avoid it. Yes the recovery period is longer, but it’s only a matter of a few extra weeks or so.

Hi  

Thanks for replying to me. I would have gone for the immediate DIEP but i would have had to wait a lot longer to have the breast removed. It all comes as a shock and I just wanted the breast removed asap. I was diagnosed with DCIS so I knew that I would loss my nipple. When the breast was removed and tested it revealed a stage 2 15mm cancerous cell, so this was the right decision for me. If I had waited longer who knows what size the cancer would have been. 

I am really pleased with the look and outcome of my implant but just don't like the fact it is a foreign body inside your body and will need to be removed several years down the line. 

Still need to do lots of thinking. 

Hope your recovery continues to go well. Have you got to have any chemo? 

El

Hi i had a mastectomy 4 1/2 weeks ago with immediate reconstruction using muscle from my back.

I spent 5 days in hospital but this was because they wanted to be sure there was no problems with the skin and muscle. I wasn't allowed to lift my arm above my shoulder for 4 weeks and this week started exercises to get muscles working again. I am back driving and doing things i did before, although being cautious until i know what i can do. Had hardly any pain more of an ache, which was easily resolved with ibuprofen or paracetamol.

The reason i chose a reconstruction with my back muscles was because they don't actually disconnect the blood vessels from your body they just move the muscle round to the front.

Hi 

Thanks for your reply. All helpful info as I am seeing my consultant on Tuesday to discuss. 

Sounds like you are doing really well and hope it continues this way. 

Its the deciding part that is the hardest. 

thanks

El

Hi Howaboutthat 

I had DIEP recon last year and I am really pleased with the result. Have since had nipple recon and tattoo done. 

A big factor with DIEP is recovery time and the limitations for the first couple of weeks. I was 4 nights in hospital and only needed paracetamol and ibuprofen when I came home. You can’t drive for 4 weeks and you are restricted with your movements and lifting/carrying things etc. 

I just gave into it, had a lot of sofa and TV time!

Hi Amalie

Thanks for your reply.

The recovery time is not really any different to my silicone implant so it seems as if this is standard. Its a shame I couldn't have had the DIEP done in the first place as I would not now be in this dilemma. 

I must admit I feel a bit of fraud when there are lots on here having to have lots of different treatment and  all I seem to have to worry about is should I or shouldn't I have a full reconstruction.

Does your breast feel natural and do you get any pain around it? 

regards

El

Morning Howaboutthat

My new breast feels fairly natural though there is a hard lump on the underside, which interestingly always feels a bit warmer than the rest of the area. I don’t have much sensation either, when I had the nipple recon I didn’t need any anaesthetic as I couldn’t feel anything. I’ve never had any pain since the original scars healed.

The surgeon was very clear with me that the aim of the surgery is to provide a new ‘breast shape’ that would give symmetry and look OK in clothing and swimwear.  This is exactly the result and if anything I now have a better body shape because of the tummy tuck.

Good luck with your decision.