At the End of Breast Reconstruction!!!!!!!!!!

By stepaheda Saturday, May 02, 2009

- A
- A
- A

Hi this is Stepaheda,

I have not shareda Post for a very lone time, I'm sorry. However, I have a question if anyone can help me out there. I am scheduled for my final surgery regarding my double mastectomy reconstruction on May 26,2009. It was suppose to only be nippling, however due to completcation from my surgery in Dec, 2008 putting the perm-implants in. The doctor had to remove a lot of scar tissue, due to the fact that the expander on the left breast kept move to under my arm (right breast was the one with cancer), this is why there was a lot of scar tissue that had to be remove. But the problem started after the surgery, I got very sick with a cold, and I was down for about 3 weeks, this was not good, not enough movement. So my breast just swelled and filled up with fluid. So when I went in for my follow up visit the doctor was not happy. And because I live about 5 hour drive away from the doctor, he said let's wait and see if the swelling go down, but if there are any changes, please give me a call. Well, the swelling did go down. But because of this problem, now I have what they call "Capsular contractures" even more scar tissue, that will have to removed on this supposely last and final surgery, that was suppose to be only nippling. I was suppose to be getting ready to threw a party. So I'm coming to all my Lady Friends out there who I'm sure will have words of wisdom for me. Because I'm sure I am making too big of a deal out of the whole things. I just hope and pray that it is not too bad. That last surgery just was not a good one, as far as my healing and I think it is because I got sick with that cold. So it has left me with bad memories. Ok, I'm waiting for all those words of wisdom to start coming in.

Thank you in advance,

Stepaheda

Comments (6) | Add comment

Phyllis Johnson, Health Guide

5/ 3/09 6:03pm

Stephaheda, I've no words of wisdom about reconstruction issues. I can say that when I've been dreading Medical Experience #2 because of something that went wrong with Medical Experience #1, I find that ME #2 hasn't been nearly as bad as I expected. I think we build up all those bad memories in our minds. In the long run, you'll feel better once the scar tissue is taken care of. I hope all goes well with the next surgery.

stepaheda

5/ 3/09 6:53pm

Hi Phyillis,

Thank you for your encourgaging words. I'm sure you are right, I'm sure I don't have to tell you that the whole things has been a very bad dream. But the last surgery was not at all good, and I did not heal well, and I got so sick. So I'm sure you are right. But soon it will all be behind me.

Thank you again,

1stepaheda

Marilyn Hooper

7/18/09 10:42pm

Hi Stepaheda,

I hope you are doing well. I can totally relate to what you are going through. I have had 7 surgeries, which that includes my double masectomy.

I read some where they were easy to take off but hard to put back on!!!

I am now seriously considering a DIEP flap surgery as the silicone implants I have, are just not for me. The daily discomfort, the number of surgeries, with more to go...i am hoping a DIEP flapm surgery will finalized my reconstruction. From what I have read and talked to another breast cancer survivor whomhad DIEP, it is a long hard surgery but she is really happy with the outcome.

I wish the best for you, I hope you are doiong well. I totally understand what you are going through.

Marilyn

stepaheda

7/19/09 4:04pm

Thanks Marilyn for your encouraging words, Yes I've spoken to many persons even my own dr's nurses that say so many women have such a hard time with them that they just have them remvoed and go with breast. Now that's deep. I seem to be healing ok, especially the right breast which is the one that had all the cancer, it is just healing very well. But now the left is the one that has given me the most problems of all. Scar tissue on top of more scar tissue which causes a lot of burning and tighten. The P/S keep telling me that it will get better in time. I sure hope so because with this last surgery on May 23,09 he again had to remove a lot of scar tissue and do some grafting to replace some tissue that they had mistakenly removed to much which was causing a whole from the skin being too thin( implant was coming through the skin). cute huh, So let' just home with time it will be ok, he doesn't want me to drive for 3mos. Boy that is a long time to depend on someone else to drive you around.

Ok, my dear take care and let me know how every things go. OH, not able to do the skin flap due to diabetie.

stepaheda

Yvette M. Sharp

8/ 2/09 2:08am

His Stepaheda, I had reconstruction twice on my left breast. First time, the breast was two high and looked like a single pea pod on a mountain. The second time, I had the flap done, breast or rather the implant was reposition. The fake aerola and nipple, well it shoud had a "twitty bird" placed there instead. As a matter of fact I should had a large tweety bird placed on my left "what use to be breast area." Since I am using a temporary computer, my pictures are all on my computer, which is being reparied. At least you will be able to see the before and after results. In 10 years when the expiration date of my left faked breast is due to deflate...would I get it done again. Absolutely not. I will be 71 years old, even though I look to be in my 40's. When I get my computer back, I will upload a current pic.

Bottom line, I am seriously thinking about having the implant removed. While doing that, I would like to have the side wing flap removed so people will not think I am waving to them from the back, everytime I raise my arm! Unfortunately, the doc could not use the belly area to build me a new breast since I only had one replaced. Another reason, I had a tummy tuck done 11 years ago....not fat, just flat. May God be with you in all your decisions. Now I can say, I too am a survivor of 2 years. My "divine appointment" with my Heavenly Father is still pending. Keep your spirits high through prayers and laughter. God is always in control.

stepaheda

8/ 2/09 9:09am

Yvette,

You are so sweet and a very positive person. I hope all is going well for you, because I find that each one of us have to do what is right for us. I'm happy to say that my healing is coming right alone. I know what you mean about those underarm flapts, but I begged my doctor to remove them during my last surgery in May. And thank God he did, it looks very good now that the swelling is going down, the only problem is now with least fat none of my clothing fix the same. I guest I can live with that. But with massage, tai chi, and meditation I find that the breast are staring to look better. I try to remember what my doctor's and many others that I have melt, that the breast will never look the same, and that reconstruction is not like have Breast Augmentation completely different out come due to less fat, working with muscle. I look forward to seeing your pictures, and maybe by that time I can share the out come of my breast. Thank you for sharing your story, I'm going to give myself 2 years to completely heal then I will fell that I have given it enought time to show me what the real out come will be.

Stepaheda

At the End of Breast Reconstruction!!!!!!!!!!

Ask a Question