http://cancerconnection.ca/groups/breast_cancer_survivors/discussion/2011/03/22/breast-reconstruction ]]> en-us Sun, 11 Mar 2012 15:37:28 GMT http://cancerconnection.ca/groups/breast_cancer_survivors/discussion/2011/03/22/breast-reconstruction?tr=181166#tr__181166 http://cancerconnection.ca/groups/breast_cancer_survivors/discussion/2011/03/22/breast-reconstruction?tr=181166#tr__181166
Thank you Allijay for starting this thread. Six months ago I was diagnosed with a malignant phyllodes tumor, DCIS and LCIS in my right breast, and IDC in my left breast. Three weeks ago I had a bilateral mastectomy and began the reconstruction process at the same time with insertion of tissue expanders that will eventually be exchanged for implants. I welcome the opportunity to add my voice to others with regard to what I have learned on this journey. I would also welcome the opportunity to interact with other women who are going through - or have gone through - the reconstruction experience. I know there is a support group called Keeping ABreast in the UK where breast cancer survivors who have undergone (or who will be undergoing) reconstruction get together every so often to share their experiences, arrange fund raising events, etc. Does anyone happen to know if such a group exists somewhere in or around Toronto, Ontario?]]> Sun, 11 Mar 2012 15:37:28 GMT Dragonfly http://cancerconnection.ca/groups/breast_cancer_survivors/discussion/2011/03/22/breast-reconstruction?tr=179727#tr__179727 http://cancerconnection.ca/groups/breast_cancer_survivors/discussion/2011/03/22/breast-reconstruction?tr=179727#tr__179727 Songbird]]> Sat, 25 Feb 2012 23:54:29 GMT songbird http://cancerconnection.ca/groups/breast_cancer_survivors/discussion/2011/03/22/breast-reconstruction?tr=179722#tr__179722 http://cancerconnection.ca/groups/breast_cancer_survivors/discussion/2011/03/22/breast-reconstruction?tr=179722#tr__179722 Sat, 25 Feb 2012 23:19:24 GMT Franca http://cancerconnection.ca/groups/breast_cancer_survivors/discussion/2011/03/22/breast-reconstruction?tr=179721#tr__179721 http://cancerconnection.ca/groups/breast_cancer_survivors/discussion/2011/03/22/breast-reconstruction?tr=179721#tr__179721 I understand that it may be difficult to make such a decision. The DIEP procedure is safe and results are good. If you are having difficulty deciding---go for another consult with another plastic surgeon.  Ask for pre and post photos of previous patients. The surgery procedure is lengthy but the OR nurses usually place SCD's  (sequential compression devices) on your legs  to prevent the blood clots.  They also give you Heparin intra-op and post-op usually.  ASK Lots of questions on your consults!
I have decided to wait as I don't have enough pannus tissue to construct.  My surgeon wants to use my back muscle and tissue to reconstruct my breasts.  I am also quite numb from my axillary dissection that I am afraid of further numbness.
I hope this info helps.
Warm regards,
Franca
]]> Sat, 25 Feb 2012 23:16:02 GMT Franca http://cancerconnection.ca/groups/breast_cancer_survivors/discussion/2011/03/22/breast-reconstruction?tr=179716#tr__179716 http://cancerconnection.ca/groups/breast_cancer_survivors/discussion/2011/03/22/breast-reconstruction?tr=179716#tr__179716 In your post you mention being an OR and plastic surgery nurse so perhaps you have some insights to share regarding the length of the DIEP procedure. I am having a difficult time making a decision regarding immediate DIEP flap reconstruction. I have IDC  in the Rt breast but because I am also a BRCA1 carrier I've decided on double mastectomy and I need sentinel node excision. I am apparently a good candidate for DIEP. I've decided against implants so my choices are go breast-free or DIEP. My concerns with DIEP are the duration of the procedure (longer for something to go wrong), possibility of DVTs and the immediate recovery sounds intense. I am 58, have hypertension (well-controlled with meds). The duration of the procedure, 10 hours on the OR table is giving me pause. Thoughts? Anyone else out there have bilateral DIEP procedure?
Thanks!]]> Sat, 25 Feb 2012 21:08:58 GMT songbird http://cancerconnection.ca/groups/breast_cancer_survivors/discussion/2011/03/22/breast-reconstruction?tr=178951#tr__178951 http://cancerconnection.ca/groups/breast_cancer_survivors/discussion/2011/03/22/breast-reconstruction?tr=178951#tr__178951 I see your post is directed to Allijay, however, while you are waiting for her to respond, here’s a link to our Canadian Cancer Encyclopedia on breast cancer and Prophylactic oophrectomy http://info.cancer.ca/cce-ecc/default.aspx?cceid=192&toc=10&Lang=E . I’m glad to see you are seeking information and feedback from the community to help you make your decision. 

There may be others in the community that have faced this decision about whether to have a prophylactic oophrectomy, and it would be great to hear from them.

Janet_Admin
]]> Fri, 17 Feb 2012 22:32:44 GMT Janet_admin http://cancerconnection.ca/groups/breast_cancer_survivors/discussion/2011/03/22/breast-reconstruction?tr=178646#tr__178646 http://cancerconnection.ca/groups/breast_cancer_survivors/discussion/2011/03/22/breast-reconstruction?tr=178646#tr__178646 Thank-you for starting this valuable info trend. I had lobular breast Ca in Aug. 2010. I had a modified radial mastectomy with an axillary node dissection in the fall of 2010. Followed by chemo and radiation. I had decided to have a propylactic mastectomy for the right breast in fall of 2011. However, I have not decided on reconstruction yet. I am an OR nurse, plastic surgery also and it is way to invasive for me. I am still undecided. I noticed that you have dediced to have prophlactic oophrectomy done--can I ask your reasoning for your decision? My MD's are all telling me not to worry but I am very concerned as my breast cancer was estrogen positive. There is so much correlation and literature to support breast cancer and later on developing ovarian cancer--do you agree? Thanks for your reply if you can help..Franca]]> Wed, 15 Feb 2012 20:12:06 GMT Franca http://cancerconnection.ca/groups/breast_cancer_survivors/discussion/2011/03/22/breast-reconstruction?tr=175773#tr__175773 http://cancerconnection.ca/groups/breast_cancer_survivors/discussion/2011/03/22/breast-reconstruction?tr=175773#tr__175773
I have now though met a great doctor, references from two friends he did and other doctors I know.

He is going to place an implant under the muscle and adjust the other breast. I will be in the hospital 3 nights and he has ordered a nurse to come daily for 15 days to change the bandage.

I CANNOT IMAGINE that this willl not be very painful. I am strong with pain. I am almost ready to change my mind. My mother was supposed to come over from NY for this but cannot right now and I have to have this done before I change my mind.

I would really love feedback from anyone who has been through this.

Thanks for replying to me]]> Mon, 23 Jan 2012 18:29:55 GMT Happily http://cancerconnection.ca/groups/breast_cancer_survivors/discussion/2011/03/22/breast-reconstruction?tr=114224#tr__114224 http://cancerconnection.ca/groups/breast_cancer_survivors/discussion/2011/03/22/breast-reconstruction?tr=114224#tr__114224
I imagine you've already done quite a bit of reading on the various options, and your surgeon will help you narrow those down based on what he/she thinks you're a good candidate for.  Do you have one method or another you're leaning toward?  I think each method has its pros and cons, both from an esthetic standpoint and surgery/recovery standpoint.  If you can, try to meet other reconstruction patients who have had the same procedure you're considering.  I met two through my surgeon, who had volunteered to talk to other patients.  These generous women allowed me to see and touch their reconstructed breasts and answered any questions I had, so I had a really good idea of what I was in for.  ]]> Wed, 06 Apr 2011 18:08:53 GMT Allijay http://cancerconnection.ca/groups/breast_cancer_survivors/discussion/2011/03/22/breast-reconstruction?tr=114212#tr__114212 http://cancerconnection.ca/groups/breast_cancer_survivors/discussion/2011/03/22/breast-reconstruction?tr=114212#tr__114212
For anyone else reading and considering implants, I'd suggest going on the smaller side and definitely consider the teardrop shaped ones.  They don't make different types of implants for reconstruction use, so all implants are the same ones that are used for women who want boob jobs, and they tend to be designed to give a pushup bra look.  A smaller teardrop implant will help minimize that if you don't want porn star breasts. 

As for detecting recurrences, with implants it shouldn't be an issue, at least it wasn't for me.  The implants are under the pec major muscle, which breast tissue sits on top of.  Whatever breast tissue remains after a mastectomy, then, will lie in a thin layer right under the skin and on top of the muscle.  Any new lumps will be obvious when they're still very small (my recent recurrence was smaller than a pea when I found it).]]> Wed, 06 Apr 2011 17:37:41 GMT Allijay http://cancerconnection.ca/groups/breast_cancer_survivors/discussion/2011/03/22/breast-reconstruction?tr=113939#tr__113939 http://cancerconnection.ca/groups/breast_cancer_survivors/discussion/2011/03/22/breast-reconstruction?tr=113939#tr__113939 Tue, 05 Apr 2011 16:51:14 GMT Lori (LINDENBEACHGIRL) http://cancerconnection.ca/groups/breast_cancer_survivors/discussion/2011/03/22/breast-reconstruction?tr=112711#tr__112711 http://cancerconnection.ca/groups/breast_cancer_survivors/discussion/2011/03/22/breast-reconstruction?tr=112711#tr__112711 I am waiting for my first appointment with a surgeon regarding reconstruction.  Now that you have gone through this what questions should I ask him that maybe you wished you should of asked.  I had a bilateral mastectomy, no radiation, and want to have reconstruction.
Thank you for the input.
Chestnuts]]> Fri, 01 Apr 2011 16:48:10 GMT chestnuts http://cancerconnection.ca/groups/breast_cancer_survivors/discussion/2011/03/22/breast-reconstruction?tr=109727#tr__109727 http://cancerconnection.ca/groups/breast_cancer_survivors/discussion/2011/03/22/breast-reconstruction?tr=109727#tr__109727  It  seems from what I have read or heard from other reconstruction experiences is that the mastectomy 'was a walk in the park' compared to reconstruction.....but most are thrilled with the results.....lastly the pros and cons on reconstruction obstructing the ability to detect cancer should a reoccurence happen....Hearing the positive stories... gives hope to those of us deciding what to do next in this health journey....
Duchess]]> Wed, 30 Mar 2011 15:29:46 GMT Duchess http://cancerconnection.ca/groups/breast_cancer_survivors/discussion/2011/03/22/breast-reconstruction?tr=108820#tr__108820 http://cancerconnection.ca/groups/breast_cancer_survivors/discussion/2011/03/22/breast-reconstruction?tr=108820#tr__108820 When I had my radiation treatment I hadn't yet done reconstruction, didn't have existing implants. The doctor explained that the chest muscle, as a result of radiation, toughens, shrinks, tightens....if we didn't stretch daily our shoulders would pull forward. For some reason because of this condition of the muscle, it causes implants to migrate towards shoulder eventually. I was under the impression that it wasn't something that absolutely always happened but rather it could and does in some instances. I decided not to chance it.
I won't lie to you,the flap method is major surgery and down time includes 4 to 5 days in hospital, then bed rest and taking it easy for the first month. Surgery includes grafting artery/veins for blood flow to the new breasts. Use of arms is limited for a while. My doctor made me stay under a heated blanket my whole stay. Thank God I was over the worst of my hot flashes at that time. lol. I had my legs wrapped in massagers for a few days and was catheterized for a day and a half.
I hope this answers your questions.
]]> Mon, 28 Mar 2011 01:35:51 GMT Cheery http://cancerconnection.ca/groups/breast_cancer_survivors/discussion/2011/03/22/breast-reconstruction?tr=108781#tr__108781 http://cancerconnection.ca/groups/breast_cancer_survivors/discussion/2011/03/22/breast-reconstruction?tr=108781#tr__108781 My reconstruction was done here in Calgary; I guess I can't give the name of the doctor because it looks like your doctor's name got edited out.  I liked him a lot.  He was quite young and boyish looking with a great sense of humour.  Can I just call him Dr. Hottie? ;-)

I'm curious about your comment about implants migrating as a result of radiation therapy; I assume that could happen if radiation was given while the implants were in place.  Do you (or anyone) know about replacing damaged implants after radiation?  Is there anything about radiation therapy that makes implants a poor option once radiation therapy is finished?  I'd hate to have to consider another reconstruction method, since implant surgery is so easy to recover from relative to other types (I was out shopping for new clothes two days after I was discharged), and I don't relish the idea of having to use a prosthesis instead, since I'm so physically active.]]> Sun, 27 Mar 2011 22:30:17 GMT Allijay