This question is for women only. Have any women had reconstruction surgery after a mastectomy?!
Question: This question is for women only. Have any women had reconstruction surgery after a mastectomy.?
I am facing the choice of reconstruction surgery and have heard good and bad reports about this surgery. I would like to hear from other women or men that have wives who have had this surgery. Please explain your results and any complications.Health Question & Answer
Answers:
I had reconstruction after I was done with chemo and radiation.
I chose to have a diep flap done, but since my tummy was so small , and my original breasts were so big, I also had to have a saline implant put in. This surgery consists of the plastic surgeon removing the fat and skin and a large blood vessel from your belly button down to you pubic area. They take this flap and attach the blood vessel and then attach the rest. There is a 4-5 day hospital stay after this surgery. You will feel like a truck hit you but it does get better.
Keep in mind that the reconstructed breasts are not going to look exactly like the original ones. Bras and shirts will fit a little different, and you will not have any feeling in the breast.
You can also get implants put in. You will first have to have stretchers put in and then they will insert the implant. This is a personal decision and it's not an easy one to make. I am glad that I did it, it made me feel more complete. After reconstruction you will have to decide if you want a nipple. I have had this surgery, but in most women as with mine it usually shrinks up to nothing. If you want the color tattooed on they can do that also, but that usually fades to nothing.
I did have to have 8 surgeries to have my reconstruction completed. You will leave the hospital with drains in which you have probably had after your mastectomy. It is about 8-10 weeks recovery.
I am pretty happy with the results.
I hope this helps out and doesn't scare you.
Health Question & Answer
I chose to have a diep flap done, but since my tummy was so small , and my original breasts were so big, I also had to have a saline implant put in. This surgery consists of the plastic surgeon removing the fat and skin and a large blood vessel from your belly button down to you pubic area. They take this flap and attach the blood vessel and then attach the rest. There is a 4-5 day hospital stay after this surgery. You will feel like a truck hit you but it does get better.
Keep in mind that the reconstructed breasts are not going to look exactly like the original ones. Bras and shirts will fit a little different, and you will not have any feeling in the breast.
You can also get implants put in. You will first have to have stretchers put in and then they will insert the implant. This is a personal decision and it's not an easy one to make. I am glad that I did it, it made me feel more complete. After reconstruction you will have to decide if you want a nipple. I have had this surgery, but in most women as with mine it usually shrinks up to nothing. If you want the color tattooed on they can do that also, but that usually fades to nothing.
I did have to have 8 surgeries to have my reconstruction completed. You will leave the hospital with drains in which you have probably had after your mastectomy. It is about 8-10 weeks recovery.
I am pretty happy with the results.
I hope this helps out and doesn't scare you.
Health Question & Answer
I chose not to have reconstruction - not yet anyway.
I think you'll get more of the sort of information about all the types of reconstruction and people's experiences of them you need by asking your question on the forums of one of these sites:
http://www.breastcancer.org
http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk
Best wishes to you for your decisions
Health Question & Answer
I think you'll get more of the sort of information about all the types of reconstruction and people's experiences of them you need by asking your question on the forums of one of these sites:
http://www.breastcancer.org
http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk
Best wishes to you for your decisions
Health Question & Answer