I have a little pain but that’s due to scar tissue under incision site - hope to get that fixed. No numbness but I just got on with daily tasks as soon as I was discharged, stretching for goods high up in shop shelves, carrying my shopping etc - I did not need to do the exercises they told me to do andso far so good.

what option did you eventually decide on surgical wise?

I opted for the mastectomy that was advised and delayed reconstruction, but since yesterday I have been thinking about maybe immediate reconstruction.

I browsed the advantages and disadvantages of both but still undecided, wish I could speak to someone that has done the immediate reconstruction to get more clarity. Can anyone please help with this please.

Thanks 

Hi

I had a right sided mastectomy on 24th September and had immediate reconstruction with a tissue expander. My surgeon said it was OK for this even if I needed to have radiotherapy afterwards. Fortunately I didn't need radiotherapy in the end.

It meant when I came round after my surgery I wasn't completely flat. I had about 7 or 8 weekly visits to have saline injected into it and in December it had reached the size I needed. I am now waiting on a date to have the tissue expander exchanged with a permenant silicone implant. Then, hopefully have my left breast uplifted to match and then a new nipple. I'm on the surgeons 'list' - I was told I'd have the operation this month - but this isn't going to happen now - I have been booked in for a pre op assessment on 8th May - so hopefully won't have too long to wait.

If I can be of any further help, let me know.

Love

Helen

xxx

Hi Helen, 

Thank you for your response, does this mean you will be using silicone for the reconstruction and not tissue from your body.?

Hi - I had whats described as an 'expander reconstruction with ti loop mesh'. I think the implant sits in a kind of mesh sling. It has a port that used to inject saline into it a bit at a time - so expanding the skin gradually to the desired size. 

Mine reached the correct size back in December, then they had to leave it for few months to make sure it stayed expanded. So I went back in February which is when I was put on the surgeons list to have this tempoary expander replaced with a silicone one. This tempoary one is a bit of a weird shape and feels quite hard, so I can't wait to have it exchanged for a softer, rounder silicone one.

All I seem to have done since being diagnosed last August is wait on various procedures - I'm gutted I haven't had the exchange operation this month - I feel like my life is constantly on hold.

I wasn't given any options on the reconstuction - and looking back I realise I should have asked a lot more questions - but I'm sure everyone on this forum can relate to me feeling like I'd been knocked down by a bus when I given the diagnosis and told I'd need a mastectomy - I just went along with everything that was put to me. It's only now I realise there were so many other options for a reconstruction - I may have gone for the expander implant anyway as i only have one operation site but feel a bit cheesed off that I wasn't told the options. 

I try to keep upbeat about everything, but sometimes I do feel really 'low', and I feel in limbo at the moment waiting for exchange of implant operation date.

Love, Helen. xxx

Hi- I had a mastectomy last Wednesday followed by immediate reconstruction- mine was a skin saving mastectomy so I have a temporary implant until after my chemo and radiotherapy then I will have a permanent reconstruction- I had my surgery Wednesday 10th and was home on Thursday (but you can go home same day in most cases) :) 

Hi Helen, 

Thank you for explaining in detail, I really appreciate, I know exactly how you feel, and am sending you warm hugs. it's about 2 weeks since my diagnosis and am still yet to be given a surgery date. Surgeon was away they said but back after Easter break. 

I initially thought I would be OK with one breast after op but the more I think about it, I realise I might break down hence the reason am thinking about immediate reconstruction.

Come Tuesday I would call the hospital to let them know.

How long did your op take please? 

Hi Amandajane25,

Wow just very recent, thanks for taking the time to reply me, how are you doing? hope your doing well and healing OK.

How many hours was your op please . And would your permanent reconstruction be with your stomach or back tissues?

Cheers xxx

Hi- I’m recovering really well and a lot better than I thought I would :) it’s my arm that hurts more believe it or not after lymph node removal - I’ve had my boob drained before and I’m sure it needs done again but I’ve heard other have this too so I’m sure it’s very normal.

im not able to have my back or stomach used for recon as I have a small backs and stomach and there isn’t enough to use for a recon but they are going to use either my thighs or bum (I have a curvy bottom half )  

thu basically said save my good tissue for after treatment as radio therapy could damage my good cells after a recon but the implant can take the brunt then just be thrown away so I opted for that short term 

it really is amazing what they can do - and I always advise people not to google but diep breast recon is one thing I do advise on google images as the results are great

i think I was in about 4 hours in total and I had a nerve block too with my general anaesthetic so the pain when you wake up is minimal and usually controlled with just paracetamol 

my Surgeons are great and explained everything to me in great detail so any questions don’t be afraid to ask yours and put your mind at ease hun xxx