Hi WL, 

Thank you for your reply, I hope your recovery is going well. I hope you don’t mind if I ask you some questions. 

How is the scar on your stomach? Has it healed well? How high is it up your tummy? Is it noticeable? Does your tummy feel really tight now? Did they do any work on your other breast to match them up?

Apologies about all the questions, I’m just trying to get as much info as I can before I make my final decision. 

E

Hi, no problem with the questions, ask away.

So I am 8 weeks post op and 4 weeks post skin graft op. Tummy scar is from hip to hip. Hard to say how high up it is, it's above my hip bone. Yes it's noticeable but it's not long since the op.

i don't show my tummy off though so it doesn't bother me. My tummy is still numb, it's still a little tight around my tummy Button but my physio has given me some tummy exercises to start to stretch it. I'm not hunched over though, I was walking upright after a couple of weeks. 
No work on the other breast, but I don't have big boobs, C cup, and the new boob is a pretty good match to the old one.  I had lymph nodes removed as well so I don't have full range of movement yet but have exercises for that. 
 

hope that helps

wl

Hi K

thanks for thinking of me. I’d broken my phone on a pre op run and then couldn’t remember log in details!!! Hope you are continuing with your recovery. 

I had the double op on Tuesday with immediate reconstruction. Home the next day and so far so good. Bit sore around my newly positioned nipples and feel like I have a baby elephant sat on my chest, but all manageable. 

Caz x

Hi Caz and I hope baby elephant is behaving. I was told to go and buy nappy rash cream this morning after getting my dressings changed as the crease under my boob is itchy and the skin is angry (its where the scar is).  I have been advised to apply a seaweed lotion to the bits that went "scabby" to help the new skin under them recover and heal, and to shed my horrid "pork scratchings" as I chose to call tghem when HCA was trying to find a polite word for them.  I went into work today to see people, and to p;inch a lush piece of carrot cake, it was designed to be a FIKA which acc to the boss is a scandinavian fad for marking the end of christmas and moving towards the end of winter. I was scared that if I didnt go in an say hi I could lose my nerve for going back. This is now the fifth time Ive had extended sick leave, I love this job, and havinghad to give up my old career back in 200 I know Im not ready to retire ful ter,

Hope things go well for you, and that the healing happens comfortably.,  make sure to rest, and find positive things to  look at read or listen to as you are enforcedly idle.  all best, k.

hope it continues to go well for you, I can recommend those avilleyn dressings with the pinky top cover and "soft edges"- also using nappy cream under your bust when the scars are healed if you get sore skin there. itchiness was driving me scatty until the HCA at doctors advised me to try that.old fashioned but it worked fine. good luck

Hello CazStu, firstly I'm sorry about your diagnosis and I know this was a while ago for you now but your post caught my eye.  I'm waiting for delayed breast reconstruction and I hope you don't mind me asking but how did you manage to get a mastectomy on your healthy breast. I had another family with breast cancer and have asked for a double mastectomy but have been refused twice. Can I also ask how the surgery went and how you feel now? 

Hi

Im so sorry you're in this situation. 
I was able to get both breasts done but only on the grounds if symmetry being very important to me and concern that otherwise my self esteem, mental health and marital relationship would suffer. It seems bonkers but I was told that is the reason to use as they don't treat 'fear.'

All that said, I haven't got symmetry when my clothes are off and it is nothing like a boob job. They are very heavy and I'm still not used to the feel of them. I've had terrible pain down my left side which might be down to nerve damage. So, it's a massive procedure which has to be considered. 
 

I guess I'm still 'pleased' I had it done as I feel more confident health wise. 
 

I hope you get what's right for you. 
 

Best of luck with it xxx

Thank you so much for your response that's very helpful. I hope you continue to heal well. X