Having prophylactic bilateral recon, need advice

Mary,

I'm sorry for sounding confused, but are you getting a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction?  Or is it another lumpectomy to fix the seroma with reconstruction?

Donna

Mary,

I thought so based upon your previous posts, but wanted to make sure.  What type of reconstruction will they do?  Since you had radiation can they do tissue expanders?  I had the bi-mx with tissue expanders. 

Your ps will probably go over the procedure and surgery with you to let you know what to expect.  If you get the option, definitely stay overnight after the procedure.  Don't let them talk you into going home too soon.

Donna

Mary,

I've heard some ps will do tissue expanders on a radiated breast but that it is a tricky procedure.  Some others on this site may have had experience with it and can offer some advice. 

I do have a friend that had bc (ER+) with a lumpectomy and radiation.  It came back in the same breast so she had a mastectomy with TRAM Flap procedure.  The surgery and recovery time was longer than just a mx with tissue expanders.  She was in the hospital for several days.  This was about 5 years ago and she's doing great now.

I do know you'll be limited arm movement and lifting for a while after the procedure.  They told me to think of alligator arms and lift nothing heavier than a milk jug.  You won't want to reach for a glass in the cabinet so someone will have to help you with things up high and getting them down for you.  My family would make sure my glass or dishes were on the counter for me.

You'll probably also have to wear one of those surgical bras for a while - day and night.  The tightness/snugness I found comforting.  I also slept in a recliner for the first week or so until I could easily get out of bed without using my arms.  They tell you to cross your arms and rock yourself to get out of a chair so you don't use your arms to lift yourself.

I thought the drain tubes was the worst part of the whole procedure.  I had 3 on each side at first.  Yuck!  Take the pain meds and muscle relaxers.  They work wonders.   This is just my personal opinion but I thought chemo was much worse than the mx.

Keep us posted.

Hugs,

Donna

Mary,

It looks like you might get the benefit of a tummy tuck at the same time!

http://nosurrenderbreastcancerhelp.org/Treatment/Surgery intro/Reconstruction/Reconstruction.html

http://www.breastcancer.org/pictures/reconstruction/tram_flap/

I'ts going to hurt I know it. But! If I get a tummy tuck it will be worth it. I had both my shoulders replaced about 6 years ago from avascular necrosis. They took both humeral heads and replaced them with titanium. So I guess they are just more hardware and scars to add to the collection.

Thanks for the links. You can never be too prepared.

Bonnie, thanks for your post. I think I can do 8 weeks. I type for a living and hopefully that will be okay after a few weeks.

Have a great day and I will send pics... just kidding.

Mary