Having prophylactic bilateral recon, need advice
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Topic: Having prophylactic bilateral recon, need advice
Posted By: MaryinSarasota
Subject: Having prophylactic bilateral recon, need advice
Date Posted: May 15 2010 at 10:02am
I am finally getting my reconstruction done (after two years) and I need advice badly. I see my PS next Tuesday and what am I to expect?
I already had a lumpectomy at the time of diagnosis and it is a twisted mess now. I have what is called a chronic seroma in that spot and so the only way to get rid of it is to have it redone. I am 55, 5' 2 and 145 if that matters.
I am so lucky to have so many of you that have had the procedure to ask. Thank you, thank you!
Mary
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53 @ Dx 5/08 Stage 1, grade 3, IDC 1.6 cm, 0 nodes, TNBC, lumpectomy, chemo TAC-6, radiation-34 12/18/08
NED-10/09, PBM w/TE recon. 7/10, removal of TE/infec 8/10. CT chest. Rec fat-graft & stem cells
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Replies:
Posted By: 123Donna
Date Posted: May 15 2010 at 12:07pm
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
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DX IDC TNBC 6/09 age 49, Stage 1,Grade 3, 1.5cm,0/5Nodes,KI-67 48%,BRCA-,6/09bi-mx, recon, T/C X4(9/09)
11/10 Recur IM node, Gem,Carb,Iniparib 12/10,MRI NED 2/11,IMRT Radsx40,CT NED11/13,MRI NED3/15
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Posted By: MaryinSarasota
Date Posted: May 15 2010 at 12:14pm
Hi Donna,
Sorry for the confusion. I am having a bilateral mx with recon. I wanted to fix them both up at the same time. *being 55 :)
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53 @ Dx 5/08 Stage 1, grade 3, IDC 1.6 cm, 0 nodes, TNBC, lumpectomy, chemo TAC-6, radiation-34 12/18/08
NED-10/09, PBM w/TE recon. 7/10, removal of TE/infec 8/10. CT chest. Rec fat-graft & stem cells
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Posted By: 123Donna
Date Posted: May 15 2010 at 12:28pm
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
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DX IDC TNBC 6/09 age 49, Stage 1,Grade 3, 1.5cm,0/5Nodes,KI-67 48%,BRCA-,6/09bi-mx, recon, T/C X4(9/09)
11/10 Recur IM node, Gem,Carb,Iniparib 12/10,MRI NED 2/11,IMRT Radsx40,CT NED11/13,MRI NED3/15
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Posted By: MaryinSarasota
Date Posted: May 15 2010 at 12:54pm
Hi Donna,
I don't really know my options as of yet. I will ask my ps. I will be staying overnight if I can help it. Thanks for the tip. Have a great weekend.
Mary
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53 @ Dx 5/08 Stage 1, grade 3, IDC 1.6 cm, 0 nodes, TNBC, lumpectomy, chemo TAC-6, radiation-34 12/18/08
NED-10/09, PBM w/TE recon. 7/10, removal of TE/infec 8/10. CT chest. Rec fat-graft & stem cells
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Posted By: 123Donna
Date Posted: May 15 2010 at 1:18pm
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
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DX IDC TNBC 6/09 age 49, Stage 1,Grade 3, 1.5cm,0/5Nodes,KI-67 48%,BRCA-,6/09bi-mx, recon, T/C X4(9/09)
11/10 Recur IM node, Gem,Carb,Iniparib 12/10,MRI NED 2/11,IMRT Radsx40,CT NED11/13,MRI NED3/15
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Posted By: MaryinSarasota
Date Posted: May 15 2010 at 2:03pm
Does sound like the TRAM flap is the better option for me. I shall do some googling now that I have the procedures' names. Thank you Donna, you've been very helpful.
Mary
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53 @ Dx 5/08 Stage 1, grade 3, IDC 1.6 cm, 0 nodes, TNBC, lumpectomy, chemo TAC-6, radiation-34 12/18/08
NED-10/09, PBM w/TE recon. 7/10, removal of TE/infec 8/10. CT chest. Rec fat-graft & stem cells
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Posted By: 123Donna
Date Posted: May 15 2010 at 2:23pm
Mary,
It looks like you might get the benefit of a tummy tuck at the same time!
http://nosurrenderbreastcancerhelp.org/Treatment/Surgery%20intro/Reconstruction/Reconstruction.html - http://nosurrenderbreastcancerhelp.org/Treatment/Surgery intro/Reconstruction/Reconstruction.html
http://www.breastcancer.org/pictures/reconstruction/tram_flap/ - http://www.breastcancer.org/pictures/reconstruction/tram_flap/
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DX IDC TNBC 6/09 age 49, Stage 1,Grade 3, 1.5cm,0/5Nodes,KI-67 48%,BRCA-,6/09bi-mx, recon, T/C X4(9/09)
11/10 Recur IM node, Gem,Carb,Iniparib 12/10,MRI NED 2/11,IMRT Radsx40,CT NED11/13,MRI NED3/15
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Posted By: mom&grandma
Date Posted: May 15 2010 at 6:54pm
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Hi Marilyn,
My daughter had bi-lateral mastectomy instead of radiation and had immediate implants. I believe it is skin sparing. She had to drop a cup size because they remove the nipples. She wanted to get everything oven with at once so she settled on smaller breasts. She is happy with the results and is pretty much recovered 8 weeks later.
Bonnie
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Bonnie, mom of Heather, age 32, Dx on 9/1/09 TN IDC Stage 1, 1.4 c, lumpectomy, 10/8/09, DD AC & T, 3/9/10 bilateral mastectomy and immediate reconstruction, BRCA 1/2-
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Posted By: MaryinSarasota
Date Posted: May 17 2010 at 8:09am
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
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53 @ Dx 5/08 Stage 1, grade 3, IDC 1.6 cm, 0 nodes, TNBC, lumpectomy, chemo TAC-6, radiation-34 12/18/08
NED-10/09, PBM w/TE recon. 7/10, removal of TE/infec 8/10. CT chest. Rec fat-graft & stem cells
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