Information and support
for anyone affected by breast cancer
We have moved the forum to a more powerful server. We are working on the bugs list and retrieving missing content. Thank you for your patience.
Use our free Helpline to talk through any queries or concerns you may have.
Talks and courses to help you approach life after treatment with confidence
If you'd rather not talk on the phone, you can email one of our nurses
You can talk with our nurses and people in a similar situation to you in our regular live chats.
The Spotlight on Secondary Breast Cancer campaign pushes for better care, services and support for people living with secondary breast cancer. Find out more
Find out more about who we are and what we do in about us
welcome Welcome to the 'Reconstructive surgery’ Chat Room
Thank you for joining us.
To post, make sure you are logged in (you can do this at the top of any page) then either click on 'start new topic' at the top and bottom of any thread (or conversation) or click on 'reply' within any message.
Reconstructive surgery can be an important part of treatment. If you want to discuss the various reconstruction options or share your experiences of reconstruction post here.
Should I have it done? I had a full mastectomy in 2004 and am now considering whether or not to take up the option of having a reconstruction. The consultant only ever takes tissue from the back.
Can anyone tell me a little about this procedure and what their experience has been like?
Reconstruction Advice Hi
I\'m going to have skin expanders fitted on 11.01.06 with implants to be fitted at a later date. I\'m sure there are ladies who have gone through this and remember what it was like. I can\'t begin to tell you how scared I am (again) same hospital as I had a lumpectomy, WLE and lymph node removal and a mastectomy. Same hospital where they told me I had cancer. I really want to have the reconstruction and try to look at the future so why is it freaking me out? Could you respond and let me know your experiences from your implant reconstructions, a lot of ladies seem to have had the tummy tuck one but I didn\'t have enough belly (apparently, can\'t believe it by looking but that was before Christmas!!!)
By the way, happy new year everyone!
Woodybutt xx
tram flap reconstruction Hi, can anyone give me advise on tramflap reconstruction?I am 53 and was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1998,I had a mastectomy,chemo and radiotherpy.I have just recieved an appointment for reconstruction in 2 weeks time,I am a little bit nervous of the anaesthetic even though i have had several ops before .I have been told it will be quite a long operation ,has anyone had this done?any advise would be usefull
TRAM flap - the good news! Hi lyndy
I had a TRAM flap in January 2005, 15 months after diagnosis and mastectomy. I was going to have the implant, but chemo and radiotherapy stopped the skin from stretching. After an impromptu chat with my surgeon at the clinic one morning he suggested I see the reconstructive surgeon - and minutes later I did. By the time I left the clinic I had a firm date for the op! I knew it was going to be big - this had put me off initially, but the more I thought about it the more I realised it was what I wanted.
I went in to hospital on a Wednesday and had the op Thursday. I was down about 10 hours altogether, but I actually came round quicker than after my 2 hour mastectomy.
The first couple of days were a bit of a blur - but the nurses were wonderful and made sure I was as comfortable as possible. There wasn\'t much pain, but lying in one position for hours did get a bit much. I didn\'t need the morphine pump, as the paracetemol controlled the pain quite easily. Gradually over the weekend, some of the drips, tubes and drains were taken out and by Monday lunchtime I had just one drain in and was able to get get dressed properly and walk around the ward. On Tuesday I went down to the hospital shop for a newspaper and by Wednesday afternoon I was home!
I took things VERY easy at home for the first few weeks, but by the time I saw the surgeon again 8 weeks later he said it was ok for me to start driving, swimming etc. I took 5 months off work - but luckily as a teacher I was on full pay. You really need the time to regain your stamina.
Yes, it is a very big op, but the long term results are well worth it. Good luck with it and reply if you can to let me know how everything goes.
I had this Hi Ananda
I had a mastectomy and lumpectomy in July 2004, and knew straight away that I wanted a reconstruction. I had to wait for 12 months which turned into 18 but it was worth the wait. I thought I wanted a tram flap as the idea of losing my tummy was very appealing, but the surgeon wasn\'t keen as it\'s a much longer op and the risks are greater. So I went for the latis dorsi (which is where they take tissue from your back) and am thrilled with the results. The op took about 4 hours. I wasn\'t in too much pain more discomfort and you have to be kept too hot for the first 48 hours to keep the blood supply to the skin flowing. After that things improved quickly . I went home after 5 days and had my drain out after 8. They put 150ml into my implant during my op so I had 1/2 boob to wake up to! I have now had my first fill 50ml and now wait for some more at the beginning of April.
If you want to know more please get in touch with me direct
Hope this helps
Liz
Dear Lynwyn I have started a new thread for you with your post \'hello, newcomer needs advice\'. It will be easier for other users to see this way.
Kind regards
Moderator
---Reconstruction or not ---Hello Ananda
Only you can make the decision as to whether to have a reconstruction, I think its a bigger decision to make when you have already had a mastectomy it means undertaking another big operation.
I had a mastectomy with immediate reconstruction with muscle and tissue taken from my back, I also had to have an implant ,so all was done at once.
The operation itself was not nearly as painful as I thought it would be, more discomfort. I\'m three months on now and the best way to describe how it feels is that when I take by bra off I still feel I am wearing one, this has lessened with time. The skin covering my breast before the op could not be used as it had been very badly damaged when I had to have radiotherapy 20 years ago. It said in my notes that it was a technical challenge for the surgeon.
The result is good, skin is slightly different colour and of course I have no nipple as yet, hopefully will be able to have this done later in the year.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
Jan