Re: Reconstruction Decision - Requesting Input

March 9, 2006

Carol...I had the tram-flap done at the sametime as the mastectomy. The whole thing was a lot more than I expected. Prolly would not have been as bad had I not gotten a staph infection on top of everything else. I am almost 3 months post surgery and still waiting to start chemo due to very slow healing. I did not want to wake up with nothing there. Just think I got a new boob and a tummy tuck for Christmas

Hugs,

Jackie

-- Reconstruction Decision - Requesting Input

Implant vs tram flap. Anyone have experience of either?

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March 9, 2006

I have decided to go with the implant. Recovery time is an issue for

me and am also very thin. I will have the expander put in, when I

have the mastectomy. I am seeing a very good plastic surgeon and he

said that is the best option for me given my build and circumstances.

5'6 " 115 lbs. Am trying to put on weight before surgery at the

suggestion of the dietician I saw. She also has me on pobiotics and

green tea to boost my immune system, so I will be in the best shape

possible.

Ruth

>

> Carol...I had the tram-flap done at the sametime as the mastectomy. The

> whole thing was a lot more than I expected. Prolly would not have

been as

> bad had I not gotten a staph infection on top of everything else. I am

> almost 3 months post surgery and still waiting to start chemo due to

very

> slow healing. I did not want to wake up with nothing there. Just

think I

> got a new boob and a tummy tuck for Christmas

>

> Hugs,

> Jackie

>

> -- Reconstruction Decision - Requesting Input

>

> Implant vs tram flap. Anyone have experience of either?

>

> Yahoo! Mail

> Use Photomail to share photos without annoying attachments.

>

March 9, 2006

Thank you Jackie. That is also my biggest fear - waking up with nothing there. Seeing my mother was just to much to bear and it just terrifies me. She lost her battle 27 years ago when I was 21. I was leaning toward the tram, but the added trauma of the hip to hip incision is frightening. Is this the worst part?Jackie <Jethro@run box.com> wrote: Carol...I had the tram-flap done at the sametime as the mastectomy. The whole thing was a lot more than I expected. Prolly would not have been as

bad had I not gotten a staph infection on top of everything else. I am almost 3 months post surgery and still waiting to start chemo due to very slow healing. I did not want to wake up with nothing there. Just think I got a new boob and a tummy tuck for Christmas Hugs, Jackie -- Reconstruction Decision - Requesting Input Implant vs tram flap. Anyone have experience of either? Yahoo! MailUse Photomail to share photos without annoying attachments.

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March 9, 2006

Thank you Ruth. So far I am also leaning toward the implants. I know the final outcome between the two favors the tram as the appearance seems more natural and from the pics I've been shown, easier to match to the remaining breast. It's the additional incision from hip to hip and a scar that makes enstein handsome is a concern. They say it will take some of the "pooch" but at what cost. Thank you so much for your input. Please let me know how your procedure goes. Recovery time is also a concern of mine. I work for a major cosmetic company and being away is never a good thing. I'm going to get green tea tomorrow. Thanks for the tip.ruthiema36 wrote: I have decided to go with the implant. Recovery time is an issue forme and am also very thin. I will have the expander put in, when

Ihave the mastectomy. I am seeing a very good plastic surgeon and hesaid that is the best option for me given my build and circumstances.5'6" 115 lbs. Am trying to put on weight before surgery at thesuggestion of the dietician I saw. She also has me on pobiotics andgreen tea to boost my immune system, so I will be in the best shapepossible.Ruth>> Carol...I had the tram-flap done at the sametime as the mastectomy. The> whole thing was a lot more than I expected. Prolly would not havebeen as> bad had I not gotten a staph infection on top of everything else. I am> almost 3 months post surgery and still waiting to start chemo due tovery> slow healing. I did not want to wake up with nothing there. Justthink I> got a new boob and a tummy tuck for Christmas > >

Hugs,> Jackie> > -- Reconstruction Decision - Requesting Input> > Implant vs tram flap. Anyone have experience of either? > > > Yahoo! Mail> Use Photomail to share photos without annoying attachments. > >

March 9, 2006

I've heard of a procedure

called a DIEP which also takes from the stomach, but it doesn't take

the muscles so it's much easier to recover from. I think it's fairly

new so not every surgeon can do it.

-

Carol Bahr wrote on 3/9/2006, 9:37 PM:

Thank you Ruth. So far I am also

leaning toward the implants. I know the final outcome between the two

favors the tram as the appearance seems more natural and from the pics

I've been shown, easier to match to the remaining breast. It's the

additional incision from hip to hip and a scar that makes enstein

handsome is a concern. They say it will take some of the "pooch" but at

what cost. Thank you so much for your input. Please let me know how

your procedure goes. Recovery time is also a concern of mine. I work

for a major cosmetic company and being away is never a good thing. I'm

going to get green tea tomorrow. Thanks for the tip.

ruthiema36 wrote:

I have decided to go with the implant.

Recovery time is an issue for

me and am also very thin. I will have the expander put in, when I

have the mastectomy. I am seeing a very good plastic surgeon and he

said that is the best option for me given my build and circumstances.

5'6" 115 lbs. Am trying to put on weight before surgery at the

suggestion of the dietician I saw. She also has me on pobiotics and

green tea to boost my immune system, so I will be in the best shape

possible.

Ruth

>

> Carol...I had the tram-flap done at the sametime as the

mastectomy. The

> whole thing was a lot more than I expected. Prolly would not have

been as

> bad had I not gotten a staph infection on top of everything else.

I am

> almost 3 months post surgery and still waiting to start chemo due

to

very

> slow healing. I did not want to wake up with nothing there. Just

think I

> got a new boob and a tummy tuck for Christmas

>

> Hugs,

> Jackie

>

March 9, 2006

The abdomen was the most painful for me. When I got home I did not have the bedrails to pull myself up an tried getting in & out of bed for 2 days and made myself hurt more than necessary. I finally just slept in the recliner for a couple weeks. I was also a smoker that quit right before surgery so that also contributed to the healing problems. I will have to have more surgeries to fix the new breast because of what I lost and then to reduce the right side (she is pouting that she lost her sister and hanging pretty low ). That's if I even decide to continue with the rest of reconstruction after chemo. If it had not been for the complications I'd have been very happy with the results.

Hugs,

Jackie

-- Reconstruction Decision - Requesting Input

Implant vs tram flap. Anyone have experience of either?

Yahoo! MailUse Photomail to share photos without annoying attachments.

Yahoo! MailBring photos to life! New PhotoMail makes sharing a breeze.

March 9, 2006

Carol...I had the tram-flap done at the sametime as the mastectomy. The whole thing was a lot more than I expected. Prolly would not have been as bad had I not gotten a staph infection on top of everything else. I am almost 3 months post surgery and still waiting to start chemo due to very slow healing. I did not want to wake up with nothing there. Just think I got a new boob and a tummy tuck for Christmas

Hugs,

Jackie

Jackie, I read where it took you longer to heal after your surgery. Did they put you on a VAC system? Mom has one and I am just trying to learn more and how long it will remain. The nurse said it depends.

Peg

March 10, 2006

This is the type that my plastic surgeon performs. It is microsurgery where they actually reattach veins and arteries etc and take little muscle. (approx 8 hrs) I am just so shocked at the pics of the scar from hip to hip that the best way to describe it would be a deep wide river. I've never seen a physician induced scar that intrusive. wrote: I've heard of a procedure called a DIEP which also takes from the stomach, but it doesn't take the muscles so it's much easier to recover from. I think it's fairly new so not every surgeon can do it.- Carol Bahr wrote on 3/9/2006, 9:37 PM: Thank you Ruth. So far I am also leaning toward the implants. I know the final outcome between the two favors the tram as the appearance seems more natural and from the pics I've been shown, easier to match to the remaining breast. It's the additional incision from hip to hip and a scar that makes enstein handsome is a concern. They say it will take some of the "pooch" but at what cost. Thank you so much for your input. Please let me know how your procedure goes. Recovery time is also a concern of mine. I work for a major cosmetic company and being away is never a good thing. I'm going to get green tea tomorrow. Thanks for the tip.ruthiema36 wrote: I

have decided to go with the implant. Recovery time is an issue forme and am also very thin. I will have the expander put in, when Ihave the mastectomy. I am seeing a very good plastic surgeon and hesaid that is the best option for me given my build and circumstances.5'6" 115 lbs. Am trying to put on weight before surgery at thesuggestion of the dietician I saw. She also has me on pobiotics andgreen tea to boost my immune system, so I will be in the best shapepossible.Ruth>> Carol...I had the tram-flap done at the sametime as the mastectomy. The> whole thing was a lot more than I expected. Prolly would not havebeen as> bad had I not gotten a staph infection

on top of everything else. I am> almost 3 months post surgery and still waiting to start chemo due tovery> slow healing. I did not want to wake up with nothing there. Justthink I> got a new boob and a tummy tuck for Christmas > > Hugs,> Jackie>

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March 10, 2006

Carol,

Did you do the DIEP surgery?

If so, as part of your mastectomy or later?

I'm still undecided about doing reconstruction. I think if I could get

rid of my extra tummy it would be appealing, but I'm afraid even though

I'm small on top my excess fat wouldn't be quite enough to make a

breast.

I admire the women who go through reconstruction and chemo at the same

time. I don't think I could have handled it.

-

Carol Bahr wrote on 3/10/2006, 10:22 AM:

This is the type that my plastic

surgeon performs. It is microsurgery where they actually reattach

veins and arteries etc and take little muscle. (approx 8 hrs) I am just

so shocked at the pics of the scar from hip to hip that the best way to

describe it would be a deep wide river. I've never seen a physician

induced scar that intrusive.

wrote:

I've heard of a

procedure called a DIEP which also takes from the stomach, but it

doesn't take the muscles so it's much easier to recover from. I think

it's fairly new so not every surgeon can do it.

-

Carol Bahr wrote on 3/9/2006, 9:37 PM:

Thank you Ruth. So

far I am also leaning toward the implants. I know the final outcome

between the two favors the tram as the appearance seems more natural

and from the pics I've been shown, easier to match to the remaining

breast. It's the additional incision from hip to hip and a scar that

makes enstein handsome is a concern. They say it will take some of

the "pooch" but at what cost. Thank you so much for your input.

Please let me know how your procedure goes. Recovery time is also a

concern of mine. I work for a major cosmetic company and being away is

never a good thing. I'm going to get green tea tomorrow. Thanks for the

tip.

March 10, 2006

I haven't decided for sure either. I'm still waiting for the mascectomy to be scheduled but I do know whatever I do I'm doing it then. Right now I'm leaning toward the implants but the final outcome is certainly not as natural as the DIEP. The scar from hip to hip however is a major concern. I've never seen a physician induced scar that looks so invasive. Did your dr show you any photos? wrote: Carol,Did you do the DIEP surgery? If so, as part of your mastectomy or later?I'm still undecided about doing reconstruction. I think if I could get rid of my extra tummy it would be appealing, but I'm afraid even though I'm small on top my excess fat wouldn't be quite enough to make a breast.I admire the women who go through reconstruction and chemo at the same time.

I don't think I could have handled it.- Carol Bahr wrote on 3/10/2006, 10:22 AM: This is the type that my plastic surgeon performs. It is microsurgery where they actually reattach veins and arteries etc and take little muscle. (approx 8 hrs) I am just so shocked at the pics of the scar from hip to hip that the best way to describe it would be a deep wide river. I've never seen a physician induced scar that intrusive. wrote: I've heard of a

procedure called a DIEP which also takes from the stomach, but it doesn't take the muscles so it's much easier to recover from. I think it's fairly new so not every surgeon can do it.- Carol Bahr wrote on 3/9/2006, 9:37 PM: Thank you Ruth. So far I am also leaning toward the implants. I know the final outcome between the two favors the tram as the appearance seems more natural and from the pics I've been shown, easier to match to the remaining breast. It's the additional incision from hip to hip and a scar that makes enstein handsome is a concern. They say it will take some of the "pooch" but at what cost. Thank you so much for your input. Please let me know how your procedure goes. Recovery time is also a concern of mine. I

work for a major cosmetic company and being away is never a good thing. I'm going to get green tea tomorrow. Thanks for the tip.

Yahoo! Mail Use Photomail to share photos without annoying attachments.

March 10, 2006

Hi Carol,

I didn't consult with a plastic surgeon because I had thought I

wouldn't do reconstruction. My thoughts were that reconstruction was

one decision I could defer, as opposed to all the other treatment

decisions that had to be made immediately. I understand that some women

just want to get it all over with at once, rather than have multiple

surgeries, and I admire them for that. I don't think I could have

handled recovering from surgery plus chemo at the same time.

Here's a link from Dr. Love's website which shows some pictures

of women who have elected various reconstruction options or not to

reconstruct.

http://www.susanlovemd.org/showme_frames.html

My hospital's breast cancer ctr. gave me a handbook that described the

various reconstruction options, risks, recovery time, how many

procedures each involves, etc. They were laid out in a grid for

comparison which was helpful. Those are all questions you should ask

your breast surgeon. Even though the DIEP scar is big, it is not as

invasive as the TRAM flap procedure.

The handbook I have is Your Breast Cancer Treatment Handbook by Judy C.

Kneece, RN, OCN

Carol Bahr wrote on 3/10/2006, 11:01 AM:

I haven't decided for sure either.

I'm still waiting for the mascectomy to be scheduled but I do know

whatever I do I'm doing it then. Right now I'm leaning toward the

implants but the final outcome is certainly not as natural as the DIEP.

The scar from hip to hip however is a major concern. I've never seen a

physician induced scar that looks so invasive. Did your dr show you any

photos?

wrote:

Carol,

Did you do the DIEP surgery?

If so, as part of your mastectomy or later?

I'm still undecided about doing reconstruction. I think if I could get

rid of my extra tummy it would be appealing, but I'm afraid even though

I'm small on top my excess fat wouldn't be quite enough to make a

breast.

I admire the women who go through reconstruction and chemo at the same

time. I don't think I could have handled it.

-

Carol Bahr wrote on 3/10/2006, 10:22 AM:

This is the type

that my plastic surgeon performs. It is microsurgery where they

actually reattach veins and arteries etc and take little muscle.

(approx 8 hrs) I am just so shocked at the pics of the scar from hip to

hip that the best way to describe it would be a deep wide river. I've

never seen a physician induced scar that intrusive.