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Breast reconstruction: Questions and answers
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Tigger.co.uk
Good advisor
I wear a sleeve and a glove all in one then at night I use cetraben cream to also help but I'm always in pain.with it last night I had shooting pains across my scar don't know what causes this
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D M A
Tigger.co.uk
Good advisor
Hi everyone I have now got my appointment for my emphysema rehabilitation exercise and now I have another appointment for my physiotherapy so every thing is comming together at the moment I have been feeling very depressed as we had water seeping through our walls above our fireplace and above our curtain rail down behind our electric sockets under our front room window and in our kitchen to the wallpaper is comming apart and my curtains feel damp so every time I look up I feel a knot in my stomach as we have worked hard to make it nice I'm absolutely gutted they are not comming out till the 27th June ,also the intercom to receive couriers or ambulances wont be able to access our homes as when you press the number nothing happens so God only knows when they are going to fix that ,my one to one councillor wont be giving me anymore support with my anxiety PTSD low moods depression as you only get so many weeks of councilling so I dont know what happens next but I did have a lovely week with my daughter we had so much fun together so she makes me laugh as she does a lot of dressing up for her charity but we couldn't really do a lot as it hasn't stopped raining since she was here but it started to clear a bit now since she has gone back home
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D M A
bc123456
Good advisor
Hello, for those who got the surgery done, I was just wondering how long your recovery time was? I'm seriously considering it ( got a mastectomy on my right side about 4 years ago), but I've heard horror stories about losing strength and long recovery times. Any one have experience with this?
NatalieG
Hi there, I had my mastectomy 2 years ago, and just started physio again and acupuncture! . They think it’s something to do with posture after surgery, that gives me the pain in my right arm .
maddoglady
Good advisor
I had my surgery 4 years ago, I had a modified LD flap which worked to conserve muscle at the donor site with liposuction later to achieve symmetry. The entire procedure took place over an 18 month period with 2 surgeries and a final tattoo.
I can honestly say that it is the best thing I've ever done, I'm delighted with the result and feel normal again, however you have to do what's right for you. Everyone has different tolerance to pain so inevitably you will hear horror stories. For me there was discomfort rather than pain which over the counter pain remedies dealt with.
Pin your surgeon down and insist on knowing all the facts about the surgery s/he recommends, tell him her exactly what you are hoping to achieve.
Yes there is some weakness on the donor side, I'm certainly not as strong on that side. Yoga, Pilates and light weight training have helped with strength and flexibility.
Recovery times vary as do hospital stays. For me I have a real phobia about hospitals and lack of privacy so wanted to be in and out as quickly as possible. I spent 2 days in hospital after the first surgery, recovery time depends on the individual. The second hospital stay was overnight and tattoo was an out patient thing.
Good luck with whatever you decide, remember there is no right or wrong, only what's best for you.
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Maddoglady!
Pinky64
Good advisor
Hello everyone
I had my right elective mastectomy done last Monday and recovering now. I am now completely flat and happy about it.
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Jackie
bc123456
Good advisor
Thanks @maddoglady @NatalieG @Pinky64
I feel better reading your stories!
Courtney_J
Community managerGood advisor
Hello ladies,
How have you been lately?
Following your breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, did you decide to undergo breast reconstruction? What motivated your decision or not?
@Matia54 @Kerryw1979 @Gmanz76 @DebbieF @Sharadella @Daisieda @Jspanner @Amyster @gina100 @Janeshaw @NaomiJ @Angeleyes75 @Kezza3345 @Nicol87 @Vanessamez @Nanna1962 @LorraineClarke
Feel free to share and exchange comments below!
Take care,
Courtney
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Courtney_J, Community Manager, Carenity UK
bc123456
Good advisor
Hi all, I thought I'd give an update since my last message. My plans/research clearly got derailed by COVID, I didn't feel comfortable going into a medical/surgery setting for something that's "non-urgent" in the middle of a pandemic. Now that the vaccine is here I'm starting to think about it again...
Has anyone been through reconstruction during all of this?
Alilaw
@Pinky64 I felt exactly the same......and have no regrets!
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JosephineO
Community managerGood advisor
Hello everyone,
Has anyone here had a breast reconstruction? Or are you looking into one? I think it would be a wonderful support tool if you could you share what you wished you had asked the plastic surgeon before you had the procedure so other members know what to look out for.
I hope you share your advice!