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  • Breast reconstruction: Questions and answers
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Living with breast cancer

Breast reconstruction: Questions and answers

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avatar JosephineO

JosephineO

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23/01/2019 at 10:05

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avatar JosephineO

JosephineO

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Last activity on 15/07/2024 at 09:21

Joined in 2018


989 comments posted | 18 in the Living with breast cancer group

6 of their responses were helpful to members


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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! 

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avatar Tigger.co.uk

Tigger.co.uk

18/03/2019 at 13:36

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avatar Tigger.co.uk

Tigger.co.uk

Last activity on 08/02/2026 at 18:20

Joined in 2016


785 comments posted | 23 in the Living with breast cancer group

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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


Breast reconstruction: Questions and answers https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/living-with-breast-cancer/breast-reconstruction-surgery-questions-and-answers-2691 2019-03-18 13:36:18

avatar Tigger.co.uk

Tigger.co.uk

14/06/2019 at 10:19

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avatar Tigger.co.uk

Tigger.co.uk

Last activity on 08/02/2026 at 18:20

Joined in 2016


785 comments posted | 23 in the Living with breast cancer group

53 of their responses were helpful to members


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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


Breast reconstruction: Questions and answers https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/living-with-breast-cancer/breast-reconstruction-surgery-questions-and-answers-2691 2019-06-14 10:19:34

avatar bc123456

bc123456

23/10/2019 at 11:46

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avatar bc123456

bc123456

Last activity on 19/10/2022 at 01:51

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33 comments posted | 23 in the Living with breast cancer group


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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?


Breast reconstruction: Questions and answers https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/living-with-breast-cancer/breast-reconstruction-surgery-questions-and-answers-2691 2019-10-23 11:46:07

avatar NatalieG

NatalieG

24/10/2019 at 09:20

avatar NatalieG

NatalieG

Last activity on 14/07/2024 at 19:43

Joined in 2017


3 comments posted | 3 in the Living with breast cancer group


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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 . 


Breast reconstruction: Questions and answers https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/living-with-breast-cancer/breast-reconstruction-surgery-questions-and-answers-2691 2019-10-24 09:20:52

avatar maddoglady

maddoglady

24/10/2019 at 09:48

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avatar maddoglady

maddoglady

Last activity on 04/01/2023 at 12:00

Joined in 2016


109 comments posted | 29 in the Living with breast cancer group

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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!


Breast reconstruction: Questions and answers https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/living-with-breast-cancer/breast-reconstruction-surgery-questions-and-answers-2691 2019-10-24 09:48:10

avatar Pinky64

Pinky64

27/10/2019 at 22:48

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avatar Pinky64

Pinky64

Last activity on 23/04/2022 at 12:58

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6 comments posted | 3 in the Living with breast cancer group


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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


Breast reconstruction: Questions and answers https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/living-with-breast-cancer/breast-reconstruction-surgery-questions-and-answers-2691 2019-10-27 22:48:59

avatar bc123456

bc123456

15/11/2019 at 16:25

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avatar bc123456

bc123456

Last activity on 19/10/2022 at 01:51

Joined in 2016


33 comments posted | 23 in the Living with breast cancer group


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Thanks @maddoglady‍ @NatalieG‍ @Pinky64‍ 

I feel better reading your stories!


Breast reconstruction: Questions and answers https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/living-with-breast-cancer/breast-reconstruction-surgery-questions-and-answers-2691 2019-11-15 16:25:33

avatar Courtney_J

Courtney_J

Community manager
14/10/2020 at 17:01

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avatar Courtney_J

Courtney_J

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Last activity on 13/10/2022 at 16:47

Joined in 2020


1,279 comments posted | 39 in the Living with breast cancer group

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Hello ladies,

How have you been lately? emoticon cute

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


Breast reconstruction: Questions and answers https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/living-with-breast-cancer/breast-reconstruction-surgery-questions-and-answers-2691 2020-10-14 17:01:08

avatar bc123456

bc123456

21/01/2021 at 11:18

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avatar bc123456

bc123456

Last activity on 19/10/2022 at 01:51

Joined in 2016


33 comments posted | 23 in the Living with breast cancer group


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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?


Breast reconstruction: Questions and answers https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/living-with-breast-cancer/breast-reconstruction-surgery-questions-and-answers-2691 2021-01-21 11:18:23

avatar Alilaw

Alilaw

26/01/2021 at 10:29

avatar Alilaw

Alilaw

Last activity on 06/10/2025 at 23:52

Joined in 2017


3 comments posted | 2 in the Living with breast cancer group


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@Pinky64 I felt exactly the same......and have no regrets!


Breast reconstruction: Questions and answers https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/living-with-breast-cancer/breast-reconstruction-surgery-questions-and-answers-2691 2021-01-26 10:29:57
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