Patient Stories: Breast Reconstruction
Carol
- 53
- Female
- Breast Reconstruction
I had a mastectomy in April 2005 and breast reconstruction performed by an ASPS Member Surgeon. My surgeon did a tummy tuck, and used my own tissue to form my new breast. I finished my treatments in December 2006 and elected to have nipple reconstruction done. I did not realize what a difference this would make to me. I look like myself again and am no longer defined by my breast cancer. The surgeon did such an amazing job. This has been a gift to me. Throughout my ordeal my ASPS Member Surgeon showed my such kindness. Words cannot express how much gratitude I feel. I was very lucky to have been recommended to my ASPS Member Surgeon.
Karen
- Medical Assistant
- 35
- Female
- Breast Reconstruction and Tummy Tuck
After breast feeding my son for 8 months , I decided to wean him. My husband noticed a lump increasing in size in my right breast. After a core biopsy was performed, I was diagnosed with Ductal Carcinoma In-situ (DCIS). At first, I decided to go with the least invasive treatment procedure, a lumpectomy. Unfortunately, the lumpectomy wasn’t enough and I didn’t come up with clear margins. I decided, at this point, to opt for a bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction using expanders.
My general surgeon referred me to an ASPS Member Surgeon who is one of the best plastic and reconstructive surgeons in the bay area. Thank goodness I was referred to him; he was definitely the best! I had reconstructive surgery and he also performed an abdominoplasty on me using some of my excess skin for skin grafting my nipples. The surgeries were a huge success, and I am more confident now than I ever was.
After going through so much at such a young age, I decided to change my life plan and left my career as an insurance agent. I went back to school to become a medical assistant and now work for my plastic surgeon! I counsel women going through similar situations and offer them first hand advice of what to expect. I feel fortunate to be able to give back some of what I have learned.
Nicole
- Retail
- 24
- Female
- Breast Reconstruction, Bilateral Prophylactic Mastectomies and Tummy Tuck
I was burned at the age of 11, in 1992. I suffered 2nd and 3rd degree burns on 15% of my body (my scars start from about 4 inches above my belly button, all the way to my chin, but not on my back.) I had been seeking treatment with the Shriners Hospitals, until I was no longer eligible to go, due to my age. I was asked to be in a friends wedding, so after some years of saying I was never going to have another surgery ever again (I had had 17 surgeries in like 5 years), I had enough. I just decided I wanted no part of it any more. That is until the wedding came up, and I decided that I should at least speak with a physician and see what he/she says. I talked to one of my co-workers who had just had breast reconstruction, after having breast cancer and having a mastectomy. I asked her who her surgeon was, and she said he was really helpful, really kind, etc...
So, I thought why not? Can't hurt to go see what he says. Well since my natural breasts never grew due to scarring, I was not able to now or in the future do mammograms and self breast exams. I say this because my mother was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer. Therefore, I had a strong family history of breast cancer. So he suggested doing bilateral prophylactic mastectomies, which is basically a double mastectomy, along with that he suggested doing a tummy tuck (this was to replace the breast that were now gone. I would not have any breast tissue left, he gave me "new breasts" from the skin taken during the tummy tuck.
Now this is a BIG surgery, I was in ICU for 2 days in a climate controlled room, my room was kept very warm, in order to keep good blood flow from the veins keeping the 2 new flaps "alive." The breast part of the surgery was the hardest for me. The tummy tuck I think was the best thing I ever did, and having the two done together, the pain from the tummy tuck was not nearly what is was from the breast surgery. I will admit, there were some complications, but it was nothing that I wasn't already warned about, going into it.
My surgeon was and is the BEST! He has just been AWESOME through out this whole experience. He answered any and all questions my parents had. He drew on his scrubs, what exactly he did, to help them understand. I had gotten a blood clot in my left breast 4 days after surgery. Well, I had to go back in for emergency surgery to save the left breast. I went in at like 7 or 7:30 at night and was in the OR for 4 to 5 more hours. He was at my bed side at 3:45 in the morning changing bandages and making sure I was alright, after having been in the OR. I am 100% now, I still have a few more surgeries that I need to have done. Everytime I go in to see my surgeon for a follow up appt. he greets me with a smile, and he is never afraid to take the extra time to just chat or see what is going on in my life. He is Just the Best! I HIGHLY recommend him! I keep telling my mom that I LOVE HIM!! ha ha ha...
Donna
- Secretary
- 48
- Female
- Breast Reconstruction
In 2002, I was diagnosed with invasive ductal breast cancer. I was terrified and all of my doctors helped me with difficult decisions. I was introduced to my plastic surgeon who is and was at the time very compassionate to my needs.
I underwent a mastectomy on the right side followed by chemo and an expander. Well, I am nearing completion of the implant reconstruction with the nipple surgery in November. It has been a long process but I feel like a whole woman again. I have had a lift and implant on the left side and I have not looked this good in years. I kid the doctor now; it is my booby prize for what cancer tried to take away.
Sandra
- 51
- Female
- Breast Reconstruction After Subcutaneous Mastectomy
I had preventive subcutaneous mastectomy surgery on both of my breasts in October, 1992. My sister had just passed away from breast cancer and my Mother was diagnosed with the same type of breast cancer. I had expanders put in for two months to stretch my muscle and then silicone implants in December, 1992. I still have the same silicone implants and have not had any problems with them. I guess the only problem that I have with the implants is that they are very cold in the winter time and do not warm to your body temperature.
My doctors have stated that I will probably have to have them replaced soon as they usually start to "wear out" sometime after 7 years. It was a very difficult surgery to have to remove all the breast tissue but the doctors have stated that my chances of getting breast cancer have been greatly reduced. My doctor chose silicone because I do not have any breast tissue left and since I am all implant then the saline would be like a "water balloon" in my breast. I plan on getting silicone implants again when I need to replace them.
Kim
- Office Administrator
- 47
- Female
- Bilateral Mastectomy with Immediate Reconstruction
I'm a 47 year old diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2004.Because mine was a fast growing aggressive tumor, I immediately went thru 5 months of chemo, followed by my surgery in November. I chose to have bi-lateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction due to my strong family history. I recovered quite well and fast and was able to resume my workout activities after 5 weeks.
The only drawback I have now is my left breast (the cancerous one) has not dropped down enough, so the surgeon will need to go back in and cut on the muscles to relax them enough for this to happen. Then, the nipple construction needs to be completed also. I'm told that is quite simple and done on an outpatient procedure. Other than that, I am satisfied and only have a 1% chance of reoccurrence! I'm still not sure I like the hardness of my new breasts- everyone was right, they definitely are not the same!
However, I never have to worry about wearing a bra again! My new size is larger too, so that is nice. I'm just glad the cancer was caught in time and now I'm cancer free. I tell all women to check themselves every month- I found my lump after having a mammogram just 3 months before- it did not pick up! I have a renewed look on life now and try not to get stressed out over the little things.
