Hello

[riverran21]

Hi all. New here - I was recently diagnosed with bilateral IDC breast cancer, multiple masses in both. I have to have a dbl mastectomy. I’m in the process of meeting with a plastic surgeon for reconstruction and wondering if anyone has any insight on good questions to ask? Or things to think about I may not be considering. I’ve researched both natural and implant and decided to go implant route. Thanks in advance. Hope all are doing well. I’m hanging in there.

[Figletf]

Hello ,I had a double mastectomy with reconstruction with wonderful results👍

The plastic surgeon I had did an amazing job. There are scars of course,but they fade with time.

My husband is very pleased that I chose to have the same size implants as my normal breasts. Since I was a D cup it took many weeks of stretching the skin (which had not been removed during my surgery).This was painful but not unbearable 😞

After nine years I fortunately have not had any problems. Prayers that you have a splendid surgeon and are pleased with your results.

[riverran21 in reply to Figletf]

Thank you for sharing your experience with me. I am a little nervous about the stretching but you’ve put me at ease a bit. Thanks!

[Burningrock]

i had implants just about 4 years ago. I had a wonderful plastic surgeon who suggested that we increase the size of my implants that would compliment my body size and structure. I was very small breasted. He did a great job, my clothes fit better, and the scars were minimal But I do miss my old self.

[riverran21 in reply to Burningrock]

Thank you for sharing your experience. That’s something I’m trying to decide as well. Should I go a little bigger? It wouldn’t be much but I’m wondering if during expansion if it feels like too much, can you make the decision to go back down?

[Burningrock]

I’m not sure, but I think you can go back down. Your surgeon can probably best answer that. If possible I may go down a size when the implants need to be replaced. But that’s 6 yrs away! lol

[riverran21 in reply to Burningrock]

Thanks so much! I’ll be sure to ask Tuesday when I go! So glad yours went well!!

[ba5083]

If it has not been mentioned I would recommend drain belt. It made things easier when emptying drains. I bought 2 of these so I could shower with 1 and once done I could switch out for a dry one. I'm sure there are many of them but this is the one (2) that I bought - amazon.com/gp/product/B09BR...

[riverran21 in reply to ba5083]

Oh thank you so much!! I was looking at the shirts with the pockets too but did not see these so this is very helpful! I didn’t even think about what to with those during showers. Thank you!!! This is exactly the helpful advice I need! Bless you!

[ba5083 in reply to riverran21]

One thing with the belt is you can wear a very loose shirt over the top. I had my surgery on Halloween in 2022 so the weather wasn't particularly cold or hot. I wore my husbands lined flannels over the top or a robe so taking of my shirt/robe off was not as cumbersome if I was wearing a shirt. Hopefully your surgery won't be too invasive (what am I saying it is a DBL mast) with complete node clearance ect. I had expanders put in and finished treatment prior to my reconstruction a year later. For me filling the expanders was more painful after several hours and days later than recovering from the surgery. I ended up with either Bs or small Cs which I was looking for. However after 2+ years I still have no feeling in either breast. Wishing you the best! God Bless!

[riverran21]

Good to know. They are planning (I hope the plan goes accordingly) to do the expanders at the same time. As of right now there was nothing showing in my nodes but I am aware things can always change. Fingers crossed!!