Almost Finished - Knoxville, TN

Yes they will add 100 cc of saline to each expander 2 more times before my surgery. The next time will be on the 23rd of this month. Then 3 weeks later they will add it the last time. It is really tight when they first add the saline but once the skin starts to stretch then it is fine. Its not painful just a little uncomfortable. I wont tell you that it has been easy because there have been days when I have wanted to die. I have felt like my husband looks at me differently he said he doesn't but he does.He is so supportive of me an has taken great care of me physically. Its just really hard when they make you feel like you have something wrong with you. Like if they touch you they are going to catch cancer form you. That has been hard, Boobs don't make me or any other woman who they are, I am still the same person I have always been. So that being said, some days I cry but most days I Thankful that things are as good as they are. They could be so much worse.

My heart goes out to you. Feeling like there is a disconnect between you and a person you love, especially your husband, is so so difficult. I'm sorry you are going through that kind of pain. :( I think its so good that you let yourself cry when you need to. You are going through a lot emotionally, and physically. Sure it could be worse, it could always be worse, but that doesn't mean its not ok to grieve the pain you are dealing with. After grieving that pain our eyes are often so much more able to see all the beautiful things we do still have.

Its encouraging to hear that the fills are tolerable for you. I'll be hoping the one coming up on the 23rd goes well. Please continue to let us know how you are - we're here and we care.

I found that I had a few bad days after getting my expanders filled. But I have issues with my back and spine so the extra weight caused problems. I never had anyone tell one what I was in for. I want you to know that yoju are so brave to share your story with these woman. You are in the middle of thi and yet you are so open. You are wonderful. Had I known where to look, it would have made it much eaiser for me. Keep it up and thank you for being so giving.

My cousin & I both had double mastectomy's, my aunt had a lumpectomy. Mine was not in my lymph nodes but my cousins was. She had stage 4 and had to have chemo and 39 radiation treatments. While all I have had to do is take Tamoxifen 10 mg for the next 5 years. There is only a 6 % chance of mine returning with me having all of my breast tissue removed. My Aunt my mothers sister refused any treatment but seems to be doing good so far. My cousin is in the process of having her breast reconstructed and will be finished this spring.

Bless you all. I have triple negative breast cancer caused by HRT. There is not family history of any type of cancer. You are strong women and my thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Yes I am in remission since June 2011, but still working on my breast reconstruction .

PSHARP, You and your family have been through sooo much. God bless you all. I think that Primary Care Physicians/GYNs should schedule a woman for her annual mammogram as routinely as they perform annual Pap smears. We need to find breast cancers as early as possible, and we have to have a consistent procedure with which to do that. Everybody, talk to your Doc to get a procedure for mammo testing/scheduling as a part of every woman's annual exam, starting with your clinic. My IDC--noninvasive--was a Level 0 and all but 1/2 cup size of my breast tissue was preserved despite shrinkage from radiation. Let's see more Level 0s, and not the so numerous higher levels. It's really up to us and how hard we push as individuals and as a community of women. Mammos, mammos, and research for prevention. jeddy031

I have to say I was very Blessed I have had a mammogram every year since I was 35, due to family history. My doctor scheduled it for me every year and early detection is what kept me from having to have chemo or radiation. I chose to do the double bilateral mastectomy because of my history. I am cancer free and only a 6% chance it will come back. I do take Tamoxifen 10 mg daily for the next 10 years. I can live with that. I stress to everyone how important mammograms are. I had the Bracca gene testing done and I was negative. I was go relieved I have a 14 year old daughter. Her grandmother on her dad's side had breast cancer as well. So scared for her. I will be praying for you & your family.

slee0304 Why is fat transfer method not easy? Did you have it done in one session only? Did you have lifts with your transfer? What did you think of transfer with lifts at the same session? Is transfer done, then lifts at a 2nd session?

I had liposuction done to transfer fat from my abdomen to my chest area. This was done to fill in around my implants wheee I had no tissue. Then I had a lift done on the left side only. The reason is because it sat a little lower than the right side did. I am really pleased with the results at this point. I still have to have nipples made and I should be finished. I have saline implants. I was just extremely sore and weak worm this surgery. It takes a lot out of you. I barely have any scares at this point.

PSHARP, GOOD FOR YOU THAT THINGS ARE GOING WELL FOR YOU. OH, AND SAY "HI!" TO THE GUY BY YOUR SIDE. VERY USEFUL INFO. Q 1: Did any PS say whether a radiated breast can take a fat transfer and then get a lift? Q 2: Did you have your transfer done and your lift done immediately thereafter? I've had one consultation, am awaiting a second consultation, and hope to have the procedure(s) done in July or August at Harvard's Mass General Hospital. Are you no longer sore and weak--how long has it been? Best wishes, jeddy031

I didn't have any radiation so no to that question. Yes I had the fat transfer and the lift all done at one time.

PSHARP, The first PS I consulted didn't do fat transfer; bah humbug. My new consult should clarify the radiation issue. I'm hoping he does the transfer and lift at the same time, same as you had. Thanks so much for your comments. jeddy031

When my PS did my lift he tacked it to my rib cage. Just tell him that's what you want to do. If you leave it up two them they will have you in and out of there time and time again. My doctor isn't like that. I waited longer between surgeries but in the end the results speak for themselves. As you can see. Be sure to look at the pictures I just added some new ones. You can see a huge difference from the beginning. Good luck & God Bluss

What do you mean when you say it didn't turn out well?

It was not easy for me because you have to do the Lipo as well as the injection of the fat at each procedure. It takes many procedures because your body will natural take the fat and will process it back through itself. And it takes as many as you feel necessary. Because you are the patient and you have to live with results. That is why they make you wait so long between surgeries. What are lifts? Because I am having issues with my not a "shelf" under my Breast. My PS says it's because they had to take too much tissue. Please tell more

Wow...you were expanded far more than me. My PS took me to 750 and my implants are 700. They are cohesive gel silicone and I love them. Victoria Secret bras fit very well. I went from a padded B cup to filling a D.....a big change for me. I go in 3 weeks for the nipple surgery....April Fool's Day. Best of luck to your!

Hi I'm 4 weeks post-op and am having complications to include infection and edema. I can clearly see the outline of my implants and one side has dropped. My doctor told me the largest gel implant made is 800 cc. Does anyone know if thats true?

It is the biggest made in the us but if your getting saline they can expand it to 950cc. That's what they did to mine. Mine also fell and they are going back to removed some of the tissue on the sides of each of my implants that will lift them back up. Just saw a surgeon this week.

That's terrible! More surgery now! I hate surgeries...if that happens to me I don't what I'm going to do

I'm sure you will be fine. I believe this just a path chosen for me so that others will benefit by experience. May God Bless you and your journey.

Thank you

I don't have to have it done, they are fine like they are and it's not medically necessary. I guess you might say I want them to look the same. My left one sits a lot lower than the right and it needs tissue added in my chest area. I'll try to take some pictures so you can see. What I mean.

You should do it for your peace of mind, because it matters to you.

You are very welcome and I will be here for you always

Hello, I am doing great. Getting ready for nipples and some final adjustments to make everything come together. I must say I am really evicted to get my nipples and see the end result. A lot of people say the expanders hurt, I never had the first problem with mine. I had mine put in when I had my breast removed. Then went back every 3 weeks for expanding. I used plenty of lotion to keep my skin moisturized. There is no need to be scared they are a little uncomfortable because they are kinda hard. They have to be to stretch your skin. You probably don't have any feeling in you chest area anyway if your like me. So I never felt it when they injected the saline into the expanders when I went in. It was a walk in the park. The worst is behind you this is the easy part I promise you that.. Hope this helps.

Thank you for responding:)

You are very welcome. You are doing the right thing ask questions, find a friend. Get someone who has or is going through what you are going through. That way when either of you just need to talk. You have each other, family & friends are great, sometimes you need someone who knows how you feel. By saying that I know how you feel as a woman when you see yourself now as before. Now everyone understands how we feel or what goes through our mind. They don't know how hard it is to be strong for them when we are falling apart inside sometimes and we can't or won't let them see that. Just remember God has a plan for everything that happens.

Thank you for the pep talk I needed it. I have felt very alone in this matter. My husband has no clue. It is my nature to stay strong on the outside, while at times I am falling apart at the seams. Doing this through the Department of Veteran Affairs has been really diffcult because they only have one plastic surgeon and he only does surgery one day a week. I had thought I was ready for nipples but having to do another fat transfer is almost more than I can bare. I have a heart condition as well so it comes it in play and makes recovery longer and more difficult.

Just relax and take your time. You will get there. In July 2015 it will be 3 years since my first surgery. I want to give my body the time it needs, it will also give you time. The more stress you are under and the more you worry the harder it is for you to heal and recover from this. I will be praying for you. Jeremiah 29:11 is one of my favorite verses. I'm not sure if you are a religious person or not but if you are please read this. My email is patricia.mccurry@yahoo.com drop me a line if you like.

Thank you again, Patricia! I will look up Jeremiah 29:11 today. Can I ask if u take Tamoxifen?

What do u mean by final adjustments?

Thanks for your insight. I

Yes I do take Tamoxifen and I have since Aug , 2012 and I have done extremely well on it. That's what the doctors call them. On the side of my implants where my skin was stretched I have a small pocket he called it. It is causing one side to sit lower than the other so he is going to adjust that and make my nip. Nothing major I promise,, I'm one who this everything has to be prefect so it's made this a real learning experience for me. I've learned to be Thankful for what matters most.. Be sure to let me know how you are doing. Good Luck God Bless, sending PRAYERS your way.

I started Tamoxifen July 2012, took it for 3 months and thought I was going to lose my mind..I had to stop taking it...you're lucky you don't have major side effects from it. Thank you for your kind words!

They are the most amazing people I have ever met. I will be having my expanders removed on the 16th of April and my implants put in. I just love Dr. Wilson and both Nancy's and Irene. They have been so good to me throughout this battle I have been through with my cancer and all. I am so glad that you like them. He will do a GREAT job. Good Luck & God Bless...

Yes I will be more than happy to pay some pictures when I get them. They are going to put my implants in a week from today. Them I will have to go back in 3 months and have nipples made. So far I have been very pleased with the results but I have an awesome doctor.

Wanda here are some new pictures. Hope these help with your decision.

Congratulations from one survivor to other and anyone else who is reading this. It always does my heart good to dear that one more of us had beaten this. Thank you for the compliment, it's been a long road for as it has you I'm sure. As women we want everything right now and this is one thing we can't hurry. My scars do look great I must say that as well, at this point they are barely even visible. My surgeon had a lot to do with that but I have good genes as well. I have given birth to two children went from 137lbs at one time in my life to 203lbs and don't have stretch marks. Not everyone's scars will look like mine do. Do some research in your area on nip recons, sometimes they even have patients that are willing to meet with you or they have pictures you can look at. If there is a breast cancer support group in your area I'm sure those ladies can help you as well. Good luck & God Bless

Thank you so much, your support means more than I can put into words. It has been a long and lonely battle

You are not alone and you have seen my emailed address send me an email and if you have FB you an I can be friends on there. Together we will win this battle..

That is such a blessing. So you had breast cancer then went 19 years cancer free and it came back again? If you don't mind me asking what type of cancer did you have & did you have the Gene testing done? I will be praying for you and I hope that you are cancer free as of now. May God Bless you Always.

When I was diagnosed in '94, all I was told was that it was a slow growing cancer, very rare. Fortunately, I found it very early,...like a dime had been slipped under the skin. I had a lumpectomy and a full round of radiation,.....was fine until August of 2012. I had been bleeding small drops from the nipple of the same side as in '94. Nothing showed up on any of three tests, but was sent for a second opinion. The specialist did not think it was cancer, but did a biopsy anyway just to be certain. The entire amount he removed had cancer cells,..again early, but I had no recourse but to have a mastectomy,...went ahead at my doctor's suggestion and did a bilateral. I never received the name of the cancer,...it really didn't matter to me. Short story, but I still feel so fortunate to have discovered the cancer twice before it did any real problems. I know I am blessed and my life has certainly changed for the better. I believe God has had a Allan, and unfortunately, several friends/family members have been diagnosed since, and I genuinely know their fear and anxiety. I've tried my best to be supportive and understanding,...maybe that's the reason for my case. It's been two years and I continue to be grateful and very satisfied with the results. I laugh and tell my husband that if I could just lose some weight, my boobs would look even bigger!!

Are you happy with your Breast reconstruction?