Breast Cancer Survivor age 50 - Boston, MA

Hello. Best to you and wishing you swift healing. My experierence was the surgery was 7 hours, then I was in the intensive care unit closely monitored for about a day. I was in the hospital 4 days. The first 2 I was mostly in bed. It was so amazing to wake up after surgery and see my new breast and know it was all from my own body. Very regularly, Dr.'s and nurses would check in and listen to the blood flow with a doppler. The sound reminded me of when I was preganant and listening to the baby's heartbeat. It was living tissue! It is an amazing procedure. The hardest healing for me was my stomach. I was told it would feel tight after surgery. I was surprised how tight it was. I could not stand up straight. They don't say you need 6 weeks of healing for no reason. I was lucky to get off work for that time. I did have a few home nurse visits after discharge. Be patient with yourself. It takes time to heal. Last Sept. I had my surgery and could hardly walk, and this fall I am hiking mountain trails!

Congratulations on your successful surgery & outcome! Unfortunately, I found out today that my surgery will have to be cancelled because a CAT scan revealed "several masses" in my liver! During my routine oncology follow up last week, my lab work revealed an elevation in my liver enzymes. I won't know until November 23rd what the oncologist is recommending. Thank you for taking the time to comment on.my post!

Please keep me informed. As you know, news and treatment plans for us are always subject to change! After I had gone through chemo and radiation, docs found another tumor that I had removed. Fortunately it was benign. A few months after that I had the 1st reconstructive surgery.

Thank you, you too!

Thank you for your kind words!

Hello, yes, I had surgery on both breasts. The first surgery was the DIEP flap on one side. 3 months later, I had a lift on that new breast, and had an implant put in the other. Thanks for the compliment!

You're welcome, how was the recovery process?

The first surgery is 6 weeks healing...it is a 7 hour surgery. Your stomach is super tight and it is hard to stand up straight. I was lucky and had off work for that time so I could heal. The 2nd surgery was easier, less than 3 hours and about 1/2 the healing time. When might you get your surgery?

Thanks for your reply. I finished radiation in July 2016 so they say I need to wait a year from that date for my reconstruction. I can see why, it takes a long time to settle. The Dr doing my surgery has a long waiting list. I'm thinking fall 2017.

I hope it went well. I have an implant on my left side, and I am pleased with the results. No scarring and feels natural. It gives me a better shape and matches my reconstructed side.