POSTED UNDER Breast Reconstruction with DIEP Flap REVIEWS
Ongoing Nipple Sparing Reconstruction, DIEP Flap, Fat Transfer, and Possibly Implants - Mount Pleasant, SC
ORIGINAL POST
What a year 2015 has been. This is a very...
WORTH IT$100,000
What a year 2015 has been. This is a very shortened version of what I wanted to write. I left out the doubts, fears, and quite a bit of the healing process. I can add that later. January 6, 2015, I have a biopsy of my right breast. That Friday, January 9th, I learn I have Lobular Carcinoma in situ. Monday morning, at 8:20 am, I learn that what I have is probably in both breasts, and it has an 80% chance of becoming invasive. I can sit around and wait, or have a bilateral mastectomy, and reduce my chances of breast cancer to 3%. This sounds like a no-brainer to me. I go with the 3% number. I have chest film and labs that day, AND, I get to meet Dr. Hahm that very afternoon. He works with my super breast doctor, Dr. Beatty, when they do mastectomies and reconstruction. I thought I would just want implants, but he spoke to me and told me how I will not like how they feel with a tiny piece of skin covering a very formed implant, so my husband and I agree on the DIEP flap reconstruction. I also knew my reconstruction would be in stages, so this called on me for patience, which is not one of my virtues, lol.
I had surgery February 4th. It was 10 hours long, but I joke I slept through the entire thing. The MRI I had and the biopsy of the removed tissue confirmed I did the right thing. Nothing was normal. Nothing. How could such deflated boobs have that much wrong with them? At least nothing had become invasive, but I have no doubt it would have if I had waited one year. I was back at work in 3 weeks. I have a very sedentary job, but I admit, I grossly underestimated how much this would take out of me. I celebrated standing straight up, being able to walk down the street again, and finally, I got back to the gym. The breasts had great shape, but were much smaller, as I had lost 35 pounds before diagnosis and there wasn't a lot of fat left, but at least I had a good start. I went from 36C to 34 A. That was kind of a bummer.
There was a second surgery in May to close the window of tissue he had under each breast to make sure the tissue lived. It did!! I had zero fat necrosis. At the same surgery, he fixed a groinal hernia I managed to develop.
August 19th, I had further fat grafting to start filling in the breasts. Lucky me, I did not have enough to get the entire breast filled and have the volume and upper pole fullness like we hoped. Another hernia had sprung up, and he fixed that for me, as well. Rats. Now I am around a 34B/C. What really stunk was going to get fitted for a bra and the saleslady saying I am an A cup and sticking me in very pretty training bras that offered no support and not even a molded cup or wire. What??? That was a massive blow to the old ego. Well, at least my waist is now measuring 25", after the DIEP, and then the lipoing of the flanks for the fat grafting. Yay!
So today, we meet to see how to complete reconstruction. I now have enough tissue and fat to cover a softer silicone implant, if that is what is needed. My husband and I have a folder of wish boobs, and now we will hear what is next. I think after what I have been through, I deserve the boobs of my dreams. I now have these rocking curves on my bottom half, so how about some rocking curves for the top?
I had surgery February 4th. It was 10 hours long, but I joke I slept through the entire thing. The MRI I had and the biopsy of the removed tissue confirmed I did the right thing. Nothing was normal. Nothing. How could such deflated boobs have that much wrong with them? At least nothing had become invasive, but I have no doubt it would have if I had waited one year. I was back at work in 3 weeks. I have a very sedentary job, but I admit, I grossly underestimated how much this would take out of me. I celebrated standing straight up, being able to walk down the street again, and finally, I got back to the gym. The breasts had great shape, but were much smaller, as I had lost 35 pounds before diagnosis and there wasn't a lot of fat left, but at least I had a good start. I went from 36C to 34 A. That was kind of a bummer.
There was a second surgery in May to close the window of tissue he had under each breast to make sure the tissue lived. It did!! I had zero fat necrosis. At the same surgery, he fixed a groinal hernia I managed to develop.
August 19th, I had further fat grafting to start filling in the breasts. Lucky me, I did not have enough to get the entire breast filled and have the volume and upper pole fullness like we hoped. Another hernia had sprung up, and he fixed that for me, as well. Rats. Now I am around a 34B/C. What really stunk was going to get fitted for a bra and the saleslady saying I am an A cup and sticking me in very pretty training bras that offered no support and not even a molded cup or wire. What??? That was a massive blow to the old ego. Well, at least my waist is now measuring 25", after the DIEP, and then the lipoing of the flanks for the fat grafting. Yay!
So today, we meet to see how to complete reconstruction. I now have enough tissue and fat to cover a softer silicone implant, if that is what is needed. My husband and I have a folder of wish boobs, and now we will hear what is next. I think after what I have been through, I deserve the boobs of my dreams. I now have these rocking curves on my bottom half, so how about some rocking curves for the top?
50isnifty1's provider
Replies (24)
November 9, 2015
Wow, thank you for sharing your story...or at least parts of it. ;) I'm sure you've been through A LOT emotionally. How did you get to the point of a biopsy? Routine mammogram? Feel free to share any pictures with the community...even in a tank top is fine. Maybe most people might say skip the implants as they're a pain to replace, but if you're game, we're here to support you!
November 9, 2015
I had a routine mammogram and then an ultrasound. They had me wait in the consult room. Oh oh. Not good. Then they told me I needed A biopsy due to an exponential explosion of microcalcifications. I could not get a biopsy until Jan 6th. J had to wait all thong Christmas wondering what they would find. I had researched and found out that it was waste products from cysts or from ductal carcinoma.
Then I had an MRI, I saw the photos and knew it was bad. I wanted it out right away. One month from diagnosis to mastectomy felt like a year.
Then I had an MRI, I saw the photos and knew it was bad. I wanted it out right away. One month from diagnosis to mastectomy felt like a year.
November 9, 2015
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November 9, 2015
Ugh, sorry you had to wait so long over the holidays...but good for you for reducing your risk for breast cancer to 3%!
November 12, 2015
I'm sorry that you're on the fence for an insurance issue. You did say you " love how you look now" with how your breasts are...which is a good thing, given all of the history... I hope that you receive what you want as you've been both brave and understanding through " a lot"!
My prayers and fingers crossed that answers come soon. ❤️
My prayers and fingers crossed that answers come soon. ❤️
November 12, 2015
Thank you for your kind words! I hope to get the surgery before December 31st, not only so I so not have that giant deductible, but so I can close the year on cancer and start a new year, fresh. However, if I have to do deductible all over, I will. Spouse actually calmed me about that. The hernia/not hernia may need fixing in the new year. I hope the core exercises I am doing solve the problem. I trust Dr. Hahm 100%. He has done beautiful work. Who would ever believe they could come out of this feeling prettier than they went in? I didn't. I have recommended him to 3 other women needing reconstruction revision, and trauma repairs. i hope they go with him.
November 12, 2015
I would like to add a photo, but with clothes on. The hubster is not wanting me "To post my boobs on the internet," and I do not want to do anything that upsets him. I need to find a shirt that fits; they are all too big from weight loss, reconstruction, etc., and I am holding out on buying any more clothes until I know my final size.
November 18, 2015
Well, did not get a call today. I guess that means no final surgery until the new year. I hoped to be able to close out this year and be done with it all. Then, I feel guilty. I do not have cancer anymore, and it was caught before it became invasive, so no radiation or chemo was needed. I got to keep my hair, and my skin, and my nipples. I feel like I am selfish, narcissistic and whining.
UPDATED FROM 50isnifty1
9 months post
Getting sized for my implants Monday!!
Thanks the the wonderful DIEP flap, I can now have the soft, squishy silicone implants!! There is now enough tissue! Dr. Hahm will do a subglandular placement, which I love. I am a small 34C right now - I guess that is what it is called. I do not have much upper pole volume and there is not a lot of projection. My husband surprised me with the wish boob photos he chose - they were bigger than I thought he'd prefer. I am shooting for more volume and projection. Why not have the breasts of my dreams? Here are some of the wish photos.
Replies (7)
November 21, 2015
this is great news hon! so happy for you. For sure shoot for the stars! Why not right?! You totally should have the boobs of your dreams. :)
November 22, 2015
Just one woman's opinion , my photos don't say much " yet" but I'm thrilled with my results in ever spoke to my Surgeon about "cc" or projection- spoke to his nurse/ operations manager ... But I suggested the look, he asked me a few questions about agreeing to go larger due to my skin laxityand I woke up with Magic! Much of what yo " want@ us dictated by what your body can handle- size mattrs.
I would have thought HP at my age would look like dancer breasts but my brilliant surgeon had to take in a lot of variables to decide what's best over the long haul. If you have a Wush photo, that he/ she should have - beyond that, you've chosen a surgeon you Trust, all the very best!!
I would have thought HP at my age would look like dancer breasts but my brilliant surgeon had to take in a lot of variables to decide what's best over the long haul. If you have a Wush photo, that he/ she should have - beyond that, you've chosen a surgeon you Trust, all the very best!!
November 22, 2015
Thank you! He saw our wish pics and said it was doable! So excited about sizing tomorrow!!
UPDATED FROM 50isnifty1
9 months post
What bra should I bring for sizing?
Okay, I forgot to ask, what type of bra should I bring to sizing? I do not have many. I have a couple with an underwire and the rest are VS wireless T-Shirt ones with a band too large that I bought after the DIEP. The cups all fit. None of them are pushups or padded. Recommendations?
Replies (2)
November 21, 2015
My PS gave me a bra and t-shirt to wear for sizing... might be worth checking if yours offers that too... I think it's fairly commonplace. If not though, I would recommend your surgical bra. Failing that, a simple crop top I think would be the next step. You don't really want to be in anything that restricts your options (ie. anything with cups) because you might not be able to get the sizers into it properly. hope this helps. :)
November 22, 2015
Thanks! I could not answer the phone when they called to do appt confirmation. Thanks!!
Do what makes you happy under tge guidance and expertise of your surgeon. I share. Your activity level - and drink loads of Water too.
I have a small waist too and that gives for a larger look on top! core work has really been crucial in my recovery as I can't use my arms. All The Best!