Nipple-sparing double mastectomy with reconstruction

May 21, 2016

I want so bad to feel and look like you!! So encouraged by your story. I'm post op recon surgery w expanders 4 days. Praying that all goes well. My dr is 3 hours away if anything comes up. I want to look back too w a smile. Only time will tell I guess

May 21, 2016

Meow0369, I remember well how hard the first few weeks were, and especially the first few days. I was still so shocked from the cancer diagnosis and I was almost overwhelmed with fear. I read visited several breast cancer forums and found a lot of encouragement there. I'm not sure if you have drains but I did and they just about drove me crazy! The expanders felt like coconut shells too which wasn't very pleasant. Once you get your implants you will feel SO much better! My exchange surgery was a breeze compared to the double mastectomy! The surgery didn't last long at all and I barely had any pain. It was such a relief to know that it was over! I wish you all the best and believe that you will one day look in the mirror and smile too! :-)

May 22, 2016

Thankyou ! Thankyou !

May 28, 2016

Does stage 1a mean it was invasive? I had recon surgery last week. They said I had stage 0 then it turned invasive so I'm assuming it now stage 1. I see oncologist in couple wks. Dr said I don't fit guidelines for chemo but why see onco to see options. I hve 3 kids and just expected the surgery

May 28, 2016

Stage 1a means it's invasive but it hasn't spread to any lymph nodes. Did you have a sentinel node biopsy? That's what I had. My doctor told me I wouldn't need chemotherapy regardless of which treatment option I chose. My tumor was only 4mm and it was a slow-growing type. I didn't want radiation or to have to take tamoxifen so I chose the double mastectomy. I don't know why you need to see an oncologist at this point since your primary doctor already told you that you don't meet the guidelines for chemo. Most women with stage 0 or 1 don't need chemo but I know a lot of them take Tamoxifen. Perhaps he wants to discuss that with you.

June 1, 2016

Yes I had sentintel surgery and they came back clear. My tumor was .6cm total bc I first had lumpectomy first to check subnipple. Then mx w recon. Mine was high grade though. Triple negative. Not an option for pills I think. I guess that's what they go by. Just hope I don't need anything further.

June 1, 2016

I'm so glad your sentinel node was clear!! I hope you don't need anything further as well. From all that I've read over the years since my diagnosis I don't see why you would.

ORIGINAL POST

I can't say enough great things about Dr. Tierney!...

MichelleWay71May 20, 2016

I can't say enough great things about Dr. Tierney! He is an extremely skilled surgeon and a wonderful person. The first time I met with him (to discuss breast reconstruction following a nipple-sparing double mastectomy) I was impressed by his knowledge and his warm, caring nature. He took the time to explain the procedure to me, discuss my implant options, and answer all of my questions. He did an amazing job on my breast reconstruction. The process wasn't easy but he and his staff made a very difficult situation much more bearable. Even though my final surgery was almost three years ago I can still hardly believe my eyes when I look in the mirror. There are no visible scars and my implants look very natural. In fact, I sent pictures of my reconstructed breasts to a friend who was scheduled for a double mastectomy with reconstruction and she took them to her plastic surgeon! She wanted the exact implants Dr. Tierney gave me. I will always be grateful for all that Dr. Tierney has done for me. I would recommend him without reservation to any woman who has been diagnosed with breast cancer and is considering breast reconstruction.

Replies (3)

May 21, 2016

I just had a double mastectomy with tissue expanders put in two weeks ago. Your implants looked so wonderful and natural. Do you mind sharing what type of implants and the size? Thanks

May 21, 2016

Hi Amber,
I'm sorry you are in the double mastectomy club too. Cancer is such a monster. :-( I remember well the tissue expander process and I wish you a speedy, complication-free recovery! I think the worst part for me was the drains! UGH!

Thank you for your kind words about my implants. They are Natrelle 410 Highly Cohesive Anatomically Shaped Silicone-Filled Implants size 255cc. They are also referred to as gummy bear implants. I am 5'3" and around 100 pounds so we wanted to go fairly small because I wanted a natural look. I also like them because they feel more like real breasts and they will never leak. Please let me know if you have any other questions or just need some encouragement! :-)

May 21, 2016

Hi Michelle,

Thank you for your feedback. Oh, yes I still have the drains and they are definitely a pain in the rear. I'm going on the 3rd week. Hopefully they can be removed next week.

I am very thin, my breast size was A cup before the surgery so I would like to go a lit bigger maybe B cup. Yours seemed like the size I am looking for.

Just curious if your doctor ever mentioned to you the possbility of those anotomically implants being rotated? My doctor is concerned about that so he prefers to put in the round type. But I really like how yours looked so I will show my doctor and see what he says.

By the way, did your doctor use Aloderm to support the implants?

Thank you again

May 21, 2016

Hi Amber,

My doctor did use Alloderm to support the implants. We discussed the pros and cons of different types of implants and I vaguely remember him mentioning the remote possibility that the ones I chose could shift. I decided to go with them anyway and am so glad I did. I work out six days a week (interval training, cardio, weights, etc.) and my implants have not shifted/rotated at all. I'm pretty hard on them and they have held up very well so far lol! I think the Alloderm makes a huge difference in terms of the implants staying in place. Like you, I was an A before the surgery and am a B now. I really am amazed at how natural the implants look. I know a lot of women are very happy with the regular round silicone implants and the saline ones too. I think it just comes down to what you (and your doctor) believe will give you the best result. Please keep me posted on your progress!!! :-)

Ch2mhill

May 27, 2016

I had a nipple sparing double mastectomy in Feb 2016. My chest is numb. Wondering if you've had any feeling come back three years post op? Thank you

May 27, 2016

Hi Ch2mhill,

The only feeling I have is on the skin above and on the sides of the implants. Before my surgery I was told that I would probably never get any feeling back in the nipple area so I knew not to expect it. I feel like it was a small price to pay for the peace of mind the double mastectomy brought me. I have heard of women who got some feeling back in the nipple area though. Let's hope you are one of them! :-)

May 31, 2016

Hi Michelle,
The doctor finally removed the drains last week! yay :)) but I still feel very tight around my chest. I probably have 3 more fills to go before swithing to the actual implants. Just wondering how long did it take you to get used to the implants? Did your doctor have to do any fat grafting to avoid rippling? Thanks! Amber

June 1, 2016

Hi Amber!
I'm so glad the drains are gone!! I felt tight around my chest too. It's normal because of the expanders. My doctor didn't have to do any fat grafting. This might have been because I didn't lose too much skin and my implants were fairly small. It didn't take me long to get used to the implants at all! They felt so much better than the expanders as I'm sure you can imagine! I was a bit swollen at first but after about a week it all went away. I think the implants look better and better as time goes by. Even though they don't feel exactly like real breasts they look very natural and I am very happy with them! Please keep me posted on your progress! :-)

June 2, 2016

Thanks Michell. I'm about 170cc right now, and they seemed very small. I have 3 more refills to go (60cc x3=180) which will be around 350cc when they are done. I'm hoping they will look pretty similar to yours. :)). Will keep you posted ! Take care!