POSTED UNDER Breast Reconstruction with TRAM Flap REVIEWS
A Breast Removal, a Reconstruction and a Reduction - Randwick, AU
ORIGINAL POST
In February 2008 I was diagnosed with malignant...
LesleyD43April 22, 2013
WORTH IT$20,000
In February 2008 I was diagnosed with malignant breast cancer in my right breast. Within three weeks I had had a lumpectomy, a mastectomy and lymph node clear on the right side. Thereafter followed nearly a year of fear, chemo and radiation.
I did not seriously consider having a reconstruction and in fact wished that I had had both breasts removed at the time of the mastectomy. Some time in 2010 my daughter who is a nurse at the Womens Hospital, had a conversation with her Breast Care Nurse about me and it was suggested that I go on the "list" for a reconstruction but still, at that stage I was really only mildly interested in having it done. As time went on I got more and more fed up with wearing a gigantic prosthesis that weighed over 1kg in weight, was really hot, heavy and just plain uncomfortable.
I met Pouria Moradi in 2011 or early 2012 and we had a long discussion about my options in having a reconstruction. It was decided that I would have a Tram Flap using my own stomach to reconstruct the breast. By this stage I had fairly well decided that I would go ahead and have the surgery. In May 2012 Dr Moradi did the Tram flap operation. To say it was horrendous would be an understatement, the pain was excruciating but by the end of a week I could see some light at the end of the tunnel. Twelve months down the track my right "breast" is perfect. It is firm and round and sits perfectly.
In January 2013 Dr Moradi reduced my left breast, which resembled a deflated balloon you would find under the lounge six months after a party, from a size 18E down to about a smallish16D which brought it into line with the right side. I am so happy with the result. I can now wear anything at all and it looks good.
I feel so much better about myself now which is strange because I never really put much thought into breasts and they were never the be all and end all for me. Maybe not having one changed my perspective. I have no regrets about undertaking any of the surgeries I've had done. Cancer changed my life in one way and the reconstruction changed it in another.
I did not seriously consider having a reconstruction and in fact wished that I had had both breasts removed at the time of the mastectomy. Some time in 2010 my daughter who is a nurse at the Womens Hospital, had a conversation with her Breast Care Nurse about me and it was suggested that I go on the "list" for a reconstruction but still, at that stage I was really only mildly interested in having it done. As time went on I got more and more fed up with wearing a gigantic prosthesis that weighed over 1kg in weight, was really hot, heavy and just plain uncomfortable.
I met Pouria Moradi in 2011 or early 2012 and we had a long discussion about my options in having a reconstruction. It was decided that I would have a Tram Flap using my own stomach to reconstruct the breast. By this stage I had fairly well decided that I would go ahead and have the surgery. In May 2012 Dr Moradi did the Tram flap operation. To say it was horrendous would be an understatement, the pain was excruciating but by the end of a week I could see some light at the end of the tunnel. Twelve months down the track my right "breast" is perfect. It is firm and round and sits perfectly.
In January 2013 Dr Moradi reduced my left breast, which resembled a deflated balloon you would find under the lounge six months after a party, from a size 18E down to about a smallish16D which brought it into line with the right side. I am so happy with the result. I can now wear anything at all and it looks good.
I feel so much better about myself now which is strange because I never really put much thought into breasts and they were never the be all and end all for me. Maybe not having one changed my perspective. I have no regrets about undertaking any of the surgeries I've had done. Cancer changed my life in one way and the reconstruction changed it in another.
LesleyD43's provider
Thank you for sharing your personal journey on RealSelf. Congratulations on your new breasts...and on conquering the cancer! I am so happy to hear you are pleased with your results. You deserve good results after all you went through. Did the Tram Flap process require more than one surgery? Do you have any challenges with your abdomen since the surgery? Take care and thanks again for sharing!
Despite everything you're been through, even the additional surgeries for your abdominal scarring, you have a great positive attitude. I'm very happy for you!