http://apps.komen.org/forums/(c) Susan G. Komen for the Cure | Message Boards30vegas- Sorry about the newly constructed nipple! OUCHY! But I suppose you didn't feel it? But CONGRATULATIONS on your nipple! How very exciting. It must feel good to have that done? Ugh! I went to the Dr. and just cried! I thought for sure thehttp://apps.komen.org/forums/fb.ashx?m=306807Wed, 10 Mar 2010 20:50:28 GMTThis isn't your normal 'fat grafting'. If you go to the website you'll see that he injects the fat in tiny droplets over a thin plane, rather than a blob of fat. In this way the fat develops a blood supply and stays alive. It's when it can't develop a blhttp://apps.komen.org/forums/fb.ashx?m=306794Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:16:17 GMTOuch! Hope everything is ok? Let us know! I'm pretty sure you aren't the only one to goof on all this recovery mess..... myself included - I used the wrong kind of gauze and dang near lot my nip he just built! There is a differenchttp://apps.komen.org/forums/fb.ashx?m=306791Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:59:37 GMT...I burned my breast from a HOT towel!! How stupid!! I woke up this morning and was in so much pain from yesterdays last fill. I was desperate so I put a wet hand towel in the microwave to heat it up, DUH!!. (Remember, we don't have feelhttp://apps.komen.org/forums/fb.ashx?m=306773Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:58:29 GMTHi Laura, The Breast Reconstruction Guidebook by Kathy Steligo is a thorough, unbiased resource about all of the different types of reconstruction, pros and cons, recovery expectations, how to prepare, etc. Once you choose youhttp://apps.komen.org/forums/fb.ashx?m=306680Tue, 09 Mar 2010 01:34:31 GMTPink, sorry about all of the pain you are having and hope the surgery will help the discomfort. I was just about to post a question like this...so happy it was already here:) . I too will be having an exchange soon (May I think). - Recovehttp://apps.komen.org/forums/fb.ashx?m=306634Mon, 08 Mar 2010 11:37:00 GMTThanks Kristen Pink - because this is what I am concerned about! Trying to understand the level of time to recover, level of pain, and I too like SusieH wonder if there will be drains again.... And can't wait to say goodbye to the expanders - nohttp://apps.komen.org/forums/fb.ashx?m=306632Mon, 08 Mar 2010 09:35:37 GMTNancy You have already been through so much. I am so sorry that you have tired. Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired!? What is next for you? I want you on my prayer list! I am just a little thing ( 5'7'' and 1http://apps.komen.org/forums/fb.ashx?m=306629Mon, 08 Mar 2010 08:29:37 GMTThank you for all the tips! I live alone and have three dogs, so after-surgery advice is very important to me. (yes I am the canine equivalent of the crazy cat lady). I am wondering one thing though. I tested positive for the BRCA2http://apps.komen.org/forums/fb.ashx?m=306610Sun, 07 Mar 2010 19:16:32 GMTSorry, Ladies. I didn't read all the previous posts, but I can say, the replacements are GREAT! I went down 3 cup sizes--all D's--and now can buy off-the-wrack. AWESOME!!! http://apps.komen.org/forums/fb.ashx?m=306604Sun, 07 Mar 2010 17:34:10 GMTHey Kristen, hope you are feeling better. Thank you for posting since I am anxious to know what it's like (still need another mast before though) I may have missed this but, how much saline did you end up with in expanders? Know you werehttp://apps.komen.org/forums/fb.ashx?m=306527Fri, 05 Mar 2010 19:19:07 GMTHeather Wow we are very similar! Make sure you have lots of help and meals coming to you and your family in April for your operation. Even though it is not as bad as the masectomy it is still major surgery. I realized that afterhttp://apps.komen.org/forums/fb.ashx?m=306515Fri, 05 Mar 2010 17:08:11 GMTHi Laura I am so sorry you have to deal with this. But look at what an amazing response you have gotten from this site! I had a bi-lat masectomy. I wont lie it was painful and difficult but you get through it. If your surgeon dohttp://apps.komen.org/forums/fb.ashx?m=306512Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:59:43 GMTGlad to hear your doing well ThinkPink! I wish you nothing but the best! Take care. Hugs, Chelseahttp://apps.komen.org/forums/fb.ashx?m=306498Fri, 05 Mar 2010 11:50:48 GMTThanks for the information Chelsea! Went for my 2nd fill this past Tuesday and doing good! Certain points are still very sore though, due to pressing... PS is going to wait to weeks for next filling. Thank you fohttp://apps.komen.org/forums/fb.ashx?m=306497Fri, 05 Mar 2010 11:24:58 GMTHi Laura, I'm so sorry for your situation, especially at such a young age. The previous messages have offered great advice. http://apps.komen.org/forums/fb.ashx?m=306478Fri, 05 Mar 2010 02:49:58 GMTLaura, I had a bi-lateral mastectomy 3 months ago. I could have had a lumpectomy combined with radiation but chose the mastectomy. I chose to reconstruct with silicone implants. I probably would make the same decisions again, but I rushed into it allhttp://apps.komen.org/forums/fb.ashx?m=306474Thu, 04 Mar 2010 23:19:54 GMTKristen, Thank you so much for sharing. My exchange surgery will be in April. I don't have any questions today; just wanted to say thanks. Heather p.s. my stats are very similar to yours: wife, and mother to two Age 39 Diagnosed whttp://apps.komen.org/forums/fb.ashx?m=306471Thu, 04 Mar 2010 22:41:46 GMTI can't give you advice because I didn't have a mastectomy. But I wanted to suggest that you talk to your doctor and ask if the hospital has any support services. They might have a group that will send someone to talk to you who's been throughttp://apps.komen.org/forums/fb.ashx?m=306460Thu, 04 Mar 2010 18:36:59 GMTHi Susie, I had silicone implants per my PS suggestion. He prefers them over saline and says they are safer now. He also said it would feel more "natural".http://apps.komen.org/forums/fb.ashx?m=306429Wed, 03 Mar 2010 21:55:28 GMTSusie Yes it was outpatient but i was happy to be home. It definately did not hurt as much getting up and down. I was not able to lie flat till the forth night and needed help getting in and out of that position by my husband. On Fridhttp://apps.komen.org/forums/fb.ashx?m=306418Wed, 03 Mar 2010 19:11:20 GMTOh my Gosh! 4 Hours! My bilateral mastectomy, node biopsy, and tissue expander placement surgery took less than 3 hours. Was the exchange surgery done out patient? Did it hurt as bad getting up and sitting down as it did after the mast? I had to P like ahttp://apps.komen.org/forums/fb.ashx?m=306408Wed, 03 Mar 2010 17:43:00 GMThttp://apps.komen.org/forums/fb.ashx?m=306382Wed, 03 Mar 2010 10:38:28 GMTKristen, So glad you are doing well and that you are happy with the end results! At least one of us got the 300 cc implants! lol. Anyways, lots of prayers and healing thoughts being sent your way! Take care! Hugs, Chelseahttp://apps.komen.org/forums/fb.ashx?m=306379Wed, 03 Mar 2010 08:45:44 GMTDear Laura, My heart aches for you that you have to go through this at such a young age (I was 26 when I was diagnosed), but I am so relieved that is is not cancer! When I decided to do the bi-lateral mastectomy, I had spoken to my plastic suhttp://apps.komen.org/forums/fb.ashx?m=306378Wed, 03 Mar 2010 08:39:38 GMTHi Laura,i had mas on my lelf breast little year ago and had reconstruction (DIEP) about 4months after that ,i not sure what you going to have but if you have any quetion about DIEP then mail me &nbsphttp://apps.komen.org/forums/fb.ashx?m=306370Tue, 02 Mar 2010 23:00:58 GMTI will let you know how it goes. Thanks for being so supportive. It makes such a difference knowing that someone I don't know cares about me. I really appreciate your messages. Thanks.http://apps.komen.org/forums/fb.ashx?m=306369Tue, 02 Mar 2010 22:49:28 GMTHi again. I'm glad your daughter is coming to help. She will really make a difference in your healing process. Let her wait on you and help you with your drains, etc. I'm sorry that life has been so difficult lately, and I hope that this surgery is succehttp://apps.komen.org/forums/fb.ashx?m=306365Tue, 02 Mar 2010 22:26:55 GMTMy surgery is set for April 6. My daughter is coming to help me the first week or so. Life has been so awful lately, surgery sounds like a pleasant change.http://apps.komen.org/forums/fb.ashx?m=306362Tue, 02 Mar 2010 22:03:56 GMTLet me begin by saying I do not have cancer I am 20 yrs old and have what they call phyllodes tumors. I have had 4 surgeries and have had them removed each time but they continue to grwo back. Now 6 months laster here I am and I am told i needhttp://apps.komen.org/forums/fb.ashx?m=306358Tue, 02 Mar 2010 21:15:51 GMTChelsea Well, I finally feel strong enough to go online tonight after my exchange on 2/25. What I failed to remember is that it is still major surgery. I was in the op room for over four hours, pocket work, cutting of scar tissue, stichinghttp://apps.komen.org/forums/fb.ashx?m=306354Tue, 02 Mar 2010 20:07:24 GMTSusie My surgery was onThursday 2/25 and I feel strong enough to get onlinetonight. What I blocked out was that itis still a MAJOR surgery. I was under for over four hours (PS is a perfectionist). So the first four days were really harhttp://apps.komen.org/forums/fb.ashx?m=306350Tue, 02 Mar 2010 18:52:19 GMTKristen, How did it go? I hope you're doing well. I have an exchange coming in the future as well. The PS told me it was a pc of cake compared to the bilateral mast, and that I should be able to return to work in two weeks. Have you found it to bhttp://apps.komen.org/forums/fb.ashx?m=306318Tue, 02 Mar 2010 15:44:49 GMTSue, I agree with Sandy. Make sure your surgeon has a lot of experience with DIEP. My dr was very good. The pain wasn't nearly what I expected, nor was the recovery time. I had a skin sparing mx with immediate diep. I wenthttp://apps.komen.org/forums/fb.ashx?m=306278Tue, 02 Mar 2010 09:41:58 GMTHi Marcy, Thanks so much for taking time to respond. Good to hear you've spoken w/others who are happy with results. That's imhttp://apps.komen.org/forums/fb.ashx?m=306262Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:43:06 GMTHi Sue, I had bilateral mastectomy and immediate DIEP, and am very happy with my result. My surgery was also about 14 hours, but there is a team of doctors in New Orleans that routinely does bilateral DIEP in 4-5 hours and they have morehttp://apps.komen.org/forums/fb.ashx?m=306257Mon, 01 Mar 2010 22:12:17 GMTBig thank you hug to all of you!! It is very comforting to hear your experiences and encouragement and know that although unpleasant (mild understatement lol) that this roller coaster we did not ask to be on is doable and there are those that underhttp://apps.komen.org/forums/fb.ashx?m=306241Mon, 01 Mar 2010 16:45:12 GMTSue, great job on making your decision -- it's so hard. Give yourself a pat on the back for the first stip being done! I cannot speak to DIEP since am not a candidate. Right now I have an almost filled expander on the right side and amhttp://apps.komen.org/forums/fb.ashx?m=306189Sun, 28 Feb 2010 15:38:58 GMTHi Sue, I'm launching much moral support in your direction. It's good to hear, you're at peace w/your decision. In the coming monthttp://apps.komen.org/forums/fb.ashx?m=306146Sat, 27 Feb 2010 15:41:12 GMTI am so confused. I have been to 2 different surgeons on getting breast reconstruction. I had my breast cancer back in 2006, radiation and chemo. I had lumpectomy and was so grateful to make it through that I thought I could live with the size differencehttp://apps.komen.org/forums/fb.ashx?m=306132Fri, 26 Feb 2010 22:12:59 GMT