I finally was able to connect with a family member of my friend who had a double mastectomy after finding out about her breast cancer. She wanted to reconstruct with her own tissue so she wouldn't have to worry about implants. She searched around and said that it's hard to find surgeons who perform microsurgery (reconstruction where they have to cut and reconnect blood vessles...micro work). She finally decided to travel into Utah to have her reconstruction and said very few surgeons in Utah perform these procedures and she was grateful to find such skilled surgeons.
Dr. Theresa Reading performed her mastectomy. She said that Dr. Reading was excellent! That was encouraging because I really liked her too when I met with her and I've heard great things about her! Yay! I feel really comfortable about using Dr. Reading, especially with the insight that she is thorough about getting as much tissue as possible.
Dr. June Chen (http://www.jschenmd.com/) was her plastic surgeon. She said that Dr. Chen was excellent! She performed her DIEP. She said that even now when she goes in for a mamogram, the techs can't tell that she has undergone reconstruction, they look so great. She said she never imagined her breasts would look this great. At first after the initial surgery and the swelling had gone down, she said her breasts were very small. Now that she has gained a little weight (before surgery she had lost a ton of weight), her breasts have gained weight too, since they are fat, and she says she looks GREAT! She said her breasts are perkier than most women her age.
Recovery: She said that she found it most comfortable to sleep in a recliner. She said she wasn't on narcotics and could drive within a week, but kept her elbows down and didn't wear a safety belt across her chest. She did lose her voice with the intibation, but said she is prone to losing her voice for various reasons anyway. She also said to GET A GOOD BRA! She went into Victoria's Secret and found a great shaping bra with no underwire.
Dr. Chen's office sells a scar cream in their office. She ended up purchasing the same scar cream online at the "skin store cosmetic store"(skinstore.com?), where they matched Dr. Chen's office price and also she used a coupon (and got free shipping). She said it was very expensive and very worth it! Her scars are minimal to gone!
6 months later, she had her nipple reconstructed. She said that she went light on her areola tatooing and they have faded now, so I might go a little darker originally. I am worried about the tatooing. I want the areolas to look great and the colors to be textured like real areolas. I'm hopeful that I can find an "artist".
I'm grateful I had the chance to speak with her. She was very positive! Here are some of her motivating insights and empowering thoughts:
- You are not 1/2 a woman!
-Every day will get better after surgery. Just know that every day will get better!
-You have to have the mental attitude to BE HAPPY!
-"Own it!" Know that you have made a smart decision and embrace your choice. Don't act like a victim...be empowered that you are in control of your life!
-Do whatever you want to do...stay in good shape! Live your life! Take the BEST CARE OF YOURSELF!
-Be Strong! Be Beautiful! Be Happy!
Your surgery date is fast approaching! My one piece of advice is that the days leading up to the surgery is worse than the surgery itself. Someone told me that and I thought, that can't be true, but is. I'm not going to lie and say everything is peaches and cream after the surgery, you're pretty sore, but not like I imagined given what you're having done. (mastectomy). Just be positive, be strong and be determined to get back to yourself. I truly believe that helped me 100%. I had my surgery at the end of March and didn't want to be unable to do all the things I love in the summer. I was determined to be back to normal by summer and I was, long before summer. Be kind to yourself, but do a little everyday...after that first week of rest...and you will be GREAT! I wish I could tell you not to worry, but it's a scary thing. I too found great surgeons and my scars are just about gone. Mine are underneath, no scars at all on my breasts. I am thrilled with the way I look. Good luck and you will come through this absolutely great!!!
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