| Author |
|
Madge
Regular
Joined: 27 Dec 2004
Posts: 27
|
 Posted: Sun Apr 17, 2005 1:05 pm Post subject: Reconstruction - thin pectoral muscle and implants |
 |
|
I am 8 months post double-mastectomy and looking forward to my reconstruction. The PS said my pectoral muscles seemed thin and he wasn't sure how the implants will work on me. He's not going to use tissue expanders, just implants. My original surgeon left a lot of skin. I am not a canidate for other surgical reconstruction options, only the implants.
My question is ... can you build up pectoral muscles? Two PS have told me no but then you see these body builders with large pectoral muscles. If weight lifting or some kind of exercise would improve my outcome I am happy to do it but having had two PS tell me the same thing ... I'm confused.
_________________
Madge
61-years young
Dx - 7/04
Bilateral Mastectomy (skin sparing) 8/19/04
Negative nodes
Micro-invasive DCIS, DCIS, LCIS
Stage T1a
ER/PR -
Her2 3+
No chemo, no radiation
Waiting for reconstruction |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
Muttsmom
Top User
Joined: 30 Sep 2004
Posts: 629
Location: Northern AL
|
| Posted: Sun Apr 17, 2005 5:24 pm Post subject: Re: Reconstruction - thin pectoral muscle and implants |
|
|
Madge,
This is just from my personal experience with attempted reconstruction, but my pectorial (sp) muscle went into a constant spasm for 24 hours. Let's just say I woke up for the 1st time in the recovery room and I wasn't the nicest person when asking for pain meds. I am now very concaved (reconstruction failed big time) and I've cracked 3 ribs just from how tight the tissue is because the pectorial didn't bounce back. I would think that if they could be built up, my PS would have had me doing something to accomplish that, because it's no better and that was over a year ago. The only option I have now and they said there were no guarentees would be to have a bilateral LD Flap. 8 surgeries in 3 years, I'm done. I have officially retired from being a surgery patient and I will be happy being boobless...... lol
Nancy
_________________
Nancy
2/14/02 ILC 43 - 5.5 cm 9+/16 nodes
Stage IIIA er/pr+ Her2-
2/02 MRM
FECx6 radsx33
Tamoxifen - Arimidex (chemo induced menopause)
4/03 SM w/bilat. recon.
9/03 expanders removed
5/04 repair reconst. disaster
10/04 Actonel for bone/joint pain from Arimidex
NED - 5 years
3/07 Diabetes
In memory of Kim 12/1/04 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
Cindy
Senior User
Joined: 01 Dec 2004
Posts: 167
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
Madge
Regular
Joined: 27 Dec 2004
Posts: 27
|
| Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2005 10:55 pm Post subject: Re: Reconstruction - thin pectoral muscle and implants |
|
|
Thanks so much for mentioning that surgery. I am aware of the abdominal and back surgeries that give you more natural feeling breasts. Unfortunately. because of some previous surgery and my weight I am not a good canidate for the abdominal one and I have a handicapped sister who needs occassional lifting and I don't want ot chance any suregery, such as the back one, that would hinder my ability to lift her if needed.
please so spread the word because I have friends who have had the surgeries and are quite pleased with the results
_________________
Madge
61-years young
Dx - 7/04
Bilateral Mastectomy (skin sparing) 8/19/04
Negative nodes
Micro-invasive DCIS, DCIS, LCIS
Stage T1a
ER/PR -
Her2 3+
No chemo, no radiation
Waiting for reconstruction |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
Cindy
Senior User
Joined: 01 Dec 2004
Posts: 167
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
Bbeth69
New User
Joined: 13 Jan 2005
Posts: 5
|
| Posted: Wed May 04, 2005 9:58 pm Post subject: Re: Reconstruction - thin pectoral muscle and implants |
|
|
Madge,
I had the reconstruction with the lat flap (the back surgery) and have no trouble lifting heavy objects. I continue to work with horses and regularly lift 50 pound bags of feed and heavy bales of hay. It does take a little time to work back up to the norm immediately following the surgery but long term effects have been minimal as far as my ability to lift things goes. Albeit, it does give a strange sensation that takes a little getting used to. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
Search 
Email Digests
Register to post
Profile 
Check private messages 
Log in
What is this ?
We subscribe to the HONcode principles. Verify here. All content and posts are copyright.
