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starwishn2 · 01-21-2013, 10:36 PM

Hi Irvine - I had my reconstructive surgery this past Friday. The expanders are GONE!! YAY... those bowling balls/elephant feet that have been planted on my chest are GONE! I now, with the reconstructive surgery, have some cleavage that I didn't have with the expanders and my "breasts" are no longer into my armpits. I have an excellent plastic surgeon. I researched and spoke with as many patients of reconstructive surgery as I could before I made my decision on who to go with. I don't look like I did before my mastectomy but I do look more natural than with the expanders. I plan on being "pleased" when all is done. And yes, I did feel those expanders EVERY day....

best of luck~
Jeri

01-21-2013, 10:36 PM	#5
starwishn2 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Utah Posts: 124	Re: New questions as things move forward Hi Irvine - I had my reconstructive surgery this past Friday. The expanders are GONE!! YAY... those bowling balls/elephant feet that have been planted on my chest are GONE! I now, with the reconstructive surgery, have some cleavage that I didn't have with the expanders and my "breasts" are no longer into my armpits. I have an excellent plastic surgeon. I researched and spoke with as many patients of reconstructive surgery as I could before I made my decision on who to go with. I don't look like I did before my mastectomy but I do look more natural than with the expanders. I plan on being "pleased" when all is done. And yes, I did feel those expanders EVERY day.... best of luck~ Jeri __________________ Diagnosed 16Dec1993 ITP (auto immune disease - low platelets) Splenectomy 11Nov2009 Rituxen May2011 ITP playing nice Diagnosed 3Jul2012 BC 2 cm - Grade 2 - Stage IIB HER2+++ ER+/PR+ bilateral mastectomy 20Jul2012 Metastasized cancer found 1 lymph node expanders placed during surgery TCH chemo "cocktail" started 24Aug2012 every 3 weeks - 6 treatments Herceptin - 18 treatments LAST treatment Taxotere & Carboplatin 7Dec2012 -yay! Continue with Herceptin 26Dec2012 Started Arimidex 01Jan2013 (for 5 years) Surgery to remove expanders/reconstruction 18Jan2013 Infection in left breast from reconstruction/infection in most nails - SO many meds! 22Feb2013 Left implant not playing nice.... might need to remove and try again - blah! 04Apr2013 3Jul2013 - one year since diagnosis - booo cancer! 15Aug2013 LAST chemo infusion!! YIPPPEEE!!! 13Sep2013 2nd reconstructive surgery.. the FOOBs are looking good!