I also agree that you should get a 2nd opinion. I also am a cancer survivor and was cut right across my stomach just above my belly button. I also have an abdominal hernia. My surgeon examined me and said he could still do my surgery laproscopically. He said he had to have clearance from my oncologist but that he saw no reason i couldn't have the weight loss surgery. He said if the hernia was worse they could do open surgery instead of lap and repair the hernia at the same time so i don't see how they just couldn't do your surgery open instead of lap if you have a lot of scar tissue. Get another opinion. Good luck!

thanks for your response.  I have had 2 more diagnostic mammos and us since i posted this...i did have a duct excision on one breast which came back benign- proliferative fibrocystic.  I now have issues in the other breast which they aregeneralizing and saying is the same thing... the mammo and us show nothing again, and the specialist says the lumps are mobile... but so is my entire breast...lol... anyways. I return for another follow up visit in April.  So far the lumps have only gotten harder...not bigger... but they are not cyst and do not cause pain.   I will see what the specialist says, she says it is hormonal, but it only occurs in the one... i really dont want to go through open biopsy again...i lost a portion of nipple plus an eighth of breast...which was only biopsy so no reconstruction. I am planning to self pay for BA/BL in the summer so I figure I will tell the specialist after that they will be hands off... maybe that will encourage them to biopsy this one...

My belief is that the discharge... and subsequent lumps are due to the constant compression of what I have is causing these problems.  I know women's breasts are normally compressed in a bra, but the extent that we who have excess skin and all are way beyond the normal... I have deflated DD's which I smash into a small B (might as well be an A except B has a wider cup).  I have also begun to experience lots of pain in my back, neck and shoulders due to the tension of the bra straps.  But mastopexy is considered cosmetic...

I had a lumpectomy 10 years ago. I have lost 88 lbs (I have 40 more to to) and was considering a breast lift. My oncologist is now suggesting genetic testing to see if I have the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene. If I do, he is suggesting a double mastectomy. I am also thinking if that is the case I would choose the TRAM procedure and get the added benefit of a tummy tuck. If anyone has had this procedure I would love to hear how it went and if you are happy with the results.

Crystal,

I agree with Carlen that you should get a second opinion.  I am sorry that you have had to endure this but I am happy that you have overcome cancer.  I think that you are right to still want to get as healthy as you can.

I was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.  My surgeon said that I was so much healthier than I was last year at this time and therefore a much better candidate for a mastectomy and reconstruction.  I had surgery last Friday and am progressing well.

Stick to your guns and pursue this for the sake of your children, family and friends.

Hi,
My curls lasted about a year and a half or so now I'm left with wavy hair. I urge you to get macadamia nut oil if your hair is frizzy. My stylist gave it to me and it works wonders! really tames the frizzes and gives you body and shine!
I still wear my wigs but it is nice to have my own hair back again, mine came in a different colour as well (drab blondish grey) I was a strawberry blond before the cancer (breast).
Good luck!

(sorry I don't have a pic but I am having trouble with my computer! It hates me I swear!)

Susan