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Many problems with Breast Reconstruction after Mastectomy
Hello everyone. I’m here to ask a few things about breast reconstruction after a bilateral mastectomy. I hope you don’t mind that I’m not the person with cancer, but I’m doing everything I can to help my beautiful wife through her experience which is not over yet. Cathy had both the mastectomy and beginning of the rebuild in one long surgery. The plastic surgeon closed her up after installing extenders on each side along with four drains. That kicked off a string of problems on the plastic surgery side, and we’re still not sure how it will end. .First there was a procedure to remove “mastectomy skin flap necrosis.” That seemed to go well, and the surgeon seemed completely satisfied.
But Cathy was still draining from one drain. Four weeks after the first surgery, the surgeon decided an infection was the cause, and told us Cathy would get surgery right away. Right there on 12/28/23 a Physician’s Assistant took a wound culture which came back 1/1/23 showing no infection. Even though he knew there was no infection the surgeon operated on 1/3/23.
No one ever told us there was no infection found before surgery. After looking at test records, I figured it out a month later on my own. Apparently the surgeon just removed fluid, telling me he thought that would very likely be it. At this point there were still two drains. It was all very confusing.
To make things even worse the draining still did not stop, and a third surgery was performed on 1/31/23. The surgery was labeled in our patient portal as removal of “encapsulation” which after looking it up didn’t seem to apply here. What really happened was the surgeon removed the extender from that side. The surgical notes under the heading “DIRTY OR INFECTED” were followed by text that says the infection was there before the surgery, and the surgeon wrote “I attest that the wound was dirty or infected.” Huh? The previous test said there was no infection. Saying it was just dirty seems odd. I told the guy that, and he quickly agreed there was no infection. If you don’t understand all this, you have company.
Now Cathy is looking at months to heal before the surgeries start over. She’s been battered by this non-stop torture.
I’m sorry this was so long. Can anyone share this kind experience after a mastectomy?
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@timbrownfl I am so terribly sorry for your wife’s experience. Surgery is no small thing, and should not be entered into lightly. I realize this is the surgeon’s job, and it’s just another day at work (for him) - but it’s not everyday for the patient. I had a double mastectomy at Mayo Rochester. They were amazing with me. My surgeon had to be changed at the last moment, due to the surgeon’s personal injury, and she talked to me from her home, while she was icing her injury! I’d just finished all my chemo, and I was unsteady enough from that trauma; yet, she took time to listen to my concerns about the change in surgeons, and spoke to me like a friend. Honestly. Transparently. I met with the new surgeon and her team, and they, too, treated me with such compassion, as they knew I was unsettled with the change. I had five surgeries in two years (took a detour with uterine cancer and a thyroid issue), so I understand a multiple surgery trajectory. It is not easy.
Your wife is no doubt exhausted, physically, mentally, and emotionally. Poor dear! I’d encourage you to help with the homework, and at least provide her with options for a second opinion. She may be too tired or even feel compromised in her decision-making ability by this point, and cannot tackle it on her own, or even in part. I’d encourage you both to seek out a second opinion.
And as to the nakedness in front of seven people? I am so sorry! Surely, this does not have to be part of her experience! As women on this journey, we can feel almost forced in the loss of our modesty, simply because of what we must travel through. But to be surrounded by professional staff that understands that vulnerability is paramount; essential, I’d add, in our ability to manage the frailty we have to endure in this whole experience.
If you are not receiving this vital component of compassion in your wife’s healthcare, you might consider making a change in providers.
I’m praying your wife heals well, regardless of the path you choose.
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3 ReactionsHello @timbrownfl I need to edit something I wrote - it did not come out with clarity . . . . and that is, the surgeon's job is not just another day at work. . . I meant to communicate that surgery is everyday for that surgeon. . . but not for us. Of course, I would not intend to imply that it's just a job. My surgeons were caring, thoughtful, and professional. Hope this helps.
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3 ReactionsI didn't take it that way at all. We'e fine!
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3 ReactionsHello. I'm Cathy, Tim's wife. You're exactly right about my being unable to make a decision. I'm still overwhelmed by this entire thing. There are day's when I can't think straight. I feel like a freak. I see the plastic surgeon in a couple of weeks; I hope he can fix what he's done to me.
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