Triple Negative Breast Cancer: What treatments are you having?

Didn’t realize you recently had a swap-out. How are you doing now? I admire you and others that have the courage to go through reconstruction! I’m still feeling pain and tender from BMX and hematoma. Wishing you a speedy recovery.

Hi @myoga - sorry to hear you’re still feeling pain from the BMX and the hematoma. 🙁 Do you need more surgery for the hematoma? Wishing good vibes and healing!

You’re so nice to ask about my swap out. I’m 2 weeks past surgery. My surgeon took out my tissue expanders, put in the implants and fat grafted my stomach to fill in around the implants to give a smooth appearance. (I have a lot of new found respect for anyone that endures any kind of liposuction; it’s hard!)

I have to wear compression garments (think spanx) for 6 weeks and only remove them during a shower. I really do not like this part of it.

I prepared a lot by finding other patients who had this exact reconstruction. So I knew what I was getting into.

I haven’t had complications, so that’s good. I do have pain and fatigue. I wear loose fitting pjs and sleep in a recliner (which I did after my mastectomy).

I keep a journal, which helps me process my days and emotions. And I can track my progress. I’m not going anywhere except to post op appointments. Can’t lift anything over 10 pounds for 6 weeks, similar to the mastectomy recovery.

So, that’s pretty much where things are right now. The implants look good, bruising is improving a lot, and my stomach bruising is getting better. Still tender where she took fat from my hips and stomach.

I’m grateful she didn’t have to fat graft my legs. I ate a bunch of ice cream every night before surgery to gain belly fat - and it worked! I had enough for the doctor to use around the implants.

I’m happy to answer any other questions. Again, thx for thinking about me.

I’m glad your surgery went well and there are no complications. You have been well prepared and the idea of keeping a journal is great. I should have done that. Sounds like fun to eat ice cream to gain fat belly, but now you have flat belly and you’ll look amazing.
I’ll meet with a different surgeon next week to get second opinion about the hematoma. I don’t think they’ll do anything about it unless it causes pain or interfering with the functioning of other organ. I just keep doing warm compression so it won’t calcifies, probably another few weeks. My surgery is considered prophylactic so I was surprised that this happened. Probably from the lumpectomy and radiation 2 years ago.
Thank you for such a nice response and your concern about my hematoma. I’m grateful for the Mayo Connect that gives us a chance to connect and support one another. Hugs.