Thank you so much for posting this! We need more of us to post! Im going in for my bilateral mastectomy with immediate DIEP flaps in TWO DAYS! I am freaking the eff out about the actual surgery the most. But also very anxious about recovery. I hope I handle it as amazingly as you.
God bless you thank u for sharing your story, my aunt had that surgery and she did absolutely horrible she's a terrible diabetic so healing was just awful it's so nice to see that you did well God bless you
Thank you for being vulnerable and sharing your journey. My surgery will be hopefully before the end of the year. I meet with the plastic surgeon at the end of next month. You are absolutely adorable inside and out ❤️ Love your personality ❤❤
Oh God the socks with sandals.....HAHA! I love you, and I'm so glad you're doing this. You are blessed and you are healed. Also, i want those shrimp and grits....i looooove me some shrimp and grits!!
Thanks for sharing! I am considering this surgery now, two years after my mastectomy. Your video helped a lot. If I could have some good food like you did, that would be the icing on the cake. Lol!
Besides brave and strong, you are so cute!!! I hope you are doing great. I am having the same surgeries this coming Monday the 14th. God bless you, and thanks for sharing. ❤️
@@felicia6608 Hi Felicia. About 4 weeks post op now and doing better. It's been a slower recovery than I expected, however making progress. I still get exhausted after doing a few tasks - which my body is reminding me its still healing within. A section of the incision was slow to heal, but after a few weekly trips to doctor, patience and prayer, it seems to be healing. (This section opened slightly after removing suture tape, size of small circular hole then opened to a half inch) Fortunately it was superficial so they gave me instructions on how to care for it and keep it covered). Other than that, it's healing great. The abdominal scarring is much better than I anticipated, so pleased thus far. However not sure I was expecting the breast scarring to look like it does. But in the grand scheme of things, it's an opportunity to love myself even more (scars and all) w/o judgement. I find the emotional/mental part of this recovery to be just as challenging as the physical, perhaps more. Felicia, do you have any further revision surgeries scheduled?
Thanks so much again Felicia !! My surgery is October 27th and I’m so excited!! I left another comment in the last post from Sue- it details what I already went through 😘
Thank you so much for this video. I go in for mine in about 10 days, and it looks like our robes match LOL. It also looks like the bras I bought for post surgery are similar to yours, so yay! I was supposed to have 3-4 months to prepare, but because of a cancellation, I got 3 weeks! Watching lots of videos, and I really appreciate your series
My surgery got cancelled at the last minute... I was in the robes, compression stockings on, and they had drawn all over me. My surgeon was on call the night before, and had spent 8 hours reattaching someone’s thumb. He had not slept, and my surgery was going to take over 7 hours, so we made the decision to reschedule. I go in on September 24th now. It was disappointing, and I have to travel out of province for it, so it was a bit of a waste of money, but at least I won’t be stuck in the hospital during a heat wave...
@@LaurienaC So sorry to hear that. I believe all things work out as they should. I was supposed to have mastectomy, with diep flap reconstruction back in March. However right before taking be back to the OR, the surgeon came in saying they would only be doing the mastectomy and then insert breast tissue expander to hold space until the surgery I just had. Like yourself I was disappointed. However knowing what I now know. It was good that they waited. At that time I was a month removed from completing chemo, so my body was still on the mend. They didn't want to put me at risk for infection with a compromised immune system. So I am thankful!
MissReena73 Oh no!! Wow! That’s horrible! And then to have to wait so long. I mean I guess it isn’t that long but that’s so disappointing. Once you get it done you’ll be a lot happier though.
Hi Felicia! Thank you for your story! I will possibly getting the same surgery soon..im from Florida...dr. Michael Cheung is the breast surgeon who will do the surgery.. Thank you
I'm wondering how much scarring (as a Black person who is at risk for keloiding) you had due to the flap surgery as well as the hysterectomy??? Anyone?
I'm scheduled for surgery October 1st. Still under strict COVID rules where I am. I'm a little frustrated that I feel my surgery team hasn't been great with communication. The surgeon that told me about and sold me on this procedure isn't the one who will be performing the surgery as he is not a microsurgeon. The microsurgeon has seemed less enthusiastic from the beginning. I have always been small chested and would like to go a bit larger (I'm not talking crazy big here - my sister and nieces are naturally large breasted and I am well aware of the disadvantages). I would just like clothes to fit better. My surgeon who will be performing the surgeon is clearly not thrilled with the idea of going bigger. I tried to convince them to remove both breasts during the mastectomy but they wouldn't. The surgeon keeps stressing that if I want to go bigger, I'll have to have an implant on my non-mastectomy side. My surgery is happening SOON and I don't feel like we are in agreement as to what is being done. Yesterday I learned for the first time that this will be the first of two surgeries. Oct 1 they will do the flap only. Approximately four months later they will come back and do the other breast and nipple reconstruction (again, I wasn't asked, I was told - I have been strongly considering tattooing). Am I being high maintenance here? My understanding is the reconstruction is an important part of recovery to help me feel "whole" again, to erase the idea that my body is broken or incomplete. If that is true, then these decisions matter and I should be included and what I want should be given weight. If they are ill advised or can't be accomplished, that's fine, just tell me. Right now it just feels like they are trying to minimize the work. I have struggled emotionally with the idea of asking for larger breasts, and now that I'm hitting resistance I'm having a difficult time following through. But if I have to go through multiple surgeries, I should get a result I will be happy with. Ugh. I'm sorry for the long post. I'm terrified of the surgery right now and feeling really lost and upset.
Sue Jones I think you should get a second opinion. In the end it’s about what you want and what they are able to do. You aren’t asking for a lot and to be honest, you should get a surgeon that understands that. I’m sorry you’re going through all of that.
SUE- I agree with Felicia!! I’m having my surgery done on oct 27th after my first surgery told me what I’m not a candidate because I’ve had prior surgeries on my abdominal region and the blood supply would be compromised. I ended up having three reconstructions after my radiated skin kept failing and then I took a LONG break because the last surgery was a latissimus dorsi flap that also IS a failure because I’m having painful capsular contracture. I wish I had had the guts to leave my first plastic surgeon because I had a CT scan that showed that all of my blood supply is good in my abdomen. I am SO excited about my new surgeon who was much more thorough than my first and also experienced with DIEP flap surgeries. FEFE thank you for your post - this has really helped me know what to expect!
I’m going in Aug 11th and with the new Covid rules, no one will be allowed with me during my stay. Not even for visits. Really worried about that. Good Luck ladies!
Lindsay Skinner yea I’m a little scared of not having anyone be able to visit me it’s gonna be a little lonely but trust me u aren’t gonna wanna be bothered for the first couple of days u are gonna be sore.
Thank you so much for your videos. It helped me to prepare for the exact surgery. I am in day 4 of my journey. Thanks again for sharing.
Thank you so much for posting this! We need more of us to post! Im going in for my bilateral mastectomy with immediate DIEP flaps in TWO DAYS! I am freaking the eff out about the actual surgery the most. But also very anxious about recovery. I hope I handle it as amazingly as you.
God bless you thank u for sharing your story, my aunt had that surgery and she did absolutely horrible she's a terrible diabetic so healing was just awful it's so nice to see that you did well God bless you
Thank you for being vulnerable and sharing your journey. My surgery will be hopefully before the end of the year. I meet with the plastic surgeon at the end of next month. You are absolutely adorable inside and out ❤️ Love your personality ❤❤
Hi Felicia! Thanks for posting
You are so welcome! ❤
Thank you for your openness. I have mine soon!
Hope you are doing well!
Oh God the socks with sandals.....HAHA! I love you, and I'm so glad you're doing this. You are blessed and you are healed. Also, i want those shrimp and grits....i looooove me some shrimp and grits!!
Sara Logan I love you! And yeah... socks with sandals 😂🤦🏾♀️
Hello I am about to get mine in February, thanks for the video. I am sharing my journey on UA-cam also.
Excellent!! Praying for success and happiness!
Thank you for sharing....I'm so scared and this helps.
I understand. I am so glad these videos help.
Thanks for sharing! I am considering this surgery now, two years after my mastectomy. Your video helped a lot. If I could have some good food like you did, that would be the icing on the cake. Lol!
Sorry I am just seeing this! Have you made a decision?
Thanks for sharing... My surgery is scheduled for July 2nd. I'm so anxious!!!
You’re going to do great! I’ll be praying for ya!
Thank you for sharing this! I have to go through this and I’m curious where this located at? What state, town?
Breast Center in NOLA 🤗
Besides brave and strong, you are so cute!!! I hope you are doing great. I am having the same surgeries this coming Monday the 14th. God bless you, and thanks for sharing. ❤️
THANK YOU!! Good luck with your surgery! You’ll do great!!
Girl!!! The food. And they not stingy. My mastectomy food was horrible. My friends brought me food. My diep surgery is in Dec. Thank you for sharing.
S Glover The food!! And that’s great! My phase 2 is in November.
Was all of this filmed in just the first 24 hours after your surgery? Thanks for sharing!!
This was all filmed during and right after surgery. 🤗
Thank you for sharing. Just had mine 5 days ago.
How are you doing now??
@@felicia6608 Hi Felicia. About 4 weeks post op now and doing better. It's been a slower recovery than I expected, however making progress. I still get exhausted after doing a few tasks - which my body is reminding me its still healing within. A section of the incision was slow to heal, but after a few weekly trips to doctor, patience and prayer, it seems to be healing. (This section opened slightly after removing suture tape, size of small circular hole then opened to a half inch) Fortunately it was superficial so they gave me instructions on how to care for it and keep it covered). Other than that, it's healing great. The abdominal scarring is much better than I anticipated, so pleased thus far. However not sure I was expecting the breast scarring to look like it does. But in the grand scheme of things, it's an opportunity to love myself even more (scars and all) w/o judgement. I find the emotional/mental part of this recovery to be just as challenging as the physical, perhaps more. Felicia, do you have any further revision surgeries scheduled?
Thanks so much again Felicia !! My surgery is October 27th and I’m so excited!! I left another comment in the last post from Sue- it details what I already went through 😘
Bless you for sharing. What city and state are you in?
Thank you so much for this video. I go in for mine in about 10 days, and it looks like our robes match LOL. It also looks like the bras I bought for post surgery are similar to yours, so yay! I was supposed to have 3-4 months to prepare, but because of a cancellation, I got 3 weeks! Watching lots of videos, and I really appreciate your series
How are you doing??
How are you doing MissReena73? Sending love, light and great energy for your healing. I trust all is well.
My surgery got cancelled at the last minute... I was in the robes, compression stockings on, and they had drawn all over me. My surgeon was on call the night before, and had spent 8 hours reattaching someone’s thumb. He had not slept, and my surgery was going to take over 7 hours, so we made the decision to reschedule. I go in on September 24th now. It was disappointing, and I have to travel out of province for it, so it was a bit of a waste of money, but at least I won’t be stuck in the hospital during a heat wave...
@@LaurienaC So sorry to hear that. I believe all things work out as they should. I was supposed to have mastectomy, with diep flap reconstruction back in March. However right before taking be back to the OR, the surgeon came in saying they would only be doing the mastectomy and then insert breast tissue expander to hold space until the surgery I just had. Like yourself I was disappointed. However knowing what I now know. It was good that they waited. At that time I was a month removed from completing chemo, so my body was still on the mend. They didn't want to put me at risk for infection with a compromised immune system. So I am thankful!
MissReena73 Oh no!! Wow! That’s horrible! And then to have to wait so long. I mean I guess it isn’t that long but that’s so disappointing. Once you get it done you’ll be a lot happier though.
Hi Felicia! Thank you for your story!
I will possibly getting the same surgery soon..im from Florida...dr. Michael Cheung is the breast surgeon who will do the surgery..
Thank you
That’s awesome! Hope you have a fabulous surgery and recovery! ♥️
Whooo keep going mum have passed all.this i love your courage hugs
Thank you!!
I'm hoping to get this surgery soon I m scared.
It’s scary but so worth it.
Thanks for sharing.
You’re so welcome!
Nice video! Would love to know how your professing and healing after several months! Hope all is well xoxo
I’m going to do an update video this weekend!
Hello I’m going to have my Surgery real soon
Where did you have this done?
Breast Center in NOLA
I have the feeling that knee technique for getting into bed will be very useful- January 15th surgery date.
It helped a lot. At first I didn’t think it would but it was great. ♥️
I'm wondering how much scarring (as a Black person who is at risk for keloiding) you had due to the flap surgery as well as the hysterectomy??? Anyone?
I meant mastectomy...
I don’t scar as much so it wasn’t that bad. Out of all of my surgeries this was probably the worst scarring and it wasn’t bad at all.
I'm having it next month and I want your hospital
Wow! Where are you having yours at?
Deborah, how are you feeling about the upcoming surgery?
I'm scheduled for surgery October 1st. Still under strict COVID rules where I am. I'm a little frustrated that I feel my surgery team hasn't been great with communication. The surgeon that told me about and sold me on this procedure isn't the one who will be performing the surgery as he is not a microsurgeon. The microsurgeon has seemed less enthusiastic from the beginning. I have always been small chested and would like to go a bit larger (I'm not talking crazy big here - my sister and nieces are naturally large breasted and I am well aware of the disadvantages). I would just like clothes to fit better. My surgeon who will be performing the surgeon is clearly not thrilled with the idea of going bigger. I tried to convince them to remove both breasts during the mastectomy but they wouldn't. The surgeon keeps stressing that if I want to go bigger, I'll have to have an implant on my non-mastectomy side. My surgery is happening SOON and I don't feel like we are in agreement as to what is being done.
Yesterday I learned for the first time that this will be the first of two surgeries. Oct 1 they will do the flap only. Approximately four months later they will come back and do the other breast and nipple reconstruction (again, I wasn't asked, I was told - I have been strongly considering tattooing).
Am I being high maintenance here? My understanding is the reconstruction is an important part of recovery to help me feel "whole" again, to erase the idea that my body is broken or incomplete. If that is true, then these decisions matter and I should be included and what I want should be given weight. If they are ill advised or can't be accomplished, that's fine, just tell me. Right now it just feels like they are trying to minimize the work. I have struggled emotionally with the idea of asking for larger breasts, and now that I'm hitting resistance I'm having a difficult time following through. But if I have to go through multiple surgeries, I should get a result I will be happy with.
Ugh. I'm sorry for the long post. I'm terrified of the surgery right now and feeling really lost and upset.
Sue Jones I think you should get a second opinion. In the end it’s about what you want and what they are able to do. You aren’t asking for a lot and to be honest, you should get a surgeon that understands that. I’m sorry you’re going through all of that.
SUE- I agree with Felicia!! I’m having my surgery done on oct 27th after my first surgery told me what I’m not a candidate because I’ve had prior surgeries on my abdominal region and the blood supply would be compromised. I ended up having three reconstructions after my radiated skin kept failing and then I took a LONG break because the last surgery was a latissimus dorsi flap that also IS a failure because I’m having painful capsular contracture. I wish I had had the guts to leave my first plastic surgeon because I had a CT scan that showed that all of my blood supply is good in my abdomen. I am SO excited about my new surgeon who was much more thorough than my first and also experienced with DIEP flap surgeries.
FEFE thank you for your post - this has really helped me know what to expect!
After going through what you've gone through.... NOTHING is too much to ask to make yourself feel whole again.
I just have mine done and have to walk bent forward using a walker
I was definitely walking bent over in the beginning. It was tough.
Thank you for sharing 💖💖💖💖
Lakisha Dyer You’re welcome!
I'm about to undergo the same surgery. I'm doing some research and your video is very helpful
Lakisha Dyer I’m glad! Thank you. I saw someone else do this and it helped me, so I thought I’d do the same. 💜
How are you doing now? Still happy with results?
Very happy! I posted an update video just a few days ago sharing my feelings on everything. 🤗
What hospital are you in
Breast Center at St Charles Surgery
I’m getting this done august 27th and I’m terrified!
I go in on August 5th to have DIEP on one side, and reduction on the other. We will get through it!!!
I’m going in Aug 11th and with the new Covid rules, no one will be allowed with me during my stay. Not even for visits. Really worried about that. Good Luck ladies!
Lindsay Skinner yea I’m a little scared of not having anyone be able to visit me it’s gonna be a little lonely but trust me u aren’t gonna wanna be bothered for the first couple of days u are gonna be sore.
I’m going for my phase 2 in November! How did everyone do?
@@felicia6608 I hadn't read this comment so asked you if you were scheduled for further revisions. What does your phase 2 look like?