Topic : I Want Plastic Surgery Because...

I was diagnosed with breast cancer on Sept. 9 2003, and had surgery on 9/22/03 followed by 9 months of chemo therapy.When I had this surgery done the hospital did not have a plastic surgeon and therefore I didn't have reconstructive sugery. I have had some problems with my shoulder and my scapula is winging and I have thought well I just turned 50 life may soon be over, but then I look at me and I am a young nice looking woman who wants to be whole again.I have been at my job for 6 months and I have health ins., We have one Dr. in town who does this sort of reconstructive surgery. Any suggestions or ideas

I had a mastectomy in April, 2006.  I had the breast reconstruction surgery, which, by law, the insurance has to pay for.  It was a multiple-step process.  First, the doctor placed a tissue expander and gradually filled it with fluid until it was the size that I wanted (B cup).  The next step was to place implants on both sides, so they would be a matching set.  Then, after that, I had nipple reconstruction, using skin from my groin area, grafted onto the breast. The last step was to tattoo the new nipple to match the color of the healthy breast.  I am very happy with the final result.

 

Is the plastic surgeon in your town a reputable surgeon?  Ask your doctor, as well as the surgeon who did your mastectomy, and the oncologist who did your chemo.  You can also check with the American Medical Association online to see if there are any complaints against this doctor.

 

If you determine that you want this doctor to do your reconstructive surgery, start with a consultation.  Ask to see his procedure book to see the breast reconstruction surgeries that he has done in the past.  Ask him how many of these procedures he has performed.  If you don't like this doctor, then don't hesitate to find a different doctor in another city...the only thing about that is the inconvenience of the travel...I don't know how far you are from a large city, where you would have more choices.

 

I would encourage you to have the surgery...I really do feel whole again...besides, if I had gone with the removable breast form, I'd probably forget to wear it half the time!!

 

Please keep me posted on what you decide, and how it goes...Becky

Thank-you for your response to me, I find it comforting to talk to people who understand and can offer advise. I think about the movie/story, " I wore lipstick to my masectomy", that would have helped me much more than what I had at the time. I will keep you posted. Thank-you sweetie

I live in ND and they have the family clinic which is for most a few dollars at most and will provide dental care. I'm sure Minn. has a program similiar or have you tried medical asst.?Check it out

      I've not had my teeth since i was 18.  my husband said i was not worth the money to fix them.

   so he had me pull them all.  now i can't eat I've lost so mush weight i  have been accused of being

   anorexic . but i can't eat hard foods at all . i still try to but it cuts my gums so the i don't eat for awhile

   after that. going out in public is very embarrassing .  i try not to eat in public. i chew ugly my face has fell .   I'm 47 yrs old, and  4' 11 ,  weigh ; 110 size 2, never been lower than a 5. my health is in question.

     i have fibromyglia , epilepsy, copd. I'm losing my hair , get very tired all the time.  i have also

     tried to find affordable dental care, we only make 12,000.00 a yr. and he is self employed painter.

   who will not get a  full time job. no insurance at all of course.  i really resent him for all this.

    I've wanted implants, but this will never happen, i  know. but i hope i can get dentures if nothing

  else. but to eat again without pain.  any ideas will be appreciated. i am trying to find ways to raise money for this.  please don't feel pity for me . i just need to talk to someone. thanks for listening.   

                                                                         embarrassed by being toothless.

When all of your teeth are missing, they don't usually do implants to replace them all, however, they can do implants to help dentures to stay in place and cause less stress on the jaw bones.

 

You really do need dentures...it's a matter of your health, not cosmetics, although, having dentures will greatly improve your looks too.

 

There are denture clinics, which usually charge less than a dentist for dentures.  Have you checked with social services to see if there is any help available?

 

With $12,000 per year, I understand why you can't afford to pay.  Check with a denture clinic...they may have some kind of payment plan that you might be able to afford, and they would certainly know if there is any help available for you.

 

I also have fibromyalgia, so I understand about pain.  I'm sure that your health is greatly affected by not having teeth.  Your husband made a very mean remark. 20 years without teeth just isn't fair to you.

 

Do you do any kind of crafts?  Perhaps you could make some things and sell them on Craig's List.

I hope that you can find a way to get your dentures.

 

Good Luck, Becky

In reference to your scapula winging and your shoulder problems, have you tried physical therapy and strengthening exercises?  The shoulder is a very complex area.  The musculature of the shoulder holds the humerus (upper arm bone) in place and if all of the muscles involved are not balanced in strength you will certainly have problems.  Some good exercises to do for the scapula are bent over rows, reverse flys, and shoulder extension.  You can find good pictures of these by searching the internet.  If you don't have hand weights you can use canned goods like a can of corn or peas to start with or anything that weighs about 1 pound then advance the weight from there.  A physical therpist can help develope a more in depth program for you as there are many more exercises you can do that require the use of a stretchy band or tube.  Using the stretchies are similar to using weights but in many ways better because they are more cost effective, less cumbersom, and more versatile than having a lot of weights.  If you are planning to have reconstructive surgery it would be a good idea to develope better muscle strength before surgery as having the extra weight in the chest area will put more stress on your scapula. 

hi, my name is lenora, i keep watching your shows all the time, the ones i love to see is when u talk about make overs, but you never had one for older ladies like myself, im 59 years old, not old but far from young, right dr. phil. i went threw throat cancer in 2000, they made me pull all my teeth, and now my jaws are lower, and i don't know who to turn 2, i can not use bottom teeth because of my jaws, i don't have any sources, and of course no money to get me fixs, i would like lipo on my stomach and thigs,  and eye laser, i know if i got that all done, i could be lenora, and make my husband proud, he loves me for who i am and i do  know that, but have problem with no sex for him and that is the other thing, since all my chemo and ration i do not have any desire of sex any more, so what is my problem dr. phil and robin?

could you send me any books or something i could read on so maybe i can get myself fix again,

thank you for listing

lenora ..

I am in my 60's and would like to have plastic surgery on my face and neck.  Even though I exercise daily and don't look bad for my age, the neck is beginning to sag and also the face.  I really would like to look presentable as long as I can, hence, the need for plastic surgery.  I am anxious about it, however, as I know the risk.  Has anyone in their 60s had the surgery, and if so, what were the results?