All of the breast reconstruction side effects we wish we knew about are difficult to cover in the initial consult with your reconstructive surgeon. Why you might ask? It’s simply a matter of time. The key elements of the surgery itself, patient expected outcomes, individual health related issues, medications, recovery time and other topics need to be covered in your surgical consult with your plastic surgeon.
A List of Questions to Take to Your Consult
That does not excuse your plastic surgeon, however, from providing you with further information regarding side effects, coping with them, how you will feel months after your reconstructive surgery and the possible emotional and physical impact. You just have to come to the consult prepared and ask. I would encourage you to ask the following questions during your consult:
- I know there are going to be unexpected side effects from this surgery. I also know that some will be unique to me. Knowing that we cannot possibly cover all of these at this consult, what does your office provide for follow-up if I encounter any of these issues?
- Do I contact the nursing staff for answers and concerns?
- Do you have additional information about side effects in printed form or on your website?
- Do you have a list of other resources I can contact if I need support?
- How long can I continue to contact your office after my surgery? What if I have an issue a year out from my surgery?
Itching and Twitching May Cause of Bit of Bitching
One such symptom I experienced was a condition I hail as, “internal itching”. Nerves are disrupted when they are cut during plastic surgery to reconstruct the breast. As with any wound, these nerves go through a healing and regeneration process. They send messages and pathways to your brain as they heal. Those messages are sometimes in the form of itching. This is actually a good sign, albeit annoying for the patient because it is an indication of healing. If your condition is keeping you awake at night discuss possible medication to relieve the itching. Don’t expose these areas to direct sunlight as it will only exacerbate the issue. Heat can cause undo swelling as it stimulates the blood vessels. Avoid hot showers and gently cleanse the area. Try topical lotions for moisturizing but always check with your plastic surgeon about the products you can use during the healing process.
Related to the nerve regeneration you can also experience a “twitching” sensation and it may come at the most random times. I remember going out to eat with my family one evening shortly after my mastectomy. My youngest son was sitting across from me as I began to have those “random twitches”. He looked at me with great concern and said, “You OK Mom?” I smiled back at him to relieve his concern and said, “Oh yes, I’m just healing.”
The good news, these are temporary side effects. Everyone has different tolerance levels for pain, itching, and twitching so if yours becomes unmanageable, increases in intensity; it’s time to call your health care provider for relief.
Let’s Talk Numbness
Ladies and gentleman, it is part of the process. Discuss this with your plastic surgeon at your consult but numbness is a part of many types of surgery, and especially big surgery like breast reconstruction when lots of nerves are cut and tissue is moved around. There is no way of describing how this is going to feel or how you will deal with it until after surgery but no one is immune from this side affect. Again, everyone deals with side effects in a different way. Not meaning to be impudent about it but you simply must pull up your big girl knickers on this one. There is no way around numbness when you’ve been put under the scalpel for breast reconstruction. Numbness is not pain. Numbness is a new sensation, or lack thereof, that you more often than not get used to. A reminder, however, make adjustments and be aware of the areas of numbness.
That being said, this is where it is paramount that you do your homework and find a qualified micro-surgeon who has performed many successful autologous tissue breast reconstructions. Skilled plastic surgeons are aware of the importance of trying to preserve and even reconnect sensory nerves to reestablish some sensation after breast reconstruction surgery. My own plastic surgeon and the micro-surgeons he works with do reconnect sensory nerves. The process worked for me on my right breast. My nipple area is still numb but this new nerve sensation and regeneration is very sensitive indeed. It’s not like the original sensation in my nipple area and it is actually below the nipple area. However, I’m happy to have this area of sensitivity now. This is an involved and intricate surgery. Find the best and most qualified micro-surgeon you can find.
Side Effects Can Be a Part of Any Surgery
Side effects may be numerous after complex surgeries. They are part of the process. Some will go away, some will linger and improve over time, some are part of the “new you” and some may very well last a lifetime. Use the list of bullet-ed statements and questions I’ve written above and know there is help and support dealing with them but you must ask. Any plastic surgeon worth their weight in gold will either give you the answers or lead you to a place you can find those answers.
What are side effects from breast reconstruction that took you by complete surprise and how are you dealing with them?