26) Mastectomy Reconstruction Surgery Tissue Expanders & Latissimus “Lat” Flap

[@GeorgiaLinders]

Thank you so much for making these videos!!! Especially showing what the first fill looked like. I loved one of the previous videos, too, where you showed using an infinity scarf. I wouldn't have even thought of that!!! My double mastectomy/expander surgery is in a little over a week!

[@ChantelPurcellLiveYourBestLife]

Hi Georgia, I’m so sorry you are on this journey, but grateful you found these videos helpful! I’m sending you so much love and sister-strength for your upcoming surgery! 💞💞 You’ve got this!!! This might be a good video for you… kzbin.info/www/bejne/gqrOloJoltejhJosi=E0xoxuIOJDjB2EmX

[@GeorgiaLinders]

💓💓💓@@ChantelPurcellLiveYourBestLife

[@lydiahenry8266]

Thank you for sharing! My very beloved sister-in-law is having her double mastectomy and tissue expanders put in today. I’m very anxious for her. Really appreciate you taking the time to share your experiences stage by stage to help others in a similar situation and loved ones to understand what will happen and how it feels. It’s 4 years since you posted this, so I’m hoping you’re doing really well now and that you’re happy with how things have turned out. Sending you my warmest love! ❤️

[@ChantelPurcellLiveYourBestLife]

Hi love! You are precious for doing research on your sister-in-law’s behalf. Our family and friends are our greatest support, and it’s amazing when they have a sense of what their loved one is going through. I hope she is on her road to a speedy recovery! Thank you so much for reaching out and for your kind words. If I can support you and your family through this journey, please reach out. Much love to you and your warrior sister!! 😘💞💞

[@lydiahenry8266]

@@ChantelPurcellLiveYourBestLife Hi! Thank you for your kind response, I really appreciate your offer of support. 💖 You’re very welcome! This can’t be an easy thing to go through. 🫂 My SIL is doing really well. She had the drains taken out last week. That was a relief for her, as she was really grossed out by them. She’s not too sore from the tissue expanders, thankfully! She had to postpone her trip to visit us in the UK because of the timing of the surgery, but she’ll be coming over in a month, even with the expanders still in. Hoping she’ll be OK with the long flights here and back to the US. She’s my best friend and I can’t wait to see her! ❤️ Haven’t been able to visit with her since November 2019, so it’s been far too long! If you have any tips for travelling with her expanders in that I could pass on, I’d be very grateful. If not, that’s OK. 😊😘💞

[@ChantelPurcellLiveYourBestLife]

@@lydiahenry8266 I love that your SIL is your best friend! She is blessed to have you! You two are certainly overdue a visit. I hope she can make the trip soon. If she will fly with the tissue expanders, she might want a note from her doctor explaining the metal in her breasts. The tissue expander itself is made of silicone. However, the port where they do the fills has metal. It could trigger a detector or show on a body scan at the airport. Wishing you health and happiness! ♥️

[@lydiahenry8266]

@@ChantelPurcellLiveYourBestLife thank you so much for your kind wishes, support and your tips! All the best to you too. 🫂💖

[@bethanyelam5532]

I stumbled across your videos while researching latissmus dorsi flap reconstruction and I am so glad I did!! Your videos have been so helpful!! I am having this same surgery with double mastectomy next month and wasn't sure what to expect. I have also had a difficult time finding blogs/info on this surgery. Your videos have filled me with such hope!! You look amazing! May God continue to bless you on your journey!!

[@ChantelPurcellLiveYourBestLife]

Hi Bethany! Thank you so much for reaching out! I am so sorry you’re going through this, but incredibly grateful that you found my videos, and that they have been helpful! I know that navigating all of this can make your head spin a little… But just know that you will get through this and you’re not alone! I’ll be posting more videos today, and I am always here if you have any questions or if there’s anything that I can do to help you on your journey!! Sending you so much love & warrior strength! XO 💪💗💗

[@ChantelPurcellLiveYourBestLife]

The belt shown can be found at recoverybelt.com. 💗💗

[@Nicole-wemadeit]

Thank you for sharing your journey! I hope you are doing well!

[@ChantelPurcellLiveYourBestLife]

Thank you for reaching out! I am well … it has been a challenging year, but I am working through it. I hope you are well. Prayers and love to you! 🙏❤️

[@sherriclark1290]

I had stage 3 breast cancer first reconstruction failed so now im getting ready to have lattimusdorsi. Recovery time please.❤❤❤

[@ChantelPurcellLiveYourBestLife]

Oh gosh, I’m sorry your first reconstruction was a disappointment. The initial latissimus dorsi flap surgery, for me, was channeling the muscle under the skin from the back to the front, the skin graph from back to front, and placement of the tissue expanders. The first few weeks are the hardest. It gets better when the drains come out, but still easy does it for 4-6 weeks. Then, for me, it was a few months of filling the expanders before the exchange surgery for implants. I hope this helps! If I can help support you please let me know. 💗💗

[@sherriclark1290]

@@ChantelPurcellLiveYourBestLife Thank you so much . Im over the moon . I got my letter from ins my reconstruction was approved

[@bethgresham404]

God bless! Love you! Didnt know I could subscribe, glad to see you and your healing process. Praise Jesus!

[@ChantelPurcellLiveYourBestLife]

Beth Gresham Thank you so much, cuz. Yes, you can stay in the loop by subscribing. 😊 Love you! ❤️🥰

[@louisep4805]

You look amazing Chantel especially your hair 🙏

[@ChantelPurcellLiveYourBestLife]

Louise P Thank you so much!! I’ve started taking a Biotin vitamin to get my post-chemo hair on a growth track, and I think it’s working! 🤗 Hope you are well!! 😘💕

[@louisep4805]

@@ChantelPurcellLiveYourBestLife Wow that is great to know; my hair is very fluffy so I will see if I can try that too. I am doing very well thank you, and you are looking fabulous 🤗

[@cessnaisabella]

I have my double mastectomy in one week. Thank you so much for this ❤

[@ChantelPurcellLiveYourBestLife]

You are so welcome! I’m grateful you found it helpful. I’m sending you so much sister love for your surgery and recovery! 💞💞💞 If I can help support you in anyway… Please reach out. You might find a few helpful tips in this video … kzbin.info/www/bejne/gqrOloJoltejhJosi=5qS2xFSAk00a53tr

[@Saracalm50]

Glad your healing 🙏🙏❤️

[@ChantelPurcellLiveYourBestLife]

💗 Thank you sooo much!! 🥰🙏🏼

[@lesliedugan9960]

Wow you look great! thanks for the belt tip! I am fairly terrified of my upcoming surgery, but you have totally helped me with your video. You are a very strong lady.

[@ChantelPurcellLiveYourBestLife]

Leslie Dugan Hi Leslie! Thank you, you will discover how strong (and totally badass) you are too! 💪🌸🌸 I’m so thankful this video was helpful. If you haven’t yet seen the videos from post-mastectomy ... you may find those helpful too. When is your surgery? Just plan to pamper yourself and accept help ... and be good to yourself. 💗🥰💗 Make the most of a few weeks of downtime, and know that in the not-so-far future, you’ll be on the fast track to recovery. Please reach out ANY TIME!! ❌⭕️ 💪🌸🌸

[@jeanned386]

Thank you!

[@ChantelPurcellLiveYourBestLife]

You’re so welcome, Jeanned!! 😘💕

[@amayaraymond4486]

Thanks for sharing I'm awaiting a double mastectomy with expanders. After radiotherapy I will hopefully have diep surgery x

[@ChantelPurcellLiveYourBestLife]

Amaya Raymond You’re so welcome, Amaya! You are exactly the reason I am sharing my journey, to hopefully give you more comfort and peace of mind as you await your surgery. I hope your skin is doing well with radiotherapy. I found “All Good Goop” very soothing. Much love & warrior strength to you, beautiful! 💗 💪🌸🌸 🙏🏼