This is for you guys that have had the DI or for anyone that knows exactly what is taken out during the process. What is removed? For example: adipose (fat) tissue, breast tissue, axillary lymph nodes, pectoralis major and minor muscles.
I assume all the muscles are left intact. I'm most curious about the lymph nodes. Not necessarily because of cancer but because of getting my blood pressure taken. A nursing implication for patients who have had mastectomies with lymph removed is to avoid using a cuff on the side of the surgery. For a patient with a bilateral radical mastectomy, the cuff would have to be used on the thigh.
Has anyone's surgeon mentioned this to them?
Hi Adio,
Have you posted this question in the FTM section? I'm sure you'll get responses there.
Ben
I wish I would have in the first place, but there's no cross-posting. I figured because it was a nursing question that anyone could answer it if they knew. If one of the mods could move it, I'd appreciate it though.
interseting question. I know they did not take out any muscle, I believe just the breast tissue. Someone else who is more sure than I am can chime in here. I should know what they took out of me.
Myles
Definitely no muscle, because they say that the better developed your pec muscles are the easier it will be to separate the breast tissue and such and to hide the scars. But not sure if they take out fat with the breast tissue.
Quote from: Carson on January 30, 2010, 03:13:31 PM
But not sure if they take out fat with the breast tissue.
They would have to. Breasts are 2/3 fat or something like that.
Quote from: SilverFang on January 30, 2010, 03:20:45 PM
They would have to. Breasts are 2/3 fat or something like that.
it depends, if you work your chest alot, the fat content goes down.
Quote from: Carson on January 30, 2010, 03:26:26 PM
it depends, if you work your chest alot, the fat content goes down.
Or if you're pre-T.
Meh, it depends. Maybe just ask your surgeon.
They do take some fat, as in the fat that belongs to the breast itself, but I sincerely doubt they take any of the subcutaneous layer.