Breast Recon & Oomphrectomy
Breast Recon & Oomphrectomy Hi I was told I had the BRca1 gene in Aug06 it came as no surprise as I’d had BC when i was 28, ten yrs ago and I lost my sister to BC 5 yrs ago. That was when the genetics people offered us the chance to look for a mutation. It was negative 5 yrs ago due to the screening of only 60% but now they screen 100% it was picked up.
Dilemmas abound… have no hesitation in getting mastectomy and reconstruction, but… am struggling with the types of recon available as am V.scared about cutting bits away from here or there to build a pair of boobs. Have read alot of things on this site is anyone out there happy or just content with Implants only?
And I’d love to know if anyone out there has had an Oomphrectomy and if so how are you coping with the menopause and are you taking HRT… I’ve heard it may be possible but am a bit confused and worried.
Hope this isn’t too lengthy, have never used on-line chat forums before.
Hi Michbarn Welcome to the forums - I’m sure you’ll find lots of help on here. Just wanted to add to Helen’s post - I have the BRCA1 gene & found this out after being diagnosed with BC myself at 35.
I’d already had a mastectomy after my diagnosis as I had 2 very large lumps, and was on the waiting list for reconstruction when I found out I had the faulty BRCA1 gene. I opted for a second mastectomy & bilateral reconstruction - I chose the lat dorsi recon which is the one that takes muscle from my back. My plastic surgeon used a small implant to stick to my pre-op size and I’m really, really happy with the result. Like you, I wasn’t sure about having bits taken from other parts of my body, but my results are so much more natural than other’s I’ve seen with an implant only, and I think it was well worth it. I was in hospital for a week and off work for about 4 weeks altogether - but I work from home so could ease myself back gently. It’s now a year on and I’ve got full use of both arms and don’t have any pain or discomfort whatsoever. I’ve since had nipple reconstruction which again I’m really happy with.
On the ovaries side, I had mine out in March last year - 3 months after my recon. At first my gynae said I’d be OK on HRT but when I pushed for more info he changed his mind and agreed with my GP that I should avoid that, even though my BC was ER/PR negative. I had hot flushes at first, and was put on prozac by my GP to stop them. I’ve since stopped taking them and find regular exercise keeps them down. I still get some hot flushes at night, but they’re bearable. Like Helen, I’m getting regular bone scans and take vitamin D and calcium suppliments.
Hope this helps - good luck with all the choices & post again if you have any more questions.
Love
Sue
x
PS Hi Helen - how are things going with you? I’ve had a break from the forums - I lost my mum before Xmas (nothing to do with cancer) but have been trying not to spend every moment thinking of the dreaded C word while I’ve been so down. Feeling OK though so will keep in touch more!
Hello! I was diagnosed 2004 age 33. I had Chemo followed by mastectomy/reconstruction then radiotherapy. Due to the family history I was tested for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 but the test showed negative. Whilst waiting for the results I had a preventative oopherectomy and right mastectomy with Recon. I opted for the LD back flap with implants both times and I was very happy with the results. All the scars are within the bra line, so you would never tell. My sister opted for no implants just the LD flap and she wasnt very impressed by the shape of the breast.
I was advised not to take HRT and the only problems I seem to be having is slight night sweats. Healthy diet and exercise seems to be helping any menopause symptoms. Extra Calcium tablets are advisable! Hope this has helped a little bit!
Thank you Thank you all so much for your replies, Its so nice to know there are others out there. Although I don’t wish any of this on anyone. Spent months going round in circles and frying my brain with all the different options, wish i’d found you all sooner.
With regard to recon i have been recommended the LD flap and implant but I’m really struggling with the idea of scars and back weakness and all things going wrong. I want to make the right decision but don’t want to cause myself life long back problems etc. Oh think i’m still very unsure. Have seen a very good surgeon but he works on his own and can only do one boob at a time. Am waiting to be referred to the Marsden and Queen Victoria in East Grinstead, god knows how many referrals i’ll need before i make a ruddy decision.
The oomphrectomy though a simple procedure does scare me the most, i’m terrified of becoming another person through total hormone imbalance, I’m just imagining the worst PMT that goes on and on. Was relieved to hear that the flushes and night sweats don’t seem to have caused too much bother. However, I’m a red wine drinker and have read that alcohol doesn’t help… It actually helps me a lot so hope I can still have a glass or three!
Fortunately i am an avid Gym user so you all saying that exercise helps is great to hear, but am worried I won’t actually be able to use the gym as have imagined (only a million times) in my head that my boob area will be such a mess and uncomfortable that i won’t be able to attend for months.
You all have made me feel better, Thank you, Michelle XXX
Hi Again Hi Michelle
Your worries are all normal - it’s such a huge thing to go through. Just wanted to add a few more replies to your last post. After LD recon, all of my scars are hidden when I wear a normal bra. I can wear low-cut tops and even go bra-less if I want to. My scarring’s gone down a lot since the op - I have a very thin straight line across my back and can exercise and do everything else normally without any weakness in my back - exercise really helps with that too. And don’t worry about the wine - I drink plenty of red wine without any side effects :-))
Glad we’ve been able to help
Love
Sue
x
Thanks sue Thats great, I’m feeling a lot more positive about it all and feel I might actually live to tell the tale.
So glad the vineyards won’t have to shrivel up, don’t want to put ‘the grape’ out of business 
Thank you, will probably be back here soon. Don’t expect my brain will stop working through its calculations as soon as i’d like but have an appointment with Big Brother! (I know it’s mind numbing but that’s nice sometimes).
Best wishes Michelle xxx
Michelle Hi Michelle,
It is 4 yrs since discovered I had bc and over 2 yrs since I had the prophalytic mast & immediate recon {read my profile}. After ops for recon I was not happy with the look of my left breast which seemed to carry on like a wedge of fat under my arm and my right breast seemed to ‘sag’.I said this to my pc and so I had yet another op and yes I have again 2 bright red scars but I know they will fade and it will be worth it for the overall ‘look’.I have no problems with my back and as for the oopherectomy you must make sure they take the tubes as well ifyou have the braca 1 or 2 faulty gene.You will not become another person but you will become another stronger determined person who will stand up for youself more than you used to.I am having flushes and night sweats but cannot take hrt and have been advised by my oncologist to take only plant based remedies. As for the gym I found all chest exercises uncomfortable and so did not do them.By the way I drink lots of wine,we deserve it.Computer going in for healthcheck soi wont be able to reply for a while. good luck michelle you are not on your own.
luv ruthine x
Hi Ruthine Thanks, glad i’m not the only one who finds red wine a huge comfort!!! You’ve been thru the mill with having recon and then done again, am pleased that you are now happy with the results.
Will look into the plant based remedies and add it to my list of ‘things I may be able to have’ and hope for the best.
I thought that i’d have problems with some gym equipment and not surprised to hear that, think it will be a matter of gently does it to avoid anything too strenuos for quite sometime.
Still waiting to see a surgeon at the Marsden but that will be very soon now, then will make a decision.
Thanks for your kind words.
Luv Michelle X