Hi all,
I had a single mastectomy in February and radiotherapy in early May, I have an appointment in 2 wks with a plastic surgeon re. reconstruction.
I’m a bit nervous, I’ve been told by my oncologist Im probably too slim for diep flat surgery, has anyone who is slim had a diep (there’s plenty of fat in my bum and thighs! ?). If I have an implant I’m worried about symmetry. I have a small chest and can’t imagine symmetry is that easy with an implant?
Also, although I’m not that old (41), obviously my remaining boob does have a bit of a droop, how does that match, can they lift or even enlarge my natural breast?
Any thoughts would be welcomed. I wasn’t given the choice of immediate reconstruction and hate what I look like, so after seeing my surgeon I want to make a decision and just get on with it!!
Thank you xx
Ps. Any experience of recovery times would also be helpful, I’m really worried about taking time off work!!
I am not sure if this helps but I was also told Diep was not an option so I am opting for them to do both at the same time even though I only need to have a mastectomy and reconstruction on the right. I am heavy chested and there would definitely be no symmetry if I do only the one. I am getting my mastectomy and reconstruction at the same time but might be worth looking into if it is an option for you to do both at the same time. I am also only 40 so the symmetry is still important to me for my self image.
Thank you. I had a single mastectomy in February so no chance of having a double now. I’m just so confused about what to do!
I had the option to do one now and then when doing reconstruction to have second done at the reconstruction. I opted to try for another lumpectomy and then if unable to get a clear margin full mastectomy. But long story short my team of drs was willing to remove my right first then when doing the reconstruction removing the left and then reconstruction on both at the same time as second removal. This is not an option for everyone but if I am doing one might as well remove all chance of it coming back on second breast and have symmetry at the same time.
Hi Pippy
I had a right mastectomy in May with an immediate implant reconstruction. At the same time I had a reduction on the left side.
I am really pleased with the outcome and symmetry. My implanted breast is slightly smaller but in a bra you can never notice.
I was shown some photographs before my surgery so I had an idea of what the out one would be.
It’s so scary making decisions on something that you do not know what the outcome will be but follow your gut
Cookie x
I am having a smx and reconstruction next month. I was told that I don’t have enough fat in my tummy for diep, but was offered a PAP FLAP (Skin and fat are taken from inside thighs and the scars are mostly hidden under the crease in your bum cheeks). Not all surgeons do PAP but it’s worth asking if diep is not an option for you.
I’m a little older than you and have a slight droop on the opposite “good” side. I have been offered a breast lift on that side to match the perkier pap flap reconstructed breast. To be honest, I’m a little nervous about messing with the other side so have chosen to wait and let the new breast settle/heal and I’ll look at the lift and symmetry and a later date alongside any nipple reconstruction.
You should be offered some solutions for symmetry (lift, reduction, fat grafts, etc) either immediate or later.
Hi @Pippy14
This is my first post on a forum but your post really resonated with me.
I was recently diagnosed with ILC grade 2 and really pushed hard to get my surgeon to consider an immediate diep. She said that I didn’t have enough fat (I still think it may have been possible as I do have a little tum! ;)) and I even got an appointment for a second opinion at the Royal Marsden but that would have pushed back my surgery which was making me nervous. In the end she arranged for us both to chat with a plastic surgeon together who also agreed that I would be “robbing Peter to pay Paul” and what really helped me make the decision was that he said I wouldn’t be burning any bridges by doing an immediate silicone implant and that I could still look at autologous reconstruction later down the line (he suggested thighs) if need be.
I had left side mastectomy and immediate reconstruction and right side reduction on 12th June and am doing very well. My surgeon used the mesh-sling pre pectoral method rather than disturbing the muscle so I think I have had the best that I could have had and feel relieved that all my surgery is out of the way. The result already looks pretty good and once the implant has settled, I know that I can ask for lipofilling and nipple tattoos if I feel I want to improve the look further.
I feel pretty much back to normal already but surgeon has advised 8 weeks off work and to avoid heavy lifting and raising my arms (sometimes tricky to remember as I feel so well!).
Keep asking questions and you will know when you have made the right decision for you. All the best and let us know what you decide.
XX