Hi guys can anyone tell me how long you have to wait before reconstruction? I was offered recon at the same time as my mastectomy but i just wanted the bc out of me and couldn’t of cared less at the time but now i am desperate! I hate looking like this, i’m 30 and recently married and i feel like a reject, i can’t wear anything nice and its really getting me down. I have an appointment in October with the surgeon who did my op so i’m hoping he is going to tell me what and when i can have it done. How long did anyone else wait? I had mastectomy in March and i’m on Zoladex and Tamoxifen now, no chemo or rads needed. Any help or advice would be really appreciated, also i’m thinking about the stomach recon has anyone got any advice on this as i have a very stretchmarked stomach but would obviously love a flat tummy! Help!
Hi Jamielee,
Just come back off holiday hence the delay in adding my comments. I had bilateral mastectomy in Aug 06, no chemo or rads, now on tamoxifen and Zoladex, I had my recon using the back skin and muscle in May 07. My breast surgeon referred me to the plastic surgeon in Sept 06 but I decided to see him as a private patient (cost £80) to try and get the waiting time down. I saw him in Oct 06 where he said he would put me on the NHS list straight away, seeing him privately saved me three months. I, like you hated looking at myself after the mast and couldn’t wait for the recon and now 3 months on I am well happy with the results.
As far as the stomach recon a lady in the bed next to me had it done on her right side and the result was great they didn’t have to use an implant as she had sufficient fat etc, it looked very natural virtually straight away and she had a lovely flat tummy too, by the way she was 70 years old (how great is that !!!).
Hope all goes well for you and you get the recon asap
Take care
Kaz
xx
Hi Jamielee,
I had mastectomy back in Dec 05 and have been desperate for recon ever since however had to complete 8 x chemos and 25 rads before referral, my plastic surgeon will not operate until 1 year post rads, so I am booked in for 31.10.07 this year.
I have been advised to have the stomach op as using my back muscle would also mean an implant, my plastic surgeon has advised for me it will give the best cosmetic result although will take slightly longer to recover.
Good luck, I personally am so looking forward to having two boobs again and be able to wear tops that are in fashion without wearing vest tops underneath.
Debbie x