I finally think I have my treatment planning appointment on Wednesday morning and know that surgery will be my main treatment.
For those of you who have had a mastectomy, how did you decide what reconstruction option to choose and are you happy with that decision?
I’m considering DIEP because I think, despite the long recovery, I will be happier with a more natural reconstruction, but I’m very much still not dismissing implants entirely.
I’d appreciate any feedback on how you came to a decision and your thoughts on that choice. Thank you!
Hi,
This is one of the hardest decisions I have had to make in my life. I had a consultation with my Dr and breast care nurse and was offered 4 options they thought best:
Mastectomy only
Mastectomy with diep reconstruction
Mastectomy with delayed reconstruction
Mastectomy with implant.
They told me to go away and think it through properly, I was really focused on getting rid of the cancer from my body as mastectomy was the quickest option with recovery being sooner than a diep. I told the Dr that I wanted the cancer out from my body so wanted to go with the mastectomy only
My BC nurse said to me don’t make a hasty decision that you may regret later.
I was 53 years old at the time
I thought really hard and deep over the 2 weeks , implant didn’t feel right, I’ve had 4 children and breast fed them all. I didn’t like the idea of a foreign thing in my body plus it needs replacing after 10 years.
I liked the idea of the diep with reconstruction but was absolutely petrified of the length of time the surgery took. I felt I was taking an unnecessary risk and felt selfish for putting my family through this.
I decided on the diep with mastectomy as I felt that staying flat was not an option that I was comfortable with.
I am 2 .5 years on from surgery and I feel it was the right decision for me.
Hope all goes well for you whatever you decide.
Any more questions pls do ask.
Hi @anon50128939
I am facing the same thing smx and I have my appointment on Thursday. I have gone back and forth in my trying to decide on of I should even have a mastectomy ( 7cm DCIS ER8 and high grade) but feel I just want the mental closure of it. My husband has stage 4 cancer and doesn’t have the option so seems crazy not to. I know I don’t want an implant and I’m happy to radically reduce the size if need be. The surgery for DIEP is worrying me but I’m trying to think of the longer term.
Not sure if that helps you xx
Hello, I would urge you to consider going flat or at least delaying it so you can see how flat feels. Mine is a long story but I am hugely relieved that I resisted the push towards reconstruction. I had a single mastectomy.
I hope you find the right way for you x
Hi @anon50128939
It’s such a difficult decision to make! I have stayed flat for now, as I thought I can always have delayed reconstruction if I don’t feel right, however my decision was based on the quickest recovery time as I have small children so I didn’t want to be caught up for months not being able to pick them up etc.
I’ve heard a lot of women are very happy with their DIEP recon and personally haven’t heard of a bad experience.
The only downside to implants is whether or not radiotherapy is part of your treatment plan. My surgeon told me there was a high risk of complications with an implant, and it would most likely need replacing within 3-5 years, rather than the usual 10. However, your surgeon will be best to advise you on this! The plastic surgeon said that I could come back in 2 years to see how the skin has healed and he would then be able to tell me whether or not implants would work out.
However, I totally appreciate that you may not want to wait that long! I hope it’s given you some ideas of what questions to ask your team though, as much as it’s rushed, try to make the most informed decision possible using everyone’s experiences on here all the best!!
Hi @laneycass
I have quite big boobs and going flat one side I think would be an issue and I would look unbalanced. I think I would feel differently if my boobs were smaller.
Ok, mine aren’t (isn’t) small. Obviously if it’s not right for you you won’t want more info but if you are curious, have a look at Flat Friends. I reckon they will have accounts of women with one big boob and how they get on. All the best x
all the best!!