Immediate Reconstruction
Immediate Reconstruction Hi Everyone
I am due to have a mastectomy, with lymph nodes removed, early in May and have to decided about reconstruction
Most women seem to go for reconstruction either immediately or at a later date, but I just wondered if any of you have decided definitely against it and your reasons for that.
My breast care nurse showed me pictures of reconstruction and I must admit that I was not too impressed. Am I expecting too much?
I have large breasts (38D) which are really quite droopy (I am 60) and most of the pictures I saw were of much smaller breasts that were really quite pert.
Whilst I do not really like the idea of waking up with no breast, I am rather a coward and would hate to have the reconstruction and wake up to find I don’t like it!
Your thoughts and experiences would be very much appreciated.
Pauline
Recon Hi Pauline,
I had a tram flap recon at the same time as my mast last July and I’m a size 38c. I’ve never regretted my decision as it’s so good to look down and see cleavage which is why I had the recon and at the same time as the mast means only one operation.
Have to say my recon boob is more in shape as the other one droops a bit but you can’t notice anything when I wear a bra and my bra free days where over a long time ago.
The plastic surgeon did say that I could have surgery on my okay boob in the future if I wanted it, also a new nipple on my recon boob, but at the moment I’m happy with things the way they are.
Hope you get lots of advice to help you make your decision.
Michelle.
Hi Pauline Sorry about your diagnosis and welcome - this is the best place for support and advice from those going thru the same thing.
I had mastectom and immeidate LD recon (where they use the back muscle) with implant nearly 8 weeks ago now. As I am large breasted - I was a 38F - this is the main reason I went for immediate recon. I felt that having one boob this size would be hard to disguise. I was told that it would not be possible to get a recon this size so took up the offer of having a reduction on the other side at the same time and I am now a 38D.
I’ll admit that is has not all been plain sailing - initially I felt that the reduction was too small and the recon too big - but it has settled down now and they are very similar in size. No, it’s not perfect and yes there are scars, but even in just my bra you would not know that it was a recon.
I am very pleased with my pert boobs - I am 50 this year - and in the last week or so have had plenty of retail therapy getting new tops that I would not have previously been able to wear.
There are plenty of girls on this site who have not had immediate reconstruction and you can get beautiful underwear to wear with a prosthesis (go to www.ameona.com and request a catalogue and sign up for their free magazine). If you do chose to go for the recon, another option might be to have a lift on the other side?
It’s not an easy decision to make Pauline, good luck and let us know how it goes.
Anita
Hi Pauline Dear Pauline
I so empathise with you. I am 55, and a 36C. Not vain at all. I cannot bear the thought of the back muscle recon and haven’t been offered the others. So I am between the silicone expander (sorry, not well up on the technical terms) and just leaving it be and having a prosthesis. I am due to see the bc nurse tomorrow and think I have to make a decision then. So I am not much help to you but just send you love and support whatever you decide.
Keep posting - this website has been my lifeline since I had the news last Wednesday.
All best wishes to you
Dilys
Hi Michelle
Thank you so much for replying, it’s good to hear from somebody who is much further down the line with their treatment. As you will remember, at first it is very difficult to see any light at the end of the tunnel.
Thank you for sharing your experiences, it really does help
Best wishes
Pauline
Dear Anita
Thank you for replying and I feel the same as you in that I think one large boob would be more difficult to disguise!
I am glad you are happy with your reconstruction and you have given me something to think about with your suggestion of a lift on the other side.
Enjoy those new tops, this summer is supposed to be sweltering, so make the most of it.
Once again, thank you so much for your advice, it is really a great comfort.
Kind regards
Pauline
Dear Dilys
Thank you so much for replying it is just so good to hear from people who understand.
We seem to be very similar in our predicaments and views and I too do not know the technical terms.
I am having to change my Consultant as the original has gone on holiday. Wednesday I go to see the new one who I am told will probably do the operation on 1st or 8th May.
I wish you well with the BC nurse tomorrow, please let us know how you get on.
Thank you once again.
Very best wishes
Pauline
Hallo Pauline Dear Pauline
Yes I know exactly what you mean. My operation is on 1 May so we may just have it done together! I will let you now how I get on this afternoon. I am sure it won’t be the back muscle op - I simply can’t face that. So silicone implant at the same time, or nothing. Two lots of surgery has no attraction at all.
Wishng you all the best, and stay in touch
Dilys
find out more info from your surgeons Hi Girls
I was totally against the back muscle operation at first, but am glad I did it now, I am 41 and a 36/38C flutuating not sure why…
I told my surgeon that I wanted just to have the silicone implant and he recommended that I have the back muscle (Lat Dorsi)…
I think you also need to find out if you are having rads or not, as sometimes the rads ruins the implant and I’m not sure if they replace it on the nhs if this occurs…
none of the ops are easy and I only had 5 day’s to make my mind up…
lucy
xxx
Hi Pauline Just thought I’d add my own experience to give you a more balanced picture of things. Although I was very small breasted I had an immediate LD reconstruction last July and have never looked back since. In my opinion losing my back muscle was no big deal and I don’t even know that I’ve lost it. Was driving my car within a week and back to work full time after 5 weeks (office job). I have full range of movement and the only scarring is on my back along my bra line so no one would ever know. Pain was absolutely minimal and I’ve just had my nipple recreated so almost as good as new.
Nikki
Hi Lucy
Thanks for sharing your experience, I think you are absolutely right in that I must speak to my surgeon in
more depth.
I have been told I will probably have rads so it may well be that the choice will be made for me.
Sometimes the obvious just seems to escape me!
I am glad you are happy with your reconstruction and
wish you all the best for the future.
Kind regards
Pauline
xx
Hi Nikki
Thanks for replying and giving me your experience.
You have been very helpful the more people tell you the
better you form your own picture.
I am glad all is going so well for you and do wish you all the best for the future.
Once again, thanks for your help
King regards
Pauline
Dilys here again Dear Pauline
Hallo kindred spirit. I am now back from hospital swaying again to leaving it after the mastectomy and having a prosthesis. They did at least let me see one today (a prothesisis that is) and it looked fine to me. But you are right. There seems to be this assumption that recon is best. I am not so sure it would be for me. I now have till Monday to decide.
With you in spirit my love. Let me know what you decide.
Dilys
Immediate reconstruction Hello Pauline, I emailed DilysP on her thread “Help in choosing” on just this subject. I hope what I wrote might be of help to you too. I imagine your plastic surgeon has talked over with you all the possibilities, and also shown you lots of recon photos, and also explained about the different implants you can have. Believe it or not, it can be fascinating and a good discussion helps to remove questions and fears: and in fact my plastic surgeon and I had a lot of laughs! All good wishes
Petitepart
34F Hi Pauline
I will be 60 in June and was diagnosed in March 06 and recommended a mastectomy as my best option. I couldn’t imagine only having one breast as I was a 34F and quite droopy. I made a bit of joke of it and said I would be listing to one side if I only had one. I made the decision to have a mastectomy with an immediate diep reconstruction and a reduction on the other side. I am so glad I did. When I left hospital 6 days after the op if I looked down I had a normal cleavage which was fantastic. Also I was only a 34D cup. Unfortunately since chemo I have put on some weight so am now a 34DD cup but still much, much better that a 34F which I loathed.
My reconstruction is far from perfect without clothes but with clothes, I feel quite confident about wearing anything, even low cut dresses. As another bonus with the diep you get a tummy tuck which is amazing. Although the surgery is quite long I found the recovery much better and easier than I anticipated.
Good luck with your decision.
M
xx
Hi Dilys Dear Dilys
Good to hear from you. Did the hospital just leave the choice to you, or did they give you any indications which might be best for you?
I must admit, like you I am swaying towards the prosthesis.
I saw one too and I must say I was more impressed with that than some of the photos I saw of reconstruction.
I thought it was a pity they couldn’t just permantly attach one of those to me!!
I have not had one reply from anyone who has said they didn’t want reconstruction at all. I think you and I must be the exception to the rule!
I am at the hospital this afternoon and I must say part of me is rather hoping the surgeon says ‘can’t do reconstruction on you’, but then I am a terrible coward!
Good luck with your decision, please let me know what it is when you make it. My thoughts are with you.
love
Pauline
xxx
Hi Petitepart and Mardy Hi Petitepart and Mardy
Thank you so much ladies for your thoughts and experiences they really are much appreciated.
love Pauline
x
Hallo Pauline and Petitepart Dear Pauline
Hi there. I have just had the most deeply boring day at the hospital. They are so good but this was just the pre-assessment before whatever op it turns out to be. At one point they asked me if I knew what operation I was going in for. I was SO SO tempted to say I just needed my toenails cut! Of course I resisted it and answered all the questions (nice to be able to say there are so many things you haven’t got). Also blood tests and an ECG. Such delights.
So I am still on for 1 May as far as I know and still trying to make the decision. And in answer - no, noone has said really what they think about recon v prosthesis but all the push seems to be to recon of one sort of one sort or another. Petitepart put her finger on it when she said there was something about the implants that people here didn’t want. But saying no to recon seems to be somehow wrong. Maybe they just have more experience?
Anyway the bc nurse has lent me a video about Becker implants (which is what I get if I go that route) and I will screw up the courage to watch it tomorrow and let you know.
Hope you are ok and coping with this weird new world.
Much love
Dilys
For Pauline and Petitepart Dear Pauline and petitepart
Ok I have decided to go for the immediate recon with becker implant - essentially the one they expand under your skin and muscle. Ouch. The bc nurse lent me a video which finally convinced me that it is worth a try.
I am trying to stop dithering though I am sure I won’t, but this is a decision. And that feels better already.
Let me know how you are doing. You are in my mind so much.
Lots of love and best wishes
Dilys