2 1/2 years post mastectomy, I am meeting my surgeon on Wednesday to discuss the alternatives that I could consider.
Implants? (not sure I want to live with silicone in my body)
Reconstruction? (scared stiff with the length of the operation)
Or stay as I am? (Do I really or am I kidding myself?
What questions do I need to ask the surgeon which will help me decide.
thanks for all your advice.
Dear vercors,
I am sure other forum members will soon be along with information and support for you.
Breast Cancer Care have an animated guide to breast reconstruction which may be helpful. I have attached the link:
Very best wishes
Janet
BCC Facilitator
I havnt had surgery yet so i wont be much help to you sorry follow your heart and do what you want to do and what is best for you
Hi there,
I had a recon in Feb, 3 years post mx, I had an LD flap, and then had implants in both sides three weeks ago.
I think the first thing you need to do is see what recons you are suitable for. The PS will tell you this. For me, the only one I was suitable for was the LD flap (no tummy fat, and skin damaged by radiotherapy so could not just have implants). So you could be agonising over which one to go for when there really is no choice.
Can you get hold of the book Reconstruction - Your Choice by Dick Rainsbury? It is very detailed, and discusses the pros & cons of each op.
After that you need to consider if you want to take the plunge or not. For me it was a gut feeling that this cancer would continue to be unfinished business as long as I didn’t have a recon, I felt I was stuck in cancer limbo land. Now I feel completely different, and feel I can at last move on. It’s such a personal decision.
You should be able to ask to see photos of the surgeon’s work, which may help you decide, or ask if you can talk to someone who has had the operation already
Best wishes xx
Thanks Roadrunner, I will get hold of that book, but before worrying too much; I shall wait to see what alternatives are offered to me.
Hi Vercors
I had immediate DIEP reconstruction in July, so didn’t have the period of reflection that you have had since MX. It is a very long op (I think about 10 and 1/2 hours in my case). And the few days immediately post-op are tough, but manageable and you are supported very well by hospital staff. I was back to work exactly 6 weeks after surgery.
It is a big decision, but despite a few problems I am really please with my new breast, and dressed it looks completely natural and I have a good natural looking cleavage.
I sent a PM to a couple of people previously regarding the procedure and recovery if you would like me to forward it to you. As Roadrunner says you may find that you have less choice than you think, but good luck.
Jacqui
May I join in here please? I am seeing my PS on Friday, hopefully to get a decision from him if my recon will be TRAM or DIEP and a date for the op.
I’ve started doing some internet research, looking at complications, benefits and not benefits of both ops, but the added problem I have is that I am also an insulin dependant diabetic and according to most of the things I’ve read, this operation wouldn’t be contemplated in the UK - I live in France, so that worries me a bit more. I know what the risks for me are likely to be and I am prepared to take the chance, generally I heal very well and have not had problems from any ops in the past.
My surgeon has never performed this op on a diabetic lady either, but he doesn’t see that it should exclude me, nor does my Diabetic specialist.
Anyway, I’ve waffled a bit so sorry, but I am also very interested in what questions I need to ask in addition to those about my diabetic management during the op. If anyone knows of a site where diabetics have written about these procedures I would delighted to read them.
Good luck with your decision Vercors.
thanks ladies,
Apparently the surgeon who did my MX, only does implants; so I will now have an appointment with a plastic surgeon to discuss reconstruction.
I am told that I might not be allowed to have reconstruction due to my lymphodema.
So if I am left with only implants as a choice, I might not go through it.
Hello there
I am feeling the same as you, I had mastectomy 5 months ago and have said all along I would want a reconstruction.
I went to a superb seminar by BCC and a surgeon spoke of all the reconstruction types and I decided the DIEP flap was the one for me.
Since reading on the forum though, alot of ladies have problems after abdominal reconstructions and I am now so confused, I, like you didn’t want implants but now think that might be the easiest reconstruction to do.
I’d love to hear what you think and what decision you’ve made once you meet with your surgeon.
xx
On BBC South East last week a surgeon from East Grinstead was describing a new technique which took tissue from your inner thigh to make your new breast. It sounds like a brilliant method but I don’t know how widely available it is.
Unfortunately one of comments did say that it was much better than implants as these only last on average ten years. Has anyone else heard that because I am certain nobody told me.
Trish
I had an LD reconstruction 10 yrs ago, prior to that, 5 failed implants. Just had my LD redone, and my cons also lifted my other breast to match. Sadly, they do deteriorate over the years, but, it is worth it, and, just as a footnote, when my was redone, 27th july 2010, a grade 2 tumour was discovered, so please, anyone out there, do get your implants replaced if you notice any changes ie: shrinkage, muscle retraction. If i hadnt asked …
Louise
I supposed in a way you are governed by what PS’s expertise too. I was offered an LD recon by my previous hospital that was because that is the type of surgery they can do and feel comfortable with.
Me too, do not feel comfortable with the thought of silicone implants. So when I changed hospital for my mastectomy the PS who was assigned to me has plenty of experience with DIEP and deemed that I am the suitable candidate for it. When I asked him how many ops he has done, he told me the numbers. I think DIEP op is very difficult to do, the PS must have a good micro surgical skill to get a good sucess rate, it is for ordinary PS. Despite the excellent skill, my vein was very small and the PS had problem in getting the blood flowing in the newly connected veins during the surgery. My operation was a marathon one and went on for 15.5 hours, because the PS determined that he would not be defeated! He was incredible. I am extremely happy with the result and recovered well 5 days after the op with no seroma or any other problems.
So not only we need a good reconstructive PS but our body too need to deal well with the trauma.
Good luck and I hope you find the solution soon.
xx