I’ve been offered a full reconstruction after left mastectomy… Not got date yet for it and waiting for appt with plastics but I’m in such dilemma… Any thoughts? Options seem to be silicone or saline implants or tummy or back tissue rebuild. Seems to be pros and cons. Anyone got any wise words!?
Hi Ekmoat,
Welcome to the forum but I am sorry that you have found yourself here.
I have moved your post to the surgery boardin order to give more users a chance to come along to share their experiences and offer their support. You may also want to look at our page on Breast Reconstruction which you can find here.
In the meantime you can always call ourhelplineat 0808 800 6000 who will be able to help answer some of your questions about surgery and offer a friendly ear. The opening hours are below.
Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm
Late opening Monday and Wednesday 5pm-7pm,
Saturday, 9am-1pm
Best wishes,
Lizzy
Your PS should be able to give advice - it may be that you are only suitable for some options and not others. Also go by your gut instinct. I knew that I didn’t want surgery to my tummy, but was happy with the idea of surgery to my back. As it happened I was only suitable for an LD flap with implant, so that worked out well! I know someone else who was the opposite to me - she wouldn’t have had surgery to her back, but was happy with tummy surgery. There is no right answer here, only what suits you, both from your perspective (what you feel ok about or vice versa) and the surgeon’s - ie what is physically possible and /or will give a good result.
I agree with roadrunner, it’s a very personal decision. I initially didn’t want recon but then decided to go for it. Personally I didn’t want surgery to tummy or back so I had the implant recon using pigskin mesh so the whole procedure was done at the same time as the mx with no need for further surgery or inflation of implants etc.
The finished effect is good, a good match though firmer than my floppies right boob! (I am 51) I was off work for 8.5 weeks and then went back on a phased return for 4 weeks. Operation was in Feb 15 and I am now fully fit, I run and play badminton. There is still a little stiffness under arm and if I lift something heavy I feel it the next day but other than that I am fine. The surgeon did a sentinel node biopsy at the same time which was clear. I am taking tamoxifen without any serious side effects . Hope this helps. I would suggest taking a list of questions to your apt and take someone with you to help you absorb all the information they throw at you! At my hospital they had a photo album of before and after ops which was also helpful. Good luck! Xx
Hi
I’m in a similar place… I’m pretty much convinced that the MX is ‘best’ for me to be as safe as possible, and way back when it was first raised, I was certain I didn’t want to go through all the recon stuff… long op, pain in two sites, long recouperation, liklihood of other breast needing alteration to ‘match’, having to miss holidays and visiting new grandson in Dublin.
Buuuuuuuut yesterday BCN and surgeon ganged up on me ( not really) and persuaded me to at least see a PS and talk to him about a DIEP recon ( to be absolutely honest I’d rather have a lobotomy and neck lift). One reason I’d been discounting a recon is that I have sciatica and kept thinking that I couldn’t deal with more pain, but I thnk I have get my back sorted out so I can think more calmly about a recon.
So I’ve booked a chiropractic appointment and if that doesnt work I need to see my GP about better pain relief. I should have got on with sorting my back, but just kept getting swirled around different departments and then the DCIS seemed much more important to concentrate on.
So that’s the plan.
That’s all for now!
Caroline