my cousin had cancer and mastectomy, 3 years later cancer returned to her remaining breast undetected, she was also diagnosed with oral cancer, she died 4 years after first diagnoses which was the year I was diagnosed with breast and oral cancer, I had never heard of BRACA, the hospital wanted to do a lumpectomy up to 5 times, they refused me a mastectomy, we paid for all my treatment. Had an LDflap, the implant capsulated and deflated, I struggled to get the NHS hospital to replace BOTH implants, all she kept saying was “you had cancer only in one breast” yet I met a girl who too had cancer in one breast and they performed the diep and did a bi lat mastectomy! . They replaced the implants with DOUBLE the size, they are VERY painful and cause me severe back pain. Hospital who did the implants damaged my limb and I sued them, I went to my GP and showed him the oversized implants, he wanted me to return to the hospital who damaged my limb, I refused in favour of going to another hospital, when they learned who actually performed my implant replacements their attitude towards me changed, in fact the consultant kept putting his hand in front of my face when I asked a question and told me i will have to wait 18 months to have the implants replaced, when I first met him he was charming BUT when he discovered who did the implants he changed significantly. I went to another hospital this week and the consultant told me he is leaving and he will recommend me to another surgeon BUT he is unsure if he will do the diep which is what I have requested, he did not even examine me and it was an 8 hour journey, I emailed my GP and asked him to find out WHY the consultant said his colleague may not do the surgery, as usual no reply from him. I read yesterday one hospital said a reconstruction is COSMETIC and the medical profession want our support!!!. .
You poor thing, sorry you have had to go through this, I can’t offer you any professional advice as I have only had excellent care, I would suggest you speak to your breast care nurse, they are trained to deal with all our concerns. I am based in Bournemouth and had a mastectomy with reconstruction, I have also requested a mastectomy on the none cancerous breast, it hasn’t been refused but I would imagine I will need to go private as it’s not a medical requirement more of a want on my part. Get in touch with your nurse and good luck, they also have nurses on this site. Take care
I had my treatment privately Rachel and the surgeon would not do a double mastectomy as she said she wouldn’t touch the healthy breast.
Marie, your experience is horrendous. Have you researched your surgeon to find out why the others reacted this way?
Hi Dawn, ooh I’ll have to see, my surgeon who is also private offered me a lift on my good boob and I’ve said no thanks just remove it?? I’ve got to wait for chemo to finish and then we can discuss it but he didn’t rule it out… it seems to be a postcode lottery!!