Need advice. I need to have a mastectomy. I need to chose between an implant or use my own tissue from my back. Can people tell me their experiences from either to help me decide. Thank you x
hi - sorry I’m bilateral and have delayed any recon plans x but just wanted to say you might get more responses if u post in the surgery area in undergoing treatment x you can also search there for reconstruction xxxx hugs
Hi Ceri
I have put for you below the link to BCC’s reconstruction publication which I hope you find helpful
www2.breastcancercare.org.uk/publications/treatment-side-effects/breast-reconstruction-bcc7
and also the link to the area of this website where breast reconstruction is discussed in more detail:
breastcancercare.org.uk/breast-cancer-information/treating-breast-cancer/surgery/reconstruction
I hope you find this helpful.
Take care,
Jo, Moderator
I had a right side mastectomy with immediate Ld flap reconstruction and no implant a month ago.
I was up and about doing reasonably normal things within a week or so and was back to work after three weeks. I appear to be a quick healer tho.
My back does have a line across it where I was cut and i have had to have it drained once and it’s still a bit fluidly but I think I have turned a corner with that. It feels tight tho and probably will for a while.
I was in hospital for only two nights and came out with two drains which were emptied every day by the district nurses. One drain was taken out after a couple of days and the other came out after a week.
My new boob looked big to start with and slowly it’s softening up and pretty much matches my other one now except for my lack of nipple!
Anything else you want to know? 
Hello
I had immediate recon with implant and strattice in Feb 2014, so over a year on now. My choice was between back muscle and implant (LD) or implant and strattice. I went for the strattice as I did see the benefit of having my back muscle mucked about with as I would still require an implant. I am please with the look of my recon - though I have lost my nipple, and the scaring is straight across the breast to where there nipple was. I did have symmetry op on the other boob as there was a big different in height post op and this was very successful. I was going to have nipple created and a nipple tattoo but found that I could not be doing with any more surgery so am sticking with my stick on nipple. In my experience the one thing that they do not tell you about implant recons is that they do feel quite strange - for the first few months it is like having a bowling ball strapped to your chest, that does reduce somewhat but I am always aware of the implant - it feels heavy and when you press against something - even your arm - it feels solid and doesn’t give like your real boob. Its also colder than your real boob. Would I do it again ? yes. Whatever recon route you choose the best advise I can give you is to take your painkillers - and be kind to yourself. If you want any other info just let me know.