Hi @galdiolus
Hope you are recovering despite worrying about your Seroma. I had a smx just over 3 weeks ago, no reconstruction. I too have a Seroma but my team has also said they are happy to leave it if it is soft which it is.
They have suggested massaging it up towards the armpit which may help disperse it.
I think it is something we have to be patient about as hopefully over time it should be reabsorbed.
It is a tad frustrating isn’t it as after going through all of that you just want it to be as it should be!
Xx
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@Dramajo thank you. That is a great tip I did wonder if massage may help. Also reassuring to hear that it’s not unusual even a few work’s post surgery. I hope you are also healing well x
Hi ,
It is such a tricky decision and one that has to be right for you.
I had a delayed reconstruction in 2010 using my back muscle and implant - it has been uncomfortable for years but still no regrets . This year, in Jan 2025 I had a mastectomy with immediate DIEP reconstruction on the other breast.
Again I have no regrets and really happy with the outcome and more importantly no pain on the new breast site.
The operation itself was quite brutal and tough for the first 3 weeks but I got better each day and healed well . The breast area healed very well the stomach area is painful and takes longer - also restricted movement for the first few weeks .
I’m now having Carboplatin / placitaxol chemo for prevention purposes .
Luckily all cancer removed and lymph’s all clear .
If I’m honest I’d rather do the op again than deal with the chemo. I spoke to someone my age 58, who had been through a DIEP and got a pretty good idea of the first few weeks , painful stomach scar, a feeling of pulling and stretching etc . I looked after the surgery site really well and pushed myself to walk everyday. 4 months on and I’m back to pre op movement and my tummy and belly button look healed and feel fine . The belly boob feels soft and comfortable .
I hope my experience helps - for me I just wanted to get up put a bra on and get on with my day . I did not want to look at the flat side as a reminder . This is obviously my personal feeling and everyone comes to terms with what they feel happiest with.
Good luck on your journey .
Molly xx
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Thank you for your response @mollynot and for sharing your story. I’m pleased to hear you are happy with your decision and are healing well.
It is a very personal decision. I opted to stay flat and I haven’t regretted it. I found peace with the decision once I’d made it. Deciding was definitely the toughest part for me, but once I’d made my mind up I couldn’t even imagine doing anything else. It’s just the right thing for me.
I had my surgery 7 weeks ago. Unfortunately I had lots of complications, an emergency second surgery due to haematoma, a skin infection, seroma… It wasn’t the smoothest of rides anyway. I’m healing well now.
Thank you to everyone who offered me advice and shared their story. I am really happy with my decision, it just feels like me. I understand some people feel like staying flat might be a constant reminder but, lets be honest, are we ever really going to forget this?! For me, my scar isn’t a reminder of cancer, but it is proof of my strength.
For anyone reading this who is battling with the decision, just do what feels right to you. There is no wrong choice.
I’m still waiting for my pathology results, which are taking a ridiculously long time. I’m finding the wait tough, but keeping myself distracted.
Thank you again to everyone who offered advice and support 
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@mollynot
I am facing a smx with DIEP and just wondered how does you boob feel is it really different to your other boob? And how does your tummy feel now.
I’m totally torn between lumpectomy and radio or smx with immediate reconstruction.
Dear @mcsparkle , Im glad to hear you are healing well and hope you will not have much longer to wait for your results. I also had a mastectomy and stayed flat. That was Sept 23 and I was happy with my decision. I had scar tissue massage therapy some time afterwards and it was very beneficial both physically and emotionally so would recommend as and when the time is right. When you get your results make a note of the weight of the tissue removed as this is useful down the line when you have an appt to be fitted with an nhs prosthesis. This way you can be sure of getting the right one to balance you up if you choose to have one. I wish you well. Love Tulip x
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Thank you so much for raising this issues. I am in a very similar position now trying to decide on whether to have a reconstruction on one side or go flat. I have both ductal and lobular cancer and it is looking likely I will need radio. My surgeon has automatically assumed I am going to have an implant - other options weren’t offered at the hospital I am at. It has been SO long since my diagnosis that I just want the cancer out. It will be 99 days since diagnosis to operation date in a couple of weeks due to multiple biopsies on both cancers and then MRIs. I am still unsure of what to do but just know I want the operation to go ahead with no delays. Is it normal to be so indecisive? Am I right in thinking that radio therapy can cause more risk to implants?
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@torg I am so sorry you’re going through this. And I’m sorry that you are having to wait so long!
I think it’s perfectly normal to feel indecisive. It’s such a weird decision to have to make, and at such a stressful time too. It’s hard to imagine any option being ‘right’! I do think that it’s such an individual decision though, it’s just about trusting your instincts. I’ve spoken to so many women who have made lots of different choices and the vast majority are at peace with their decision. I know I made the right choice for me by staying flat. Just do lots of research and know that you can always change your mind in the future too.
I’m not sure about radiotherapy and implants, although my surgeon did say to me that if I were going to need radiotherapy he would want to do that before putting implants in (if I decide to go down that route). He did mention something about radiotherapy causing possible issues with implants but I can’t remember exactly what he said. I’m sure someone on here knows more about this.
Best today luck with your decision. Just trust your gut!! X
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I had a single mastectomy and immediate reconstruction via a DIEP flap. I was expected to need radiotherapy (but didn’t in the end) and was told that this can cause an implant to shrink and go hard. I’ve read some accounts of this although some may be ok I’m not sure. Some have been told the diep breast can also shrink but my surgeons didn’t seem concerned about that.
diep has a much longer recovery but I am 4 months in now and back to full on exercises (20 Classes since 1st November! So happy to be back).
Diep could delay your op due to the time involved as in my hospital they only do 1 of those in a day. Not sure how long an implant takes. Mine went quickly and they did it in about 5 hours but 7 was expected
Best of luck with your decision and treatment. Let us know how you get on. X
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