I’m due a mastectomy and recon in a few weeks and have a meeting to discuss recon options on thurs. The doc said a latisimus dorsi flap (back muscle one) is best idea but seemed concerned at my size, yet didn’t elaborate.
I’m fit and healthy but I have a tiny top half, small size eight, very weedy arms and you can count my ribs from the back. I don’t really understand where they are planning to take enough fat and muscle to make me a new boob as there is barely enough there to cover my bones!
I know i’m probably being silly but is it possible to have too little muscle and fat to do this op? If so what are my other options? I live in bristol and a nurse said they dont do the tummy flap ones, i don’t know if she meant ever, or just in cases like mine.
Any skinny women had this op?
Hi Louise
I too am quite small (altho I dont think as skinny as you as you cant count my ribs) - I am however a size 8 or sometimes 10 and I discussed options with ps a few months ago (I had my mast in Dec but couldnt have immediate recon as I needed rads). I do not have enough fat on tummy for tummy flap - ps’s words not mine - and because of the rads the ld flap is my only option - he will take muscle and skin and use a small implant too when I get mine done.
Hope this helps.
Love and good luck for op
F
x
Hi
Although I am just over 9 st now, when I was initially being considered for recon after my Dx 3 years ago, and after the stress of my divorce that I was going through at the time, my weight had dropped off me and I was about 7 and a half stone by the time I had my bilateral mastectomies. Because of that they thought I should have silicone implants because there wasn’t enough fat or whatever to take from me. They could take bucket loads of the stuff off me now ha ha. Unfortunately because I have put on weight, I now have a creasing effect at the time of the breast, which they’re going to fill out with liposuction taken from somewhere else. They were okay for about a year and a half, but after a hysterectomy last summer have started to gain a bit of weight, so unfortunately they don’t look as good as they did.
Good luck with your op.
Julie xxx
Hi Louise,
like you I also worry that i might be too skinny for a recon. I’m size 8 and weigh just under 8 stone, I’m a B cup. I had a mastectomy one month ago and will be starting radiotherapy shortly. I couldn’t have an immediate recon due to the rads. I’m desperate to have a new boob and when I had an initial consultation before the mx the PS said he planned to do the LD flap recon with a small implant. He mentioned that I don’t have enough fat for the tummy flap.
Good luck and hope all goes well for you! Let us know how you get on.
Liza x
If you are thin, you can have an igap reconstruction when flesh is taken from your buttock or even from a thigh. If these aren’t available at your hospital, it is your right to be refered to a hospital where they are available. Do some research on the internet and find out all you can about the options available. Surgeons tend to offer the procedures they can do.
Good luck
I’m in the same boat…7stone 7lbs and a size 8. I am a 32DD and I really can’t imagine how they would get enough skin/fat/muscle from anywhere in my body to match my remaining breast. I don’t fancy being carved up anywhere else on my body and having my one breast operated on to reduce it, so (for the moment) have decided to make friends with my scar and not worry about a recon.
xxx
Hi Louise
I have posted below for you the link to BCC’s publication on breast reconstruction. You can either download a copy or order a free copy to be posted out to you. If you wish to discuss breast reconstruction or any other issue, our helpline staff will be only too happy to have a chat with you. The calls are free, lines open Mon - Fri 9am to 5pm and Sat 9am - 2pm. Tel. no 0808 800 6000. Hope this is all of some help to you.
breastcancercare.org.uk/content.php?page_id=663
Best wishes
Lucy