I had a mastectomy last year and now waiting for reconstruction. I had my initial consultation yesterday. The two procedures open to me are the expanding implant or the “back flap”. However, I do not know which one to go for. The easiest and quickest one is the expanding implant but in order to balance the look of my boobs ideally I would need an implant in my other boob. However, this implant could hinder future mammograms. The back flap gives a more natural look but I am afraid I will look like a jigsaw puzzle with all the scarring.
Did anyone else have trouble deciding which one to go for?
Hi Paula
Welcome to the forums. I am posting a link to a BCC publication about breast reconstruction which you may find helpful to read whilst you await replies from your fellow forum users, you can read it via the following link:
breastcancercare.org.uk/docs/breast_reconstruction_dec06_web_0.pdf
You are also welcome to call our confidential helpline for further support and information on 0808 800 6000, it’s open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm and Sat 9am-2pm.
Best wishes
Lucy
Hi Paula,
I had a bilateral mastectomy in Aug 06, followed by tamoxifen and zoladex injections. I had my reconstruction last May but didn’t have a choice, I had the back flap (both sides done at the same time) I am now nearly a year on and the scarring is fading already. I was in hosp for 6 days and generally felt more uncomfortable than in pain, I am really pleased with the results and would recommend this method to anyone, I was driving within about 6 weeks and back at work after 10 weeks.
I do have alot of scaring especially as I have had to have both sides done but feeling the way I do now about myself I feel is well worth it and would do it all again if I had too.
I hope this has helped
take care
Karen
xxxxx
I had an immediate DIEP reconstruction and would definitely recommend using own tissue rather than implants. Scars do fade and in any case it’s not like having them on your face, where they’re on show all the time even when they’re new. Have you seen Elaine Sassoon’s book, The Boudicca Within? I got it from Amazon. She is a plastic surgeon who arranged a photo shoot of many of her patients, after their reconstructions. They’re lovely pictures from brave, smiling ladies. My daughters found it immensely reassuring that I had the potential to look ‘normal’ despite all the surgery.
Good luck whatever you decide. Lyn x
I have an appointment with the Breast Care Sister on 1 May to discuss in detail the pros and cons. Hopefully by then I will be able to make a decision but it really helps hearing from people in the same boat. Thanks alot. xxxxx