Hello Ladies,
Treatment all finished now and ready for reconstruction!
So much going round in my head, so many decisions to make etc…Just thought i’d ask your opinions… I had a mx on right breast and have no family history of bc so cannot be tested for gene…I have decided for my own sanity to have a mx on other side and reconstruction too but surgeon has told me not to rush my decision and have one side done first and think about the other. I’m 25 and have 2 small kiddies and feel that i should do everything in my power to decrease the chances of another bc in the ‘good breast’ as such… If i don’t have it done and god forbid i got bc in that breast then i’d never forgive myself or anyone trying to talk me out of it for that matter…
What do you all think?? Lauren xx
Hi Lauren
I would definately have mx on the other side. I am 35 with 2 young kids. I was lucky enough to only need lumpectomy, but have already decided that should it return I would definately want double mx.
Good luck
Hi Lauren,
I’m having my second mastectomy and reconstruction done for exactly the same reasons as you, though I am older at 40 but have 3 children and 3 step children, who have lost their mum to bc. I don’t want to put me, my husband or all the children through it again. I have the full backing of my consultant and PS surgeon and will be having my surgery on 24th January.
This way, I know I’ve done all I can to stop it coming back (btw I was lobular).
Sally x
Hi Lauren,
I intend to have second mastectomy. I had right mastectomy for high grade dcis in november and as soon as radiotherapy is finished i hope to discuss having the left side off. Seeing my surgeon next week for review. (I have a 2 yr old daughter and like you I want to do everything in my power to be here for her for a long time!)
I think you are making the right decision.
Gabs.x
Hi Lauren,
I was adamant at diagnosis that I wanted both sides off- my surgeon made me wait and told me that he would only do one side at a time as, in his opinion, most women changed their minds once treatment had finished. I never changed my mind or doubted my decision. I was 34 at diagnosis and like you, thought I would never live with myself if I hadn’t felt that I had done everything possible to prevent it from returning.
I had my 1st mx July 07 and my 2nd May 08 and have never regretted it!
My surgeon has also done a fantastic job with the reconstruction so I have never felt either that I ever “lost” my breasts.
Good luck in your decision
Best Wishes
Katy x
Great topic, similar position - I have finished my treatment and had right masectomy but due to faulty gene I am going for left masectomy - however, I am unsure which way to do it, which option etc. as I am really scared of more surgery and it seems so huge but… I like you all want rid of as much chance of returnign as possible. They did talk about doing both of mine together which has me totally freaked, however, where I live they only do one type as the surgeon is a breast surgeon not a plastic surgeon so might have to go elsewhere to look into it
Good luck all - although not nice its nice to know others have similar dilema!
x
Well thankyou so so much for replying and you’ve all made me feel much better in myself for making the decision i have done when others think i’m treating myself like a piece of meat!
I too will go ahead with surgery over the next month or two but am left with the dilemma of which surgery to have… Plastic surg is pushing me towards tummy flap etc but i really wanted implants on both sides to have some sort of symmetry… He was saying that with implants they look good at first but over time decay on the radiotherapy side etc…But also said if that happens they can be replaced?? Really not sure about tummy thing, recovery etc…Although he didn’t seem as happy to do my back/implant? Can’t believe how hard it is, i am going to my local plastic surgery hosp where all the bc ladies meet up and show off their reconstructions!! Think i’ll keep an open mind until then and make my decision after.
Thanks again for all your comments, and i wish you a happy & healthy 2009 xxxxxx
Lolly its such a dilema isnt it - I am worried that I might ahve to go the tummy way which seems really scary to me but then also heard that it has fab results, no droopy bits so its as if have implants in but it just sounds so major but the back option sounds a little easier but think I might struggle to have both sides done at once - my problem is the only do back way round here and there is no plastic surgeon. I too am really worried about haveing more surgery and the recovery etc. as I do seem to struggle with the thought of having stiches and movign around!!!Good luck and seeing some recons sounds like such a good idea!!!