I am having a mastectomy, left breast on 24th April. I will be given breast reconstruction but have been advised by the surgeon and my nurse to wait until my treatments are over. Please, could anyone out there tell me about their experiences so that I can make an informed decision?
I should be seeing the plastic surgeon on Friday and he will go through the options with me.
1J
Firstly, all the best for the 24th, You need to be asking why in your particular instance is it better for you to wait, is it because of the treatment you will be having i.e is it because you will need radiotherapy, a lot of times when radio is needed delayed reconstruction is the case. After a number of attempts to get clear margins, I needed a mastectomy and then had Fec/Tax chemotherpay followed by radio. That was two and a half years ago, I’m now 6 weeks post diep flap reconstructure, where the tissue for the new breast is taken from your tummy area and used to shape a new breast.
I can honestly say I am really pleased with the results so far and am recovering well, speak to your oncologist/plastic surgeon and ask them about the different range of reconstruction available and for reasons why they recommend one over the other for you and which will give you the best outcome in the long run
Good luck xx
I was gutted when I couldnt have immediate recon but I think it was for the best in the long run. my reasons being was that they didnt want to delay chemo whilst I recovered and I would defo need rads and this can affect the recon. Good luck with your appointment xx
Thank you both very much. I remember now that they mentioned radiotherapy might affect the reconstruction. This has helped to put my mind at rest and I will be more aware of what to ask on Friday.
Alex 23 thank you for the best wishes and the information. Glad your reconstruction went well. Sounds as if taking tissue from the tummy is a good idea.
hi, i had immediate reconstruction in march 2011, i had chemo forst to shrink the tumors then op then rads after and i wish i never because now i have matastic cancer in lungs and chest wall, i Hve ibc, i had a infection after, also having to have the silicone removed because of this+i had a skin recurrance, maybe it was just one of those things i dont know but if i was you i would wait.
lorraine x
Hi 1J i had left mastectomy 8yrs ago! and was told i would be able to have immediate recon! then a week before my op i was told it wouldn’t be possible as i was having radiotherapy! i was gutted, few years later i met with a PS who refused to do my recon because of other health probs i had ie…Asthma,Diabetes i was soo upset and accepted that this was how it was to be, deep down I desperately wanted recon! then last July i was having my routine check-up and seen a different Surgeon who asked had i considered reconstruction! when i told him what had happened he was gob-smacked to say the least, He ordered some tests for me to have which all came back positive!! I now have my recon date 24Th May for a Tram Flap recon! i am over the moon! it just goes to show all our experiences are different, whether you have recon straight away or sometime down the line the stories from the girls on here are all great as are the advise and tips, So very best of luck on your decision love, Lynn XX
Hi
I had a mastectomy in Dec 2006. I had chemo during 2007. I didnt need radiotherapy and I am now only on Tamoxifen. I didnt decide I wanted reconstruction until Feb 2010. I had a Tram Flap op in Dec 2010. It went very well. It is a big op (about 10 hours). Took a few weeks to get over, mainly the long aneasthetic. I am very pleased with the results it looks really good. Please ask any question.
Good Luck with your choice.
Carolyn x
Hi IJ
I had a left mc in July 2008, I could not have reconstruction at that time as the cancer had spread to my lymph nodes, which I had all removed with my mc, followed by FEC/TAX chemo, then Radiotheraphy then 12 months on Herceptin, my cancer was HER2 positive.
I have just undergone a LD flap reconstruction three weeks ago with expander, I could not have the tummy recon as I already had a scar on my tummy, but it’s nice to see I have a boob again, I have still quite a way to go before they finish as I now have to go twice a week for refills then months down the line another op to put the implant in. I investigated this op quite a bit before undergoing, but it’s worth it.
Good luck with you mc, you will be ok but just listen to your surgeon as to the reasons you cannot have recon immediately unless it’s the same reason as mine, but which ever way, keep positive you will be ok and you can have your recon down the line like myself.
Good luck with your mc and any other queries just post them and I will be only too happy to help if I can.
Migsy.
Hi
I had a left mx in January 2009. The hospital i was at did not have a PS unit and I would have had to go to another hospital which would have taken time. After I knew that I had at least two cancer sites, I wanted them out so went ahead with mx with view to later recon. This turned out to be a very smart decision as I had three cancer sites, node involvement and narrow margins and needed chemo and rads.
Three weeks ago finally got my recon (diep). I am still recovering but from day one did not regret it. It looks good and it was worth the wait.
I hope your mx goes well and any other treatment you receive is kind to you.
Feel free to ask any questions.
Linda
Can’t thank you enough for all your best wishes, advice and sharing your experiences. It feels as if I have a whole family of friends out there.
The names of all the’flaps’ mean I will need to do some research. Now have my appointment with a recontruction surgeon on Friday at 4:30. Wasn’t sure whether to cancel as I have made up my mind to wait for reconstruction. But then I decided it can’t do any harm to have as much information as possible. I think.
hugs to you all
Lynn
Lorraine Thank you for your advice, which can’t have been easy to give. I hope the treatment for your matastic cancers goes well.
Shoez What wonderful news. Please keep me informed of how it all goes. Best wishes.
Migsy and linda Thank you both for your encouragement. Knowing that reconstructed boobs look good certainly helps. Will keep posting and asking questions when I need to.
Love Lynn.
Hi 1J, must admit i did have a few meetins with my PS before i went on the waiting list because i just wanted to be really sure it was the right type of recon for me, my PS was a great help, best of luck with your decision, keep us informed love Lynn XX
Had a great meeting with my plastic surgeon. Not a waste of time.
Did completely embarrass myself when he felt my nipple and asked me to describe how it felt.‘Lovely’ I said without thinking. At least he laughed and said he liked my attitude. I have been laughing ever since.
He explained all the types of reconstruction. Although I know it will be a long time before I can have it done I have confidence in him. One less thing to worry about.
Hugs to everyone and thanx again for the help.
Ha that made me laugh. Glad you feel about better about your options. x
Made me laugh too 
I was told today that I have to have a mx, no date as yet but will be in next couple of weeks. I’m meeting with the surgeon on Thursday to go over my options. Eek! Im not very good at making decisions at the best of times. He has said previously that he could do reconstruction at time of mx. I , naively , thought this just meant an implant. I didn’t realise there were so many options, although obviously I won’t know what is available to me until I see him on Thursday.
Hope your surgery goes well x
Doodles
Go with an open mind. You may even decide not to have recon at the time and wait. If your plastic surgeon is as good as mine you will enjoy the session. I would recommend trying to think of a word other than ‘Lovely’ to describe how it feels to have your nipple touched.
Best wishes. Lynn
Let us know when your mx is so we can send best wishes.
Hiya, go with open mind, you could do lots of research and have ideas and then they give you something else or more options so wait to see what they say. Good luck xx