Breast revision or not

[SJ19]

I think I will have to speak to the surgeon again.  There are options but it's a lot to take on and after the last year it's something I hadn't given much thought to until now.  I have been made aware that several women don't have reconstruction - perhaps because they want to avoid such issues.  Like 2 boobs though and I should be grateful the cancer has gone and this is just the finishing touches.

[riversidedawn]

Sj19 do you think you might have a little uplift on the native one? I'm moving that way myself although still weighing up the risk of "unnecessary" ops.

[SJ19]

I had a DIEP flap and my plastic surgeon tells me my new boob probably won't get any smaller and having breast feed 3 children my native boob is looking rather sad. Don't get me wrong the new boob is great but I am quite conscious that it is bigger.  I am through all the treatments and like you it is that confidence thing.  Gosh we have been through so much and then we have this to think about.  

[riversidedawn]

I finished chemo in April, had an expander implant inserted in may followed by rads in July. My foob is higher and former than the natural floppy one! My surgeon suggested to wait 6 months for everything to settle down before surgery.

I need to decide whether to have the expander replaced with teardrop silicon one and have the option of an uplift on the natural side for symmetry.

My thoughts have been backwards and forwards, leave it be no point in putting my self through more surgery, possibility of complications, scarring etc but also Im only 48, do a lot of sport and want to look good for my personal confidence.

The decision continues!!!

[Bobbie1975]

Are you waiting to have chemo and/or radiotherapy? If so, i was told this could alter the size and shape of the breast. It may be best to wait for a second surgery until after the rest is done.
I have had a lumpectomy which needed to be operated on a second time as they didn't get a clear margin. I now have one breast half the size of the other. It is quite noticeable but figured if I wear concealing clothes like ponchos I can get away with it until my other treatment is over then have a reconstuction done to the other side.
I guess it depends on how self conscious it makes you feel but personally I would fight the fight first then fix it after. Good luck xxx

[SJ19]

Thanks for this. It would be an easier decision to make if my nearest and dearest felt the same.  After breast cancer this should be a walk in the park.

[TibetOne]

Hi I think if 10 months later you are not happy then you should definitely have revision surgery. Try and make an apt sooner rather than later xx

[Yvie178]

Hi I had immediate recon and 6 months later I had uplift and reduction of my good boob.  I can honestly say it was the best decision.  I did however decide not to go ahead with the nipple recon and tattoo but that was more to do with the timing and the fact that my mum had just died of lung cancer and I could not face it.  However, I am happily using stick on silicon nipple and will continue to do so. 

[SJ19]

Hi, I had my mastectomy/reconstruction in January.  My breast care nurse says other patients have done a similar thing and it helps with self esteem and confidence. I had 3 ops before and my husband and mum think this is unnecessary surgery as I have done so well but I am not so sure.

[TibetOne]

Hi may I ask how long ago surgery was? I had WLE and double reduction 7 weeks ago. One breast is larger than the other not sure if I'll have a tweak or leave it be. Hard call as still very tender and shoulder problems so not sure if I could face more surgery. BUT ask me 12 months down the line and I may think differently. If it bothers you a lot then you should definitely explore your options. Ironically for me, I had uneven boobs before but now it's the other one which is larger! Let us know how you get on xx

[Jobey68]

It's not vain at all to feel you want to have more surgery,  BC takes enough and you do whatever makes you happy I say xx Jo 

[catokitty]

I opted not to have reconstruction but if I had done and was not satisfied with the result I would want a revision. I don't think it is vanity it is perfectly reasonable.

[SJ19]

i have had a mastectomy followed by immediate reconstruction. The boobs are not even and I am thinking about breast revision to the reconstruction boob.  To every one it looks fine but to me they are uneven. Am I going to put myself through unnecessary surgery through vanity or do you think this is what anyone would want?