Hi ReginaPhalanges,
Welcome to the forum. It all happens so quickly once your diagnosed - so I understand how you feel re the need to make a decision on something like that so rapidly and not feeling quite sure.
You sound like you are leaning to the side of nipple reconstruction. Given it’s hard taking info in when it’s mentioned in the diagnosis and op meeting, I think it would be worth you phoning your breast cancer nurse at your hospital just to find out a bit more about what the nipple reconstruction involves, whether you are right thinking this still means it would be as a day case and perhaps see if they can give you an indication as to how other women have felt further down the line, after deciding whether of not to have the nipple reconstruction.
You could also ring the nurse at BCN for a bit more info on what the nipple recon typically involves - tel no as per top right hand side of screen.
I’d also suggest you post your message in the next section on of the forum, going through treatment, surgery, since it’s more likely women who have recently had to make such a decision will be looking at posts there (or ask the moderator to move your message chain).
I can’t answer your specific q about nipple recon, however if any of this helps at all, I had invasive bc, had lumpectomy (close to nipple), ended up very lopsided. I eventually decided to have a reduction on my non bc side to balance out a tad (plus get rid of back pain due to standing like lurch) - this is generally referred to as a type of bc recon surgery, since it relates to the overall end result/appearance/weight etc. I was unsure, and it took me quite a while to decide. All such decisions are very personal, and it’s what’s right for you that counts. I was really pleased I had the reduction since it made me feel more physically comfortable, got rid of the back pain, plus I was more able to wear normal tops and not feel I needed to hide under a sea of loose tops. It also made me feel much more confident (less self-conscious?), and something which I hadn’t expected, less reminded of the bc (should add I couldn’t wear a prosthesis due to a rare skin reaction).
It sounds like you just need a bit more information to back up your initial gut reaction (or otherwise) to make your decision. I know this sounds like a rather silly idea, but once you have more info would pretending for a day that you’ve made the decision help, re seeing how you feel by end of the day?
I hope you get some responses soon from women who have experienced your dilemma, to help you to decide what’s right for you.
With a gentle hug
Seabreeze XXX (6 years on, and 2 reduction op’s later! and doing ok)
