Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Sheila I don’t often come on this forum but received a private message today from another lady re reconstruction.  My story is I was diagnosed 6 years ago aged 43.  Like you it all came as a huge shock and I was told from start due to size and rarity of cancer type it would be mastectomy after chemo.  I researched everything as that is my coping method.  Originally I didn’t want reconstruction and was pushing for double mastectomy but surgeon wouldn’t at that point and asked me to live like it for 6 months then decide. I joined a fab Facebook group called flat friends that helped with clothing, fashion advice .  Eventually my surgeon was so fed up with me pushing for another mastectomy he said he would but only after I researched reconstruction.  Originally I was to have ld flap and implant but luckily his list was too full so I was referred to plastic surgeon at East Grinstead hospital.  They did a very informative evening with 8 models who had had various reconstructions and were willing to show you their new breasts and answer any questions.  I was amazed at how natural all the results were and how pleased these ladies were wIth their new bodies. i eventually had a TUG reconstruction (using my inner thigh) 18 months after my mastectomy.  I then required an uplift on other breast and some liposculpting so it is not a case of just one operation.  That being said it has moved me on mentally from cancer and when I glance in mirror I beam from ear to ear as so pleased with the results.  So my message to you is you don’t have to decide everything all at one stage and do lots of research. X   ... View more

Hi I had a nipple made, the surgeon cut the skin and twisted it to make it look like a nipple.  The only reason I had it done was because they were doing a revised uplift on my other breast and some liposculpting.  At first it looked great but it began to flatten pretty quickly.  I then had my nipple tattooed by my surgeon (I thought the nurse was doing it do felt so guilty when I walked into the operating theatre with 2 surgeons and nurses looking after me).  They use weaker ink on NHS and the colour match wasn’t great with what they had available.  That being said it really helped my reconstructed boob look real. So if I had a chance to rewind the clock I wouldn’t bother with the nipple reconstruction and would look to find a private tattooist that can do 3D tattoos.  There is a lady called Clare in Poole that does it for free and trains other people so often wants models. ... View more

Hi I had the TUG flap reconstruction 2 years ago and am delighted with the results.  I was a very floppy 34dd and implants alone were never an option as I’d had radiotherapy which can cause problems with implants.   I did have a lot of problems with my thigh scar getting infected and as a result my scar isn’t as near as my surgeon would have liked.  My breast from day one has looked and felt very natural and feels like part of me. It is a hard decision to make and the TUG reconstruction is a big operation and I limped for several weeks.  If your surgeon is offering implants then remember that if you really don’t get on with it you could always request a TUG at a later date.  Good luck. ... View more

Hi Stephireed sorry to hear that you’ve just been diagnosed and at the moment you will have a million things going on in your head.  I can still remember being told 5 years ago that I would need a mastectomy and that immediate reconstruction was not an option.  Fast forward 5 years and several surgeries and I now have a pair of breasts that I prefer to my original ones.  I was a floppy 34dd and I had a TUG flap reconstruction and uplift on my other breast.  The results are amazing and extremely natural looking.  It certainly doesn’t feel like a mound on my chest and has a very natural droop.  My advice will be to process the cancer first and then research reconstruction and there is always the option of delayed reconstruction so you don’t have to make a hasty decision.  Good luck. X ... View more

Hi I had lipofilling on my reconstructed breast to infill a dent at the same time as an uplift and reduction on my health breast.  From memory I was sore and bruised for a week and returned to work 2 weeks later.  I am due more lipofilling in April and will only be taking a few days off work.  I had to wear a tight corset to help aid healing which did help for a week and then I wore support garment under my jeans.  Good luck x   ... View more

Hi Ladies   I'm from the May 2014 chemo group.  Today we went up to London for our annual meet up to celebrate 3 years since we all met on this forum.  Just a little ray of hope for you is that all of us are doing really well are healthy and loving our lives since our diagnosis.  We all agreed we have a new attitude to life, say yes a lot more and take risks we would never have done previously.  This forum was our lifeline and we laughed our way through chemo as you are beginning to do.  We started a Facebook group so we could share photo's of our hair. Good luck to you all and my only advice to you is don't suffer as there is a medication out there to help with most symptoms, emend for sickness (you may need to ask as it is so expensive it's not offered routinely), diafflam for mouth ulcers, senokot and lots of prune juice for constipation.  X ... View more