To reconstruct or not?

bella63
bella63 Member Posts: 4
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hi Everyone: I was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and will need to have a mastectomy on my left breast. I am trying to decide at this point whether to have reconstruction or not during the surgery. The procedure for the saline implant (the only option I can use)sounds very scary, but the emotional issue of not having a breast sounds equally scary. I feel like I am playing that game "Would you rather..." with neither option sounding that good. In addition, I am large breasted which will either require a reduction on the other side so I can be smaller or a lot of saline in the reconstructed breast.

If you have had reconstruction or chosen not to, I would welcome your insights and feelings on your decision.

Thank you for sharing. Bella

Comments

  • confused123
    confused123 Member Posts: 251
    #2
    Hi bella, I also had
    Hi bella, I also had mastectomy and had tissue expanders put in but it sounds like you are going to have saline implant put in at the same time. My only recommendation would be to find out if you need radiation before you decide. It makes a difference from what my docs told me. Good luck in your decision making and treatment.
  • Butterfly12
    Butterfly12 Member Posts: 56
    #3
    Bella
    Hello Bella,

    I know for me, my surgery is June 11, and I am having the expander put in for reconstruction. I am a large C cup. I don't think I could live without a breast there. I will pray that you will be happy with which ever decision you choose. Good luck.

    Sherry
  • bella63
    bella63 Member Posts: 4
    #4
    Butterfly12 said:

    Bella
    Hello Bella,

    I know for me, my surgery is June 11, and I am having the expander put in for reconstruction. I am a large C cup. I don't think I could live without a breast there. I will pray that you will be happy with which ever decision you choose. Good luck.

    Sherry

    Thank you
    Hi Sherry:


    I wish you all the best with your surgery. I will probably be scheduled the week after you (if I ever make a decision that is).


    Bella
  • Kylez
    Kylez Member Posts: 3,761 Member
    #5
    I didn't have a mastectomy.
    I didn't have a mastectomy. I had a lumpectomy. But, you need to do whatever is best for you inre to reconstruction or not. Noone else has to live with it, just you. You will decide the right choice for you.
  • Kalie
    Kalie Member Posts: 16
    #6
    I had a double mastectomy
    I had a double mastectomy and decided on the reconstruction using the free tram (lower abdominal muscles). Due to complications with the left free tram, a tram was used as well. At 5 mos the plastic surgeon pulled the skin graft together to reduce the areol area and make the nipple. Right now the pigmentation will be done in September and maybe any additional tweaking of the reconstruction at that time.

    Am I happy with the outcome and looks? At this point, unsure. Prior to surgery the Plastic Surgeon said I had youthful looking breasts (B cup) and for being 53, they weren't too bad to look at. There was also a slope in the chest wall, which is now flat. I'm not sure what I'd look like if I had implants.

    The one reason I decided on the reconstruction v. implants, was that once the surgeries are done, it's done. With the implants I'd have to go in every year to check for leakage and every 10 years they'd be replaced.

    It's a hard decision. I wish I would have taken a picture of my breasts prior for comparison.
  • dyaneb123
    dyaneb123 Member Posts: 950
    #7
    Kalie said:

    I had a double mastectomy
    I had a double mastectomy and decided on the reconstruction using the free tram (lower abdominal muscles). Due to complications with the left free tram, a tram was used as well. At 5 mos the plastic surgeon pulled the skin graft together to reduce the areol area and make the nipple. Right now the pigmentation will be done in September and maybe any additional tweaking of the reconstruction at that time.

    Am I happy with the outcome and looks? At this point, unsure. Prior to surgery the Plastic Surgeon said I had youthful looking breasts (B cup) and for being 53, they weren't too bad to look at. There was also a slope in the chest wall, which is now flat. I'm not sure what I'd look like if I had implants.

    The one reason I decided on the reconstruction v. implants, was that once the surgeries are done, it's done. With the implants I'd have to go in every year to check for leakage and every 10 years they'd be replaced.

    It's a hard decision. I wish I would have taken a picture of my breasts prior for comparison.

    Hey Kalie
    I had a mastectomy
    Hey Kalie
    I had a mastectomy on the rt. breast with an expander/saline....
    I didn't find it painful at all. And the saline is no big deal.
    I just stuff a sports bra when I go out and I am a DD , so it is doable.
    good luck
    Dee
  • seof
    seof Member Posts: 819 Member
    #8
    a good book
    I bought a book on the American Cancer Society online bookstore, then my surgeon actually recommended the same book, so it must be good. It is called "the Breast Reconstruction Guidebook" (or maybe "A" instead of "the"). It is very informative. For myself, I have had a bilateral mastectomy and am planning reconstruction with the DIEP procedure. It is a free flap procedure that uses no muscle...just fat...from abdomen. The surgery and recovery time for implants is easier, and there are more Drs. who do it. It is really not difficult to match the natural breast...rather like filling up a water balloon. The biggest drawback to implants is that they do have to be redone sooner or later. Sometimes after 1 year, or 3, or 5, or 10...it's hard to predict. Over time the implant does not change with the natural breast, so you may want some adjustments done to keep them matching...not sure about that. Talk to your Dr. about any questions. Go to Susan G. Komen website to get more info and see some pics. See if your Dr. has any former patients who do not mind talking to you, see if your Dr. has any pics of former patients (they don't show the face, and they have permission 1st).

    In the end, it is your decision. Best wishes, seof
  • Christmas Girl
    Christmas Girl Member Posts: 3,682 Member
    #9
    Best wishes...
    ... No matter what you decide. It is, indeed, a very personal decision, that only you can make for yourself. My surgery was lumpectomy, so I cannot speak directly to the specific issues. Just sending my best wishes to you...

    Kind regards, Susan
  • Kalie
    Kalie Member Posts: 16
    #10
    After yesterday's "Pity
    After yesterday's "Pity Party of 1" I woke up thinking that I needed to really look & feel my breasts to see the changes that have occurred since the nipples were constructed 2/26/09. I have to admit they are smoother at the incision & dip isn't as pronounced. The scars are not so red. I even asked myself if I was to go back in time, which would I choose, & I would do the same surgery. Even with getting implants the surgeon said that they would have to do nipple construction. I'm unique (as I've been told by medical personnel!), where my body does things that are not "normal", so I'm sure I would have had some issues.

    Things to remember: 1) Feel very confident with your Plastic Surgeon & the Breast Cx Team, 2) Except help when offered by acquaintenances & friends, 3) ASK for help when you need it (I'm still working on this). I went to Goodwill prior to surgery & picked up a doz of xtra large men's shirts to lounge around as they have large armpits & are long in lngth. Also if end of having free tram--bikini underwear as it hits below the "smile" scar. I live by myself so I cut my hair short so I could ask a neighbor to rub shampoo on it so I could then just step into the shower--I didn't need to do that as no problem w/lifting arms above head & able to turn head side to side right after surgery--See I'm unique! Warm Wishes!
  • sunnygirl
    sunnygirl Member Posts: 57 Member
    #11
    choices
    Bella, I had a right mastectomy and chose to hold off on the reconstruction until I knew what was going to be involved. The plastic surgeon started my file before surgery and took lots of photos while I still had a "pair". I just finished my chemo, and don't need rads--so the fall is looking pretty good for reconstruction. I need some time off!! Hugs, Cheryl
  • zahalene
    zahalene Member Posts: 670
    #12
    The other side...
    of the coin from what most of the ladies here have said so far: I lost one breast in 1986 and the other in 1988. I chose (for a variety of reasons) to have no reconstruction at all. So for well over 20 years I have been 'breastless'. I just wanted to say that if (for any reason) you decide not to have recon please do not feel that you will be relegated to a life of 'lessness'. I had lost both my breasts by the age of 40 and will be 61 this month and it has become a non-issue. Yes, there is an adjustment period, as there is with any major decision. I am only suggesting that if you do or have to choose this option, it will not ruin your life.
  • jikaras
    jikaras Member Posts: 58
    #13
    I had a double mastectomy on January 14th with the enhancers put in right away. Before surgery, I was a 38C/D. The enhancers were left in until May 12th. They were very annoying, bulky and irritating, but looking back, I would have done it all over again if I had to.

    I had the enhancers taken out on May 12th, and my silicone implants were put in. My Plastic Surgeon said that the implants are now guaranteed for 20 years, and I don't need to get them checked (with an MRI) for 10 years.

    The implants have to be 'molded', so everyday, I have to push them from the outside of my breast - sort of like to form a clevatch (?)

    Waiting for the scars to heal and then I'll go for tattoos.

    I don't think it ever occurred to me that I wasn't going to get implants vs. nothing...
    I'm happy with my decision.

    good luck in what you choose.

    Jill

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