Breast reconstruction or prosthesis

Nedsupport
Nedsupport Member Posts: 10
in Breast Cancer #1

Is breast reconstruction worth the pain and possible complications? If i choose to use breast prostises will they stay in place? Do they look natural? Will i regret not reconstructing?

Comments

  • Phoebesnow
    Phoebesnow Member Posts: 600 Member
    #2

    I had instant reconstruction and I’m very happy.  The wounds took longer than normal to heal and one is still open but on the road to recovery.  When I look down at my breasts I don’t even know it happened.   I felt very little pain.  

  • Nedsupport
    Nedsupport Member Posts: 10
    edited March 2020 #3
    Phoebesnow said:

    I had instant reconstruction and I’m very happy.  The wounds took longer than normal to heal and one is still open but on the road to recovery.  When I look down at my breasts I don’t even know it happened.   I felt very little pain.  

    Thank you for your reply.

    Thank you for your reply. This whole cancer thing has been so overwhelming. Did they use a breast expander?  Where there complications that your still healing?

  • Phoebesnow
    Phoebesnow Member Posts: 600 Member
    edited March 2020 #4

    they used implants no expander.  I have very thin sun damaged skin.  I worked at the beach for 10 years and I am a landscaper, surfer, and do a lot of horseback riding so a lot af sun damage.   One breast healed within the eight week period and the other has needed additional stitches and is coming along.  If you have good thick skin...treatments will be tolerated better.

  • bonbondidit
    bonbondidit Member Posts: 116
    edited April 2020 #5
    Hi :)

    Hi :)

    I am 5 years out from double mastectomy and can say the prosthetics for me are annoying. Ive had them fall out lolol or pop up and expose from the top of my neckline. Not fun. Also I get somewhat sore from the nicer flesh looking ones even though I thought they felt lightweight holding them. Different against your chest all day. I went back to cotton filled but they were a pain to keep in place.  I just dont use any now. I scheduled my date for April 13th 2020 and then the virus situation put that on hault. It gave me time to really ponder and yes I still will do the DIEP Flap when the world opens up again. :)

  • Nedsupport
    Nedsupport Member Posts: 10
    #6
    bonbondidit said:

    Hi :)

    Hi :)

    I am 5 years out from double mastectomy and can say the prosthetics for me are annoying. Ive had them fall out lolol or pop up and expose from the top of my neckline. Not fun. Also I get somewhat sore from the nicer flesh looking ones even though I thought they felt lightweight holding them. Different against your chest all day. I went back to cotton filled but they were a pain to keep in place.  I just dont use any now. I scheduled my date for April 13th 2020 and then the virus situation put that on hault. It gave me time to really ponder and yes I still will do the DIEP Flap when the world opens up again. :)

    Thank you for your reply. I

    Thank you for your reply. I am 3 weeks out of a biladeral masectamy and in the process of reconstruction. It's been very hard and painfull. I still have a long road ahead. I was lucky my surgery got done in the middle of this virus. Best of luck to you and your procedure. I hope to one day say i am 5 years out just like you.

  • sportsmom1456
    sportsmom1456 Member Posts: 5
    edited April 2020 #7
    TRAM Flap

    I had an immediate tram flap surgery done right after my masectomy. It was an 8 hour surgery and a 6 day hospital stay but so totally worth it! I had a skin sparing masectomy and healed up very well and quite quickly. I couldn't believe how good I looked right after surgery. Not sure what I expected but it wasn't to see a breast like I had. I jsut wished my real breast looked as good as my "new" one does. The only thing I would do differently is have a diep flap procedure rather than a tram flap because they don't us my abdominal muscle for blood supply in the diep flap and I wouldn't have a hump under my breast. With implants you would need to have them changed every 5 to 10 years and they can burst. I never liked the thought of having only one breast so I chose reconstruction. It's really a personal choice on how you feel about your body. Even after 10 years I still have a hard time looking at my breast in the mirror so I don't look. I hope this gives you some more insight. Takecare.

  • Naplesin2020
    Naplesin2020 Member Posts: 3
    edited July 2020 #8
    Nedsupport said:

    Thank you for your reply. I

    Thank you for your reply. I am 3 weeks out of a biladeral masectamy and in the process of reconstruction. It's been very hard and painfull. I still have a long road ahead. I was lucky my surgery got done in the middle of this virus. Best of luck to you and your procedure. I hope to one day say i am 5 years out just like you.

    Bilateral

    I am scheduled for a dbl mastectomy in August and super apprehensive about it.  i have heard of those who say it was painful for a week and the next week was much better and then I read your post and wondering what pain levels to expect.  I know everyone is different and am assuming one of the doctors will tell me what to expect.   Is this your experience?

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