To reconstruct or not?

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.

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.

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

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!

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.