Reconstructive Surgery Questions

FormerMember
FormerMember
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Hello, I’m Libby and I’m 22 years old.

My mother, her mother and both of my aunts have suffered Breast Cancer and I recently found out that both me and my two sisters have discovered we have the PALB2 gene defect. 

I understand that this is a group for the BRCA gene mutation so I do apologise if I am in the wrong place to discuss this but my query is about the risk reduction surgery rather than the genetic aspects. 

My older sister has already had a double mastectomy and reconstruction surgery and I have decided to have the same next year, but there are some questions that she can’t answer for me regarding reconstruction (because she is much much smaller than me, in every sense!) 

For context, I am about 5’6, a dress size 10/12, but I do have a large bust, I’m a size 32F.
I had a short video consultation with a nurse about the surgery and something that really upset me about the conversation was that she said that I wouldn’t be able to have reconstruction for breasts the same size that I have now and that I could only possibly go up to a 32C (this nurse hasn’t been very factually correct in the past when dealing with my sister so I’m not sure how much to trust). I thought at the time that this doesn’t make sense as women have breast enhancements to be a very large size, and for my own mental health and self confidence I am certain that I would like reconstruction to be as similar to my own shape and size as possible. I understand that I don’t have very much knowledge on this area and I will be meeting my surgeon to discuss this very soon, but it is something that I am thinking about a lot recently and I would really like to put my mind at ease one way or another!

Would someone have any advice on this please and let me know if it is possible to have reconstruction to my own size? 


Thank you in advance,

Xxx

  • Hi Libby and welcome to the online community

    I can't answer your question but I noticed that you hadn't had any responses yet. 

    I hope you don't mind me suggesting that you also join and post your question in the main breast cancer group as you'll then connect with lots of women who have had breast reconstruction and hopefully one of them will be able to help you further.

    If this is something you'd like to do just click on the link I've created which will take you directly to the group.

    x

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  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to latchbrook

    Thank you I will do just that! X

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    Hi Libby, 

    Hope you're ok. Sorry to hear that you had a bad experience with the nurse. 

    I have the BRCA1 gene and had a preventative double mastectomy with immediate reconstruction 3 years ago. Before my op I saw my breast surgeon alongside a nurse. It was the actual surgeon who told me my options. I'm a size 12 and back then I had a 36D bust. I was told that I didn't have enough fat on my body to make my new foobs, so it was implants. I was asked if I wanted to stay the same size or go smaller. I decided to stay the same. 

    I was told that on the NHS the max silicone implant is 615ml - which is what I have now. I am now a 36DD/Ey, so slightly bigger than I was 3 years ago. 

    I was told the different types of implant available as well and shown all the types. There are round ones, tear drops and others. 

    Maybe try speaking to the surgeon about your options. You are always entitled to speak to more than one person about it. I spoke to sooooo many different surgeons, nurses and other ladies who were going through the same thing. It really helped me to make my decision on what I really wanted and needed. 

    Good luck with it all, it can be overwhelming, but places like this I find really helpful. 

    H x