Mastectomy with immediate reconstruction options

Hi - they are reluctant now to remove both breasts , and it is no guarantee that the cancer won’t come back , unless there is a genetic reason (hence the testing) I had a single mastectomy and implant , replaced at a later date with a Diep flap. 

There are pros and cons to both - I knew I didn’t want to be flat , and initially I didn’t want the long operation a Diep flap involves. I was happy with the implant , but it was really cold all the time and felt like a bag of cement on my chest ! Mine rotated and ended up needing removing anyway , but I had the Diep 21/2 years after my original mastectomy , and recovered really well from it. It is part of me so feels more real. I do though have a huge scar across my lower belly and my tummy is really numb around my newly positioned belly button. 

Whatever you have it is not a breast , so don’t underestimate the psychological effect a mastectomy may have on you.

Its a big decision , but just make sure you do what’s right for you and aren’t swayed by other people’s views.

Good luck

Jo x

Hi

Had 3 ops to get clear margins on DCIS grade 3 (5cm) no invasive, I get final results in about 1p days time. If results are not clear then I'm looking at single mastectomy I have 99% decided on no immediate reconstruction, I will listen to what reconstruction they cn offer but not sure I want to go through it and the recovery it involves

Big decision x

Hi Lucaha

i had a mastectomy and implant at the same time.  I didn’t want to be flat.  I also didn’t want the micro surgery across the tummy hip to hip.  A very long operation.  I was worried about recovery and infection.  I’m currently having chemo so I have a long way to go.  Good luck with your decision and your journey J xx

Hi LucahaI had a single mastectomy with implant reconstruction on Friday. After having gone through 8 cycles of chemo I knew I didn’t want a massive surgery with a long recovery but didn’t want to be flat. My surgeon said I didn’t have enough tissue in the stomach area and I didn’t fancy using back or thigh.

Early days but I’m happy so far. Had a quick peek and it looks like a boob!  No pain just a bit of discomfort but that’s more from the drain that’s still attached. So far managing the prescribed arm exercises easily enough.

It’s never occurred to me to find out about a double mastectomy but I do have a friend who has pushed for one, and is having hers next week. Her reasons were not about recurrence risk or generic factors but about having two breasts that looked and felt the same. That said, she’s not having immediate reconstruction and has said she’s going to give it 6 months to a year to see how she feels then. She did have to have counselling first and her counsellor supported her reasoning and decision.

Wishing you well with your decision making and future treatment xx

Thank you all guys for comments, it means a lot to me as most you know no one to really knows what you going through unless you've been there. 

I know what I want and hopefully NHS will allow me to have it via my decision    

In any spare time I have I keep searching real stories on YouTube for mastectomy, reconstraction, breast cancer, chemotherapy, I know it's doable, although very scary still 

Once again thank you all 

xx 

Hi Lucaha

I too was adamant that I wanted both removed (had mx RHS & lumpectomy other side) but ‘they’ wouldn’t! In hindsight am glad as with mx and recon it was useful having one ‘working’ side, things would have been so much more challenging post surgery to do and looking after myself would have been much less straight forward.

I had initially wanted implants as had not done much homework re DIEP recon but having done research, and having had DIEP Dec 2020 am really happy with my decision, the outcome (still have phase 2 work needed) and recovery, had no complications whatsoever thankfully and both boob and stomach look fab ( I was lucky to have piety of natural tissue to work with…!).

Sam

1. Hi. I have the BRCA2 mutation, and was in clinic last week discussing a risk reducing bilateral mastectomy.  My local hospital has not quibbled at all, in fact, they have been quite keen for me to have this op for a while, but after a hysterectomy a couple of years ago due to the risk of ovarian cancer which took my Mum 3 weeks after diagnosis, I am now ready. I do not want implants, as I feel there is risk of rejection,  and they weren't actually mentioned so they are using my belly to reconstruct ( plenty there!!). However, I am not 100% sure that I will go for a reconstruction.  I never have procedures unless they are medically necessary . Once the breasts are removed,  the risk is reduced, and that's my goal achieved.