Delayed reconstruction

I’m sorry you’ve got such a long wait. I had an immediate diep reconstruction as I had radiotherapy previously and couldn’t have it again. I went back to see the surgeon as I need a nipple reconstruction and a tummy repair. He told me that if I had them done with a general anaesthetic I would wait 18months onwards as it’s now ‘non essential’ as you say. We chatted and he said he’d never experienced anything like the delays he was seeing now in his whole career and that the service was overwhelmed with need. I said I’d have it done under local as it would take less time 3-4 months but that has past now too. It’s shocking but these are nationwide delays. I’m in Buckinghamshire just for your reference. It doesn’t surprise me that they don’t add you to the list until absolutely necessary as it looks like less people are waiting. I’m surprised you weren’t added sooner though, 14 months post radiotherapy seems a long time. I feel for you xx

Hi Kaey 

I feel your pain!  At diagnosis and throughout treatment I was told that I could have reconstructive surgery a year after my last radiotherapy.  But when I met the consultant about 7 months after rads she said no - I couldn’t go on the list until a year after my radiotherapy finished.  In fact, although I have already had an abdominal scan and physical examination by the consultant, I am not allowed to go on the list until she has seen me again, after the 12 months mark.   That appointment to see her again has already been postponed once, so goodness knows when I’ll get on the list.

I can’t help thinking this is partly due to the hospital wanting to keep down the waiting list figures.  
Best of luck!

I’m sorry you’re in the same boat. It sounds like it is a nationwide policy then (I’m West Sussex). It is a great way for them to fudge the waiting list statistics. I even had a staging scan and signed my consent form in November so I was so surprised at this latest consultation. I said what was the point in the staging scan because it would be outdated in a year (they did do abdominal at same time). It’s more the fact I was told back in June there wasn’t waiting list issues at this hospital and don’t worry about that. Thanks for replying. 

I am having a mastectomy and was told the reconstruction would be 12-18 months later. It now seems this is unlikely to be the case. 
Do you get a prosthetic on the NHS whilst waiting??? 

I chose not to have reconstruction as I was aware it takes a long time during mastectomy holding up surgeons from doing other mastectomy’s in that day. I was more than happy not to have one and now live with a prosthesis in bra on LS. I haven’t been through a summer yet so don’t know how I feel about t shirt wearing with a falsie but heyho! I’m here and living! I wish all those on the waiting list, a prompt recon xxx

It might take a long time but it’s what plastic surgery was designed for, it’s not like I want bigger boobs for the fun of it. 
However, it’s a personal choice and if you’re happy without then fantastic :-) 

I hope the prosthetics are decent, bit worried about it moving around whilst swimming…

The prosthesis is a heavy item I will admit..in the bra is certainly doesn’t move but I haven’t tried swimming as yet…(don’t like my new hair growth!!) MacMillan should supply and help you fit prosthesis and if body changes size they will give you another one, well they did for me..xx

Thanks, that’s good to know. They haven’t really talked to me about after treatment yet. One step at a time I suppose.

The biggest delay is if you’re having radiotherapy as it’s the not being added till one year post radiotherapy. I work in a swimming costume so everyday I have to faff putting in my prothesis, and after 3 hours being in the pool it’s around my waist so it really bothers me. I bought it from Ali express  as cheap. I a given one by the NHS (non swim one), it is good and most of the times when I’m dressed I don’t think about it until the summer, but low tops or dresses my bra always shows on one side and have to wear a camisole underneath. For me it’s closure, when I’m undressed I look at myself and see the cancer reminder. It bothers me now 2 years later more than it did whilst I was going through treatment. 

Oh and mine isn’t heavy as I’m only a 34c. It’s only in the swimming costume when the material stretches it becomes an issue and I’ve got the smallest one available. Hopefully you don’t spend 3 hours in the pool each day though