Breast reconstruction?

Hi 

My mum decided to go flat when she was diagnosed 15 years ago. She was 69 and was only offered an implant which she didn’t want, and has been fine. But she did say she perhaps wishes she had reconstruction at times. I was 51 when diagnosed and didn’t want to be flat, but had a bit of a long treatment programme so had an implant with my mastectomy , swapped 2 1/2 years later for a Diep flap - so don’t feel it is a now or never scenario, discuss with your surgeon what options you may have in a year or so’s time.

For me having the implant meant my skin was in good shape for the diep, not something I had even thought about.

My sister-in-law had a double mastectomy and no reconstruction  aged 55 and has never regretted it, you have to make sure whatever you decide is your decision and not swayed by others, however well meaning.

best wishes

Jo x

Hi Jo, thank you for replying, I hadn't thought about an implant making it easier later on for a diep flap. I was a bit concerned that if I needed radiotherapy it might affect the implant. I'm seeing the consultant on Monday so will see what he says. He's given me the impression that if I went for reconstruction then surgery might be delayed and I'm keen to get the cancer removed asap xx

Hi

My mx was Feb 2020 and like your surgeon mine insisted on delayed reconstruction due to the risks regarding radiotherapy (see profile for treatments & timing). I am one of those ladies who wasn't bothered about being flat though did want to avail myself of a new boob at some point (mainly to be naturally symmetrical).

Initially I was keen on an implant as didn't know too much about DIEPs but then did homework was firmly in favour of the DIEP - and love mine! Due to a mix up there was a time before mx surgery that I was offered an immediate reconstruction and I really fought against it as would rather have 2 not so long ops rather than one very long one...in hindsight I'm not all together sure of my logic but irrelevant anyway as it didn't come to fruition. And am not even sure that Mx adds much time to the lengthy DIEP op anyway....maybe makes recovery a bit more challenging as there's boob issues as well as stomach issues - mind you I had the most boob related issues after ANC.

If you can't face being flat and its on offer I think your suggestion re implants is sensible as am aware of lots of ladies awaiting DIEPs and having them delayed (from mx op) due to covid so it may be that there are longer than normal waiting lists (and in some areas they were long waits already)...worth asking your surgeon of expected wait? I was lucky to have private medical cover through work so was able to skip the list & got in for op before covid had significant impact on my hospital (am a very lucky lass in many ways).

Anyway, in summary (yep got there eventually!) I was fine with just the one boob for 10 months and would have been so for longer - softy & prosthesis were fine & dandy when needed....its really down to how you feel about you.

Sam

Hi there

I was diagnosed with an aggressive grade 3 breast cancer last June.  I have been having immunotherapy as chemo made me very ill.  I had a mastectomy and lymph glands done in September by which time the original lump was very small.  I was not offered any reconstruction as only urgent surgery was being done. Now I am wearing fairly uncomfortable bras (despite being expensive!) with padding which shifts about.  I wish I had had a double mastectomy although it was not on offer.  I hate being so imbalanced!  
living with one breast during shielding and lockdown has been no problem.   Soon however I may want to meet others and wear a T-shirt!  

Hi Sam, thanks for taking the time to reply, I really appreciate it. All of what you're saying makes sense to me, and my logic says to get the cancer sorted 1st and then sort out the cosmetics later. I feel that my main priority is to get mastectomy done asap and if that means that immediate reconstruction is not an option because the surgery would be delayed then so be it. I'm a pretty positive person and don't feel like I will be traumatised by only having one breast, I'll be glad to be alive, but then who knows how you will react until it happens. I'm lucky enough too to have Private Medical Insurance so that can certainly be drawn upon if I do want to go for reconstruction, and can take a bit more time to then work out what is going to be best for me. It's good to hear that I'm not odd for not wanting to having immediate reconstruction, Helena xx

Hi AngelmacP, thank you for replying, I hope your immunotherapy is going well? I think you've picked on a really valid point, in that immediate reconstruction is not 'urgent surgery' - I feel more confident in not needing to decide to have it now and going flat, with the option of future reconstruction. Would you go for that in future when you can? I would have thought you'd still be able to wear t-shirts in the sunny weather, from what I've heard and read I think that others are not likely to notice an difference, it's more likely to be us being self-conscious. Take care H xx