Reconstruction or not?

I'm in a similar position, too much DCIS (after 2 surgeries to try and clear it) my surgeon has put me forward for deip just so I'm on the list but I don't know what I want, don't like the idea of a big op and long recovery/complications but I have an appointment tomorrow with my breast care nurse to discuss all the options avaliable then I can make a better choice, I've decided I don't want to hear people's stories because everybody has a different experience and reasons why they chose it. I'm 34 and thinking of mastectomy without reconstruction and just the prosthesis.

Thanks so much for your reply. I hope you have a successful and informative appointment tomorrow. 

Hi, I’m sorry you’re in this situation, it’s a horrible shock to hear you have cancer and need mastectomy.  I was told that in February, I have had mastectomy and DIEP flap in April and I am nearly at 6 weeks recovery.  I used the Keeping Abreast website for information about the surgery and found the before and after stories very helpful.

 I’m happy I went for the surgery, mine was approx 10 hours long but I am happy with the outcome so far.  My body feels quite different I will admit, with some numb areas and the abdominal incision is loooong - like 19 inches.  But for me this was the right choice.  Everyone is different, the options are all hard choices, and each choice is brave.  

Try the Keeping Abreast charity website for information about reconstruction - I’m not clever enough to do a link but just google keeping abreast.  They have before and after stories, I found it so helpful.  I found the first few weeks hard but not as painful as I imagined, I was fine with paracetamol, and at 4 weeks I was really on the mend.  

So yes, it’s not for everyone, and whatever choices people make are hard, but personally I actually get emotional when I think about how glad I am that I did this, and I have a huge gratitude for my wonderful surgeons.  I wish you all the best for the coming days and weeks.  

Hi - I hope I can help. I had a left sided mastectomy and full lymph node clearance last Wednesday. Originally I planned to go flat and have a delayed reconstruction thinking that was my only option as I am likely to need radiotherapy. I mentioned in passing to my surgeon about the possibility of having an expander implant, he wasn’t able to do that but referred me to an oncoplastic surgeon who could. In short an expander is a temporary implant that is inserted partially filled or  ‘flat’ and then gradually expanded (with saline) over a number of weeks to get to a similar size as the remaining breast. Clearly it won’t feel or look the same as the ‘real’ one but he said that he could do a lift of the other side at a later date. My reason for choosing this for now was like you, I was unsure whether I wanted to go with a reconstruction using my own tissue or an implant and this option gave me a temporary boob and then I can take some time to make up my mind about my longer term reconstruction. My surgeon said if I like the temporary one, I can actually keep it or he can swap it once radiotherapy is done for a permanent implant (as there is a chance radiotherapy will damage the implant) or I can choose to have a reconstruction with my own tissue but this approach allows me to take sometime to make the decision. I feel if I hadn’t mentioned the expander option to the first surgeon he wouldn’t have mentioned it. This approach has also meant that they have been able to spare my nipple and most of my own skin so this was another bonus for me. 
I think asking to see an oncoplastic surgeon if you can  would be a good way forward to consider your options or your BCN should be able to help x

Wow your surgeons sound amazing! I think I definitely need to speak with the plastic surgeon and get more information. I hope I’ve not left out too late. Thanks so much for reply and wishing you a speedy recovery x

Ahhh thank you so much for your reply. You’ve certainly been through it. 19 inch wound on top of everything else, I’m glad you’re happy with your decision. I will most definitely look up Keeping Abreast I’ve not heard of them. 

I really do need a consult with the plastic surgeon. Good luck in your continuing recovery x

I had DCIS and a lumpectomy two years ago now. Initially the surgeon suggested reconstruction, but after the surgery my breast seemed normal enough.I now know that this was because of the swelling (seroma)  that normally occurs after surgery. Because it all looked OK I decided I didn't want more surgery, so I didn't have the reconstruction A bit later I had a five-day course of radiotherapy by which time my breast had shrunk and puckered over the area  where the tissue was removed. So I then thought that maybe I did want reconstruction after all, because the way it looked was not good. But when I saw the surgeon for a follow up he said I couldn't have the reconstruction now because I had had the radiotherapy which would have 'cooked' the tissue around the site of the surgery and so new, transplanted tissue wouldn't be able to graft onto it.

Moral of the story - if you're going to have radiotherapy check that you can still have reconstruction if you choose to AFTER you've had radiotherapy.

Thanks so much for your reply. I’m so sorry you had to go through all that!
Going to the hospital now for my pre op. X

I have dcis and having a lumpectomy next week. I have been today to have 2 localisers implanted then I had another appointment with the surgeon. He is going to take some tissue from the underside of my breast to fill it. This surgery will only take 45 minutes longer.

Hope all goes well for you, thanks so much for your reply. 
i went in for my pre op yesterday and popped into the breast care clinic without an appointment for some support and reassurance. They were so kind and helpful. My BCN is calling me today regarding the referral for me to chat with the plastic surgeon