Mastectomy after chemo

Hi Julie, 

You will have an appointment to chat with your surgeon (they will give you your options after taking look) and will give you a date. I’m having surgery 5 weeks after my last chemo but they said depending on how busy it could be up to 8 weeks. Buy definitely not before 3 weeks to give you chance to recover from the chemo. 
xxx

Mine was 4 weeks after chemo and they said for me optimum was 4-6 weeks but I was able to have a lumpectomy in the end so they didn't want to leave it too long.

As for reconstruction, that is a very personal decision. Before I knew they could do lumpectomy, I had decided no reconstruction at all. I didn't want an implant and DIEP would have been too long a recovery time for me when I wanted to get back to my life. Plus, there is a risk of loss of mobility as they use other parts of your body and I'm very active and need my muscles!

After my lumpectomy, the surgeon said if I wasn't happy, there were options in the future so do speak to your surgeon about all your options and when you need to make final decisions. 

Hi Julie,

Yay! Final chemo! Congrats on that.

I’m nearly halfway through chemo and like you, am also headed for mastectomy after that. I haven’t been given any timings but have read elsewhere on this site that it would usually be 4-6 weeks after chemo is finished.

I haven’t had any discussion on personal reconstruction options yet but the nurse did tell me they hope to restart their information events soon - where you go in and meet with women who have had reconstruction and talk about the choices. Might be worth enquiring to see if they do anything similar in your area.

I was also directed to the charity Keeping Abreast -again from another post on this site I think - they have loads of information and might have a support group in your area? They don’t have one where I live but nearer the time I will submit a request for a contact to talk to by phone.

Personally I’m not keen on the idea of an implant either - I know Covid has brought restrictions to the types of surgery that can be done but my consultant seemed optimistic that these would soon be lifting. They also said there is the option of not having immediate reconstruction, instead going back at a later date - either once any restrictions have lifted, or to give you more time to decide.

Wishing you well on your next steps xx

Sorry - don’t know why I said having a mastectomy “like you” as you didn’t say that at all! 

Hi Eiluj

I had my last chemo end Dec 2019 and smx 12th Feb so 6 weeks-ish and it was due to be earlier so should have been 4-5 weeks.  For me the surgery gave the biggest benefit in longevity so although its quite a medieval way (as is chemo) to get rid of the cancer in a lot of cases its the best at removing the beast!

Just to reassure you the op was really straightforward, out the same day and no pain, discomfort yes and there is time needed to heal, you'll need help to do some stuff, need to do physio exercises etc. But all very doable...promise.

As I needed rads immediate recon not an option with my surgeons (which I was quite happy with, I would rather have 2 ops rather than a super long one).  I had DIEP recon Dec 2020 and have healed really well, my new rearranged body bits look great and there's nowt I can't do! I did quite a lot of homework re pros & cons of DIEP as had initially wanted implant but mainly as didn't quite understand the DIEP option.  The real challenge re delayed DIEPs (and some that can be immediate are being delayed re covid) is the waiting times, they are starting again but I see stories of multiple cancellations, this does differ by hospital but worth bearing in mind and asking about from your hospital team when exploring options.

Reading people's experiences of implants and given how I've healed I wouldn't change a thing.  You however have got to do what's right for you so carry on doing your homework...there's lots of info and experiences out there to tap into.  Happy to answer any other queries you have.

Sam

Hi, my last chemo will be 21st May, hopefully, and the surgeon has booked me for surgery 30th June for masectomy, so five weeks in between, to get immunity back up x

Thanks for that NBI. I will look at that charity.

When I was originally diagnosed I was pencilled in for surgery and  did have a discussion with my surgeon. She talked about the different options regarding reconstruction.  She said due to covid they were not doing the back flap (it probably has a more professional name than that!) or DIEP  (tummy flap) and that even if they were I am too petite for that to be an option for me! When is being slim ever a problem?!

I had surgery delayed when my path results came back so chemo was given first.

If my surgery does take place 6 weeks after final chemo it will be quite possibly be on my 60th birthday! Not the best of presents or is it?)

Julie x

Hmmm....If my surgery is 4-6 weeks after chemo, it’ll either be on my birthday..or my husband’s! Let’s think of it as a gift. We might not be pleased with it initially but in years to come, we’ll value it.

Nardine x

Hi 

I very recently had left side skin sparing mx with tissue expander reconstruction, due to be replaced by implant in approx 6mths. I am also very slim and was advised there was just enough fat to do a DIEP and that would be a better option but after feeling quite rotten on chemo, I couldn’t bear the thought of the bigger Op, longer recovery time & tight tummy. I must admit at the initial plastic surgery meeting and in my post chemo haze I hadn’t fully understood that my reconstruction would be a 2 stage process, so my only advice would be to make sure you are 100% clear on what’s involved. 

I’m quite small chested and did contemplate not having any recon but 2 weeks on, my bruises have healed and while not an exact match, I’m quite happy with the result so far and after 7 days felt quite comfortable. The only thing that is taking time to get used too, is the fact that the reconstruction is numb to the touch. I consider myself to be relatively young and thought that if in a couple of years I have some more weight on me I do still have the option of DIEP or flap surgery of some description.

I hope this helps a little, as I found there seemed to be very little discussion around implants. Perhaps it isn’t so common now as most people opt for flap surgery.

Good luck with surgery and congratulations on your final chemo xx