Options & outcomes

I'll tag one I know who went flat Northerner. There are  lots of ladies who've discussed the pros and cons of reconstruction or not on this site.  If you put reconstruction in the search bar it might bring some up.  I had WLE also known as lumpectomy but I was initially told I would need reduction on good breast to look even.  I spent a week thinking about , decided to see how the operated breast looked first to decide if I wanted reduction good breast.  Went to appointment with my decision to be told they thought I'd have a good cosmetic result so no need for reduction on other side!  Waste of energy stressing about and difference in breasts barely noticeable.  If I'd had to have mastectomy as I'm a G cup I would have seriously considered both going flat - not easy to get, or restructure using own tissue

I’ve had immediate reconstruction with expandable implant. Mine is under the muscle. I had it at the same time as a mastectomy and lymph node biopsy. The pros were that it was a much shorter operation than DIEP, it’s reversible if it doesn’t work out (to go flat or DIEP later), no abdominal incision, quicker rehab and keeps the skin stretched out so the results may look more natural. The cons are that at least 1 in 10 fail on the first attempt, reconstruction by implant is considered a multi stage process, with several surgeries, the so-called permanent  implant needs replacing every 8-12 years, there’s a risk of infection, implant rejection, implant failure. Infection with an implant in situ is a medical emergency which is why they routinely give IV antibiotics. Implants have a much higher failure rate if you have radiotherapy on that side so many plastic surgeons will prefer delayed reconstruction in such cases.

I’m bad with anaesthetics so the implant at the time of my mastectomy was one less procedure, but I don’t need radiotherapy on that side. My plastic surgeon told me that if it failed and I had to go flat, they would just try again in 6 months and their are pros and cons for waiting, especially if you need a lot of other cancer treatments.

So far so good with me. I’m healing up well. My deflated implant is bobbing about and I sometimes crinkle like a cat toy. Currently I have a lot of swelling so my breast looks perky, but I’ll get it refilled once that deflates. 

Very helpful, thanks!

Good idea, thanks!

Hi 

As Grogg says I went flat ! Although have to say never thought of it like that ..I found it a very easy decision to make . My story is on my profile if you want to read feel free .

I was coming up to 70yr which some people would say was a main factor but I believe it would have been same decision for me ( we’re all different ) .

The instant I was told my response was get rid ! It was the surgeon who told me go away and think about it but 8 days later after several hospital visits and more biopsies I had MX on right side .

I was offered reconstruct but personally I didn’t want more surgery than necessary. I also was offered reduction on “good “ side again I refused but still could request now if I wished . Like Grogg I’m a G cup so surgeons concern was balance .

Firstly the MX is major but straight forward surgery ..discomfort rather than pain on waking up . Wound covered at that point so my advice would be take a peak your imagination can make it far worse than reality. The only thing that bothered me was the drain bottle  . I started my arm exercises after a couple of days and never really felt loss of movement .My recovering was about six weeks then I started chemo .

Initially I was given a softy boob which I wore on way home after six weeks or so I was given an appointment with hospital boob lady  bit like going to old fashioned shoe shop where shoes are all in boxes except boxes were full of all shapes and sizes of prosthetics  

The best advice I had was judge the prosthetic once you have put clothing on ( best is white shirt ); then you can see what others will see .

Clarissa as I call her is now part of my dressing routine and pops into bra each morning and stays put all day going into drawer in Evening . I can honestly say nobody including myself notices her . I did have a laugh in the beginning when people would try to work out if I’d had MX or not !!
The prosthesis are heavy when you first handle one but once inside pocket of a well fitting bra there is no difference in how they feel versus real side . It’s over  two years for me now and I’ve discovered sew in pockets for bras which gives me a greater choice to buy.

The other thing to consider is you’re could have MX then go for further surgery later 

feel free to ask any questions 

Hi

I had an implant at first , full implant over the muscle , which gave a very good cosmetic look . However as time went on it became rippled across the top and felt very cold. It also felt odd , as if somehow it was partly under my arm (which it wasn’t) When I had initially had this op, I always said that I would like to consider a Diep at a later date. So 2 1/2 years after the implant I had a Diep flap. For me it is the very best result , it is part of my body so feels perfectly natural. However there are pros and cons for each of the ops, For me, pros for the implant - quick surgery , quick recovery , short stay in hospital, initial good cosmetic result. Cons- cold and became rippled , also found out it had rotated in its sling and would have caused me problems anyway, and it is a foreign body inside which will probably need replacing at some time.

Diep - pros , it is my body and is part of me so feels and behaves perfectly normally, no need for any other pros ! Cons - long stay in hospital and recovery , scars in three places.

For me, I was back at work after six weeks of the Diep, and I recovered really well.  But it did take months for me to be normal again , it was my belly button which was the biggest issue. 

I think age may also play a part in what you decide to do , my mum had a mastectomy and went flat when she had breast cancer aged 69. I was 51, and knew I didn’t want to be flat for the rest of my life. 

 Worth bearing in mind too is that all the reconstruction is in effect fake, I have very little feeling in my boob.

You just really need to read as much as you can about all the options , don’t be swayed by people saying you should or shouldn’t do one or another , you need to make the best decision for yourself at this time. 

Good luck with your decision

Jo x

Enlightening, thank you for the great advice. I really like Clarissa!

I’d rather not have more than 1 op & am not concerned about recovery time, relatively short in the grand scheme, but I am concerned about additional scars, which you have also highlighted. To be discussed with my surgeon. Thank you, it’s really helped clarify my priorities.

Hi Margaret, I’m almost sure this is the way forward for me too, having been around the loop. A couple of questions;

Does Clarissa have a nipple?

If you have been swimming do you use Clarissa? 

Kind regards,

Debbie

My relative wears prostheses. You can get them with a sticking out nipple or not. Like most women she prefers prostheses that have the 2D nipples as they’re more modest. You need a swimming prosthesis for swimming - they are either light foam, or drainable silicone. The foam ones deteriorate in chlorine but are cheap, the silicone ones last years but cost more. She gets hers from Nicola Jane who have an online store