Mastectomy advice

Pretty well the same - I was wrongly given the all clear and 5 months later my tumour was 20cm - and I opted to wait….. my surgeon wouldn’t consider grafting new skin and doing radiotherapy on it but did offer to try to put an implant in to stretch the remaining skin but there was a chance of it failing and I was going to be very lopsided due to not having any spare skin ….  I don’t find a prosthesis too bad so far but I do hope to have a reconstruction in a few years.  I unexpectedly needed chemo as well as radiotherapy so the whole issue has kind of been overtaken by getting through that first and then the radio which has been delayed due to chemo. I do feel my body is going to need a major rest to recover before I have more surgery…..  I feel I’ve made the right decision for me and my family at this time - friends have also had delayed reconstruction and been happy with the end result.  One cousin chose to be totally flat and she is very happy with her decision.  One friend opted not to have reconstruction 20 years ago as she was put off by the recovery time and its impact on her family life and she did say on balance she regrets that but at the time she couldn’t face it.  I’m a big believer that whatever decisions we make are “right”…. And you will make the right one for you too. I hope it goes well for you. 

Hello Flowerbomb,

So sad to hear your journey so far.  I had my initial diagnosis over 12 years ago and had a full mastectomy without immediate reconstruction.  It wasn't offered. As it turned out I am glad I waited. After the surgery and radiotherapy, scar tissue formed which they were able to remove and so relieve the discomfort when they did the reconstruction 14 months later.  To be honest, whilst it sounded like a long time to wait, I dont think I would have been ready to undergo it any earlier.

I used softies in my bra initially. I was then provided with a "prosthesis". I HATED that word and couldn't say it, so we called it my wooden leg! After 6 months I discovered a super self adhesive one that I found so much better. My confidence improved greatly. I had 10 amazing cancer free years. Every single day was precious.

Wishing you a successful surgery whatever choice you make. Just remember to be kind to yourself, give yourself time to prepare so that you can make a full recovery in your own time.

I had mastectomy with immediate reconstruction just under 3 weeks ago and I am really please so far. Nipple was removed but saved a good amount of areola. Surgeon discussed all options with me including type, shape and size of implant.he warned that if I need radiotherapy it will possibly harden the implant but that he can revise it at a later date if I am not happy. 

I had a temporary reconstruction because of the risk of hardening during radio.  It means they used my skin so it's all there apart from nipple.  The implant sits under the skin not the muscle like a permanent reconstruction so when I get my final one I'm hoping it's not such a big deal.  I'm also hoping it feels softer because the chemo has already hardened it.  You could ask about a temporary one.  In my view the NHS try to get out of any additional surgeries because reconstruction takes longer.   That's exactly what the breast nurse said to me and I was disgusted.