Advice on implants

Hi mezza

Sorry to hear that you were diagnosed with breast cancer and need a mastectomy.  While I was lucky enough not to need one, mine was just a lumpectomy if I needed a mastectomy I would have been happy to go flat..

Wishing you the best of luck with your operation whatever you decide to do.

Best wishes

Daisy53

Hi, it can be a difficult decision. I had single mastectomy & implant, mainly as I didn't want to use a prosthesis & didn't want to use own body tissues which can be an option too.

I don't think you have to have cosmetic surgery on the other side but it's often offered to help with the overall end appearance 

Perhaps discuss further with them if implant isn't appealing, would they offer own body tissue reconstruction?

Best wishes x 

Hi Mezza,  It is a difficult decision for sure and I think the younger you are it is more difficult.  I read this in my inbox today and this is an update on an issue that was already being monitored.  I don’t want to discourage you but it is important to have all the information so you can decide and feel comfortable.  https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/safety-communications/update-reports-squamous-cell-carcinoma-scc-capsule-around-breast-implants-fda-safety-communication

There is no easy way to get through this and I wish you the best.

Barbara

Hello Daisy53,

Such a tough decision to make, I know. I just got over that part of my treatment in January and now I'm onto radiation.

What  helped me ultimately decide was I asked myself how I want to feel after the op. What was most important to me.

I realise I hold health and fitness in really high regard (something of a surprise as I'm not particularly sporty and casually enjoy exercise when my schedule permits). So I wanted to recover from the mastectomy in the quickest time possible and just be done -and feel great in my body again. This meant no further ops, no opening the door to potential complications from an implant going through radiotherapy.

But it was a tough decision.

I'm built quite small - so it hasn't left me feeling lopsided, a prosthesis if I want one will be light. And breasts weren't a huge part of my body image (though I appreciated what I had).

So I realised I was weighing up an aesthetic decision vs a health/fitness decision.

But this will be different for everyone.

There is no wrong step. They can always put an implant in up the road if that is the decision you come to. Many women also have their implants removed and go flat later.

 So my advice would be focus on how you would like to feel in the weeks ahead after surgery. Picture that version of you and go for it.

big hugs with your next steps!