How to choose which type of reconstruction

Hi Sunflowers2 

I am one of the community champions but I don’t have the experience you are looking for. By replying, I have bumped your post back to the top of the first page in the hope that someone with relevant experience sees it and responds. 

Hi, i recently had a mastectomy and like you I was offered different forms of reconstruction, including waiting.However, my consultant was really good at explaining all my options.  In the end we decided that the best option for me was sillicon breast implant, as this would be done at the same time as the mastectomy.  Following on from this I'm to have a breast reduction on my other breast to match in later on.

It's now 8 weeks since my operation and I have no regrets.  There is virtually no scarring and what I do have is healing really well. The only troublesome part is under my arm but with exercise this is improving.

I suggest discuss at depth with your consultant and BCN and then do your research.

Good luck with your operation.

Hi I had a skin sparing mastectomy 4 and half weeks ago. My thighs (pap flap)were used to reconstruct my breast & I chose not to keep my nipple.

unfortunately one of the donor sites did not work so I’m left with half a breast which will require further surgery. I’m pleased that all the skin is mine & I know when it’s fixed it will look ok. Recovery from the pap flap is long & im only this week able to drive or sit down. 

If you use a part of your body- stomach or thighs the benefit is that your breast is made from your body but the downside is the recovery takes longer. With an implant you’re only dealing with the breast healing. 

Hope this helps , best of luck to you x 

I suppose in a way Ive had 2 kinds of reconstruction, same breast. Mastectomy and immediate LD reconstruction with implant which is skin and muscle from your back. I have lived with this for 22 years without issue. Recovery was good all those years ago and after the first year i was back to all my normal activities. Which included keeping & riding horses, walking dogs etc. The one thing to think about with this recon is that its muscle and fat. Sometimes the muscle tightens across the chest, particularly when pulling things towards you. Its a strange sensation but you do get used to it and as the years have gone by I stopped noticing it. 

Last year I had a recurrence in the skin of my recon so had a WLE, capsulectomy and replaced the 22 year old implant. Healing and recovery was pretty quick. Much quicker than the first time but unfortunately I had to have chest wall radiotherapy this time and now, a year on, I have developed capsular contracture. This is something to consider if you are due radiotherapy and should decide to have implants. Unfortunately I am now waiting for it replacing again. 

Take your time and talk your options through with bcn as often as you need to. Good luck with your treatment xx

Thank you to everyone who has replied. I really appreciate you all taking the time and sharing your experiences. I still haven’t decided what is right for me but have another hospital appointment on Monday which I hope will help. Thank you x

Hiya, I had a diep reconstruction, where they use your stomach to reconstruct. It was a big op to start with and the first two weeks post op were hard but I don’t regret it. My boob gains and looses weight with me which was important to me as my weight has always fluctuated. I couldn’t save my nipple but I’ve covered my scars with a tattoo and I love it. Hopefully you’ll get a chance to chat it through well on Monday x

Thank you Anna

its really helpful to hear how people are getting on.