Information on reconstruction after Mastectomy please

My story is in my profile and my Reconstruction is in the group 'Choosing Reconstruction'.
My Recon was delayed. I had Lat Dorsi And prophylactic to other breast. Both had tissue expanders and later Implants. They are under muscle. On day of first surgery the expanders had approx 130mls, and like you I was thrilled with my tiny mounds. My Plastic surgeon took 7 visits for fills to get to 460mls. That was an average of only 50mls per fill. Never had any discomfort. The size of my expanders was decided  by my surgeon, but to suit my own body/breast size. Your surgeon is filling you much faster. I could have gone larger but chose to stop at 460mls. I fill the same bra as pre cancer ie 18DD, but with a better shape. I go without a bra sometimes. At now 65 that is petty good. I was guided by my surgeon, and I think that my implants are round. I think I read somewhere that teardrop are prone to moving. Check this with your surgeon. I'm going to get nipple tattoos. I have tried the temporary tattoos, like the children's ones that they put on their arms. They last approx one week.

Hey ladies. I’m just over 2wks post bilateral delayed reconstruction with expanders (under muscle).
I was only a B cup before the chop so don’t know if there wasn’t much skin to spare but was really quite tight and worried bout the expanders going in. My PS only put about 100mls in both on the day of surgery. Was quite lovely to see that there was a teeny mound under the massive dressing😏

No, not 'Flat Chat' - yet to be confirmed - 'Not Under Reconstruction'  is a suggested group name because some people don't go flat - some end up lop-sided !!

All the best for your surgery next week, @Joanne66 xx

Who knows, you might feel extremely comfortable with being flat & not take the recon option further down the line?  Have you joined the Reconstruction group yet?  I am sure there will be lots of before & after pics for you to check out - and the new 'Flat Chat' group (or whatever the name is, to be confirmed) will be started soon too - you can get the Mods to join you up, if you like.  You can then discuss any query that you may have, in total privacy .... all the pros & cons of everything!  (All the other posts are visible to the general public.) 

Check out this post for tips on what to take to hospital, self assessment 'tick sheets' that may help afterwards, when you see your Surgeon & other team members further down the track .... and other topics you might find of interest xx
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/23477/a-big-welcome-to-all-our-new-members#latest

take care xx

Seems you’ve worked this through to a sensible decision.  Best wishes for your procedure. 

It sounds like a good decision.
At least you have options later.
I hated having one breast only. Mine was 18.DD
One step at a time.
Recover the surgery first.
You will be fine.

Just an update on diagnosis and decision, it’s not known yet if I will need radiotherapy or chemo so the advice from surgeon was SMX or DMX with prospect of reconstruction at a later date. It’s been a tough decision but having a bilateral mastectomy next Friday. Can’t deal with one breast as size D and mentally for me being flat on one side would be to hard. This was a very hard decision and I hope I can cope with going flat (budda tummy) if I can’t I do have option of reconstruction later in the year depending on pathology reports on lymph nodes etc. Could have risked immediate reconstruction with breast reduction in other side but the longer recovery and unknown risks of further treatment was too much for me. Hoping I can live with this decision and cope ok🙏🏻 Thank you to all the warriors on this site, you are amazing!

Hi @Joanne66.
I too was diagnosed with lobular cancer and needed a mastectomy due to the size and position of the tumour. I am 65. My surgeon asked me about my thoughts on reconstruction at my first visit and referred me to a plastic surgeon at the same time. After discussions with the surgeons and my wonderful breast care nurse, I was assured that I didn’t need to make any immediate decisions. Most types of reconstruction can be done at a later date. We didn’t know if I would need radiotherapy until after the surgery ( which can affect reconstruction), so I chose the “one thing at a time approach”. My surgeon did skin saving surgery and I have now decided to have DIEP flap and am on the waiting list. I won’t need tissue expanders. I am very happy that I have done things the way I have. The best piece of advice I was given was that I didn’t have to make any immediate decisions about this next step so that took the pressure off. Perhaps you could clarify this with your treating team.
Very best wishes.

My BC story is covered by my profile.
My breast reconstruction story is on 'Choosing Breast Reconstruction' Group, here online.
I've included photos on that story.
I think the big factors influencing your choices are age, body shape and most important is if Radiotherapy is planned. Also if Autologous or implants are a choice for you to make.
My reconstruction was delayed. I was just happy to get my cancer out ASAP. I was Stage 2, Grade 3.
I was not offered reconstruction advice at time of diagnosis, which was probably appropriate at that time.
I have no regrets. 

Sorry I meant to say I had skin soaring mastectomy with insertion of tissue expanders to “ hold the space” for later reconstruction - so you do need to have the conversation with your surgeon about keeping your options open.