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annie2's avatar
annie2
Member
13 years ago

Its my body

I approached my surgeon twelve months ago to get my remaining breast removed.Not for health reasons just so i wasnt so lopsided. He refused and has been trying to persuade me to have a reconstruction using the tram flap method.I have said no to this on numerous occasions.I dont want the extra surgies or the scarring envolved. Oh but you are young.42.you will regret it if you dont blah blah. im sick of hearing it everytime i have to see him. I hate my scar! I hated undressing, hated the mirror..hated looking deformed in my eyes. So i got proactive my girlfriend is a tattooist. she designed a beautiful fairy with blue and purple wings to go on my chest. 5 hours of terrible pain later my scar is gone and i have a beautiful fairy to look at.I love getting undressed now and im not afraid of the mirror! How liberating. I go to the surgeon next monday and i cant wait to see his face when he examines me.Finaly he may give up on persisting with the bloody reconstruction! Annie x
Reconstruction

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  • annie2's avatar
    annie2
    Member
    13 years ago
    Thanks Mazza. Yes its a lot to get used to isnt it?All these issues you dont think about until after you try to go back to some kind of normal. I didnt get a prothesis but a friend of mine has a lot of trouble with hers especialy in the heat.I couldnt get over how heavy it was! I sew breast pads into my bra from a haberdashery shop and that seems to work for me.Like u i dont worry at home. good luck for the future. cheers annie x
  • annie2's avatar
    annie2
    Member
    13 years ago
    Thanks Tonya and Annie.Ive given up on getting the remaining breast off for now anyway.The covering of the scar has changed how i feel about myself now.Just infuriating i wasnt listened to in the first place.Im just grateful im in a happier place about myself. cheers x
  • annie2's avatar
    annie2
    Member
    13 years ago
    Thanks Tonya and Annie.Ive given up on getting the remaining breast off for now anyway.The covering of the scar has changed how i feel about myself now.Just infuriating i wasnt listened to in the first place.Im just grateful im in a happier place about myself. cheers x
  • TonyaM's avatar
    TonyaM
    Member
    13 years ago

    Good for you! I'm not one for tattoos but I think that covering the awful scar with one is a great idea.Could you see another surgeon?I have a female breast surgeon and she's great.I'm pretty sure she'd take my other breast off  if I wanted it done.I'm in undecided mode so will just put up with being lopsided for the time being.But the tattoo has got me thinking!!

                                            Tonya xx

                                      

  • Annie_Gayed's avatar
    Annie_Gayed
    Member
    13 years ago

    Hi Annie,

    This is Annie from BCNA's Policy Team. You're right - it's your body and therefore your right to choose to have your other breast removed. If your surgeon continues to refuse, perhaps you could consider getting a second opinion. You can go to your GP for a referral to see another surgeon.

    ~Annie