no reconstruction when you're a 10D?

Hi. I have been big breasted since my teens. I opted for bilateral mastectomies as I couldn't see how the surgeon could reconstruct one brest to match may huge (2kg) saggy old lady breast! (It is possible. Would have involved a reduction on remaining breast). That was January 2015. I have opted not to have any reconstruction and I love not having to wear a bra!!! My breasts don't define me as a person. I am very happy with my choice. You need to decide what is right for you. We are all different. Good luck and keep smiling x

Thanks for the comments and support everyone. I'm leaning towards going without the reconstruction for now and seeing how I feel. But I'll let you all know what I eventually decide.

Thanks Doll. I've asked to join the breast reconstruction group, but it seems to be taking a while to be approved. I'll have a look at the reclaimyourcurves facebook group though.

I have had a skin sparing mastectomy bilateral with implant reconstruction . Healed very quickly. Yes there will be changeover needed in future but it is a simple procedure with minimal time in hospital and 10 years is quite a time (if not more) before it needing to be done again. I wanted the freedom if no concerns in bathers and changeroons  etc as I swim. I didn't  want to be flat as I am already very bottom heavy despite a 14e top. I dtill have scars but am comfortable with my appearance. ..and can now go bra less...fabulous. It's not an easy decision. Kath x

Hi Sevenbe, decisions, decisions, decisions. There are so many things we have to decide. For me it was an easy decision.....but I'm not as young as you. I had bilateral mx last week and had decided on no reconstruction. I didn't want to go through further surgery and wanted to begin the healing process as soon as possible.I was a dd cup previously, but when I get my prostheses fitted in a few weeks I'm going to opt for a c cup! I also really enjoy the thought of going flat if I want to.  Prior to surgery I felt very 'busty' in some clothing styles, so I might revisit those options again!  Good luck with what you decide. 

Mo xx

I had a mastectomy 30 years ago and to start with I felt like you and thought I didn't want a reconstruction done. It was 2 years before i decided to go ahead and had a implant put in. I was so  glad I did it. The first implant lasted 12 years, I had it replaced and now the one I have is 14 years old and I am about to have a DIEP done. I didn't really have much choice about the type of reconstruction I had way back then. Lots of choices now. So if you don't feel happy about having a recon done now... Don't. Wait and see how you feel in 12 months, 2 years time. 

Hi sevenbe.   good luck with whatever you decide. It is a personal choice and I am finding it hard to get my head around all this too. So many thoughts . I am in for a right mastectomy on the 12 th August. Know I have to take one step at a time but still wondering what it will be like minus one breast. Will it be comfortable with a prothesis or will I feel lopsided. So many questions. I'm thinking at the moment I don't want any more surgery for awhile after this one. Can change my mind later I guess. you are a lot younger than me so I guess your thoughts are different. I am mid sixties. I am also thinking surgery on the other breast for a reduction maybe later or maybe a mastectomy on left breast so I don't have to have all this uncertainty in my life. Will discuss all my thoughts with my surgeon and breast care nurse after my op.This site is great for getting other ladies thoughts. Whatever you choose I wish you all the best. Sending hugs.x

Hi Monique,

Have you thought about joining the breast reconstruction online group here?  Plenty of discussion about the pros and cons of reconstruction.  Lots of people in the group who have undergone, are thinking about or have decided against reconstruction.  Reclaim your Curves http://www.reclaimyourcurves.org.au/ also has a closed facebook group that includes all of the above viewpoints and experiences and plenty of resources to help you research your options.

Best of Luck with your decision

Good luck with what you decide. Do your homework and seek advice from your breast care nurse. 

It's a personal journey with no right or wrong choices of what is most appropriate for you. I initially didn't want a reconstruction but the surgeon pointed out to me with the good margins I was a candidate for a successful recon. Suggested 15 years before replacement may be needed. Nurse told me of a recon after 32 years.

Hi there

I am nearly 4 years post diagnosis and haven't reconstructed. I was a  16E!

Yes I do use a prosthesis, as a prolonged seroma and a soft pad (because of aforementioned seroma) nearly drove me potty - moved a lot, and left me lopsided weight wise. Didn't really notice it until I started using a proper prosthesis and straightened up!

As the seroma needed surgery to sort it out finally, I too wasn't keen on more surgery, inserts, replacement when I am pushing 80 (shriek!) and all the rest of it. Had I been much smaller, I would have not have given reconstruction the very small amount of consideration I gave it.

It is of course a really personal issue. If I had been younger? Maybe, but also maybe not. I have one boob, one big scar (not keen to have more scars elsewhere either) and I'm fine with it. I would get a lot of odd looks if I went around publicly without my prosthesis, but if I had been smaller I would have done it in a flash (no pun intended).  I think it comes down to whether you see it as liberating, or a painful reminder.

And you don't have to decide now - my very good breast surgeon (keen to do a reconstruction of course!) always told me you don't have to decide now - it can be done later, even much later. So you can try going without, and if you don't like it, change your mind, as you are absolutely entitled to do.

Good luck whatever you decide..