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Sevenbe's avatar
Sevenbe
Member
9 years ago

no reconstruction when you're a 10D?

Hi everyone.

I've just joined the network and am still finding my way around. I'm 33 and was diagnosed a few weeks ago. I'm booked in for a mastectomy of my left breast on the 23rd of August. I've been offered a skin and nipple sparing mastectomy with an expander to make reconstruction easier after I've finished chemo and radiotherapy. The thing is, I'm not sure if I want it.

It seems like reconstruction is a lot of extra surgery and healing time, with an ongoing risk of things going wrong and the need to replace it every ten years or so. I'm not sure I really care enough to go through all that. And part of me kind of likes the image of the strong amazon warrior woman with one breast.

The thing is, most of the people I know personally who've opted to stay flat have rather smaller breasts than I have. I'm a 10D, not huge but big enough that I generally don't feel comfortable going bra-less. I'm a bit worried that I'll feel more lopsided and uncomfortable than my flatter friends.

I also worry that if I don't get the skin and nipple sparing now, and change my mind and decide I want the reconstruction after all, I'll end up with a worse result down the track.

Is there anyone who's been in this situation? Anyone with D cup or bigger breasts who decided not to reconstruct? Anyone who got a reconstruction much later? How did you find it?

Reconstruction

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  • MoniqueF's avatar
    MoniqueF
    Member
    9 years ago

    Hi Sevenbe,

    I completely relate to what you are experiencing. Its such a difficult decision to make and no matter who you talk to, at the end of the day you are responsible for the final decision. I was an E cup with BC type IDC presenting on the RH side only. I opted for bilateral mastectomies because I was concerned about the prospect of it coming  back in the future, and decided that I wanted skin sparing reconstruction ( using my own tissue instead of implants) to occur in the same surgery ( thigh grafts for muscle/skin/blood vessel surgery). The surgery was long 10.5 hours but the result is incredible. I am a C cup now and it has taken a lot of pressure off my chest and back which is great. I am 3 weeks post surgery  and have recovered well. I know that not everyone has access to this type of surgery but if they did I would completely recommend it. It has been far less of an issue than I imagined, although it does involve minor follow up surgery in 6 months time. My surgeons were brilliant and the scars on breasts and thighs are very fine so an excellent result for me. 

    Good luck with it all - wishing you all the best for a speedy recovery. 

    Monique xx