Hello out there all you brave ladies. I feel I have no right to be moaning as there are so many ladies out there who would be glad if my problem was there only trouble but I need to talk about this and would love some imput as I am feeling really low about all this. I came up for my reconstruction and was so excited. I had to make a decision about the three optiions and after much research and deliberation I decided to go for the simpler procedure. I now regret that decision. I have had the reconstruction and I am really disappointed with the result. I know it is early days and I am only 2 weeks out from the op but it is nothing like I expected and nothing at all like a breast. I went for the reconstruction because I wanted to able to wear things without worrying about my prosthesis and to be able to look in the mirror without having that crestfallen feeling I used to get when I just had the scar. Now I still am so disappointed when I look in the mirror and I still have to be careful what tops I wear as the reconstructed boob is smaller than my other one and is sitting to the left and down a fair bit. Noticeably. I am really feeling down about this. I know I should just feel lucky to be alive and there are women on this network who are battling far greater odds than just not being happy with their breast. But I was so looking forward to getting back a semblance of the life I had before I got breast cancer but it was not to be. Has anyone else felt similar feelings or am I just over reacting and had unrealistic expectations in the first place. I would love any input on this. I feel selfish for feeling like this, and alone because no one seems to understand. Thank you ladies you are all wonderful and I salute you all.

How disappointing for you but it's early days yet and you may still have some swelling.What did your plastic surgeon say? Don't feel guilty for having a moan -that's what this network is for.I know what it's like to look in the mirror and see a gnarled scar where your breast used to be -your heart sinks. I am too much of a scaredy cat to have reconstruction.Because I had radiation,I could only have the diep flap and that is very long surgery and recovery.If I put myself in your shoes,I think I'd go see the plastic surgeon and see what he had to say.If he is willing to tweek things and discuss your options,then good.But if he thinks he's done a good job then I 'd be getting a second opinion.Now I know you wouldn't want more surgery but you also don't want to stay unhappy with your new boob.That's my take on it anyway.Other ladies here who have had the same reconstruction maybe more helpful.It is such a shame- you have waited so long only to be disappointed.No wonder you are down but don't just put up with it. Tonya xx

I feel your disappointment. Always go with your first feelings - your intuition. I totally agree with Tonya about discussing the "problem" with the surgeon. I haven't had to have a reconstruction but know from others that they are a bit disappointed with the job at first until the surgery settles down. You have to live with the new boob so you need to be happy with it. After all you have been through you at least should feel happy with the reconstruction. Go with how you feel and do something about it - you should never think that you are not worthy of good work and of course getting the best. Please let us know how you go with it all. XLeonie

Hi, I know how you feel. It takes longer than 2 weeks before you can see how it turned out.About 3mths before things settle down. I had implants last May and when I first looked at my reconstruction I was so upset. I was told it would get better after 3mths . I could not wear low tops as, one side was suken in I was really depressed about the way I looked.. My surgeon said it needed to be done again. I am now waiting to have a tram flap . Hope it improves for you in time. Debbie

Thank you all for your replies. Your input and advice has made me feel much better about all this. This is such a tough journey we are all on. I went and got fitted for a surgical bra from the lady I always go to and got more input and advice and satisfaction than I have gotten from the doctors. She has told me it looks pretty standard and not to judge for 3 months as you all have said. She also told me it would take a year. She gave me a special bra to wear to bring it over to the middle. Its is excellent and I feel even at this early stage it is making a difference. My breast is a full cup size smaller but she said they are mostly smaller than the other breast and I should have been told that. I am going to review it in 3 months and if I am still unhappy I am going to take you ladies advice and see about getting it done again. What is the tram flap? Is that the one where they take from your back? I will go for that option if I am not happy in 3 months. Can you elect to go back and have it fixed or do you get one shot at this and I have had my chance? I dont know how this works. Can I ask to have it done again? I hope so. I may not want to but I would like to know my options. Keep on keeping on ladies and thank you again for your input. I find this site such a valuable resource and a real emotional support. Love to you all.

I am having mine done again. It is under Medicare . If you are not happy you ask to have it fixed. My e-mail address is deb. how @bigpond if I can help feel free to e-mail me. Debbie

Reconstruction | BCNA Online Network

11 Replies

Debbie_J
Member
13 years ago
Have e-mailed you. Debbie
Debbie_J
Member
13 years ago
my email is deb.how@bigpond.com. If this does not work send me your e-mail in messages or post.
hippyviv
Member
13 years ago
Hello Debbie.

Thank you for giving me your email address, I really appreciate it. How do you organise to get it done again? The simpler procedure is done by the breast care centre here and I have to go to see a plastic surgeon to get the tram flap done . Do I ask for a referral from the breast centre? Do I go to my G.P.? I feel completely in the dark here. No-one in authority is telling me anything about my options. I'm sorry for all the questions Deb( can I call u Deb?) but finding out anything is so hard. I'm in Perth, where are you? How is it where you are? I'm having all sorts of trouble trying to find things out. Many thanks for your help with this and I hope your next procedure goes well for you and you are happy with the results. I look forward to your email.
Regards Viv My email is hippyviv@gmail.com if you would like to email me.
hippyviv
Member
13 years ago
Hey Deb I have tried your email and it wont go. It says the email address is invalid or something to that effect. Can u confirm that it is deb.how@bigpond or is there a space between the letters? Thanks Viv
Debbie_J
Member
13 years ago
I am having mine done again. It is under Medicare . If you are not happy you ask to have it fixed. My e-mail address is deb. how @bigpond if I can help feel free to e-mail me. Debbie
Debbie_J
Member
13 years ago
I am having mine done again. It is under Medicare . If you are not happy you ask to have it fixed. My e-mail address is deb. how @bigpond if I can help feel free to e-mail me. Debbie
Debbie_J
Member
13 years ago
I am having mine done again. It is under Medicare . If you are not happy you ask to have it fixed. My e-mail address is deb. how @bigpond if I can help feel free to e-mail me. Debbie
hippyviv
Member
13 years ago
Thank you all for your replies. Your input and advice has made me feel much better about all this. This is such a tough journey we are all on. I went and got fitted for a surgical bra from the lady I always go to and got more input and advice and satisfaction than I have gotten from the doctors. She has told me it looks pretty standard and not to judge for 3 months as you all have said. She also told me it would take a year. She gave me a special bra to wear to bring it over to the middle. Its is excellent and I feel even at this early stage it is making a difference. My breast is a full cup size smaller but she said they are mostly smaller than the other breast and I should have been told that. I am going to review it in 3 months and if I am still unhappy I am going to take you ladies advice and see about getting it done again. What is the tram flap? Is that the one where they take from your back? I will go for that option if I am not happy in 3 months. Can you elect to go back and have it fixed or do you get one shot at this and I have had my chance? I dont know how this works. Can I ask to have it done again? I hope so. I may not want to but I would like to know my options.

Keep on keeping on ladies and thank you again for your input. I find this site such a valuable resource and a real emotional support. Love to you all.
Debbie_J
Member
13 years ago
Hi, I know how you feel. It takes longer than 2 weeks before you can see how it turned out.About 3mths before things settle down.

I had implants last May and when I first looked at my reconstruction I was so upset. I was told it would get better after 3mths . I could not wear low tops as, one side was suken in I was really depressed about the way I looked.. My surgeon said it needed to be done again. I am now waiting to have a tram flap .

Hope it improves for you in time.

Debbie
Leonie_Moore
Member
13 years ago
I feel your disappointment. Always go with your first feelings - your intuition. I totally agree with Tonya about discussing the "problem" with the surgeon. I haven't had to have a reconstruction but know from others that they are a bit disappointed with the job at first until the surgery settles down. You have to live with the new boob so you need to be happy with it. After all you have been through you at least should feel happy with the reconstruction. Go with how you feel and do something about it - you should never think that you are not worthy of good work and of course getting the best. Please let us know how you go with it all. XLeonie