Surgery decision- reconstruct or not? Recon type?
Hi everyone
I'm 41, diagnosed with early stage triple negative invasive ductal bc in July. No family history. Lump was 5.5cm and finished neoadjuvant chemo 3 weeks ago. Lump has shrunk to 3.5cm, and whole boob shrunk a bit too. Radiotherapy is recommended after surgery so I think this would affect any surgery/reconstruction I go for. For my small boobs advised breast conserving surgery would give sub par cosmetic result so I'm thinking mastectomy is way to go, especially if further reduces chance of recurrence.
I wonder about reconstruction or not, and what type. I was leaning towards immediate implant as I don't like thought of flap surgery, but am still apprehensive. I'm trying to imagine what it will feel like and day to day living with it. Do you feel it in your chest? Can you lie on it? Does temperature of it change? How long to get used to it? How was recovery? Any longer term side effects? Maintenance? Would you choose it again?
If decided not to reconstruct, how do you find day to day living with one boob? Physically and emotionally? Do you use a prosthetic? I like the idea of more minimal surgery and not a foreign body in me but am apprehensive on this option too.
What questions did you ask yourself to decide? I understand it's each to their own. thank you to anyone who can share their experience.
I'm 41, diagnosed with early stage triple negative invasive ductal bc in July. No family history. Lump was 5.5cm and finished neoadjuvant chemo 3 weeks ago. Lump has shrunk to 3.5cm, and whole boob shrunk a bit too. Radiotherapy is recommended after surgery so I think this would affect any surgery/reconstruction I go for. For my small boobs advised breast conserving surgery would give sub par cosmetic result so I'm thinking mastectomy is way to go, especially if further reduces chance of recurrence.
I wonder about reconstruction or not, and what type. I was leaning towards immediate implant as I don't like thought of flap surgery, but am still apprehensive. I'm trying to imagine what it will feel like and day to day living with it. Do you feel it in your chest? Can you lie on it? Does temperature of it change? How long to get used to it? How was recovery? Any longer term side effects? Maintenance? Would you choose it again?
If decided not to reconstruct, how do you find day to day living with one boob? Physically and emotionally? Do you use a prosthetic? I like the idea of more minimal surgery and not a foreign body in me but am apprehensive on this option too.
What questions did you ask yourself to decide? I understand it's each to their own. thank you to anyone who can share their experience.
