Forum Discussion
Help with decision on breast reconstruction
Hi,
Last February in Townsville I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was not in the nodes, but had spread from the ducts. Because of COVid19 I had three lots of surgery in March. The first was a lumpectomy, then the surgeon realised there was still some remaining in the breast so she went in a week later, removed the residue and transferred some tissue from the side of the breast to the front of the breast for aesthetic reasons. That surgery was not successful afterwards as the blood wasn't flowing as it should, so she went back in a week later to see if she could fix it, but did explain that the breast would have to be removed if she could not fix the problem. She took the breast. No chemo or radiation, and an excellent recovery. But no matter what I do I am always lopsided, and my new puppy has already put two holes in my prosthetic breast so I decided to look into a reconstruction next year. I went to see the reconstruction surgeon in Brisbane yesterday. He explained both options to me. I do not like the idea of implants, but the other option involves 7 or 8 hours of surgery. My concern is not that, but rather that I have a fat stomach, so I am wondering if he does the surgery that takes some skin and tissue from my lower abdomen, will I end up with a flat abdomen but still have the fat on my upper abdomen, (under my breasts). I am 65 years old in a couple of weeks. Hoping to speak to some-one who has had this surgery, so I can be clear in my mind that it will make me feel better not worse.
Last February in Townsville I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was not in the nodes, but had spread from the ducts. Because of COVid19 I had three lots of surgery in March. The first was a lumpectomy, then the surgeon realised there was still some remaining in the breast so she went in a week later, removed the residue and transferred some tissue from the side of the breast to the front of the breast for aesthetic reasons. That surgery was not successful afterwards as the blood wasn't flowing as it should, so she went back in a week later to see if she could fix it, but did explain that the breast would have to be removed if she could not fix the problem. She took the breast. No chemo or radiation, and an excellent recovery. But no matter what I do I am always lopsided, and my new puppy has already put two holes in my prosthetic breast so I decided to look into a reconstruction next year. I went to see the reconstruction surgeon in Brisbane yesterday. He explained both options to me. I do not like the idea of implants, but the other option involves 7 or 8 hours of surgery. My concern is not that, but rather that I have a fat stomach, so I am wondering if he does the surgery that takes some skin and tissue from my lower abdomen, will I end up with a flat abdomen but still have the fat on my upper abdomen, (under my breasts). I am 65 years old in a couple of weeks. Hoping to speak to some-one who has had this surgery, so I can be clear in my mind that it will make me feel better not worse.
17 Replies
- Yes, I bet there are many people on this forum who have funny stories too, re the whole saga.......... along with the sadness. I went over the handle bars of my pushbike about a month after my surgery. No damage, but my husband nearly cried.....because he had pumped the tyres up for me. :) I am a bit of a chicken when it comes to surgical procedures, so that is another reason I have opted to go with the DIEP Flap option. I couldn't imagine going back for three or four more surgeries, so I think people who do, are extremely brave. I know that sadly some don't get a choice. I am 65 this month, so went through all this cancer stuff with just a husband to worry about. I only cried when I had to tell him I had breast cancer, and when the breast was removed. Otherwise I have had an easy journey so far. I worked from home for a month immediately after my surgeries, with no pressure to return to work.. I am in awe of the people here who are young, and have families to cope with, work to cope with, chemo to cope with,. radiation to cope with etc; I just want to hug you all. Mary x
- Wonderful that you have found lots of solid info. Had so many questions re choices but didnt want to drown you with too much at once. Your bra mishaps had me nodding . Altho I had rebuild op at same time as mastectomy , 2 different people worked on me , one side each and there was enough variation (Not a big issue) in their results for me to need a bit of padding one side to hide oddities until it can be adjusted ( damn covid elective delays) . So lots of pinning, sewing, fiddling, fears of embarrassing wardrobe malfunction while bouncing around at tennis! Anyway, All the best to you.
- Hi Blister, yes it does tend to stick to me, and we are only just starting our really hot weather now. Thanks for the well wishes, I will come back and let you all know how it went.. Mary x
- Good luck, hope it all goes well for you. I'm sure the prosthesis would also feel uncomfortable in the Townsville heat and humidity in the Qld summer which is worse than our heat in Brisbane.
- https://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/surgery/reconstruction/questions-to-ask
Here you go, and happy to help others. Mary x - Great find, @MaryAnneCarter
Perhaps you could start a post with the list of questions to help those coming behind you.
All the best. - I also found plenty of information/photo's on You Tube (who knew) and a list of questions to ask, so all good now thank you. I will come back once I have the surgery to let you all know how it went. Stay strong everyone.
- I’m glad you’re finding more information about it, and starting to make a final decision. All the best 🍀
- Forgot to mention, I also found Breconda.....which helped immensely too.
- Hi everyone, I have just spoken to my breast surgeon's nurse, who was following up to see how my appointment with the breast reconstruction surgeon went. She confirmed it wasn't a Diep Flap that I had, but rather a Licap Flap, but the resullt was still that the blood flow wasn't getting through as it should have, hence the mastectomy. My reason for wanting the surgery in the first place is that no matter what I do I feel lopsided, and if I put the prosthetic into some of my bra's it slips out the bottom, or if I bend over to pick something up off the floor it falls out of the top of my clothing. So embarrassing. My 3 year old grandson asked me to get on the floor with him on Friday night to play with his toys. When getting up, the breast fell out of the bottom of the bra, and he wanted to grab it. I did purchase a couple of the special bra's but if they are in the washing I need to use my ordinary bra's. After studying everything, and looking at photo's I am again leaning towards the Diep Flap Reconstruction with a tattoo nipple. You only have to have it done once, as opposed to the implant surgery. I will let you know what I decide soon, and stay in touch. Hope everyone stays well and happy. Mary x
