Forum Discussion
Reconstruction - not everyone is happy with the results - updated
The New York Magazine has a recent article on Breast Reconstruction - and claims that up to 40% of women are dissatisfied with the results.
Many women are VERY happy with their results and sail thru the surgery & recovery .... but others may be unprepared for the 'wait time ', particularly if they aren't on private health cover, let alone the chances of complications and a less pleasing aesthetic result than expected. Big out of pocket expenses may apply to private reconstruction surgery, whilst long waits (sometimes many years) are common if having reconstruction in the public hospital system.
Having Inserts may also require further surgery if they rupture - plus many have a 'limited life span' anyway, requiring surgical replacements 10+ years later .....
If you are on Facebook you can read all the responses to the article here:
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1204809064843022&set=a.656904452966822
3 Replies
It was also on instagram, as a few slides , as the full article was behind paywall. https://www.instagram.com/p/DQU7NbFgSvI/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
I would agree with that 40% , after 17 years at monthy breast cancer support group and hearing all the problems and issues and disatifaction. Its really sad when a women is not properly informed prior to precedures about all that it involves ,choices and risks and then devistated at the result and ongoing procdures and costs that often seem to never end. Its a huge decision , so the more disscusion and education the better.
I love Luan Laurie Woods Rewritten Me. Breast recon 101 ,podcast series to help women learn.
As well as BCNA great webinars and information on recon types.
Its a really complex area , yet women are often asked to make fast choices under the duress of a cancer diagnosis.
I thought it would be a great chance to jump into your thread arpie (Hope that's okay). Breast surgery options and considerations are very common topics we hear through BCNA's Helpline.
There are two private groups through our Online Network, where reconstruction/no reconstruction experiences are shared through both words and pictures.
You can find the groups here - Choosing Breast Reconstruction | Flat Chat - No breast reconstruction
Read the following pages on our website:
- Virtual conference discussing breast reconstruction options
- Mastectomy with immediate reconstruction
- Breast reconstruction using implants
- Choosing to stay flat article
- Breast reconstruction in Australia report 2021
BCNA's Helpline 1800 500 258 is available 9am-5pm AEDT Monday to Friday.
