Forum Discussion

Mazbeth's avatar
Mazbeth
Member
4 years ago
Hi @Anita78 I am sorry you find yourself here, but hopefully we can all give you some information about our experiences. As you know, this is such a personal decision and you, just like each of us has done, will need to consider all your options. It’s great you got in here. I am tagging @arpie as I know she will be able to guide you to some great links. 
I did the BMX - I was 53 on diagnosis and have a similar story - annual checks, dense breasts, area not picked up on mammogram etc. I had ILC so it is difficult to screen and that helped inform my decision. I knew I could not deal with the anxiety attached to future scans and my breast density in the remaining breast was not going away. I had clear nodes. I didn’t have radiation but I did have chemo and I now take an AI. 
I did the BMX June 2020 with expanders. Did the exchange to under muscle implants in December 2020, 3D nipple tattooing in June 2021 and just on Monday gone I had some scar revision and fat grafting around the implant. This last procedure was my choice as I felt the implant just needed a bit of ‘filling out’ around it - I am very happy. 
You are definitely doing the right thing in getting your research together. I would totally recommend a consultation with a plastic surgeon sooner rather than later to discuss reconstruction option and even perhaps the option of a lumpectomy and the ways they can ‘fill in’ the areas where the breast tissue is taken. I saw my PS early and he explained that a DIEP reconstruction was not an option for me etc and he also explained what he could do - all very helpful. This is where you can discuss nipple sparing etc and I agree that it is really important to understand the loss of sensation in the breasts especially if there is nipple removal. 
My breast area is numb with some sensation in spots, but overall, numb and I am very used to it. Under muscle implants give you what is known as ‘animation’ where when you contract your muscle, the breast moves as well - hard for me to describe, but it is a thing worth knowing. Some women don’t like this and opt for over muscle implants - another point to discuss with the PS. They do under muscle implants as there is less chance of ‘rippling’ of the skin or capsular contraction. 
I never was particularly strong in the upper body, but I not noticed any difference from my pre-surgery strength. 
I also had an excellent recovery from my surgery. My doctors were very supportive of my decision to have the BMX, but I also talked it through with a psychologist. 
This post is becoming very long, so I will stop, but I am happy to answer any questions. Gather your questions and ask as many as you need to help you make your decision. Take care 🌼