Hi, I have recently been diagnosed with a recurrence of breast cancer, due to have mastectomy this month and I am looking at reconstruction options ...... I believe there are groups dealing with this specific area?Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks

Sorry to hear you have it back. Your best bet would be to speak with your team on reconstruction options. Perhaps your McGrath nurse would have an up to date idea? Just get yourself better first.

This group may have your answers. http://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/group/1-choosing-breast-reconstruction

Hi Sandy, I went for immediate delayed reconstruction . ..which is removal and tissue expander inserted and then expanded...and then permanent changover done later. My surgeon used a matrix sling and 3/4 filled mine (and ysed teardrop shaped expanders ) so I awoke with breasts and had no further fills until after chemo...I live 500k away and he was trying to help me out with that. so I have sibce had a fill and next appt. in 2 weeks to set surgery date. I am delighted with the result thus far. I had a bilateral and reduction and was cut like a breast reduction so once nipples are done (they couldn't save mine ) the scars should look minimal. If wantibg a flap it can be difficult to do at time of mastectomy....unless you've already had your chemo I believe . ..because if the timibg with removal/ healing/chemo. Hope this helps.

Hi Sandy, I was lucky enough to have a nipple and skin sparing mastectomy with immediate reconstruction using silicon implant. I'm 5 months post surgery and will have fat grafting next year to plump up my new perky. If you have any questions at all the for is such a fantastic place for information and as Brenda wrote there is the reconstruction group and there have been photo galleries established within that group to assist anyone crossing/facing reconstruction. All the best Xx Cath

Recurrence of Breast cancer .... 12 months on

Hopes_and_Dream
Member
9 years ago
Great to hear you are home already Sandy! There's nothing like being in your own surroundings to help you heal. Hope you are continuing to do well and have a speedy recovery. There can be a few painful days early on when things start to heal - be kind to yourself and rest. Take care, Jane x
socoda
Member
9 years ago
Hey Sandy, hope you're doing brilliantly!!! Congrats on being.home already. Take it easy and rest and relax. Hugs. Xx
Sandy_B
Member
9 years ago
Hi everyone,

just an update ....I had my mastectomy yesterday afternoon and came home today, doing well
Hope you are all well and happy x
Lisa_BCNA
Member
9 years ago
Hi Sandy,

It's Lisa from the Policy Team. I just wanted to jump in and send you a link to BCNA's webpage about breast reconstruction. You may have had a look at it already, but I just wanted to send it in case it is useful: https://www.bcna.org.au/understanding-breast-cancer/treatment/breast-reconstruction/.

Warm regards,
Lisa
Sandy_B
Member
9 years ago
Paula, I live in the Moreton Bay region, I just feel that I don't have any options at all ..... Have to be guided by doctor's recommendations and expertise and get on with it! I will ask about expanders though, thanks
melclarity
Member
9 years ago

Hopes and Dreams said:

There is always that uncertainty of whether we should have gone for a double (preventative) mastectomy. I had a left nipple sparing mastectomy with immediate silicone implant in August. Once the biopsy confirmed the cancer my GP ordered an MRI on both breasts. Fortunately, the right side was clear. The surgeon wasn't keen to take off the healthy right breast as I had the same risk as the next person in getting cancer again. Now I am taking Arimidex, that risk has lessened further.
He is also a breast cosmetic surgeon and I'm very grateful for the excellent job in matching the implant to my natural breast. But there will always be that fear that maybe I should have had a double mastectomy, but facing a single was overwhelming enough at the time.
I hope the next 7 days go quickly for you and you get some of the answers you need. Jane x

Jane, what you said really helped me, thank you! Ive a recurrence and whilst 11 months post chemo am faced with a Mastectomy for prevention. My Surgeon wanted a double...but my right breast is fine always has been. I had the BRCA Gene testing and it was negative...the Geneticists said a single Mastectomy is only needed and not a double. This helped me sit in the thought of a single as well. I dont want regrets at all...but in my gut it says why fix whats not broke...
Hugs Melinda xo
mum2jj
Member
9 years ago
Hi @sandyb where in Qld are you. I know we have had members in the choosing breast reconstruction group in Qld who have at least had an expander inserted at time of mastectomy. Is that maybe an option? A question worth asking. I don't want to stress you too much before your surgery. I know in Cairns the wait is quite long as a public patient for reconstruction, however if you are prepared to wait you can certainly have the reconstruction in the public service.
Hugs to you.
Paula xxx
Hopes_and_Dream
Member
9 years ago
There is always that uncertainty of whether we should have gone for a double (preventative) mastectomy. I had a left nipple sparing mastectomy with immediate silicone implant in August. Once the biopsy confirmed the cancer my GP ordered an MRI on both breasts. Fortunately, the right side was clear. The surgeon wasn't keen to take off the healthy right breast as I had the same risk as the next person in getting cancer again. Now I am taking Arimidex, that risk has lessened further.
He is also a breast cosmetic surgeon and I'm very grateful for the excellent job in matching the implant to my natural breast. But there will always be that fear that maybe I should have had a double mastectomy, but facing a single was overwhelming enough at the time.
I hope the next 7 days go quickly for you and you get some of the answers you need. Jane x
unknown
Member
9 years ago
Hi, so sorry to hear of those who have had re occurrence of cancer. I had cancer last year, had a left mastectomy and immediate reconstruction done. all worked well. but as some of you have said hindsight is a wonderful thing. I wish I had gone with a double mastectomy when I was diagnosed, I did suggest it but was told it was extreme. so now I have the worry of 6 monthly or 12 monthly mammograms and if I get cancer again (and the chances are 1 in 6) more surgery, and at as I will be older, I may not recover so quickly. plus a reconstruction, they used my stomach tissue the first time so what can they use next time if they need to. and yes of course I want to stay positive and assume I won't get a reoccurrence but ...... hindsight....
KatyJoy
Member
9 years ago
Good luck with it all @melclarity, all we can do is go with the best advice we have at the time. It's hard when there are options because you think you don't want to make a decision and regret it later, but they won't offer any options that are unsafe. Good luck with the plastic surgeon, hopefully he has good news for you and you get a clear plan moving forward.