Deciding on Reconstruction or not

Hi Lara, I also had that weird arm thing. When I walked to one room from another, the nerves would tingle from the different temperatures. After a few months I noticed it had gone. Hopefully yours goes too.

Cheers Annie

I had a mastectomy (nipple sparing and partial skin sparing) with immediate silicone implant reconstruction done on 3rd February.

My recovery was by NO means normal, as my pre-exisiting conditions came into play making my recover and pain slow and higher than normal (I have a genetic condition of the connective tissue, which means I had trouble with the muscles that the implant was placed under and this as well as a neurological conditions i have also both cause chronic pain, so the surgery stirred these up and caused me a lot of pain, but the muscle spasms of my body learning the new position for the pec muscles was worse - for nearly everyone this is NO issue, it is just these condtions I have).

I decided I would NOT go one boob and prosthetic, as I saw my Mum go through Mastectomy and prosthetic in 1994 and until she passed in 2002 (or a totally unrealted cancer), i saw how much she had trouble with her prosthetic of it moving and such (sure they are probably much better these days but still...)

  Ialso suffer badly from eczema and skin rashes etc so knowming my luck I would end up with a shocking rash under the prosthetic, and just didn't want to deal with it, so I went the immediate reconstruction route, it was supposed to be an expander but he was able to save enough skin (he removed a lot of skin under my nipple to breast crease as my tumour was down here and puckering the skin in and we didn't want to keep ANYTHING that had a chance of the cancer being in it.I was happy to take the nipple too, but he said if he could he would keep it, as my tumour although in the ducts, was low down and not near the nipple. My nipple is attached to a blood supply but nothing else - I have little to no sensitivity, and there is NOTHING underneath it but the pec muscle and implant, he moved it up as well, due to the skin being taken from underneath.I was NOT big breasted to being with - about a C (with the extra weight I am carrying), and my new breast is probably a B(or maybe small C (I am not sure, but not that much smaller than my other one)).

I was givent he option of a Lattismus Dori flap reconstructino but after talking about my pre-existing condtions this was dropped as an option, as there was a very low chance it could weaken my left arm and my right arm is very weak and I can't afford that. I was also given the option of a DIEP or TRAM flap but for that I would have had to go to Syndey for the surgery as they don't do it here in Canberra, and I still have that as an option in the future if I need it.

I was also only 40 when I was diagnosed and turned 41 around 2 1/2 months after my mastectomy, nad I could deal with the breast cancer, the mastectomy but I couldn't deal with the idea of one boob and dealing with a prosthetic, so the immediate reconstructin was the right thing for ME.

I am also having my other breast off (skin and nipple sparing mastectomy with immediate silicone implant reconstrcution) later this year (after I finishe chemotherapy etc), as I have a high risk as my Mum, Dad's Sister and Dad's grandmowther all had breast cancer. i am having the BRCA testing done in August (or should I say I am seeing the genetics clinic to see if I qualify for free testing becasue i wont be having the testing otherwise becasue i can't afford the $2500 for it - both my breast surgeron and onoclogist think I qualify and both want me to have the testing done,and if I am positive I will also have my ovaries removed later this year or next year).

There is no need to make a choice immediately (unless you want to begin immediately with a skin sparing/ partial skin sparing and expander or implant reconstruction), otherwise you can make the choice anytime, YOU decide to if you ever decide you need or want to have one.

HI, like Lara I underwent bilateral mastectomies with tissue expanders about 4 weeks ago,  while not a walk in the park it is certainly doable, I cant have morphine so managed on panadol/panadeine only, was up and about the next day, and the only thing that kept me in hospital was the drains, my surgeon doesnt allow people to go home with them, I have a bit of an issue with an unclear margin, which I will hopefully get sorted soon, and a small seroma(fliud built up) but have been doing most things since 2 weeks post, still have a bit of discomfort now and then and my scars will need a lot of work at exchange, but I am sure I will get there and believe it is a good option, good luck for your future descisions and treatment.

Cheers NArelle

Hi Kel

My surgeon does the nipples on the third op. First is mastectomy and expander, second is removal of expander and insert implant, time between these ops depends on how big you want to be. Then everything left to settle in it's final place approx 6 weeks then nipple reconstruction. This is so they get them in the right place otherwise they may settle differently and the end result wouldn't be as good. My understanding is they use the skin that is already there and just pinch or pucker it. I have seen a photo and to be honest was better than my old one. Then if you decide you want too you can get it tattooed to create an areola - I'm going for a nice small one, I like the look better and I'm not real keen on getting tattooed, surely it's got to hurt. I googled it like I google everything so do the same. I have found it is harder to get images of reconstructed boobs but some are out there.

Your biggest op is the first, I have been told the second is easy because the pocket has been created so is straightforward and the third is easiest of all approximately 20-30minutes. Can even be done under local apparently.

As with recovery when I woke up it felt like I had a truck parked on my chest. Not really pain just pressure and I could only take little breaths. But I had morphine on one of those pumps that you just push when you need it also  helps with sleep so I went with it. By the next day the morphine pump was removed and I was up and about moving around, although had 4 drains attached. I suffered nausea and dizziness a bit which I was surprised about as I don't normally. Probably from moving around too much, being a mum of two 4 and 8 sitting down doesn't happen very often does it? Apparently it is common with this type of breast surgery so I just took all the tablets they offered - I don't normally even take panadol but I wasn't taking any chances. I was also so relieved to have the cancer out and the major surgery over I think I was on a high for the first week even though I was still waiting on results.

As for now I have a weird neuralgia (nerve problem) down my upper inner and under arms and also down my sides. It just feels really burnt and sensitive. I have just started some medication for this so I am hoping for some relief soon.

As for driving I was able to after my post op appointment two weeks after surgery. However everything is still really tender so as much as I love my independance wouldn't attempt a long drive or in too much traffic. School runs etc ok!

Although I was hoping to keep nipples I am happy now I don't have to worry as much and feel it is a small price to pay for peace of mind. At the end of the day we would all happily live without boobs if it was life or death. Luckily for us we now have more choices.

Any more questions fire away - you have probably worked out I'm a talker!!!

Take care

Lara xx

Hi Renae,

I had a double mastectomy and immediate reconstruction 3 weeks ago as I couldn't imagine what/ how I would be without one breast (let alone two...)

I have to say that I'm happy with my decision.  I took my time making peace with my actions, so I agree with Annie - give yourself time.  Each of us may be on this journey, but there are many different paths.  I hope that you find your place on your path.

Take care,

Mon

Like Tonya, I've had breast cancer twice too (2002 and 2011). The first time I just had a lumpectomy (with chemo & radiation). This time I had a mastectomy. I'm getting sick of my prosthesis, and I've decided to get the other boob off because I had the first cancer at 34 and the second at 43 which they said is pretty young for two separate primaries. I'm booked in on 6th September for mastectomy and double reconstruction and I can't wait! Our sex life has definitely been affected by the mastectomy because I feel a bit self-conscious, and I'd like to wear clothes without a bra  at home without being lopsided. I also want my cleavage back!! I can't wear certain clothes at the moment, which the reconstruction will fix. These may sound like pretty superficial reasons, but it will make me feel a lot better. I'm only 44 damn it!! I want boobs!! Good luck with your decision xx Jane

I know how you feel.It has been 2 years since my mastectomy and I'm still not sure! This was my second bout of bc(2003 had a lumpectomy).So I can only have a diep reconstruction due to radiation tightening my skin. I have had 3 ankle operations inbetween so don't feel I can do anymore surgery at the moment. I tend to forget about my prosthesis once I'm dressed but getting undressed is still hard.I don't do" naked" anymore.I sometimes have trouble shopping for tops with a higher neckline. I've adjusted but I couldn't say I'm completely ok with living with one boob.Don't rush into recon until you are very sure about it.My surgeon told me that about a quarter of her patients go for recon. I probably haven't helped you but at least you don't feel alone coping with one boob.

                       Tonya xx