I havent posted since before my surgery

@RobynAnne It's exhausting, thinking through all the options, isn't it? I've been there. I won't go into all the details, but I ended up having a tissue expander when my unilateral mastectomy was done. They also put in a panel of titanium mesh underneath. Then I had chemo and radiation. Nine months on, it was uncomfortable and often painful, and ugly - the temporary reconstruction was not well done. I absolutely hated what I had. I decided not to go ahead with having the implant in to replace the tissue expander, and to ask for another surgeon. I had to wait for that, so I'd had it for 20 months by the time everything was removed and I went "flat" four weeks ago. I don't regret my decision. The new surgeon has done a lovely neat job. I look forward to getting the prosthesis and custom-made bra when I'm completely healed. And I believe I'll be comfortable.
Some people have different priorities. And priorities can change with time; mine did. When I was diagnosed, it really mattered to me to have a shape there. After all the treatment, I was drained, and it no longer matters.
All the best with whatever you decide. xx

One thing different this time round is that your muscle is already stretched. So they could just pop in a tissue expander when they remove all the skin and once healed expand again. It will be mainly the skin stretching. The changeover surgery is really mild...after initial post op recovery I only took panadol. You can do the expansion slowly and just leave them in there until ready. My tissue expanders sat in at 3/4 filled for 18 months then the final fill a month before changeover. Not too tight this way. So I was really feeling well recovered before changeover surgery happened. I was back driving in 3 days and back at work following week...just no heavy lifting for a bit.

I know it seems a lot presently but you have gone this far and it seems a shame you'd need to then need a prosthesis to balance you or take the other implant out as well to go flat. 

I had complications with my nipple reconstruction and cursed myself for the setback. ..but persisted knowing in 12 months it will just be a blip. Well 12 months on and I'm glad I did and the struggle really is a just distant moment in time now.

Give yourself a big pat on the back for getting this far. It is hard and it's especially harder when the goal posts keep getting changed.  I went through 3 surgeries last year and chemo.  I am mono boobed and have no regrets about not going down the reconstruction path although after saying that I have been told if I change my mind it is always an option. It is such a personal decision for everyone and for all different reasons.  Best of luck with your decision and hang in there with the chemo. Great that you have a great support system of family and friends.  

It’s a hard one to decide and I fully sympathise with your views about enough surgery, at least for the time being. If you have a mastectomy, you can discuss the options beforehand including being clear what can and can’t be done at a later date. I confess I didn’t fancy reconstruction at all, for a number of reasons, and have never regretted taking the mono-boobed path, but many find reconstruction both essential and emotionally restorative. Best wishes what ever you decide. 

Hi  Everyone
I haven't posted since before my surgery in May. ( Bilateral nipple and skin sparing mastectomy and implants). Surgery was long and detailed . Unfortunately the tumour was larger then first thought (not 3cm but 9cm) and 3 positive nodes. The implants have been fine once I recovered from the initial surgery. The expected numbness is present and feels weird. But everything has healed well. I am currently about a third of the way through chemo therapy. Unfortunately I will need to have further surgery as the skin and nipple were not cleared of cancer in the first operation. Now I have to decide if I have a total right mastectomy with the option for reconstruction later. Or go with just one breast. The idea of reconstruction surgery after all the cancer treatment seems exhausting just to think about and I think I will need a break before venturing into more surgery. I am thinking of keeping my options open and delay reconstruction so I can take a break. I might just decide not to do the reconstruction at all.  This journey with breast cancer seems never ending. (Surgery, Chemo, more surgery, Radiotherapy, hormone therapy, ongoing surveillance and maybe more surgery).  I am lucky to be well supported by my husband and family and many great friends and I keep the goal of being cancer free in the forefront of my mind but sometimes I wish there was a shortcut to the end.