Forum Discussion

MariaLuisa's avatar
MariaLuisa
Member
10 years ago

My Implant and future screening

Hello,

My first post so hoping I get it right:) and apologies for it being long.  I was diagnosed with DCIS in 2009 and had a unilateral mastectomy in 2010 with a silicone implant.  I was quite happy with the reconstruction, didn't have any unrealistic expectations so when I'm clothed it looks pretty good. However I have lost a lot of weight in the last few years and now my natural breast is significantly smaller than the implant.

I undergo yearly screening which use to consist of mammogram and ultrasounds,  however for the last 3 years it has been MRI's since the breast is quite dense and has cysts and bits and pieces they like to keep an eye on.  Last year I had a MRI and mammogram. I am due to have another MRI in April.

I have been thinking about having an implant in the natural breast to try and even out the difference and I'm also a bit tired of having to stuff my bra and be limited in what I can wear due to the difference in breast size. I am going to discuss with my GP since unfortunately my wonderful breast surgeon passed away, but was hoping I could get some feedback if anyone has been in the same position.   My breast surgeon was not keen on the idea of an implant in the healthy breast as he believed it would be difficult to detect abnormalities that may arise in the future.

Would love to hear some thoughts.

Thank you for listening.

Maria

 

 

 

 

dcis
mri
  • GeorginaMary's avatar
    GeorginaMary
    Member
    10 years ago

    Thanks, Maria.  I have found this group to be really supportive.  You can ask anything you like, and someone out there will have been in the place that you are and will offer non-judgmental advice.  It is one big sisterhood!

  • Ann-Marie's avatar
    Ann-Marie
    Member
    10 years ago

    Fantastic. You can post your questions directly into this group if you like. When you hover your mouse over the big pink post button you can select either "my blog or the group" to post into.

  • MariaLuisa's avatar
    MariaLuisa
    Member
    10 years ago

    Thank you Anne-Marie, hoping I have already joined the Breast reconstruction group last week when I signed up, that was my intention:)

     

     

  • MariaLuisa's avatar
    MariaLuisa
    Member
    10 years ago

    Thank you Georgina, that is an option I will consider - Im hoping there are more options with implants these days as the first reconstruction was with a smaller implant and neither the plastic surgeon or myself was happy with the projection, hoping there may be more choice now.

    Wishing you all the best with your op's.

     

    Maria

  • Ann-Marie's avatar
    Ann-Marie
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hi Marie,

    Welcome to the Online Network.

    No need to apologies for anything. The purpose of the Online Network is for everyone to ask questions and share experiences :)

    You may be interested joining our Breast Reconstruction group.

    ~Ann-Marie

  • GeorginaMary's avatar
    GeorginaMary
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hi Maria,

    i am about to have a mastectomy, breast reconstruction, and reduction of the other breast.  I was at a pre-operation appointment with my plastic surgeon today, and asked about the future matching appearance of the two breasts once I had lost the 10-15 more kg that I need to lose.  (I have already lost six kg in the last eight weeks).  He said that normally they wouldn't do the reconstruction and reduction until I had lost the weight, but can't afford to wait because of the cancer.  He said that doing a bit of 'nip and tuck' in the future to match them would be simple if I manage to get off the weight that I want to lose, and if necessary, he could do a minor operation and change the implant to match the reduced breast.  Therefore, rather that endangering any scanning of your healthy breast with an implant, I would get your implanted breast changed to match the healthy one.  My plastic surgeon today seemed to regard it as a VERY  minor procedure.

    The best of luck, whatever you decide.