Thoughts on Reconstruction and Prophylactic Mastectomy??

Yes you are right it is so much better to know the truth, than to worry and only think up the worst!

I'm the sort to want to know everything and that calms me down alittle.

Good on you for helping others with your show and tell as you put it. I believe if someone can do that for others not yet there, but scared and unsure then that is fabulous.

I'm not doing so well at the moment... my Mum's ill and getting worse with PD and I haven't heard from my cousin yet and I'm stressed! Big time. I feel like I already know I have this %^(*&()*(&%^%$@# GENE, i JUST KNOW IT... and I'm not scared of loosing bits down stairs but a bit scared of the top half!

HH

Thank you all for such great feedback! It really helps to get more information and opinions from people who have gone through this all.

Megs- I may give you a call to talk about your reconstruction!

Lynn- Thanks for stopping by my blog and saying hi! I hope you're doing well and sorting out your reconstruction too!

Thanks again everyone! xo

Hey Heidi ho!! thanks for the feedback,  i know when i was diagnosed i was trying to think of the postives and i was like least ill be skinny well only to find out breast cancer is one of the only cancer you put weight on!!! hahaha just our luck! If you have any furthur question regarding anything please ask as im an open book, i find sharing is knowledge and knowledge is comforting and resurring if thats makes sense???  My surgeon regulary rings me up and ask if i could do a show and tell for a patient lol... i feel if i had the opputunity to of met someone who had the procedure and could of looked at the girls and asked questions then i wouldnt of found it so daunting... i guess thats why i used to and still go to the groups as i found i got more info through them then i did my oncologist and now i can be there for the the women now going through this journey,and thats whats so fantastic about this website its like a huge group but i can be really lazy and not leave my house! hahah i hope you are travelling well? take care

Megs xx

Hi Tanya, How are you? We miss you and hope all is well. My suggestion is you go to a surgeon and get all the facts. I went and talked Eddie Cheng at Wesley and he was very good. He also has photos of 3 different types of reconstructions and he will advise what is best for your age and body type. I still wish I had removed both breasts but I am a lot older than you, and I still may even go down that road.

Anyway, all the best and we hope to see you again soon,

Lynne

Thank you Megs for all that info it helps people like me to get my head around what proceedures are out there and how people react to these, it really educates me.

I'm glad you threw in fat and skinny effecting different op's as we arn't all small.

I was very thin and after kids put on weight and after steroids put on more weight and wondered how it would be for me.

Tattooing is good is great to hear.

I also scar!

Much appreciated.

Heidi

There are some great replies here.  Can I ask a question about the implant reconstructions?  I had a skin sparing mastectomy and insertion of tissue expander about 9 weeks ago. I am currently having chemo but starting to think about my reconstruction and also my other breast.    With my surgery, the skin expander was inserted under my chest muscle - I still have another fill or two until it is up to the same size as my other breast. I am wondering though whether a reconstructed breast using an implant will feel the same as I do now?  I have a rock hard "melon" on my chest - there is no give whatsover - I have had three children so my other breast is rather "droopy" anyway but I am struggling with this sensation and wonder if I should go for a different option to get more of a "natural" feel.  I haven't gone down the path of plastic surgeons yet - just early days questions. Thanks

Hey Tanya,

I had mine both off last year at time of diagnosis, everyone is different but for me getting rid of them was the right choice. I did not have reconstruction straight away as I was not ready, I am nearly finished chemo and am now finding a plastic surgeon I am happy with. My suggestion is to start researching surgeons, find one you trust and  go with what they think is best re what type of reconstruction you should have for instance if you have radiation they won't do a straight silicone implant on the radiated side due to the skin changes. 

Goodluck with everything x

my number would help 0437299338!!!! good luck hun call me anytime xx

my number would help 0437299338!!!! good luck hun call me anytime xx

Dear Tanya, 

WOW! I could not imagine how you are feeling... You have been thru so much at such a young age... but anyway... 

I'm 28 and never had children. In the process of having my reconstruction done on my left breast after my mastecomy this month. The only option I had was the silicone implant. So far I am happy with the silicone option, it is alot of work with how they do it over time... they put the expander in and gradually blow it up over a couple of months to stretch the skin then take the expander out and put the implant in and u have to change the implant like every 10-15yrs... With your other breast if you get the implant in the right one you'll most likely get one in the left (even if u keep that breast) because we are young and breasts age and u want your breasts looking the same, they do recommend u get them in both. 

The pain with the reconstruction im doing is livable. i just take regular panadol and nurofen. but u do have restrictions on what u can physically do why the plastic surgeons get the look right. 

Hope this helps, and if u have any certain questions just inbox me :) 

I didnt research anything on the net, my plastic surgeon gave me all the info I needed. 

Merylee