Is reconstruction right for me -
I am very new to all of this and the site. I had a diagnosis in May. Surgery within 3 weeks and then straight into chemo in June. I was told by my surgeon because my margin surgery was still not 100% ...
Forum Discussion
Hi @Catedwyer I agree with everything that has been mentioned. I really recommend the support resources that have been suggested - I used them to just get a bit of clarity about what I wanted. I had ILC in the left breast and made the decision to have a bilateral mastectomy (BMX) which I had after neoadjuvant chemo. (BMX in June.)
Everything does move so quickly, my head was spinning. I also talked it through with a psychologist to unscramble everything. As has already been said, it is such a personal decision. I knew from the start I wanted a BMX and reconstruction as I did not feel that I could handle the stress of monitoring my extremely dense breast tissue coupled with the fact my breast size was a DD/E cup. My surgeon supported my decision based on density and the type of BC.
I commenced the reconstruction process immediately - expanders which will be exchanged for implants in December. Both my surgeon and plastic surgeon worked together in the surgery and it took about 3.5 hours.
I am 54 and I have recovered well. The expanders are ‘tight and firm’ and I have had 4 fills - 1/month. The actual fills have not caused me any pain.The treatment and the surgery including the final exchange will take me to almost a year since my diagnosis. I also recommend reading up on the recon process - I joined the private group here and I learnt so much. As you already know, the girls here are brilliant and are so generous with their advice. I couldn’t have the DIEP option because
My medical crew have been amazing. My plastic surgeon said something that stuck which was that I got to decide from now on what I wanted, unlike during the treatment where I was doing everything I was told and I knew I had to do to get through all of it. Take your time. Once you have done the treatment, you do have time to think and you have choices. I am happy to offer any support I can. I am also wishing you all the very best in whatever decision you make. M x
Everything does move so quickly, my head was spinning. I also talked it through with a psychologist to unscramble everything. As has already been said, it is such a personal decision. I knew from the start I wanted a BMX and reconstruction as I did not feel that I could handle the stress of monitoring my extremely dense breast tissue coupled with the fact my breast size was a DD/E cup. My surgeon supported my decision based on density and the type of BC.
I commenced the reconstruction process immediately - expanders which will be exchanged for implants in December. Both my surgeon and plastic surgeon worked together in the surgery and it took about 3.5 hours.
I am 54 and I have recovered well. The expanders are ‘tight and firm’ and I have had 4 fills - 1/month. The actual fills have not caused me any pain.The treatment and the surgery including the final exchange will take me to almost a year since my diagnosis. I also recommend reading up on the recon process - I joined the private group here and I learnt so much. As you already know, the girls here are brilliant and are so generous with their advice. I couldn’t have the DIEP option because
My medical crew have been amazing. My plastic surgeon said something that stuck which was that I got to decide from now on what I wanted, unlike during the treatment where I was doing everything I was told and I knew I had to do to get through all of it. Take your time. Once you have done the treatment, you do have time to think and you have choices. I am happy to offer any support I can. I am also wishing you all the very best in whatever decision you make. M x