What makes you have a reconstruction?
I had a mastectomy done and didn't choose implant or reconstruction as I had wanted to get into surgery quickly before Xmas. I didn't want to see a plastic surgeon as it was so close to Xmas and was f...
Forum Discussion
Hi @au0rei ,
It's a hard question. I just knew I wanted a reconstruction, yes for aesthetics, but also for practical reasons. I have back problems and I found this was exacerbated with only one breast. I also live in the tropics and found the prosthesis vert hot to wear in summer. I also couldn't wear the clothes I liked as my mastectomy bras and prosthesis were often visible through them. They sound like little things but they were important to me. I was very small breasted and as I wasn't suitable for implants due to radiation damage to my skin I opted for a TRAM flap (tissue transfer surgery). My new breasts are also small and not quite as nice as my old ones, however they are growing on me.
It's interesting that you say some or most of us have reconstruction. It is a really personal thing and in Australia reconstruction rates are actually quite low compared to the rest of the world, lower than 10% in some states. These rates may change now the Australian Government Cancer Australia released a statement on best practice in breast cancer where they say it is "Not appropriate to perform a mastectomy without first discussing with the patient the options of immediate or delayed breast reconstruction." I
Everyone has different reasons and many choose not to reconstruct, there is no right or wrong, just what is right for you.
If down the track you do choose reconstruction or would like to connect with others feel free to join the choosing breast reconstruction group
Paula :)
It's a hard question. I just knew I wanted a reconstruction, yes for aesthetics, but also for practical reasons. I have back problems and I found this was exacerbated with only one breast. I also live in the tropics and found the prosthesis vert hot to wear in summer. I also couldn't wear the clothes I liked as my mastectomy bras and prosthesis were often visible through them. They sound like little things but they were important to me. I was very small breasted and as I wasn't suitable for implants due to radiation damage to my skin I opted for a TRAM flap (tissue transfer surgery). My new breasts are also small and not quite as nice as my old ones, however they are growing on me.
It's interesting that you say some or most of us have reconstruction. It is a really personal thing and in Australia reconstruction rates are actually quite low compared to the rest of the world, lower than 10% in some states. These rates may change now the Australian Government Cancer Australia released a statement on best practice in breast cancer where they say it is "Not appropriate to perform a mastectomy without first discussing with the patient the options of immediate or delayed breast reconstruction." I
Everyone has different reasons and many choose not to reconstruct, there is no right or wrong, just what is right for you.
If down the track you do choose reconstruction or would like to connect with others feel free to join the choosing breast reconstruction group
Paula :)