What makes you have a reconstruction?

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 :)

Hi @au0rei, when I was diagnosed with an 13mm IDC on 20/07/16 it came out of the blue.  In that post diagnosis whirlwind everything moved so quickly!  Before I saw my surgeon I just assumed I would have a lumpectomy.  I don't know why, common sense should have told me that wasn't going to work! I'm not big breasted (just a little B cup) and a lumpectomy wouldn't have left too much of me behind if I wanted good clear margins. 
I didn't have enough flesh on me to do a flap reconstruction so that wasn't an option either.
So with those 2 ruled out, my surgeon explained that he could do a nipple sparing mastectomy with an immediate silicone implant. 
I actually thought about going up a cup size but that would have meant additional surgery on both breasts and at that time I just wanted it all over with.  My surgeon warned me that if during surgery it looked like I may need further treatment he wouldn't do the implant.
Fortunately, my cancer was grade1, stage 1 with clear lymph nodes.
It was the right decision for me. Cosmetically, my breasts are a near perfect match and I'm comfortable with how I feel.  8 months later I'm numb and blue spotted from the sentinal node dye but this is now my new normal!
wishing you all the best with your decision.
Jane xx

I had a bilateral tissue sparing mastectomy and immediate reconstruction done with tissue expanders. I originally was interested in a flap reconstruction but after discussion with my surgeon and decision of a bilateral an implant reconstruction was a lesser surgery, could be done by my breast surgeon and not only by a plastic surgeon and could be done in 20 days. Any other choice would have meant a delay whilst new referral to plastic surgeon and surgery wait. For me having it done at the beginning was very important. Aesthetically it can be a better outcome if planned from the beginning (but not necessarily) and it didn't mean having to cope with 2 prosthesis whilst I awaited surgery. Whilst I had private surgery I chose public as I felt the gap expense too high. In my mind I always thought if really unhappy with my implant reconstructions I could still revisit a flap reconstruction at a later date. I am thus far very happy with the outcome. The changeover surgery was very minor so the need for replacement at 10 to 20 years doesn't concern me.