Unilateral mastectomy with delayed reconstruction
Hi everyone, I’m currently in treatment for TNBC and starting to plan my surgery and reconstruction, and I’m really hoping to connect with others who have had a similar pathway. Others who chose unilateral mastectomy with expander/implant reconstruction I’m 41 and currently undergoing chemotherapy (AC followed by weekly Paclitaxel). Surgery is planned after chemo finishes very soon. My current plan, pending final discussions with my surgeon and a plastic surgeon, is: Unilateral mastectomy (left side) Nipple removal (due to previous lumpectomies and blood supply concerns) TExpander placed at the time of mastectomy Later exchange to a permanent implant (skin is tight and I'm too small for immediate reconstruction/DIEP) Possible fat grafting and/or minor adjustment to the natural breast for symmetry Genetic testing was negative, so my surgeon feels comfortable with a single-sided mastectomy rather than bilateral. One of my biggest challenges right now is that most of the stories and photos I find online seem to be double mastectomies and DIEP, and I’m finding it hard to visualise what unilateral reconstruction looks like long-term. Some things I’m especially curious about: How close did the reconstruction get to your natural breast over time? Did you end up having adjustments to the other breast? What did the expander stage look like under clothes? Were you happy choosing unilateral rather than bilateral? Anyone who slightly increased their size with implant? Did anyone here go on to have fat grafting to improve symmetry? I’m quite small-framed and originally around a B/C cup (medically-induced menopause and weight loss have decreased this somewhat), and ideally would love to maintain a similar size and shape if possible. I’m also trying to understand what the timeline looked like for others, particularly between mastectomy, expansions, and implant exchange. I would really appreciate hearing from anyone who has taken this path, especially if you: had unilateral reconstruction had expanders then implants were younger (30s–40s) when treated Even just hearing your experience would help me feel a little less like I’m navigating this blindly. I’m finding the lack of similar stories and images a bit overwhelming, so I’d really value hearing from anyone who’s been through something like this. Also, anything to potentially be aware of for out-of-pocket expenses. Thank you so much in advance.
Second mastectomy
20 years ago I had a tram flap reconstruction after a mastectomy on one breast. Since then I found I was BRCA2 and in the last week I have been diagnosed with cancer in my other breast. I am interested to hear the stories of anyone that had a reconstruction on one side and then had to look at getting a second mastectomy years later. Did you go the construction route or perhaps decide to get a prosthesis, or even remove the reconstructed breast and go flat? I am in my late sixties.
Going flat after implant rapture
Hi All I had a bilateral mastectomy 8 years ago with expanders and silicone implants (aged 48 at that time). Here I am 8 yrs on and find I have had a implant rapture and now have silicone in my axillary, clavicle and chest lymph nodes. Rapture likely 12 mths ago due to spread of silicone, that is why its called a silent rapture. I had the mastectomy to not live in fear of getting breast cancer (as my mother had it twice) and I had a young son. Here I am now living in fear of what the silicone toll will take. Have received advice and can do reconstruction but would need to use flap under arm area as well as implants as the skin is thin due to expanders from first reconstruction for a swap out or I am thinking go flat. Going flat will prevent the fear of further possibly of another rapture and more silicone in my system. If I had have been told 8 yrs ago I could have the mastectomy to prevent cancer but they cant reconstruct I would have still had the mastectomy so I am coming to terms with the flat chest option. Has anyone on this forum had reconstruction with implants then gone flat later? Any advice, regrets, experience with prostheses double breasts at all?
All Clear happy and healthy, BUT pre admission tomorrow for Mastectomy/Recon struggling mentally..
To say its been a tough week, has been an understatement even after a recurrence multiple surgeries and treatments over the past 6yrs. As much as I knew it was coming, I wasnt prepared for the call from Hospital for my pre-admission tomorrow. 19 months on from a lumpectomy, 13 months post chemo, happy, healthy reclaiming my life. The mental torture has been relentless this week, knowing I'm WELL but in light of a recurrence don't gamble Melinda, do a Mastectomy/Diep flap reconstruction. Even knowing deep down its the best thing I could do, I still struggle with the loss, the prevention, the surgery. Its always been my struggle getting to this decision now it is here, I don't feel any different, I'm still struggling with it. I can be honest, I'm scared, petrified of the actual surgery, the recovery, the loss, the end result. Struggling with feeling Im damned if I do, damned if I don't. Maybe I'll feel different once it's done? Ive looked at it every which way possible, and its just so mentally challenging when I know Im so well...the tears havent stopped. I will also be mostly alone through recovery as my kids are going to live with their Dad as its easier for them to get to Uni and my baby in VCE. Whilst its the right thing for me to do...am heartbroken to not have them with me loving and supporting me. My Partner lives an hour away, due to work and life will only be able to manage at different times. Another reminder of traveling this road nearly 7yrs without my Mum, lucky to have my Dad who wants to help but is 77. Inspite of all this, knowing how incredibly lucky am I really!!! how dare I be sad, upset, angry, so why do I struggle, don't know how to resolve this for myself?? I've always been proactive, positive and upbeat...hoping its purely the fear thats getting in the way...
Pain after mastectomy/stage one reconstruction
Hi there, 10 days ago I had a mastectomy and stage 1 reconstruction (insertion of tissue expander) in my left breast after removal of a 6 centimetre lobular cancer .There was no cancer in my lymph nodes. I also had a reduction (E cup to C Cup) in my right breast. My pain in the right breast has gone away, but the pain in my left breast is awful - i am having o take an endone every 6 hours. Is this normal or is it like the nurses in hospital said - "everyone's experies different"?
Flying after mastectomy
Hello all, Thanks in advance for your comments. I am 5 weeks post a skin and nipple sparing single mastectomy with immediate implant on top of the muscle. Margins are not clear so I will be back in surgery in a few weeks to have the nipple and skin removed (gutted but that’s another post). I have an annual girls weekend coming up that I would love to get to (flights and accommodation pre paid before all this came about). It will be 7.5 weeks post original surgery and involves a one hour domestic flight. Does anyone know if it will be ok to travel by air 7.5 weeks post surgery? Could the implant explode? Sorry if that’s a stupid question!! I am really nervous about it and won’t go if there is any chance of a complication etc... thank youRecommendations for Brisbane plastic surgeons
Hi everyone I haven’t been here for the last 3 years as I was so devastated by my TRAM reconstruction I had on the left side in 2014 , the second time I had breast cancer. Since then I’ve been tested and I have the BRCA 2 gene that runs in my family . I’m going to have a right mastectomy and reconstruction in Brisbane this year and hopefully it’ll be good. . Can anyone recommend some plastic surgeons please ? I’ve been knocked back by 2 so far , one didn’t even see me , just said he couldn’t do anything looking at my photos and the other declined , didn’t want to step on the original Drs toes so to speak but I have NO intention of seeing him again. I expect there’s not a lot of choices for me as my stomach muscle has already been used . Thank you
Too many choices
I am seeking advice..... had a lumpectomy, now advised to have masectomy and axilla clearance. Options are skin sparing, nipple sparing or masectomy( traditional). I still have radiation therapy to go, so am totally confused about the pro’s and con’s and what Is involved? Any advice appreciated.
How long between mastectomy and reconstruction
Hi, new to this online group and after some advice please. I was diagnosed with stage 2 IDC HER 2 positive. End of March this year. Have just finished 4 th round of AC dense chemo and start paclitaxel and hercepin in 2 weeks then mastectomy and radiotherapy . When I asked the surgeon about how long do I have to wait for reconstruction she said 2 years. I was really shocked it seems so long. What is other people’s experience?? Thanks
