No reconstruction- Happy w/your decision?

Granuaile

I opted for no reconstruction after my LB mastectomy. Instead I'll do a reduction on the other side so I can wear smaller prostheses (or none at all) and hopefully feel more comfortable. I have no problem with my scar, and very little discomfort/tightness with my arm/chest. I just couldn't bear the thought of having more pain!

Anonymous

Barbe, I sort of have a little cleavage, too. After deconstructing, my pec muscles are taking time to retract, so I am still a little poofy in what would have been the top area of my breast. However, the real thing that adds to the impression of cleavage is my slight pectoral excavatum, a little dip between the breast area. I always hated it when I had breasts, but having that area a little lower between no breasts is now a positive. A top that sits at the top of the pec excavatum makes it look like I am very small chested with a whisper of cleavage!

shippy41

Hi all !

how long does it usually take for the chest area to be completely healed and look as it will be permanently. I am still slightly swollen and it looks like i have tiny bumps and a tiny cleavage as well. i love my new flat look but being called a sir recently has me so much more careful about what i wear. I ended up buying a girls (i.e girl department) molded cup no wire padded size A bra that sticks out ever so slightly from target. ( $6.00!!) by exhilaration. Do you know of any brands that are more padded. I like this shape but if you push on it you can see that its empty. Has anyone worn these? i also found two bras there that had an inner and outerlining that all i had to do was snip and viola there was a prosthetic pouch. I feel kinda cheap and inexperienced. anyway, i just wanted to let you know that i am doing great! i still like how i look flat the best ;although when i go back to work ( i am a teacher) soon think i will wear my girl bra.How do you suggest i learn more about prosthetics? xoxoox

Anonymous

Shippy, the gals here are great in sharing their preferences with prosthetics and bras, but one of the forum's members, Erica (Barbara), has created a website just for women who have chosen to forego reconstruction or are now flat due to circumstances such as ours. She has reviews of prosthetics and bras, and much more. It's a terrific resource, and we are grateful she has taken on the task of creating and maintaining such an informative website. Here it is:

http://breastfree.org/

After my deconstruction, I noticed a lot of the swelling was down by six weeks, and even more by eight. I have continued to notice further reduction in swelling and the muscle laying differently in the last couple weeks. My deconstruction surgery was April 5 - my body must be taking it's sweet time healing! 

kmpod

Hi Folks,

Like Shippy, I'm wondering how long it will take for the swelling to go down and I can take stock of my final appearance. Right now I have fore and aft swelling with the incision fairly recessed. It's hard to describe but I look somewhat like a deflated volleyball, albeit smaller.

Oh well.

 The drain is still actively draining too (45ml today) so it looks like it's going to be there for a while yet. I'll be two weeks out tomorrow.

I've yet to receive my final path report. I'm hoping to get it tomorrow from my GP as my surgeon is on vacation. If it does turn out to be what my preliminary path suggests it will be ILC. I've been educating myself here (thank you breastcancer.org) and as I've researched I've come to the conclusion that my left breast should be "offed" too. With a higher chance of mirroring than IDC (I've read anywhere from 15-30% chance of contralateral occurence) and lower success in detection with mammogram it makes sense to me. Particularly since the architecture of my left breast has been disturbed by a lumpectomy I had in that breast 16 years ago. How long would I have to wait to have the second mastectomy? I suppose that is somewhat dependant on any further treatment?

I'm starting to stew again about the path and what's ahead. I decided that I would just enjoy the sense of having made a positive step with the surgery and take as much of a holiday from anxiety as I could, for as long as I could. Unfortunately, I guess that's over now.

Oh well.

nwest125

I had IDC and ILC in one breast and I decided on a BMX because ILC is kinda sneaky and I didn't want to have to worry. I am glad I did that now I can either go flat or wear my prosthetics and I do both depending on where I am going and my mood.

Nancy

shippy41

Just my two cents, I had my second non cancerous breast removed because i didnt want to have to go through it all again. i am so happy i did because symmetry isnt a problem and it turned out that the other breast had abnormal cells that could have turned into bc.

What does IDC and ILC stand for sorry for my ignorance!

kmpod

Hi Shippy,

IDC, as you have been diagnosed with, is invasive ductal carcinoma. ILC is invasive lobular carcinoma. It's much less common than IDC. From what I have read they are very different animals, biologically.

ILC can be more difficult to detect because it's more diffuse and doesn't form lumps. It causes more of a thickening- which is a good description of mine. I didn't feel it, the nurse at the breast care clinic didn't feel it and it took my surgeon a while to find it, even with having my mammogram to refer to.

If you go to "Symptoms and Diagnosis" at the top of the page you'll find a very good description of how they differ. 

I really wish that I had the information prior to surgery that I do now. I would have gone for a double right off the bat, even if the recovery period was significantly more difficult than I'm having with the unilateral. I'm not beating myself up, though. The surgery came up three weeks sooner than originally planned (the surgeon had a cancellation) and so my research time was curtailed. (I was also a bit of a basket case, truth be told.) I did broach the subject of a bilateral with my surgeon prior to my surgery and she said that I could have it at a later time if I so decided. I just haven't taken very long to decide that that's what I want - provided my assumption about my diagnosis is correct.

That, I hope to know tomorrow. 

shippy41

thanks i will keep you in my prayers for tomorrow!

Hauntie

Hi msphil - I was also diagnosed 17 years ago and have been NED since. I tried immediate reconstruction, too. The TE process went fine, but the implant never felt the way it should and as it healed became encapsulated to the point where it felt like I had a tennis ball in my chest. I had a reduction on the other side when the implant was put in.

I'm scheduled to have a PMX on Wednesday. I hope it still happens. I had my pre-op physical and everything was going ok until my blood work showed an elevated white count. I have to go back tomorrow for another blood test plus a urinalysis and a chest xray.Hoping the blood test result was just a fluke. I'm emotionally and mentally ready for this surgery and I just want it over with.

shippy 41 - I just bought a Coobie bra. It's a very soft, no seam, pullover bra. It has removable pads, so there is already a pocket there that will hold a foam or other soft prosthesis.They come in all kinds of colors and a few different styles. I bought 2 Sea Shore prostheses today and they fit in the pockets perfectly. You could even leave in the removable pads and put a small foam or fiberfill prosthesis behind it - just enough so it doesn't collapse if you push on it.

shippy41

where did you get the coobie bra? what style is it so i can order one? thanks!!! i love things that already have a built in spot for a form. Like my slimsuit i never noticed it before i needed it! thanks

kmpod: how did it go today thinking of you

lilylady

I go Monday for my BMX. I got to have a phone conversation with my BS today just to make sure we are all on the same page. I have had only 1 appt with her and I was worried that maybe all my requestsweren't written down. She went thru the whole thing and I feel much better. She also gaveme her home phone in case I had a frak out over the weekend.

Hauntie

Shippy 41 - Go to www.shopcoobie.com. You can see all the styles and colors. The bras are $22. I actually got mine on ebay. Same price as the Coobie website, but no shipping costs. Amazon.com has them for $16-18. Some of them offer free shipping as well.

kmpod

Hi Shippy,

My GP is just back from vacation today so he hasn't reviewed and entered the path report into the computer yet. Ack! So no luck there. 

Since I've been making such a good recovery from the surgery we've rented a cottage "up north", as we say here, for next week. These two weeks were booked for our holidays before all this BC stuff happened and I'd like my DH not to totally miss out on a summer vacation. He's been just great. But that means I'm going to have to wait now until we drive down to see the surgeon next Wednesday. Ack, again!

The only time of year that's worse than this for delays is Christmas.

Lilylady - I'll be thinking of you on Monday. Best of luck and a speedy recovery. Remember the Senokot!

Aerial

Hauntie--thanks for the creative swim "prosthesis" ideas!  I'll have to check those out!  I threw my silicone prothesis in my hubby's bathwater the other day, just to see if it floats...it does! 

Thanks for all the good bra ideas, too.  My most comfortable bra is a cotton front hook bra from Miejer's.  I put my prosthesis in one of the cotton envelope things for polyfil (used for right after surgery) then slide it under the stretchy cotton bra.  It seems to stay put and matches my non surgery side with a more natural look than the "compression bra."

I had my surgery on June 8th and I still have a small pouch of fluid under part of my incision--I've had it aspirated twice by my surgeon but, it finally seems like it's not gaining any new fluid.  Someday, it'll be gone! 

Oh, I don't know if I've shared my good news on this thread--I have a low Oncotype Dx score (17) so I don't need chemo!  What a blessing!

lilylady

Last posting before surgery. I have to say I am a little sick tto my stomach thinking about it. I know most of the ladies say the anticipation is worse than the actual surgery-----but still just wishing it was already over.

Hauntie

Lilylady - good luck tomorrow. The night before surgery is always the worst. I'll be keeping you in my thoughts.

kmpod

I'll be thinking of you tomorrow, Lilylady. 

shippy41

i hope you will find it to be as easy as i found it to be. you are being prayed for too!

Aerial

Same here--thoughts and prayers going out to you!

lilylady

2 days post-op and I am feeling fine. Even stopped for chinese food at my favorite place  on the way home and a quick trip to Lowes. Have not used any pain pills. I am wearing an ON=Qpain ball til Friday so it is taking care of it for me I guess. Had a power nap when I got hime and fixed eggs for my supper, watche TV th en slept in my own bed with an army of pillows.

Was over before I knew it.Pretty much can move my arms anywhere-some spots hurt so I am being careful there. No-recon makes it much simpler I think. I won't see the BS again til the drains are ready to come out. I get to remove my dressing on Friday and the pain ball catheters nd I can shower on Saturday.

  Was very disappointed with the Breast Center though. I have had no contact with any cancer society, group therapy thing ect. She came in with a list of  all these programs they have available-many of which would have been handy thru the past 6 months. She also brought a very expensive post-op bra. My band size is a 40 so when she pulled this thing out of the box it looked like they had stuffed it to a DD. I told her I was not having re-con and no way would I ever try to wear a bra stuffed with quilt batting that stuck out that far. When she removed the batting the bra cups were huge. No way to wear it without stuffing it hat full-otherwise it would just have a bunch of fabric hangin down. She said the cup size was appropriate for the band size. I was a solid B before with a 40" band and it was always a struggle to find well fitting bras but this just felt like a slap. I made my decision not to reconstruct and it felt like they thought no one would consider going anywhere without a bra stuffed with something fake. turned me off the whole thing altogether. Couldn'twait for her to leave after that. That is the only paart tha has made me tear up. I will be looking for someone who can use a huge bra-I WILL NEVER waer the thing and it retails for $85. I guess the supposrt from the breast center focuses on the re-con girls. I guess I will go to WalMart and buy the 2 pack of Hanes button up the front.

I am going to hit the breast free sitel later today for some suggestions. Meanwhile I have a 40DD beautiful bra if someone needs one.

Hauntie

Lilylady - glad everything went well. I hope mine goes as well as yours. I was supposed to have my PMX today, but it's been postponed until next Wednesday. I've been on an emotional roller coaster ride with the delays in getting this surgery scheduled. My anxiety level is rising and falling like a thermometer. Thank God for xanax

cp418

Lilylady - very good to hear you are home and progressing well with your recovery.  If I had been a visitor in your room when that Breast Center rep arrived --  she would have left with burning ears.   So sad the so-called medical professionals side with certain society norms and "assume" everyone wants reconstruction or a certain size image.  Sending "careful" hugs your way!! 

GryffinSong

So glad it went well for you! I chose not to reconstruct and I've never even considered wearing a prosthetic. It's so wonderfully freeing to have no worries about bras, and I'm quite sure that the band would bother my lymphedema under my arm, so it's nice not having that worry. I love being breast-free. Hugs and best of luck to you in your recovery!!! And, yeah, I'm with you that the bra woman was completely out of line.

lilylady

I sent the bra and all the other stuff she gave me back to them in the mail today with some instructions. My BS -who called them in the first place-should have told them I was no recon. Secondly if they don;t offer a 40 band in any cup size than DD they are just wrong. She told me that a DD is an apporpriate cup size for 40.

I told her Icouldn't imagine anyone leaving theur hose in a cone shaped bra with enough fiberfill to make a king size quilt. Along with the poor nursing care I will not retuen their again. I have now been in 5 different hospitals since this all started-they were only the second worse;

Hauntie

Tomorrow is finally the day for my PMX. It's scheduled for 2 p.m. After 17+ years of being lopsided, I'll finally have symmetry. I'm surprisingly calm. I think I've already let my breast go. I don't really like the "blank slate" look, but I like the lopsided look even less. It's not the lack of breasts that bothers me, I'm pretty sure it's the lack of nipples. Maybe I'll have a couple tatooed on.

River_Rat

Hauntie, I hope your calmness lasts and everything goes smoothly tomorrow.  Please check in when you get a chance.  I'll be thinking of you.

kmpod

I'll think of you tomorrow. 

 

Just think symmetry. 

barbe1958

Thinking of you Hauntie!! Have a great wake up, with peace and symmetry.

gkodad

Thanks for these wonderful posts.  I was diagnosed with a recurrence and because I had  lumpectomy and radiation last time (stage 1, 1.5cm), the rec was mastectomy from 3 of the 4 doctors.  This all happened so fast...9 years with clean mammograms then...BAM!!  I was so confused about reconstruction options and so upset about the whole thing, although relieved it was DCIS this time (maybe with a mic...still confused about the pathology report).  My husband and I had just retired and bought a new home close to the beach the previous month, and suddenly, instead of enjoying my new life (and pool) I was back into breast cancer mode  So I chose to simply get on with my life as quickly as possible.   One of the 4 doctors was a female who understood where I was coming from and encouraged me to make the decision about reconstruction on my own time schedule.    I'm just 10 days out from a single mastectomy, sore but basically feeling good, and I will be surprised if I chose reconstruction in the future.   My husband and I just came in from the movies, and my little fiberfill camisole seemed to work fine.  I'll be looking for good advice on more permanent prostheses over the next few weeks.  I have every expectation of recovering nicely with no complications, and my husband tells me every day he loves me healthy and happy...boobs are not part of the equation!