No reconstruction- Happy w/your decision?

Erica3681

Hi FLwarrior,

To get an idea of what's out there in the way of breast forms (prostheses), you might want to take a look at my non-profit website, BreastFree.org. While fitters can be wonderful (I, too, have found some nice ones at Lady Grace, which is a lingerie chain in the Boston area), they tend to try to sell you what they have in stock and can be resistant to novel solutions.

Many women here on these boards have found non-silicone breast forms to be more comfortable for everyday use and/or like ultra-lightweight silicone forms, like the Silique Comfort-Lite, which doesn't seem to be sold yet in many retail shops. If you go to the "Breast Forms" section at BreastFree.org, you will find recommendations for breast forms that I and many other women have found comfortable and attractive (with links to photos and further information). There's also a "Bras and Camisoles" section, where I recommend attractive, comfortable bras, again based on feedback from many other women in addition to my own experience. It might be helpful to look at the range of your options before heading for your first fitting, so you'll have an idea of what's out there.

It can be overwhelming at first trying to find what works. I've come to feel that adjusting to non-reconstruction is a process, requiring a bit of trial and error. Don't hesitate to return your breast forms or bras if you find, once you're back home, that they're not comfortable or that they seem too big or too small. Check about the return policy before you purchase. At Lady Grace, where I got my first forms, they had a 30-day return policy, which I did take advantage of! Once I got home, I realized the breast forms I'd purchased were larger than I wanted. They may have been what the fitter thought I should be wearing, but they didn't feel right to me. It was great to be able to return them and pick out a size that felt more comfortable.

Barbara 

Hauntie

I got the pathology report from my PMX this afternoon. The report indicated no sign of cancer or of any funky looking cells that might someday become malignant. I'm on cloud 9. Thank you all for your advice, prayers and well wishes for my recovery from this surgery. I am healing and am also ecstatic about my new found freedom in being flat.

P.S. My new avitar says; "It came, I saw, I kicked its Ass." Feel free to borrow it.

arby

My decision was based on the fact that a.) radiation had already compromised my skin with my first round of cancer.  Elasticity of skin was ruined by the 33 rounds of rads. b.) I thot it seemed weird at my age,57, to need the ego boost for the price. "i am my insurance company".  c.) like others said  I didn't want to be at risk with another surgery and recovery time.  I'd had enuf infection with the drains.  Two years later in all honesty, I still struggle with self acceptance naked in front of a mirror. Guess I'll never be the "proud of my scars" type.  and we are all different.  I had no idea that this surgery decision which was easy to make at the time, would start to haunt me so far out from surgery.  But everything is back to normal.  except my body's appearence. I found a really good landsend swimsuit.  I have a variety of prosthesis. $23.00 to $150.00  I prefer patterned tops in case I'm not flying level!!  I'd describe myself as outdoorsy, active, very modest/discreet, outgoing and positive.  Hope this info encourages someone struggling in this area.  Embrace the struggle; admit it and pray for contentment.  arby   

Hauntie

FL warrior - Did I mention how much I love your avitar? Where was it taken? I live about 3 miles from a beach just outside of Boston. Would be there walking, during this beautiful weather, but I can't drive yet.

barbe1958

arby, that's sad. My body is a mess from various surgeries over the years, so I've always hated myself naked. I don't look for too long.... But it must be tough for those of you who wear prothesis' during the day and then you're flat again at night. Kind of like a switch. I remember when I got my hearing aids. I HATED when I took them off at night and it was so quiet!! I hated the on/off so much that I only stood them for a couple of years.

I'm flat all the time and very happy with my physique. I HATED my big breasts!

mrsnjband

Just an update.  With my new plastic surgeon I could have opted for just fixing the scar, but I figured that at this point I just as well do reconstrution. It was my decision (not like with the other doctor who wanted to force me into it)  I was happy flat but as things have evolved, I changed my mind.

So last week, I had bi-lateral DIEP.  This gal is amazing, she did an excellent job.  She said I had a lot of radiation damage & scar tissue so she was able to removed most of it.  I barely have any radiated skin left.  It is amazing at how symetrial they look, I didn't expect that with all the damage.   

The pain isn't as bad as I thought it would be.  So my best advice is to do what is best for you. NJ 

BoobsinaBox

Norma June,

So happy for you!!!!!  Thanks for letting us know!

Dawn 

sam1

Hi quick question, how long was it before you could drive a car after having both breasts removed.  I know we are all different in the way our bodies recover, I just want to get a some of your views on this

Thanks a lot

barbe1958

sam, it was about 10 days. You don't realize how much chest muscles you use to look behind you backing up and changing lanes. Try it out on your driveway first to make sure you can handle it!!

Norma Jean!!!! You GO girlfriend!!!! Here's to a boring recovery with no drama!! Congrats, sister!

BoobsinaBox

I was about 4 weeks out when I could drive, but I had nerve damage and had to have PT to get me fixed.

Dawn 

SAMayoFL

FLwarrior, what part of FL are you in?  I am in Panama City and that looks amazingly like the beaches here!  I am also and ILC girl.  Ooops.  Nope.  I used to have ILC!

Susan

lilylady

Sam1 -I drove at Day 5 with no problem. I have a small pillow i use between the seatbelt and my chest. My BS said do what you want when you feel like you can do it. I just had so many dr appts and hated all the rearranginf transportation.

Norma june-ggod for you. Being happen with YOUR decison is what it is all about. Glad they came out so pretty.

sam1

Thanks everyone for your feed back on when being able to drive. I will be having to go to Miami from Cayman Islands for my operation, and I will be there alone, so was wondering if I should rent a car while there. I will just wait and see how I feel after the operation.

FLwarrior

Susan & Hautie, I am in the TampaBay area. My avitar is from St.Pete Beach. I lived there for 6 years.I am a little further north now, but still by the beach.

FLwarrior

I am 9 days out from surgery, UMX, and I have not driven yet.  I have a 5 speed which will make it a little tricky.  My mom is still here, so she is driving me. 

Hauntie

Today was my first post surgical appointment since PMX 8 days ago. 1 drain came out, other 1 still has a ways to go. Will probably be out Monday or Tuesday. I'm still wearing a binder. My BS is a firm believer that it helps the skin adhere to the chest wall? (or whatever it's supposed to adhere to). I'm still not driving. I can't drive while still on pain meds and can't seem to get off pain meds while drain is in. I tried motrin, but it really didn't take care of the burning pain in the area of the drain.

Rowan47

Hello all, haven't visited for a while. Hope you are all well and on the recovery road...I am feeling GREAT!! Had drains out day 6, driving since day 8. hardly any pain and great ROM. Having fun buying new clothes to suit my new flat look. I haven't felt this good all year; my only consistent worry is about our continuing earthquakes!! Still scary....

barbe1958

Rowan, sounds like you are well on your way!!! Congrats!! You've beaten the beast, you can handle an earthquake....

Erica3681

Hi Rowan47,

Nice to hear from you and really glad you're doing so well. What type of clothes are you finding best to suit your flat look? 

I hadn't realized that you're continuing to have earthquakes. My sister was in Christchurch not long before the big one and told me what a lovely city it is. I felt so sad about the injuries and damage caused by the (first) quake. It's typical of the media that once the big story is over, there's little follow-up, so the subsequent earthquakes haven't really been covered in the U.S.

Barbara

River_Rat

Rowan, it's nice to hear how well you're feeling, and that you're enjoying shopping.  I found that once I got a handle on what looks good on me now it did become fun.  The new clothes I have gotten are actually more "girlie" than what I used to wear and I've found scarves and vests and such that make it possible for me to continue wearing some of the body hugging T shirts that were my previous style.  The fact that you are already finding this fun is a very good sign, you're going to do great!

Little personal story - I was playing with my grandkids the other day and my grandson bumped against my chest and then asked me why I wasn't wearing my "fake boobies."  I told the kids that I haven't worn them all summer except in my swimsuit and they both said they hadn't noticed.  My seven year old granddaughter looked me up and down really closely and said, "if you were just walking down the street I would have no idea."  

Rowan47

Barbe, Barbara and RiverRat, thank you for your supportive comments. This is my favourite thread, full of positive and happy thoughts. You have all been so helpful, especially Barbara's website. I have been so comfortable with my decision, and am going from strength to strength. I am "re-inventing" myself, style wise. I am finding lacy, pocketed and ruffled type tops are just great. I am 5ft7inches and clothes hang nicely...yes, we are still having earthquakes one year on. Since our first big one (M7.1) we have had 8,552 aftershocks....I know!!! Everyone is still jumpy, but nothing under a M5 really gets our attention now, lol. My next decision is re whether I start Tamoxifen. I don't like the idea of compromising my liver! Any thoughts?? Hope you are all well.  

barbe1958

Rowan, I'm almost 3 years out and have NEVER had a problem finding clothes I love! Two of my kids got marrieds and I bought a gown that had a shrug. One wedding without the shrug, the other with it! I had the boning of the strapess to curve gently in so it almost looked like I had something there....

I have found the current styles to be very romantic and fluffy which is great for us! I feel very sexy and sleek in tight cami's under a shirt or sweater that is left open. I layer colour and style and have a blast!

shippy41

I was on Tamoxifen for five years and did well on it. I think I decided to do all in my power to try to prevent a recurrence. It is definitely an individual decision but I am glad I did do it.

shippy41

Hi I was wondering if any of you who were deconstructed had a spontaneous swelling? i had surgery 2 months ago and recently went back to teaching and had a massage. This past week the side that had the cancer swelled a small amount? any suggestions? i see my PS in a month btw

Hauntie

3 weeks out from PMX and still feeling sore. The 2nd drain came out after 2 weeks - at my insistence so I could go on vacation. The highlight - dinner with some BCO gals in NJ, including Chrissy on her 1st stop on her US tour. The drain probably came out too soon. I have some fluid accumulation, which, I think, is part of the reason I'm still sore. I have a BS appointment 1st thing tomorrow. Hopefully aspirating the fluid will make me more comfortable. Meanwhile, back to wearing the damn binder. I truly hate this thing. Other than the soreness, I'm loving my new flat look.

kmpod

Hi Hauntie,

In spite of having the drain in for the better part of three weeks I ended up having to go back to the surgeon four times for aspiration. I set an all time record for her. We're on a first name basis now.

It's not a painful procedure and it takes her just a minute to do it - but it's something that really shouldn't be ignored.

I was so happy that on my last visit she was able to aspirate only 26ml. Any higher and she was ready to reinsert a drain.

 I'm scheduled for my PBx now. October 4 is the day. I hope my recovery is as good as it was from my initial surgery (omitting the seroma) and I suspect that she'll be leaving this drain in somewhat longer this time. 

lilylady

I had my BMX on Aug 8 and had drains removed at Day 8.I have been back to the surgeon 6 times to be drained. She removed 26cc from 1 side and 38 from the other on Friday . It is slowly coming down in volume. She said until I am under 10cc I will have to keep coming back. I am a nervous wreck about it because no one else on my surgery thread has had to do this but maybe once.BS said she doesn't want it to build up-that is why I am going twice a week. She said it isn't abnormal but still haven't seen anyone else post about it.

  It is pushing back the start of my Rads-and my return to work.

LindaKR

shippy41 - could be truncal lymphedema, I've had it since I had radiation, just a slight swelling, mostly on my side under the arm, a little toward the back and right below my rib cage where the drains were, kind of weird, but I do self lymph massage after several visits with a certified lymphedema therapist. 

barbe1958

I was thinking truncal LE as well. The regular masseuse wouldn't know how to massage AWAY from the lymph nodes properly. In fact, she would go torwards them to drain your lymphs. You need to be seen by a PT that is trained in LE.

lilylady, it sounds like your drains came out too soon! Your doc should be giving your body a chance to learn to absorb the excess fluid. Going twice a week is pretty extreme in my opinion. But that's all it is, my opinion!

kmpod, your next surgery may not present any problems at all! I had one great side and one poo-poo side.

Anonymous

Shippy, I have to agree with what Linda and Barbe are saying, and it would be best to have a qualified lymphedema therapist take a look at you. You will need a prescription, though, and any of your doctors can write one. I wouldn't wait for your PS appt. I hope you don't have LE, but if you do, the best results for controlling are when it's addressed early. Don't let anyone minimize a small amount of swelling, either. The goal is to prevent further swelling and not have to wait until the condition is extreme to get proper care. Warning- You may need to be demanding and not take "no" for an answer as far as getting a script. To find a qualified LE therapist in your area, check out the Step Up Speak Out website below. I recommend looking for a LANA certified therapist.



http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Finding_a_Qualified_Lymphedema_Therapist.htm