Confused: Reconstruction or NOT??

jeanette51

Confused: Reconstruction or NOT??

jeanette51

Will be having bi-lateral mastectomy at the end of February.  My last chemo will be next week with radiation following surgery.  I had a lumpectomy previously but margins were not clear so they decided to start chemo before any more surgery.   My surgeon and oncologist both want me to meet with plastic surgeon just to see what my options are so I have set up an appt. for next week.  I am having mixed feelings about going through with any type of reconstruction at this point (swaying more towards no reconstruction).  Anyone out there who can give me some advice, I would really appreciate it.  Thanks to all who responded previously under Breast Reconstruction topic from last week.  This is such a hard decision!!!  

Jeanette

dcissurvivor

Jeanette, I waited six months from my bilateral before having the expanders put in.  After the initial bilateral surgery I swore I would not wilingly go under the knife ever again especially for cosmetic reasons......after a couple months I changed my mind and am very happy with my choice.  What I'm saying is that you do not have to decide right away and it's best to wait a few months before reconstruction anyway rather than having immediate recon.

caaclark

Jeanette,

We have a lot in common.  I had a lumpectomy first without clear margins and my docs wanted me to start chemo and then have mast and rads.  If you have not already done so, you should check out Barbara's website www.breastfree.org My story is there (Carol's story) along with several other women.  I also went to a ps just to see my options.  I am soooooo happy I did not reconstruct.  It really was the right decision for me. 

SusaninSF

Jeanette,

I'm so sorry you hear all you are going through. As Carol said, definitely take a look at www.breastfree.org. My story is there too. This is definitely a difficult decision but keep in mind that you can always have recon later just as you can undo a recon if you are not happy. There are many of us on this No Recon board who have chosen to deconstruct.

You are going about things in the right way by doing your research and coming to this board to get feedback. Reading through this section and the recon section you will be able to get a great cross section of the issues involved with either decision.

Feel free to PM me if you like.

Hugs, Susan

pod1257

Jeanette,

Like Linda, I waited 9mths to reconstruct. I had bilateral mast in June 06 and then I-GAP flap surgery in March 07. Since I was 48 at dx I just couldn't see having to deal with prothesis for the next several decades. I'm very glad I did it.

 Take your time researching and you will make the right decision for you.

Best wishes.

Julie

KLynn

Hi Jeanette,

    Another no reconstruction here, my story is alittle different, I had my bilateral in 2000, not as many women were doing bilaterals then. My mohter had bc 5 yrs prior, and had only the bc breast removed, so I quess I had time to think about it, and knew I would remove both. I also saw a ps before I had the bilat. but chose not to do it at the same time.Worked out better that way, I had some complications with surgery, and wouldn't have gotten the ps anyway, I would have been so dissappointed if I had finally decided to go that way. Anyway, I never did go for the new breasts, once I healed from the bilat, I figured, I just didn't ever want to have to go under the knife again. I have read so many horror stories about reconstruction and boy there are alot out there. On the other side though, there are women out there with beautiful new healthy breasts. I have never regretted not going for the ps, I where prosteises (sp?)  and most people that know don't even remember, they look so good. Hope this helps some. The site breast free is very good, and very helpful, but if you also go to another site started by one of the ladies here ( Beth - she is very knowledgable) it is breastreconstruction.org I think. It has great information there. Good luck and be healthy...Hugs KLynn

Raye99

Jeanette,

It is a difficult decision. I'm about 18 months post L mast and almost 6 months proph R mast and still do not know what I want. I had rads as well (on the L) and two PS's have said that I couldn't have an expander and implant on that side. For now, I've opted to do nothing - at least I am symmetrical. I wear my prostheses to work and social events, around the house, I wear nothing.  There are times when I think, ah why more surgery and other times that I just wish I had breasts, although, like you, I sway towards not having anything done. you are so right, it's so tough to decide. perhaps once you've met with the ps, you will have more information as to what your options are and feel a bit better. The breastfree website is quite inspiring, as you get to see beautiful women who have not had reconstruction and read their stories. A women CAN be beautiful w/o breasts.

On the other side of the coin, there is a website about reconstruction which is very well done - darn I cannot get to it now while writing this post. I will post it later.

Best of luck to you. I hope you find some peace of mind, nothing like making such a difficult decision.

Raye 

Please pm me if you want to talk further.

Raye99

Jeanette, here is the recon website I mentioned in my  previous post - very helpful as well.

www.breastreconstruction.org

Raye

Sparkle2

Hi Jeanette

I'm having mastectomy on 2/5.  I really thought I wanted to do reconstruction...met with a plastic surgeon..while I didn't like the ps it did help me decide that I don't want to do reconstruction right away.  It is a tough decision...but only you can make it,,,and your decision will be right for you.  Wish you well!

Sparkle2