Can't decide about reconstruction or not

brendy

I am facing a unilateral mastectomy and I can't decide if I should reduce my one side (I am a droopy C cup right now) and make it smaller large A cup/small B and have just the mastectomy on the other breast. I am concerned about feeling really lopsided and back and shoulder pain, I already have some soulder and neck problems and I don't want to add to this significantly so I thought maybe making the other breast really small would help.

I read that if you have unilateral mastectomy with reconstruction you need to wear a weighted prosthesis to prevent back pain?  Has anyone reduced the other side to be more symmetrical along with mastectomy on the other breast?  Also, I live in a hot climate. I heard the prosthesis can get hot?  Thanks so much. Brendy

alon

Erica3681

If you went ahead with the mastectomy and didn't reduce the other side, you would need some weight in the prosthesis, but the old thinking that you'd need to completely balance the weight has been debunked. There are now lightweight prostheses that would provide enough weight to prevent imbalance.

There are a number of lifelike silicone prostheses (breast forms) that have special backing or other features to prevent too much heat behind the prosthesis. I don't have problems with perspiration in warm weather. On my non-profit website, BreastFree.org, I recommend a number of comfortable options in the "Breast Forms" section. 

That being said, women who go smaller or are smaller to begin with generally find breast forms more comfortable. Hopefully, someone else will come along with advice about reduction of your healthy breast.

Barbara

Sassa

I had a mastectomy of my right side two years ago.  The remaining breast was large.  Even with a weighted prosthesis, I was so asymmetrical, that my neck and back problems were aggravated and I was in constant pain. 

Because of a funky mammogram on the left side six months latter, I seized my opportunity and had the left side removed (no reconstruction on either side).  Of course, that really threw my body mechanics off.  I did physical therapy to get my neck, shoulder and back muscles into working order and still do the exercises and have a massage every three weeks to keep things loose.

Two years out I am basically pain free, my posture is better than ever, and I love having men look me in the eye when talking to me.

About the hot climate, I live in Florida where it is very warm most of the year.  I did not find the prosthesis to be anymore uncomfortable or sweat inducing than having big breasts.  Now that I am even, I have a tendency to go flat 98% of the time.

lbrewer

I had a unilateral mast. also.  I am a droopy D.  I had a diep flap and will have the other side lifted to match when I finish chemo.  My surgeon actually "stapled" my good bood where it would go during surgery so he could match my new one.  I can't tell you how happy I am.  I live in FLorida where its hot also.  Insurance HAS to pay fo the reconstruction  of the other side for symetry if they pay for the mastecomy.  It's Federal law.  Right now I wear a bra and no one can tell the difference. Without a bra, my new boob is firm and my old one droopy.  (for now).  I would urge you to look into the DIEP flap.  I even ended up with a tummy tuck. And my surgeon agreed to do my eyelids when he does my second surgery!

brendy

Thanks everyone who responded  I really appreciate all your comments. I will look into Breastfree.org. Also, in response to Ibrewer I am considering the diep flap I had a consultation and the Doctor recommended a stacked diep flap with breast recon/lift for the other breast. I am constantly going back and forth about what to do. I am afraid of  having surgery on my abdomen as well as both breasts, though wearing breast forms I'm not sure how that will work out either. How was your Diep flap experience?  Any permanent numbing or abdominal tightness etc?

Thanks, Brenda