OK, I did it. Called the PS office and said, no thanks

KerryMac

It doesn;'t absorb water at all - it is thin, I think the are sort of "falsies" used to enhance swimsuits on normal breasted people. They sewed it into the lining of a regular swimsuit. (you can't see it, they unpicked the lining and inserted it and sewed it up again. If anyone wants a photo, pm me your email address!

Sher

Thanks KerryMac!  So it's more of a hollow shell type form? 

calamtykel

Annie - I had no reconstruction (I'm 41 - had a mastectomy).  I haven't regretted it.  I still need to be fitted for a decent mastectomy bra and pros. but want to wait until my port comes out as it's right on the bra strap line and it gets real sore.  Right now I'm wearing camisoles and stuff the one side.    Thank goodness it's winter with lots of big sweatshirts until then!

I totally TOTALLY get why most people have reconstruction.  But it just wasn't for me.    I enjoy not having my D cups anymore (I had  a reduction on the other side -many many days I regret it and wish I had pushed for a double for peace of mind....)   

Annie62

Thanks for your reply calamtykel. It helps to hear that other people feel the same way and that I'm not crazy!

TMarina

This is great reading all these responses.  I had a left mx in May, and am trying to figure out if I want more surgery.  I really hate having only one large breast.  It's just too awkward looking if I need to go without a bra (like in my pjs, or hosp. gown for rads).  I don't mind using a prosthesis, and have used one since I was just 2 weeks (or 3?) out from surgery.  The light fluffy ones didn't work for me because they didn't stay down like my natural breast.  I'm thinking I will just have the other breast removed.  There was a lot of DCIS in my breast and a 3.5 cm tumor that were not seen on mammo or MRI, so I worry about what might be lurking in my right breast.  I've been through chemo twice and don't want to do that again.

Anyways--all this to say that I appreciate reading everyone's thoughts and experiences!

NancyNJ

Two years ago I didn't reconstruct when the Left side was removed and I was really comfortable with the decision.....as time went on I thought a lot about doing something so when I found I needed to take the Right side off too I decided on a DIEP flap for both sides. If I had one decision to take back this would be it. I lost the left flap before leaving the recovery room and the right one is OK but I'm right back where I started - uneven and back to wearing the prostetic. I had all kinds of complications - still with an abdominal opening 10 weeks after surgery and visiting nurses twice a day to pack the wound add that to no work and lots of discomfort....definately not worth it for me.

dmorgan2

I , too, was scheduled for recons. after my single mx. I called the week of my surgery and cancelled it too. IT SEEMED, at least here in the Atlanta area, that the male doctors seemed to want the recons. more than I did.  (Maybe it's a bigger  thing for men than women to be boob-less???)  Anyway, my BS said to me that I really needed to be committed to the recons. if I was going to have it done. By his statement, I knew I wasn't committed and that kinda solidified my decision to not have it done. I knew, too, that I could always have it done later. For me, to take one thing at a time "felt" better. That was a year ago and I have no regrets at all. I know a few women who have made the statement to me that if they had to do it all over again, they would not have had the recons. But then again, others are very happy that they did. For me, I'm glad that I didn't. It IS a hard decision...along with everything else we have to deal with!  I hope my "2 cents" has helped someone.

Annie62

Tina- I've had a recent recurrence - hence the mx. I really wish that after my last surgery and finding out my node involvement, I had gotten a mx. But by the time chemo/rads were done, I wasn't up for mor surgery. If I end up having to have chemo now, I'll be kicking  myself.

 Nancy NJ _ i'm also in NJ (Union County). I've read about your complications on other posts. I am so sorry that you have been suffering. I hope you are on the upswing now. I think I remember that you own your own business. Have you been able to get back to that yet or are you still recovering.

Morgan, I'm glad you posted. I like the wording 'committed' to the recon. That connects for me. That's how I felt. I wasn't committed. I was doing it in case I regretted it. If I end up doing delayed, I know i'll more scars, but I can live with that better than beating myself up over complications if I did immediate. 

If you can't tell I tend to be hard on myself!

dmorgan2

Annie, Good luck tomorrow! I'll pray for you tonight and tomorrow for sure!

flopsy

Annie,  I am sending you good thooughts on your procedure and I did a BMX also in May with no recon.  I really have no interest in putting myself through more torture and agony at this time but time will tell if I change my mind later.   I really don't think I will because the BS that did my surgery sort of messed up my right side and I know it would be very hard to get a match and for it to work.  I would rather stay indented than have more complications and I also want to be able to feel if something comes back.  My figure is not as important as my life>But each must make there on decision.   I support anyone with whatever they decide but do like to make others weigh all factors before deciding.  AGAIN_____GOOD LUCK!!!!!!     Hugs to you, Ginny

dmorgan2

Annie, 'anxious to hear from you!

Annie62

Dmorgan - Hi there. 

I'm doing well and healing nicely from surgery. I'm feeling surprisingly good about going flat. Not going for recon was definitely the right choice for me at this time. There was lots more cancer in the breast that they didn't see altho the right breast (prophy) had only a few small b9 tumors. I'll be getting chemo and rads to the infraclavicular node. Chemo first; not sure what protocol yet. Glad I'm saving all of my body's energy for fighting cancer,  not healing from recon. 

Thanks for checking in with me. I've been posting on some other threads. I'm back to work now from home. Better get back to it!

Annie 

clariceak

Annie

I'm glad you are doing well after surgery.  I wish I had been decisive about no recon prior to surgery and then I wouldn't have these awful dog flaps.

dmorgan2

HI Annie! Great to hear from you. I am so glad you feel good about your decision! I think that's so important. Very glad you're doing well.

Take care and God bless!

walker2222

I comend you all for your decision for no recon, of course it is a personal decision that only you can make yourself.  I chose to do recon and now regret it.  I had an infection after surgery and had TE taken out of tumor side, tried again and failed.  Next week I talk with both my BS and PS about my decision of no more recon and to take the left TE out.  I had my surgery in May of 2010 and needed both chemo and radiation treatments.  Finished chemo last year and starting rads just this week.  I feel like a weight has been lifted from my shoulder with this decision.  I guess my next step after rads is schedule the deconstruction.  My DH is behind me 100% and would have had me without it from the beginning. 

I almost feel liberated.  No bras just cami if you want

dmorgan2

MMiller, I'm so sorry you've had the trouble you've had. At least you feel better about what you're doing now and that's important!  AND IF you should ever decide that you do want the reconstruct, you can do it later (however, I'm doubting that you will ;-)  ).

Take care--

walker2222

dmorgan2 your are right I am not doing reconstruction not or later.