Reconstruction at 58?

ClaudiaPotter

Is it wrong to want to try a look "normal" again? Had a right side mastectomy year and a half ago. Been thinking more and more about reconstruction, I'm 58 is that weird? Anyone else have recon after that long? Anyone in OR.?

juliaanna

Claudia,

I had reconstruction last year when I had my BMX. If you want it, do it. Age does not matter and yes, I am close to your age.

Go, Beavers!

exbrnxgrl

Claudia,

I had reconstruction two years ago at 55. My was immediate, not delayed, because I knew I would handle things a lot better if I woke up from surgery with "breasts". I never gave a thought to my age. If that's what you want, see a ps and check out all of your options.

ClaudiaPotter

Thanks for the encouragement . I have seen 2 ps kinda disappointed with both, one here in Eugene and one in Portland. Not sure where to turn next. I never thought it would bother me so much, I mean it's just a "boob" right? If it was your finger or whatever and it was going to kill you you would want it off, and then you would live with it, but this is so much harder.

Moonflwr912

Claudia, I am 59. I am having my 3rd try at reconstructing my left side. My right was stuck half way since 12-11 after my BMX. I lost my left TE due to infection 2 times. Now in August I got my 3rd one. I am having fills and plan my exchange in Dec. I have gotten comments about being vain and risking my life for "just" a boob. What they dont know is I need Bilateral knee replacements AND THEY WONT TOUCH ME NOW. Unless I can prove that my body will hold an implant. As the ortho said " you can pull out a breast implant without too many problems. But pulling out a knee replacement leaves you with what?" Yikes. So ill keep trying! LOL

Now, why would you not get one for a good reason? Your reason is JUST as valid to you as mine is to me. To h*ll with anyone else. You are in charge of you. And if actresses can get face lifts, boob jobs, tummy tucks when they are over 60, why cant you REPAIR a part of your body that makes you feel like you?

Um you do know they have penile implants and tessticular replacements for men, right?(and like who's even gonna look down there, its not like they are right up front on their chest now is it?) And there is no age limit on those.....

So do what works for you and makes you feel right. Sorry if I yelled.

Much love.

juliaanna

Claudia, I sent you a PM.

jbdayton

I am almost 57 and I will be doing DIEP reconstruction in about 10 months. Have to finish rads and then wait about 9 months. I did not even have to decide if; just when. We have a whole lot of years left to live (positive thoughts) and feel as normal as possible. Go for it. The women's health act passed by congress says if insurance approved your mastectomy then they have to cover reconstruction and any related treatments needed. This is considered to be part of your psychological healing.

Obxflygirl1

I'm 61 and had reconstruction after my MX September '12. Never thought about NOT doing it. You deserve to be whole....inside AND out. Have to say I'm beyond happy I did it. After getting tattoos to finish everything , I no longer see an incomplete body in the mirror. Reconstruction has been key in my healing process, emotionally and physically.... It's a gift to yourself....

momof2doxies

Claudia I sent you a PM

babs6287

I'm 64 and had recon the end of August. We all need to feel good about ourselves- we deserve that especially after everything we've been through!

Babs

beck0806

I'm 67 and just scheduled a diep for Jan. 2014. Now I'm having second thoughts about it. Maybe I'm too old. Maybe I'll have complications. It's been 2 1/2 years since my surgery. I did want to have skin sparing implants but the docs couldn't get together for 6 more weeks and I was afraid to wait. I wouldn't have a problem if I could have implants but I can't. This seems like such a big surgery. I really don't like looking at myself anymore. My scars are really bad. Is there anyone else that has had a diep at my age?

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dlb823

Claudia, you're absolutely not too old, but be sure to find a Plastic Surgeon who specializes in breast reconstruction -- not one whose primary focus is breast enhancement. I strongly recommend NCI-designated cancer centers for finding these types of PSs. Here's a list: http://www.cancer.gov/researchandfunding/extramural/cancercenters/find-a-cancer-center

Another top notch facility is NOLA. You can do a search here for threads devoted to NOLA experiences. I personally went to UCLA and can't say enough wonderful things about my PS there, if you need to look beyond OR.

beck0806 ~ Same advice re. just being sure your PS is a very experienced DIEP surgeon. I had a Diep along with my mx, and from what I've seen here on BCO since then, I do think it's often easier when it's a delayed surgery, as yours will be. Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions. (((Hugs))) to you both ~ Deanna

JimmieBell

I will be 56 in May. When I had my mastectomy in Jan we did not know I was stage IV.

My plastic surgeon promised to finish the job she started and replace my expanders when chemo is done and I am stable. They did such a great job of saving my nipples and extra skin, it would be a shame not to complete the DIEP.

It's one of the things my husband and I look forward to. He deserves it as much as I do!

Heather_Allison

It doesn't matter the number years you have been alive. What matters is are you happy.

InChristAlone

I had a double mastectomy on June 17, 2016. Due to seromas, my reconstruction was delayed. My first phase on the right side was LDF and it was not too bad. My incisions on my back healed great, actually all my incisions have healed beautifully. My issue at this time is continuing drainage. It is a free flow drainage and I had a staph infection a couple of weeks ago, but on a month of antibiotics. I feel much better and my plastic surgeon has scheduled my surgery on the left for August 11,2017. I dread it due to the drainage issue. Once all the healing has occurred we will do tattooing for nipple and areola. Then I should be done. I just feel now like this drainage is never going to end.