unilateral mastectomy and then decide to do bimx

abrown1126

Hello ladies just so wondering how many of you had a unilateral mastectomy and then decided to do bimx.

I had a left mastectomy and didn't want to touch my healthy breast but after the mastectomy I found out they found lcis which is high risk for breast cancer on either breast. Just started on tamoxifen and hoping will help for any new cancer or recurrence.

I will be in high surveillance check. Any feedback will appreciate ladies.

Just joined this site and is amazing how much information and so helpful has been going through this horrendous decease.

.

grammakathy

I took it one step at a time, just like you are doing.  I had my left MX, waited for the pathology report, met with the oncologist, waited for the oncotype DX results, started hormonal therapy, and then decided to have the second mastectomy when I began reconstruction with implants.  Along the way, the information I received helped me make an informed decision.  The things that influenced me were the fact that I wanted to do reconstruction one time.  And the fact that if I had a prophylactic mastectomy, no lymph nodes needed to be removed other than any found within the breast itself.  And my plastic surgeon would be doing the surgery.  She was much neater than the surgeon was!  Because I took it slowly, I am happy with each decision I have made.  Good luck and make the right decision for you!

abrown1126

Thank you grammakathy this is very informative; one more question so the plastic surgeon did the prophylactic surgery for the healthy breast this is new to me though the bc surgeon does the surgery and ps does the reconstruction only.

I don't think I am ready yet to do the other side but maybe later on during the year.

Stix

Hi Abrown- I had a unil. and then they found precancerous in the other side. Go figure- I only had .5 percent chance per year of getting cancer in the opposite breast. All my surgeons informed me I had minimal chances of getting cancer in the opposite breast. ALL were very surprised of the atypical cells.  Anyway, long story short- had a mx in the other precanc. side two years later. Have been having complications with reconstruction now. UGH. Overall, I don't have the worry of the disease.... I couldn't live with that. So, I am glad I did it-  Its taught me to have patience. 

grammakathy

Abrown - it might be that my plastic surgeon did my prophylactic MX because she was doing my reconstruction. But I do remember that my surgeon told me he wasn't interested in my other breast because it didn't have cancer. It was a much easier surgery without having the sinus lymph node removed and a quick recovery. It was done four months after my first surgery. I hated the way I looked after the BS finished but was overjoyed after my PS did her job (even after the TEs were placed). She is an artist

besa

I had a unilateral mastectomy with (a problematic) DIEP reconstruction following a multifocal bc diagnosis. My breast surgeon at the time did not mention the possibility of a prophylactic mastectomy on my "good"  side. 

 As time passed I did a lot of research and became much more knowledgeable.  I had also started seeing some new physicians (a new oncologist and new breast surgeon). The realization that I had dense breast tissue which made detection difficult and a first degree relative who was diagnosed with bc before the age of 50 made me consider a prophylactic mastectomy.  Four years after my original mastectomy I had a prophylactic nipple sparing mastectomy and sGAP reconstruction. ( I  traveled to New Orleans for the surgery.  My New Orleans ps also greatly improved my DIEP reconstruction.) 

 When I was considering a prophylactic surgery I talked to my local physicians about the option.  All of them except one told me that if they were in my shoes they would personally choose the prophylactic surgery.  The one physician who told me that, in my place she would not, also told me that without the prophylactic surgery I would need to be willing to deal with the possibility of a new bc diagnosis and the treatment that would entail.  In retrospect, I absolutely made the right decision for me. 

(As an aside -in New Orleans a breast surgeon did the nipple sparing mastectomy and a team of plastic surgeons did the sGAP reconstruction.)

Stix

All of my surgeons were from large well known medical institutions. I remember they swayed me not to have the prophy. mx... BUT one said I didn't have to worry about it now-I could do it later. UGH. The other surgeon didn't really think it was necessary. And, finally the surgeon who is at a top 10 usa medical facility said I was too young to have a prophylactic. haha. They all said this before I had atypical in the non-diseased side. I have NO realtives with BC. I don't have many risk factors except never breast fed and I have dense breasts. So, I really wasn't high risk. GO FIGURE.

Stix

Besa,

how many surgeriesrevisions did you have with NOLA. If my revision doesn't work out I am considering going there.

Were you in network? PM me Pleassssee. thanks

abrown1126

besa, thank so much for the info.

I have one question do you have any feeling in your nsp mastectomy;

I have nsp in my current mastectomy but don't have any feeling yet. Not sure if this would change later

besa

abrown1126 - I am lucky. I have pretty normal feeling in about 1/2 to possibly 2/3 of my breast on my nipple sparing (sGAP) side (but no feeling in the nipple itself). About the same on my skin sparing (DIEP) side. I think I can feel pressure pretty much throughout the reconstructions but I am guessing that the movement from the pressure is transferred until it reaches nerves that haven't been cut... just my guess.

From what I have read if nerves regenerate it happens very slowly so it could take a year or a year and a half to know what you are really dealing with. I don't know if there is a difference between implant and tissue (fat) reconstruction.

Stix

hi besa. I finally went to nola. I just had my second surgery. I did chat with

you at an earlier time. What type of nipple reconstruction did you get with

Dr. D if you don't mind me asking-if you did have this. Do you remember how

much the tattooing did cost at nola?

take care,

Stix