Fitness after BMX and implant reconstruction question

Martha615

Hi,

Due to my family's history with bc, I am considering prophylactic skin sparing mastectomy retaining the nipple/areola complex. The nipples may or may not make it through, I understand. I have seen Professor Mokbel at the London Breast Institute and he has agreed to do the surgery.

I am considering reconstruction with a silicon implant and have read everything I can on this site and elsewhere to be as informed as possible.

I am 5'4", 118 pounds with a B-cup, 52 years old. I am very sporty -- I run 2-3 miles a day and look after/ride horses. I spoke at length with the clinical nurse specialist at the London Breast Institute. She believes I will need TE's even with a relatively small cup size.

I'm pretty worried about the pain, but I am more concerned with what ongoing effects of the operation may occur and what the impact will be on my fitness levels. That is, I may never be that strong again. Is this the case? That you can't go back to doing the sports you used to do? I keep looking for information from very sporty women who have had reconstruction and feel great now....is that somewhere on the site but I just don't see it? I am so sorry if I've just been negligent in my research.

I am weighing the pro's and cons of reconstruction. I want to be fit and strong. However, I am concerned about the psychological effects of looking down and seeing an empty chest. No partner at present, so that isn't really the consideration. It's just me...

Any thoughts very gratefully received! In a nutshell: can I have a BMx with silicon implants and be as sporty as I was before? Close?

Thank you in advance.