It IS possible to be happy with your breast reconstruction

Runner81

I just wanted to take a moment to say that it IS possible for things to go well during reconstruction surgery and for you to be happy/content with the results. Back when I was making my reconstruction decisions, a lot of the information on this forum scared me to death. Most of the posts here are from people who have had problems with their surgery and are unhappy with their results; you don't hear much from people who had a generally positive experience. There is also a LOT of information, and sometimes the extent of that can be quite overwhelming. While I certainly did my research in order to make decisions, I found that it is not entirely necessary to understand the depth and breadth of all the information on this forum in order to have reconstruction and be content with the results.

I think it is key to have confidence in your plastic surgeon and also to have realistic expectations. Your new reconstructed breasts are probably not going to look exactly like what you envisioned. I am okay with that. I think you need to have some perspective about what your results will be. While my new breasts are not perfect by any means, I am pretty happy and content with my results. My reconstruction surgeries went very well with no complications, and I have now moved on and am enjoying my life.

I don't mean to make light of all the many problems and complications that are expressed on this forum. I merely want to remind readers that just because others have problems does not mean that you will have problems. Many of us had things go well and are generally content with our results. I feel there are women out there who may be overly worried who need to hear this message and take it to heart.

Joy-Anna

Thank you for this post. I'm having a double mastectomy on Thursday and reconstruction and feeling kind of scared. I just got out of my pre-op and the doctor told me that his wife and mother both died of colon cancer and they went to my surgeon. He proceeded to say that he lost a very special girlfriend many years ago to breast cancer. Talk about a downer. I think that doctor was depressed and I will pray for him. It's good too hear positive things like your post.

Mckaylaleigh

Thank you as well! I know that the ones with problems are more likely to stick around and post while others put things behind them, but it is still good to hear happy endings

Anonymous

I check in once i awhile and agree that those of us that are doing fine tend to post less.

I'm five+ years out and doing great. My reconstruction was pretty uneventful and went pretty much textbook.. expanders, fills, exchange, and a couple fat grafting procedures. I didn't have to have any revisions. No they aren't perfect and will never replace my originals but they look good/natural and I am happy with the results. I did choose to stay fairly close to my orginal size and had nipple sparing so I'm sure that helped? The scrunching up distortion when I flex my muscles took awhile to get used to but it doesn't bother me anymore.

Best of luck to those of you just boarding the breast cancer crazy train. Hope your ride is short and smooth.

Moderators

Runner --

Yes, thank you for this very important perspective! You're right, it's tough to remember that many reconstruction stories have happy endings when there's so many here looking for answers from a bad experience.

We're so happy you're doing so well, and thank you for inspiring our scared members who are unsure of what's ahead in the recon process.

--The Mods

exbrnxgrl

Another happy recon story here. I had one step implants. No problems, no revisions and look almost like my natural self

grammakathy

I am also very happy with my finished product! There was a learning curve along the way and I appreciated having this website to check in on between appointments. It is like being with friends who understand you. Thank you for starting this and I hope new people have positive outcomes too.

warriorwannabe

THANK YOU!!!!! THis helps me try to see a tiny silver lining.

jnKinna

60 y, after a unilateral MX, being a two y survivor, my breast recon is not complete. BUT so far so good - my PS is wonderful! We agreed I needed a break.Yes it's been painful and I'm adjusting, folks say I look great. That's awesome for my confidence. My biggest deal now has been regaining my strength to pre-mastectomy status because I need to be fit for my outdoor lifestyle. I'll get there. Physical stamina takes a long time to rebuild after seven recon surgeries. My PS is very meticulous and caring. My 'symmetry' is near the same, no probs, no infections, no chemo. I'm on Tamoxifen with the only SE is brittle fingernails (I'll deal w/it) My faith in God salvaged me from the depression.

It's great to read a positive post in amongst all the fear and questions! My husband has kept me laughing thru it all - he teases me he's my Ken, because now I've got boobs like Barbie. I don't but he makes jokes to make me smile!

Englishmummy

Another happy recon here. I too was a completely uneventful nipple-sparing bmx, 6 fills and the fastest exchange to implants my P.S. had ever done - he said I ricocheted in and out of the surgery center! 9 months from bmx, 5 from exchange and my scars are so light and thin I can wear a pretty revealing swim suit and no one would know I'd had anything more than enhancement. I actually look better (in clothes, and pretty natural without😇) than before- breastfeeding 3 children took it's toll on my breasts, and to boot, my hubby is super enamoured with my new look!!!! I don't mean to sound superficial but those things were at least a little important to me in trying to regain normalcy. Thank you for starting this thread, sometimes I feel so guilty for how well things went, as it almost seemed like I was the ONLY person who felt this way. Glad to read about others who feel the same. Agreed that a confident, experienced surgical team makes all the difference and researching the right people is definitely worthwhile. I think this is a great counter perspective for those that have this surgery in their future.

Mominator

Another happy reconstruction story here. I was very high risk due to family history and being BRCA2 positive. I had nipple-sparing prophylactic BMX and a prophylactic BSO at the same time. I decided on anatomical silicone implants rather than more incisions with a flap reconstruction.  

Tissue expanders placed during BMX and were filled 420 during surgery. I was happy with the size right away. PS  only did one more fill to make sure the pockets were ready for implants. Exchange included some more pocket work. I'm almost 8 weeks out and feeling good.

Start with a BS and a PS that you trust. Learn about your choices and discuss options with the PS.

steph57

Need input on reconstruction questions... I had BMX in late 2005, got TE during surgery, gradual fills, then reconstruction in 2006 with Mentor Smooth Round High Profile Saline.  Now, almost 10 years later, I have some saggy skin below the implants.  I've not worn bras in years, but now feel I don't look so good without one.    I probably lost 25 pounds since the surgery and have fluctuated a little through the years.  I don't really mind wearing a bra sometimes, but I haven't found one that fits!  Has anyone else had this problem?  Any help or ideas would be appreciated!

Steph57

grammakathy

I love the Coobie bras and they are not expensive. They are stretchy and you step into them. They also help me stay warm because I seem to be cold since I lost weight. I have the cohesive gel implants though and it might make a difference. I was also fitted at Nordstrom's but prefer the Coobie bras over the ones I purchased there. Good luck!

MmeJ

To the OP: I can appreciate your post and your perspective is an important one.

However, the sig lines of the people who have thus far posted in this thread aren't showing that they had radiation. That makes a difference, both short- and long-term.

Also, I see most of the posters here did not have a full axillary dissection. Loss of the underarm fat pad (which does not happen in sentinel node biopsy) alters the structure of the affected quadrant, which can also have an impact on recon outcomes.

bikefam

I agree that unhappy people tend to be the most vocal. But sometimes you do need to have someone to "talk" to. I had my implant first placed in Dec 15. My breasts are not very even or even closely related in shape/size. However, after 7 surgeries in 14 months, I've decided that I'm going to be happy with them. In loose clothing, you can't tell, and in tighter tops, you have have to know to look. I'm done with surgeries for awhile and have decided I'm happier than not having a breast (something I considered). I just want to get on with my life.

I_Spy

Bikefam I'm glad you've found some peace (I read your story on the picture forum). Just so you don't think the original poster on here was scolding those of us who come on here to talk about our problems and ask for help: she just wanted the pre-surgery women to know that everything might turn out ok; they might not have any complications at all. Just because the pre-surgery women see lots of others talking about problems doesn't mean they will have problems. Statistically speaking (I know, math: usually makes my eyes glaze over), those who remain on the website long after their surgery have had problems that they need help with; those with no complications go on with their lives and don't check in as often here. So there is a larger ratio of problems on here than you might find in the real world. That is all she meant. So you go right ahead and talk and cry and whine and beg and ask questions all you want! That is what this site is for: to give comfort and support when we are having trouble and problems.

dtad

Just want to agree with grandmakathy....Love the Coobie bras! I probably bought about 10 different kinds of bras that were much more expensive and decided they are buy far the best. Also very inexpensive. Good luck to all

VegGal

I just placed an order for 3 more Coobie bras myself!

SpecialK

Keep an eye out when you are reading women's magazines - Coobie often offers a discount code in a page of ads at the back of the magazine. The most recent one I have seen is obsessed. You would type that in where it says discount code at checkout. The Coobie site usually has some sort of discount offer, but I have purchased them through Amazon as well. My mastectomy/prosthetic store locally carries the full size Coobie with the higher sides, so if your insurance offers you coverage for mastectomy bras you might pursue that angle as well.

exercise_guru

There are a lot of issues that go into reconstruction. Nipple sparing probably makes it a lot more validating and gives results that seem more breast like. I have also read that DIEP feels more bouncy and natural. Radiation can really do a number on the breast and if that is the case it is more challenging to get the look you will be satisfied with. I think this website is helpful in that it gives the patient the information they need to take to their PS. Personally I am in the category of: Meh!!!!!! about my reconstruction. I am not so happy about the under the pec muscle implant. I also would have loved to have nipple sparing but could not. I think results are very much a product of each woman's individual anatomy and the shape and size she is hoping for.

Sassa

I had delayed reconstruction after bilateral mastectomies. I decided to go with tissue expanders and silicone implants.

I am one of those people that found the whole procedure (including the fills) to be pain free and had absolutely no problems.

It has now been six years since the exchange surgery and I love the way I look and feel (and never having to wear a bra is the icing on the cake).

The one thing I did as soon as my surgeon cleared me was to exercise to maintain strength and flexibility in my pectoral muscles. I still do the exercises.

While the implants did "drop and fluff" over the first year after the exchange, I found the process has continued. I was totally surprised about two years ago to feel some jiggle while doing a shoulder shimmy in zumba class.

PNWBCHgirl

Runner81 thank you , I feel the same way. I am so thankful for all the information on the Breastcancer.orgbsite and other web groups. I have been very pleased with my surgeries and the way reconstruction has turned out. Want to give other ladies hope through my experience. Has not always been easy and we all have different issues and recovery stories. But all and all I am very pleased with my results from my unilateral Tram flap and now will have a implant surgery for the other side since I thought I was done in November and a pathology report after a lift and reduction for balance showed DCIS.

Meow13

mine looks just like my real one.

Warrior_Woman

This thread is refreshing. I had complications but I hung in there for 11 surgeries and I'm very happy with my results. At 55 it's nice to be perky and go bra-less. I have full ROM, no pain and my strength is at about 90% of where I was precancer. It's hard to do a happy dance when others are struggling. I believe that having a specialized PS and PT before and after surgery made a huge difference.

I_Spy

Oh and to add what I wrote above since I kind of forgot: I am happy too!! I am very glad I had my BMX with reconstruction. No more pin cushion! No more mammos! No more bras! It was a long road, but I only had one reconstruction surgery and it turned out well. The BMX surgery is no walk in the park; but if you are prepared (lots of threads on this site about getting your house, your body, and your mind prepared) you will get through it! It really can turn out okay!

Runner81

I'm just coming back to read the comments on this post I started a long time ago. I'm glad to hear that it encouraged others who were anxious and that there are other women who chimed in to say they had minimal complications and were happy with their reconstruction. I certainly did not mean to make light of anyone else's problems. This whole dang situation is a "problem." I certainly experienced a lot of anxiety over the whole thing. I don't think anyone who goes through this should be told how they should or should not feel. We should be free to feel what we feel and not feel guilty about it. There are too many others around us who will try to make us feel guilty about it. I merely wanted to reassure women that just because others have problems does not mean you will have problems. I felt like I worried a whole lot during my breast cancer treatment about things that never happened. I wanted to express to women going through this to try not to worry about things that haven't happened yet. You have enough on your plate as it is.