Reconstruction - Older Women?

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kate0414
kate0414 Member Posts: 32
edited June 2014 in Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy
Reconstruction - Older Women?
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  • kate0414
    kate0414 Member Posts: 32
    edited March 2009

    I am 63 yrs old. Dx Feb 16. Having a bilatmx in two weeks. Because there is a mass in my right ovary also (cancer unknown), they will be doing a hysterectomy at the same time (I hope).

    I have read a lot of threads about recon or not. I met with PS yesterday. He thinks I should start recon at time of surgery and have TEs put in. He said I would have to start fills about 2 wks after the surgery. Because I am overweight, have HBP and Diabetes, also a smoker (trying to quit)  I have concerns about adding more healing to my body. I know you can postpone recon (which I'm considering after reading the recovery stories here) or not do it at all.

    I know you wonderful women can't make my decision for me, but I would like to hear from older women on their choices and feelings about this.

    Hugs,

    kate

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited March 2009

    Hi, Kate,

    I'm really happy with my decision not to undergo any more surgery than I had to (bilateral also). The bilat isn't too bad (no surgery is a piece of cake, though). But a hysterectomy can be a more painful recovery, and diabetes plus smoking does load the barrel, for sure. Really depends on how strongly you feel about waking up from surgery with replacement breasts, and what kind of risk taker you are. I prefer other sorts of risks and tend to be conservative about my health -- but then, I hate pain!Laughing

    None of which helps you with your decision, I know. If you go to "Erica"'s website you'll find LOTS of help in knowing what the decision involves, what's available for us breastless babes, and even pics of how it looks after surgery. It's here:

    www.breastfree.org

    Now, THAT may actually help! Let us know what you decide and how it goes for you. Prayers for a safe and uneventful journey!
    Binney

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  • kate0414
    kate0414 Member Posts: 32
    edited March 2009

    Binney,

    Thank you. I did go the website and it really helped. I guess I feel the way you do. Enough on my plate already without worrying about recon (especially right now). I'm am going to talk to my BS about at least delaying the recon so I can concentrate on healing and chemo and not have to add in visits to PS every week. I know I don't have much time to decide. Cancer doesn't give you anytime to think!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    ((((Hugs))))

    kate

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  • Snowbird
    Snowbird Member Posts: 124
    edited March 2009

    Kate0414: I'm 60, going on 61 and just finished 4 rounds of TC after a R(only) mastectomy. I agonized over the decision of lumpectomy vs. mastectomy vs. bilateral. I finally decided to do only "what needed to be done" at the time and postpone the decisions that could wait (mx on the "good" side and recon). I simply was too overwhelmed and needed to give myself the time to adjust and make better, more informed decisions about something so "permanent". I chose the mx vs. lumpectomy because I had also been a smoker for many years, and even tho I'd quit many years ago, I read and had confirmed by a radiation onc. that the subsequent radiation treatments would slightly but somewhat increase the risk of lung cancer 10+ years out..  It's a risk I was not willing to take to save a boob which my primary care doc said wouldn't look very good afterwards anyway! She also assured me that, if I chose to, today's recons could be very good. Whatever, they were decisions I did NOT have to make right then, so I didn't! I'm very glad I didn't have to have radiation anyway since my nodes were clear. Now that I'm done with chemo, I'm beginning to look forward and making those decisions I'd postponed; (L)mastectomy and recon...  I didn't think I'd want recon, but I'm slowly beginning to reconsider. I'm glad I gave myself the time to make these decisions more clearly...  I wish you luck with your decisions and, as Binney said, let us know what you decide...  You're not alone!!!   

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  • saint
    saint Member Posts: 1,877
    edited March 2009

    Hugs Kate!

    I had bilateral with less-than-perfect-recon.  I don't think about it now & that is the advantage of having recon. My mom had mast with NO recon. She sure didn't let it stop her once she recovered. I don't think having recon would have improved her life by any great measure.

    That being said, it seems you are leaning toward waiting to decide & you have very good reasons. My best advice is to trust your gut. MOST survivors I have met have chosen NOT to do recon right away; if at all. Time constraints would suggest focusing on the immediate issues & waiting to decide on all the others at a later date when you don't feel pressured. IF you decide on recon just researching which procedure to do is a big job!

    Good luck & keep us informed--be well & stay strong! 

     

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  • starzhere
    starzhere Member Posts: 162
    edited March 2009

    My first consideration would be taking care of immediate health issues.  It seems from what I have read, one should not take reconstruction lightly.  I do think you need to be in tiptoe shape and be prepared to make a strong committment to see it through, since there may be difficulties a long the way.

    I Hope all works out Great for you!

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  • tos
    tos Member Posts: 376
    edited March 2009

    Kate I was 60 when I had my double bilat w/no recon.  At the time of decision making I wanted nothing to do or wanted to hear anything having to do with reconstruction, too much on my plate as it was.  This also was my second go around.

     Now that I have gotten thru everything, I have regrets I really do but that is  me.

    I know it is alot to take on with all of the surgeries and decisions to make.  If nothing else I would throw in considering it after treatments are done.  They would probably have to leave a bit more skin if you are considering recon.

    Do your research and good luck to you.  Tough decision.

    My daughter was diagnosed in 07 and she had one breast removed and wore a prosthesis.  Then after her treatments and rads were thru she had the other mastectomy /recon and it worked out well for her.

    For me anyway, and I am not a boob person whatsoever I do have my regrets, not happy with the prosthetics and wished I had left the door open anyway.  I tend to hunch more, just affected my feminity I guess.

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  • kmccraw423
    kmccraw423 Member Posts: 3,596
    edited March 2009

    Hi - I had a bilateral mastectomy and immediate reconstruction.  Unfortunately I had a bleed so they went back in same day.  One month (to the day of the bilateral mastectomy!) I had to go back into surgery to have the expanders removed due to infection.  I am also a diabetic and overweight.  I should have waited  -  of course now I am waiting because the PS said not to do anything for 9-12 months.

    I thought I would go in, have a bilateral mastectomy with insertion of expanders and by now would have foobies.  You mentioned all the ladies having trouble with their reconstruction.  I just wish I had found this site before my surgery instead of after.  I think I would have waited for reconstruction until I had healed completely.

    Good luck on your decision - but give it a lot of thought, smoke and diabetic?

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  • roseg
    roseg Member Posts: 3,133
    edited March 2009

    First - I don't think 63 is that old, so forget about being 'older'!

    But, I have read a lot of posts from people with healing issues. They can get ugly - persistant infections, repeated surgeries....

    It sounds like you'll also have chemo. I think I would put my cancer treatments first and then do reconstruction. 

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  • saint
    saint Member Posts: 1,877
    edited March 2009

    gainok--are you SURE there is not a recon procedure available for you? I have heard of many having recon years after sx---if you regret-look into it. Might take some time & seeing numerous docs, but there may be something for you if you want it. HUGS

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  • mawhinney
    mawhinney Member Posts: 1,377
    edited March 2009

    I would ask your surgeon & PS if they have done the procedures they are recommending on diabetic patients and what were the problems they encountered.  I know diabetics often have a difficult time with wound healing and infections and that would be a major concern for me.  Smoking damages and narrows the blood vessels. Many PS will not work on patients that are smokers.

    Have you discussed with your plastic surgeon what type of reconstruction he would recommend if you wait and what are the benefits & drawbacks of waiting vs immediate reconstruction?

    I was 65 when I had my mastectomy. My oncological surgeon did a skin sparing mastectomy  the expanders were placed following the mastectomy. Doing the procedures together saved me an additional trip to the operating room.   

    You mentioned that your have read lots of tales of problem surgeries and infection. Please remeber that those having roblems frequently talk about all the problems they have had while patients that hadn't had problems rarely post.

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