Advice needed on opting out

I had my 2nd mx July 21st.  My surgeon would not do both at the same time.  1st one was Dec. 23rd '08.  I was considering reconstruction for a moment then decided not to right now.  I have too many questions about the different options available.  Having had radiation on my cancer side can cause complications with every type of reconstruction.  I saw the PS on Thursday and they called on Monday asking me if I had decided.  My decision was to not decide at this time.  I am happy with nothing after having been a DD since I was 14, I am now 44.  I am still going to see another PS that does DIEP and see if that is an option.  But I think I want to heal for a year or so and decide what I want to do and what size I want to be.  I don't know how you can figure out size when a DD is in the way. 

My chest is not concave and not too bumpy and I have only a single line scar.  The first PS I saw that is a friend from high school said I had a good surgeon.  I am not concerned about my image and happy to be free from the weight and bras.  Maybe sometime in the future I might want something done but right now I'm just going to try different size prostetics and figure out what size I like.  Having a double you can buy unweighted ones so they are not as heavy.

Best of luck with your decisions.

My situation is very similiar to yours.  I am 59 and in Jan '09 was diagnosed with DCIS and IDC in R breast and DCIS in L.  I had bilateral mastectomy on 6/14/09 with immediate TE's.  I was healing well and had my first fill on 7/7/09.  I developed a hematoma on the L which opened up the incision and on 7/14/09 had exploratory surgery to "clean things up".  I have never really healed well on the L and now, the incision is opening again so PS has scheduled removal and replacement of TE for 9/9/09. I have decided, along with my husband's support, to opt out of L TE replacement and to have R TE removed.  I just wonder if reconstruction just isn't in the cards for me...I haven't told PS this yet.  I'll call him tomorrow with today being the holiday.

hmb, I think it is so individual.  Some of us just don't have a strong desire or the patience to deal with all the complications that can come with reconstruction.  That's why I decided not to pursue it.

It's a major commitment and not for the faint hearted.

~elaine~

I'm 50 years old, and I had a bilateral mastectomy in March 2008. For the foreseeable future, I'm opting out of reconstruction. I think my body looks sexier boobless than with the horrible, huge boobs that I had prior to bc. I have protheses that are proportional to my body's frame. I find them perfectly comfortable and wear them daily, even during exercise. Sometimes, I forget I have them on and wear them to bed! I have never been into wearing revealing clothing (I'm an LL Bean kinda gal), so that's not a problem. I'm just happy to have a sound, strong, healthy body again.

I opted out of further surgery to let my body heal as quickly as possible. I, too, had rather large 38D - 44D breasts from 13 until last year at 50 when I had them taken off. I enjoy being braless and my neck and back are thankful. I had even had a reduction in the past to bring them down to the 44D so I had gorgeous breasts for my age. They never felt like mine though and I'm sure I'd feel that way about reconstructed ones. I go totally flat and think I look a lot thinner now.

Good luck with your decision. It is as individual as we are....

Hey RadSec,

Just happened to see your post and I wish you well in your decision.  If the thought of silicon bothers you, ask for saline. I had bilat with expanders and then saline implants which were in for 6 years. Dunno why it is that the expanders were hard & uncomfortable, but the implants were soft and worked out great for me. Looked great in a bathing suit, and bra shopping was a breeze; perfect fit every time... (My real boobs never did that for me!) Implants do give you an odd sensation when you use your chest muscles (raking leaves & sweeping felt wierd.)

Because my cancer came back (I'm 51 now) and grew under the implants, I decided to have 'em both out for good. Now I have silicone prostheses....when I have them on, they really feel just like the implants. But you are limited in what bras you can use, and since you have no cleavage, have to be a bit careful of low necklines, bending over, etc. So the prostheses are ok. Good to have the option if you want to wear fitted jackets, etc. 

But you know what? All summer I was doing radiation and healing from that, so I wore t shirts or shells with an open button down blouse layered over it (to wear to work). I am quite concave and have some lumpiness too, so the loose shirt somewhat concealed that for me.

I thought I couldn't wait to wear my foobs again...but you know, going 'without' was just so comfortable. I'm all healed now, but am starting to just leave the foobs in the drawer again. They are comfortable enough but they are, well, so fake. It's vaguely amusing to show up with my chest on one day and without the next. Other ladies may have boobs, but I have OPTIONS! But honestly, people at work don't even notice. You have to decide for YOU. If you go without, I highly recommend the LL Bean pima cotton shells for layering... the neckline is just right for no worries and it's so nice and soft. 

 I don't post too often any more since I'm working again, so I am long winded when I do post!  Hello to all the Fab Feb Furies! Hugs to all, so glad that Michelle is Done.

Sue