BRCA2+ - Already Have 700cc Implants

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tlburke
tlburke Member Posts: 6
edited June 2014 in High Risk for Breast Cancer
BRCA2+ - Already Have 700cc Implants
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  • tlburke
    tlburke Member Posts: 6
    edited September 2009

    I was diagnosed with IDC Nov '08.  Had a lumpectomy and 15 nodes removed (1 node positive)on 12/8/08.  Had to have a recision on 12/22/08.  Started chemo 2/27/09 - 6 treatments with Taxol and Cytoxin.  Had 33 radiation tx which were finished in August.  Now BRCA testing is positive for the gene mutation.

    I will be having my ovary removed (only have 1 past history of cysts the other was previously removed years ago) and possibly my uterus.  Saw the OBGYN today.  I meet with the breast surgeon in 2 weeks after my first mamo post treatment.

    I had breast augmentation 4 years ago.  Under muscle, 700cc saline implants.  I am a larger woman - size 12 and wanted boobs to match my butt size!!!! 

    Have had no problems with my implants and have grown quite fond of the "girls".  Now they are pushing me to get a double mastecomy with immediate reconstruction.  I am currently cancer free and just starting to get well from the past several months of treatment.  I'm scared to death to get a mastectomy.  My boobs are the best looking part of my body - even after the 2 surgeries.

    Can they re-build them with large implants and make them look good again?????  I know, I know, what a vain thing to think about when faced with the possibility of the cancer coming back.  I can't help it, right now, after what I've gone through, I feel a little attached to what I have left.

    Also, how bad is the surgery - my implants are under the muscle so would I still need tissue expansion?  How is the scarring?  My lumpectomy scar is already almost invisible.  How much pain?  Recoup time? 

     Anyone out there who has had implants prior to dx and had mastectomy with reconstruction that can help me have a better understanding of what I am facing if I go forward with the mastectomy?

     Thanks so much! 

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  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,920
    edited September 2009

    With your BRCA2 positive finding, I personally would not hesitate to have bilateral mastectomies.  The interesting aspect of your already having 700 cc implants, is that the mastectomy to tissue expander procedure could be much easier for you.  You already have the expanded pectorals and nice pockets for the expanders.  You could get a very nice cosmetic result.  However, with rads, you might be more likely a candidate for an autologous donor surgery - a microvascular surgery such as a latissimus dorsi or DIEP or ...well...there are many such procedures.  Depends on what your PS thinks and what you want out of reconstruction. Finding the right plastic surgeon is HUGE.  I cannot stress [and I know others will concur] that you want to get it right from the get-go and so finding the best PS for you is so important at this juncture.  There is a pictures forum which is not part of bco.org but is maintained by a bco member.  Her name is Timtam and you will need to have posted a few times and spent some time on these boards to gain access - in order to protect the privacy and integrity of the site for those of us who have shared our reconstruction journey.  The pictures have been submitted by those of us who are members on these forums - and a few of the women had augmented breasts prior to the cancer diagnosis.

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  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,920
    edited September 2009

    How to contact Timtam - click on send a private message....

    http://community.breastcancer.org/member/11047/profile

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  • tlburke
    tlburke Member Posts: 6
    edited September 2009

    Thanks so much for your reply.  I know it sounds vain to worry so much about size and how they will look after what I've gone through with surgery, chemo, losing my hair, radiation, stress, etc.  I guess its hard to let go of what I have left after all these months of treatment.

    Bottom line is, I want to get well and live my life.  I thought I was going to be able to do that without the mastectomy but the BRCA results cannot be ignored.  I am just having a hard time accepting it.

    I am going to search for a good surgeon.  I have great drs at Baylor in Dallas.  I'm sure they can recommend a good plastic surgeon.  Just wanted to talk to some of you out there who have actually gone through it.

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  • tlburke
    tlburke Member Posts: 6
    edited September 2009

    How often to you have mammograms?  Do they let you get them every 6 months now that you have the BRCA+?

    2 of my aunts had breast cancer.  They survived that but it returned in the ovaries and that is what they died from.  I am 44 (yesterday) and don't need them any more so I've opted to get rid of them.  The mastectomy option is a lot to digest.

     Thanks so much.

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  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,920
    edited September 2009

    You might want to come over to the Exchange City thread.  It is where we discuss breast implant sizes, breast reconstruction issues and a myriad of other aspects of reconstruction.  There is a gal whose name is Val there and she lives in Dallas and has a wonderful plastic surgeon.  She has had a beautiful reconstruction. Come join us!

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  • tlburke
    tlburke Member Posts: 6
    edited October 2009

    Thanks so much for the info.  I know what you mean.  I would not have had the chemo if I did not have a positive lymph node.  It was bad but we find the strength to make it through and it does have an end.

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