PBM and unsure about reconstruction

Recon such a personal decision.  I opted for a DIEP flap recon at age 52 and am very pleased.  We have a rural cabin which requires a lot of work, much like your country property, and believe me I can hoist a chain saw with the best of them!  DIEP does NOT involve cutting or removing any muscle, so my abs are as strong as they were before surgery. However, any recon does involve surgeries and recovery periods.  For me, it was well worth it.  But other women have opted for no recon and are just as pleased.  You're smart to do your research first.  My suggestion would be that you get at least 2 opinions from different plastic surgeons who specialize in breast recon.  Surgeons who do implants tend to recommend that; surgeons who do DIEP tend to recommend that, etc.  Getting a few opinions means that you're getting information from more than one source to help you make your decision.  

Johns Hopkins website has an excellent section describing various recon options in detail, complete with diagrams.  http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/avon_foundation_breast_center/treatments_services/reconstructive_breast_surgery/

Good luck!!

I am so similar to you:  I had my mom and her Aunt die from BC, had LCIS dx after years of scrutiny on my dense breasts.  I am around your age.  I went with BMX and no recon. 

What is great:  1) fast, fast recovery.   I had surgery 12/16 and by 12/31 was out with my husband dancing on New Years Eve (this is probably not recommended, but I did it anyhow).  2) zero pain.  I mean none at all, I have stubbed my toe for more pain than this surgery caused me.  I didn't even need tylenol.  Only thing that hurt was if I caught the drain tubes on something and that DID hurt. 3) no losses in range of motion or my active lifestyle which includes competitive dancing and horse riding.  4) minimal numbness.  They told me my whole chest would be forever numb.  This turned out not to happen.  I have numbness about an inch above and half an inch below the incision scars and even that description might be an overstatement.  For most of my chest I have normal sensation. 5) bras and foobs work very well.  I have a slim body and my natural breasts were A cup.  When I wear my bras and foobs I look excellent and better than before.  I can wear lower cut as the scars have a wide area of separation, they do not meet each other.  BTW, I did not have any sentinel node biopsies which no doubt aided all the recovery.

What is different now:  1) I have no breasts and don't look as good when naked.  My ribs show more now than before.  2) I would be very self conscious in a gym changing room, if I were to go in one, and would have to make a plan cause I wouldn't want people to stare or anything. 3) I cannot use very revealing clothes as it doesn't look right since I have no cleavage.  But for me, I never had it before so it's not a big change.

I do consider recon from time to time.  I mentioned it to my husband and he said, "what would you want to do that for?"  He probably has a point.  For me, I could live like this forever but it's nice to know that I could build up some boobs again if I choose.

I think you should get recon.   I had considered not doing it, but I am single.   If I was married and had someone I loved that saw me naked, I would want to have new breasts.   But that's me.  There is no right or wrong here.

I had a single mastectomy and did not even seriously consider doing reconstruction.  I was a barely B cup and maybe because of that, breasts are just not an important part of my self image.  I simply did not care enough to want to go through the surgeries.  I just wanted to be done with breast cancer treatment and all the doctor appointments. 

I've got a nice flat light pink scar line and it does not bother me a bit to look at it.  My chest was numb for a year or so but most of the feeling has come back.  I knew I could do reconstruction later if I changed my mind but the only thing I might do different now would be to have the other breast removed also. 

It took me some time to work out the perfect foob/bra combination and that was kind of annoying until I got it right.  Now I don't even think about it ... I just put on a bra that already has one side filled and I'm good to go. 

But that is just me and I doubt that my lack of caring about the whole thing is common.  I was also 55 years old at the time and might have felt differently in my younger days. 

In my opinion this is not a decision to be made based just on practical considerations ... there is an emotional side to this that you should consider carefully also ... and all of us are different.  There is no right or wrong. 

Best of luck with whatever you decide.

Hi farmerlucydaisy,

As some of the ladies here have suggested, you may find posting in some other forums helpful! Here are the links:

• Breast Reconstruction
• Living without Breast Reconstruction

Hope you find the answers your seeking!

--The Mods

You story is similiar to mine, although my mother, is still alive.  I had an aunt and cousin pass away from bc.  BRCA negative, but diagnoised with ALH at age 49, I was done with the constant testing etc.  I did have reconstruction, nipple sparing surgery with implants.  The surgeries were not that bad for me and I have been very happy with the results.  Good luck and I'd be happy to answer any questions.

Hugs, Valerie

farmerlucydaisy - It does take 6 weeks before I could start back at the gym, playing tennis etc.  I was able to walk, spin after a few weeks.  There is just no lifting arms above head or anything very heavy for the 6 weeks.  Same after the exchange surgery.  There are three things that the plastic surgeon never wants me to do, because of the chance of implants migrating outwards - push ups, flies and bench presses - he doesn't specifically want the pec muscle built up.  All other exercises are fine, along with lifting weights, except the ones mentioned.  I don't feel my muscle strength has diminished - I play tennis, bike ride and go to the gym (classes and weight training).