yes or no? now or later?

I had a BMX with reconstruction.  I had to do tissue expanders and finally implants.  I too am very active.  I am a fitness professional and workout all the time.  I had discomfort and some pain with the TE's.....after fills especially.  I was able to stay active through most of it and chemo.  I exercised a lot.....started walking inside 3 weeks after BMX.  I got back to the gym a few weeks later doing the elliptical with no use of arms and slowly added arms back in.  Within 2 months I was doing elliptical with arms and doing weights too.  I exercised daily through chemo.  I went back to teaching aerobics a month after finishing chemo.  My son was only 4 when I was diagnosed - I just had to be careful not to pick him up at all.  I am happy with my results.  I look very natural in my workout wear.  I don't look like I have had surgery at all.  They don't look fake either.  Sorry you have to join us....it's not fun, but you will get through it!  Good luck!

I had a staged DIEP. I started off with a a skin-sparing BMX with TE placement. That got me through chemo. I really had few problems with the TE after the first few weeks - probably because I had a skin-sparing BMX so the TEs weren't stretching skin. I stayed very active while I had my TE, including aerobics, ellipticalling, and lifting weights. Once chemo was over, I scheduled my DIEP surgery at a time that was more convenient for me and worked better for my employer. After my DIEP, I was walking (slowly) around the hospital floor a couple days after surgery. I was off work for 6 weeks at my PS recommendation. By the end of the 6 weeks I was walking for a couple of hours a day and was going crazy, and was quite ready to go back to work!. Once my surgical restrictions were lifted, I began getting back to more activities, and a year or so later I even took up running. Seven years later I run, lift weights, do yoga and pilates. Thanks to the skin-sparing procedure, I can wear a low cut bathing suit and there are no visible scars. What scars I have below the bathing suit line are now faded to thin white lines, and are mostly below the breasts. The hip scar hasn't faded as much, but is smooth and pliable, and I do like my flat tummy. All in all, my PS did a fabulous job, and I honestly forget most of the time that my breasts are not the originals.

As catherio says, no matter which way you go, be sure to choose a surgeon with a lot of experience with breast reconstruction. A normal plastic surgeon who does cosmetic breast work does not have the same skill set as someone who deals with post-cancer recon surgery. I would get a couple of opinions from different PS - make sure your full range of options is explained to you - no recon, delayed recon, implants, staged or immediate DIEP, other flap surgeries - all have pros and cons. Your PS should explain all of them in detail to you. I started out with a local general surgeon who told me what surgery I was going to have - implants. He didn't tell me about any other options. I got a second opinion at a Breast Center at an NCI-designated cancer center and what a difference!! I was among doctors who did nothing but breast cancer surgeries all day every day so they were on the cutting edge of skills. I knew right then I was in great hands.

We're all different - the right decision for me may not be the right decision for you. The more information you have, the more likely that you will make the right decision for you. And if you're not sure, there's nothing wrong with going with no recon now, then once things calm down you can take the time to research your options later. Good luck!