Reconstruction After a Mastectomy

Hi Omar:

Sorry you are unsure what to do. It can be a difficult decision. I think the best source of information about mastectomy without reconstruction is the breastfree.org site created by member Erica (aka Barbara):

http://breastfree.org

There you will find information about why people may choose not to reconstruct (see the right side for menu). There are also personal stories and photos, plus useful information about surgery, various types of prosthesis (forms), as well as going without prosthesis ("going flat").

The American Cancer Society has basic information on types of reconstruction, results, and side effects here:

http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/cid/documents/web...

You may want to start another thread in the "breast reconstruction" forum. The different kinds of reconstruction procedures have different results and possible side effects, so it may be helpful for you to specify the specific type(s) of reconstruction recommended to you and get replies from people who have had that type of procedure. Also indicate if you are having unilateral mastectomy (one side only) or bilateral (both sides).

I was 52 at the time of my bilateral mastectomy. My reconstruction options were (a) saline or silicone implants (immediate to implant or two-step with expanders); or (b) latissimus dorsi flap (using muscle from the shoulder blade area). I choose no reconstruction because I wanted as little surgical intervention as possible, and did not want to experience any of the complications of reconstruction ever. I did not want to deal with possible revisions or replacement of implants, to put anything under my chest muscle, or to move healthy back muscles that I use. This is just how I felt about it.

Also, I could not have nipple or skin sparing procedures, because of extensive DCIS. Since I was a small B cup, I asked if the cosmetic outcome of the proposed procedures would be different if I delayed reconstruction (to a later date), and both doctors said not really. So, if for some unlikely reason I changed my mind in the future, I could have reconstruction later, with substantially the same result. I am fine without reconstruction, and happy with my decision.

Hopefully as you learn more, you will be able to come to an informed decision about what is best for you.

BarredOwl

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Diagnosed age 52; Bilateral Mastectomy without reconstruction; Right: ER+PR+ DCIS (5+ cm) with Stage 1a IDC (1.5 mm, grade 2) and microinvasion ( < 1 mm), 0/4 nodes; Left: ER+PR+ Stage 0 DCIS (5+ cm), grade 2 (majority) and grade 3, isolated tumor cells in 1/1 nodes (pN0i+(sn)).