Brca1 and can't decide on what type of surgery. Please help.

Options
Willow420
Willow420 Member Posts: 4
edited April 2016 in Surgery - Before, During, and After

I'm 40 and just tested positive for brca1. My mom died from ovarian cancer at 45, her mom in her 60's and her sister battled breast cancer twice. So I'm definitely having surgery but can't decide on implants or diep flap. I have size triple e breasts (yep,they're huge and saggy) and what I call a "skin apron" (hangy belly)from having a son and weight gain. I would prefer the diep flap because I don't want to deal with expanders and implants with possible complications, but I'm terrified of the pain in my stomach area afterwards. I had a hysterectomy 3yrs ago due to a large fibroid and the pain was 1000 times worse than I expected. Plus my incision wouldn't close and I had two infections that took forever to go away. Has anyone had the diep flap with tummy tuck? If so, how bad was the pain and healing process? And will they be able to make my breasts a size c? I hate having huge boobs. I have an appointment with my GP today so he can refer me to an oncologist so it's gonna be awhile before I get to see a surgeon to ask these type of questions. Sorry for the long post!😵

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited January 2016

    Dear Willow420, Welcome to the BCO community. You have come to a supportive and informed community of others who can hopefully offer you some of their expertise. You may want to post this question in the Breast Reconstruction Forum. Take a look at review the topics and find one that resembles your question with recent activity. You may find some more immediate reposes there. The Mods

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • CoolgrammieNC
    CoolgrammieNC Member Posts: 54
    edited January 2016

    HelloWillow

    I too tested positive Brca1, my grandmother died of ovarian cancer at 52, And my Aunt had both breast and ovarian cancer,and is currently cancer free, another Aunt passed away from breast cancer, so surgery is in my near future. I am having BMX w/diep reconstruction. They said it should be scheduled for end of this month, but as of right now still waiting on a date. It will be nice to have someone else to talk to if you want to.I will keep you posted when I receive my surgery date.

    Take care...

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Willow420
    Willow420 Member Posts: 4
    edited January 2016

    Thank you so much for replying. I have to wait 10 days for a referral to go see an oncologist. Because I have Medicaid I may not have a choice of what kind of surgery I can have. From what I've read online, the whole process is incredibly long. It doesn't help that I suffer from depression and generalized anxiety disorder. I'm afraid I'll slip back into a super dark depression like I did after my hysterectomy. I'm so glad I have someone to talk to who's going through the same thing. Please keep me updated and I'll do the same. Have a great day. 😀

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Willow420
    Willow420 Member Posts: 4
    edited January 2016

    okay. Thank you.☺

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • CoolgrammieNC
    CoolgrammieNC Member Posts: 54
    edited January 2016

    hello willow...how are you doing?i just got my surgery date..Feb.8- scheduled for BMX w/diep reconstruction. There are so many great forums, I have done nothing but read and learn from everyone's experiences. there is not one alike, it's so interesting how everyone is so different. This has been such a whirlwind experience that it has taken a little while for my mind to process everything. Good luck, keep me posted

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • CoolgrammieNC
    CoolgrammieNC Member Posts: 54
    edited April 2016

    hello willow

    Haven't seen any posts from you lately. Just wondering how you are doing, did you get a date, or maybe by now have had surgery. Sending happy thoughts and prayers your way.😀

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories