Breast Reconstruction After Mastectomy

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wendymk2016
wendymk2016 Member Posts: 63
edited October 2016 in DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)

Hi,

Can someone tell me that if breast reconstruction is required after MX? I just feel it seems weird to have some materials injected in my breast. Maybe it will be more natural just have it as flat? What is the advantage/disadvantage for breast reconstruction, will that impact any possibility of reoccurring?


Thanks,


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  • Mominator
    Mominator Member Posts: 1,575
    edited October 2016

    Welcome Wendy

    1. Breast reconstruction is NOT required after MX.

    2. There are many choices in reconstruction (type of flaps vs types of implants), which lead to many different results. There's an entire forum dedicated to breast reconstruction https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44

    3. Many women choose to go flat. There are websites such as http://www.flatandfabulous.org/

    4. Probably the biggest advantage to breast reconstruction is a woman's self-image and self-esteem.
    The biggest disadvantage is that it is more surgery, more recovery, etc.

    5. Theoretically, reconstruction should not impact any possibility of reoccurring, unless recovery from the reconstruction delays treatment.

    Those are just the basics. I'm sure many others will chime in soon with more details.

    Best wishes,

    Mominator

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  • wendymk2016
    wendymk2016 Member Posts: 63
    edited October 2016

    Hi Mominator :

    Thank you very much for your information! It helps a lot for me while I am going to make the decision!

    Wendy

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  • LAstar
    LAstar Member Posts: 1,574
    edited October 2016

    Breast reconstruction is challenging! It can also be done later depending on what kind of reconstruction you choose. My reconstructed breasts look great, but it took a lot of surgery and recovery time. Some women absolutely love living breast-free. I've seen a great post on clothing options on this site, and the comparisons with and without breast prostheses really demonstrate how natural breast-free can look. It is your decision alone. I've heard of women who chose to be flat coming out of MX with extra skin because their PS decided for them that they may want to reconstruct later. If you want to remain flat, make sure your PS or BS does their best to give you a good result. I found these decisions very difficult, so I wish you the best in finding your best way forward!

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  • TB90
    TB90 Member Posts: 992
    edited October 2016

    Wendy, the choice is yours. Reconstruction offers a return to having breasts, but greatly increases recovery time and on-going complication/discomfort possibilities. No reconstruction offers the opposite! That is the simple part. Deciding what is best for you is the tough part with so much to consider. It is great to listen to other peoples' experiences, but it comes down to you and what is important to you. For some reason, I did not even consider reconstruction and have been very pleased with my decision. But that only applies to me. Some women feel mutilated and would do anything to return to having breasts. Most women fall some place in between. Whatever you decide, there is lots of support from others who share your decision. All the best!

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  • wendymk2016
    wendymk2016 Member Posts: 63
    edited October 2016

    Thanks for all your great information.

    I am going to do MRI check tomorrow and after the result comes back, my dr. will propose the treatment plan.

    The core biopsy shows high grade DCIS, and since I have dense breast, and I am pretty skinny, I am not sure about my margin. Besides, I am really scared of reoccurring. So I am seriously considering the MX. or even BMX, depends on my BRCA result, which will come out next week. That is why the reconstruction comes up to the table.



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  • TB90
    TB90 Member Posts: 992
    edited October 2016

    I had to have a mx due to small breasts and even with a mx, I had a positive margin, thus the radiation. So before deciding anything, consider your chances of margins, etc. Much to consider, but no urgency. Let the info come in and then make the best decision for you. They warned me at the outset that margins would be a challenge considering my very small breast. But reconstruction was easier for me to decline as I am used to having virtually no breasts. So one liability becomes another asset. Nothing about this is easy. But you will be fine. xxoo

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  • wendymk2016
    wendymk2016 Member Posts: 63
    edited October 2016

    TB90:

    I probably will be in the same situation as you. Since I am pretty skinny and my breast size is not big. I agreed with you that I will make sure to check the margin. My Dr. said it will give more idea after today's MRI check.


    I will keep posted. Best wishes for every one here!

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  • TB90
    TB90 Member Posts: 992
    edited October 2016

    Wendy: Let us know how your test results went. Hoping for great opportunity for clear margins.

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  • wendymk2016
    wendymk2016 Member Posts: 63
    edited October 2016

    Actually my MRI brings out two enhancements. They suggest to do MRI guided biopsy.. Today I also do US, however, US can not find anything for the suspicious area. So I have to do another MRI guided biopsy next week.

    I am freaking out again, and wondering what is the new things founded there..and why US and Mammogram did not found them....

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