Delayed breast reconstruction

In 2007, at the age of 47, I was diagnosed with stage two triple negative breast cancer. I chose to have a mastectomy, 9 lymph nodes were removed and I went through eight rounds of chemo. Six months later I attempted TRAM flap breast reconstruction. Unfortunately, it failed and I had to have everything removed. Two months later, I was diagnosed with a totally different type of breast cancer on the other side. Again, I chose to have a mastectomy. Because it was a very early cancer, stage 0 DCIS, I didn't require chemo or radiation. Because of this second diagnosis I had genetic testing done and learned that I carry a BRCA2 gene for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. I chose to have a total hysterectomy to try and avoid ovarian cancer. Two years later I decided I had had enough and chose to have scar revision surgery. My chest was flattened out and my chest and abdominal scars were cleaned up. I thought I was done with surgery and went 10 years being the angry cancer survivor. Yes, I was thankful and very blessed to have survived two bouts of cancer. But I was angry that cancer had taken so much away from me and it left me bitter. Sometime last year, I started thinking about reconstruction again. I was turning 60 and I felt it was my last chance to see if reconstruction would work for me. I wanted to be able to wear a tank top and cute summer dresses without having to wear bras with heavy, hot and uncomfortable prosthesis. I ended up seeing three different plastic surgeons and chose the one I felt would give me the best results. I was excited, hopeful and terrified all at the same time. My previous attempt had failed and that was the only experience I had to draw from. I chose to have Latissimus Dorsi breast reconstruction and I was to have expanders placed, for eventual implants. Because I had joined Weight Watchers and had lost 20 pounds prior to surgery, the surgeons were able to harvest enough tissue on my back to form age appropriate sized"breasts." I don't like the word foobs. My healing has been fast and pretty uneventful. The results have been amazing and I am more than thankful and grateful for the skills of my two surgeons. After 6 months of healing, I can choose to have implants, if I want to. Right now I am a firm A, small B cup, which is proportioned for my 5'6", 135 pound frame. My surgeon said I will lose about 10%, as the muscle atrophies over time. Cancer took my 36DD breasts and I never wanted to go back to that size. This decision was mine, all about me and I am so happy I chose this option. It's been a long road, but totally worth it.