No reconstruction- Happy w/your decision?

Hi Marlee,
I had a PM last Thursday and a LMM last May for the treatment of stage 3 ILC and I too decided not to have reconstruction for the same reasons you just stated. At this point I feel very comfortable with my decision as I can now get on with my life and not have to worry about other surgeries and possible complications from reconstruction. Having had one breast for a year and using a silicone prosthesis, I am happy to embrace the "flat look" as most of my clothes fit well and I feel comfortable with the way I look. As in all decisions pertaining to our treatments I think you have to do what you feel will work best for you. If you decide to go with reconstruction later on I think it's still possible but you would need to check that.
Hope this helps!
Lass

Marlee..well right now I have one and don't have one...I did reconstruction once, nope twice then decided I would be happier with out and guess what I was right..for me..I either wear a proth or not..just depends on the day...I almost wish I had forgone the two years of reconstruction crap i went thru...BUT there are many who are very happy too..so good luck...

Marlee1, I had bilat masts 9 months ago, and am completely comfortable with my decision for no recon. I bought expensive prostheses and wore them exactly twice (going to give them away - size 4's any takers?) because they weren't comfortable. I get called 'sir' once in a while (my hair is still very short) but I have been able to laugh that off. I've always been a tomboy and so the flat look suits me better than my former D cups in many ways.

I'm comfortable with the flat look and wouldn't change a thing!

Good luck!
Anne

I can understand your decision totally. I was diagnosed and had surgery last year. I had an expander implant put in during the surgery but because I'm a heavy set person the plastic surgeon couldn't reach the port to fill it. After chemo I developed an infection and ended up having to remove the implant permanently. I don't think I can stand another surgery! On top of that I'm trying to loose weight and have aready lost 25lbs since the chemo last year. And as any of us know the first place you start to loose is in your chest area! Even if I did have the surgery I'd probably end up lopsided again.

Marlee,
Check out the Airway Tritex Triangle--it's silicone but with a soft microfiber back that you can wear right against your skin. No mastectomy bra needed (I use a little Playtex bralette), and no perspiring from silicone near your skin! My local fitter ordered a pair for me (I had bilaterals) so I could try them first. Here's a link so you can see what it looks like: http://www.mastectomy.com/cart.php?target=product&product_id=93&category_id=48

I am really happy about no reconstruction. Had a modified radical mastectomy on Jan 19. Have a great prothesis and some really lovely bras. Here in NZ only about 20% of women have reconstructions, for me it was not recommended at the time but I really don't think I will change my mind in the future. DH is perfectly happy about things says I don't need it and I don't want any more surgery.
I think we have to go with what we feel comfortable and not be persuaded and pressured by others opinions.

Alyson

I thought I read that most people don't get recon and that about 20% or so do, but I am too tired to research this. Anyway, I have one breast after having no recon following my mastectomy last year. I do not regret it at all. I do feel sad at times over losing my other breast, but I decided that I just did not want to go through more surgery and aggravation at a time when I wanted to focus on healing and health. Of course, we are all different, and the important thing is making the decision that is right for you. Actually I find myself wondering whether I would feel more comfortable with a bilateral mast....
Brenda

bookworm,
I'm with you about recurrence. I too was told that detecting recurrence is not a problem with reconstruction, but, having had bc in both breasts and bilateral mastectomies, I just like to be able to see and feel my chest. I guess it's very individual. I would worry if my chest was covered by tissue or even if I had implants under the muscles.

BTW, what type of prosthesis do you wear? If you feel like sharing, I and others on the boards are always interested to hear what types women find most comfortable. Do you have bras you especially like?

Hi marlee,

I had a bilateral mastectomy one year ago this month.
I had BC in left breast only.
I did not have reconstruction as I was dealing with the loss of my husband and trying to absorb that I had been diagnosed with bc.
I know we have the option for quite some time to decide whether to go ahead and have reconstruction but I have decided not to.

Years ago my Mom had bc, also bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction. They were beautiful. They were perfect. But she had perfect breasts to begin with.

My reason for not having reconstruction is that I just don't want to go back into the hospital. I am very happy with my decision and actually feel extremely free.

I wear only soft cotton tees under blouses or a soft collared shirt or blouse that feels good to my chest. I don't wear any bra etc. It's a very freeing feeling.

I have never noticed anyone checking out my flat chest and even if I saw someone's eyes fixed on my flat chest it just wouldn't bother me.

I wish you the best of luck in your decision making and send you a giant hug.

"I just feel I want to get on with my life and eliminate as many new surgeries, worries, side effects, etc. as possible, and make as quick a recovery as I can. "

Exactly how I felt. I also thought about removing the right breast and just go on without bras.....:) I know of two people who had reconstruction.....one had a failed flap reconstruction and resorted to breast implants...the other is still trying to get the implant to work out for her.....she has constant infections...skin was to thin due to radiation. Some people need boobs and others can do just fine without. I guess it depends on which group you belong to.

I am more and more thinking no recon is the way to go for me. I was "small" anyway and it really doesn't look that obvious under jackets. I have a form and will probably look at a prosthesis as soon as the drains come out, but even my family says its hardly noticable! I too have had friends with flap surgery horror stories and others tell about the pain of the implants and the stretching. I think ...nah no more knives thank you.

Beck

Hi Diane,

I had a unilateral mast. (right side) last July, so coming up on a year. I opted for no recon. for a variety of reasons. I did not want to go through more surgery after chemo and rads and I just do not feel like the recon. options are all that great for me. I am thin so really my only option is the lat dorci but I am also physically active and do not want to sacrifice shoulder strength. I have also known people who have had bad results with reconstruction and I just do not want to risk it.

Now, although I did not do reconstruction I do wear a prosthesis. For me it was a very easy transition. I am a 34B so the prosthesis is a size 2 and fairly small. I am completely comfortable both physically and emotionally. I actually forget that I only have one side except when I am putting on and taking off my bra. In fact, I adjusted so easily to it that it sort of surprised me. I questioned my doc about doing a bilateral but she (and a few other doctors) advised against it. I think you will find that whatever you end up deciding will be the right decision for you. I actually enjoy it when I realize someone is trying to figure out which side is real and which is the prosthetic. It is impossible for people to tell. I have even had my girlfriends feel the non-cancer side and the prosth. side and they cannot tell the difference!

As far as intimacy goes, my husband and I have not had trouble with the change in my appearance. I was a little self conscious in the very beginning when I would get undressed but now we don't really even think about it. We have always had a strong marriage so maybe that is why. Sometimes I leave a tank top on instead of undressing completely but I would do that before I was diagnosed too.

I hope my answers helped you. I am sure some others will chime in soon.

I had single mast in "96 with immediate recon becuase I thought I neded it "for my head" at the time. I had almost constant pain with every expansion, the boob felt hard, didn't match the other one, and @ a year later I had so much scar tissue around the implant that the healed incision actually tore open. Had the implant removed and have used a prosthesis since then. There are issues with finding the right prosth and bras as well as swim suits, but I just feel better without the implant. Implants and recon work for a lot of people, but it didn't work for me.

wallycat,

I'm glad to read your post. When I was facing a single mastectomy (and deciding to go with bilaterals), there was so much information about reconstruction and almost nothing about deciding not to reconstruct. Even my mother-in-law, who has lived for almost fifty years without breasts (and without reconstruction), assumed I would have reconstruction. Only on these boards did I find the support I needed to refuse recon yet not feel isolated.

I had my surgery seven months ago and am feeling, if anything, more happy than ever with my choice not to pursue reconstruction. I decided on the bilats because I'd already been diagnosed twice with bc. Although my other breast had been treated with lumpectomy and radiation, I wanted to minimize my risk of a third occurence as much as possible. I haven't regretted my decision. But as you can see, many women are comfortable mentally and physically with a single mastectomy.