funny interaction

I guess that hunk of flesh is more important to some than others. I had Bil Mast and with no reconstructing and never plan to. Did have to have one surgery to remove those darn dog ears the doctor left. Left even after I told him not to before the surgery. Well the second surgery still left extra skin so now I have to have a third when done with chemo to get even. Don't understand both doctors when I was so up front about NO reconstrction. The first surgeon told me he thought I would change my mind when I saw it that is why he left the skin. I had helped my mother so knew what to expect, doctors and others really have a hard time excepting thata woman doesn't mind having no breasts.

That's an interesting question about male v. female doctors when it comes to reconstruction. When I was considering it, my female breast surgeon had no problem with my not reconstructing. In fact, she suggested that, unless I was absolutely certain I wanted to, I not reconstruct, as delayed recon would always be possible (she said the most unhappy patients she's had are those who went ahead with recon despite feeling uncertain, then regretted it). My female oncologist was equally supportive--one thing at a time, was how she put it, and also assured me I could always do recon later if I changed my mind. My radiation oncologist, a man, was the only one to advocate reconstruction. He is a wonderful doctor and human being and I know he had my best interests in mind and felt concerned about my self-image if I chose not to reconstruct. I regard him so highly that I actually scheduled recon before I realized that it just wasn't right for me.