No reconstruction- Happy w/your decision?

I am 3 months out and am, so far, very, very,very happy with my decision.

I was a 34D and I am happy to report that not carrying around that extra fat is very freeing.

I think it depends on how secure you are in your sexuality and self image...and age, maybe.

I think if I were in my 30's or 40s, my psyche probably would not allow me to go flat...but being 50, happily married, and more secure in many areas....I can't see myself ever doing it.

My gyn waited two years, then opted to reconstruct....so you can always go back if you are not sure at this time.

I love the freedom, exercising is easier, no more mammograms or followups...

my DH was more a leg/A$$ man, so tho he feels horribly for me, he does not miss them too much either!

I was one who waited. Now after 2 years I'm ready.

Just last week I had to call into my boss and tell her I couldn't find my boob....

I'm just sick and tired of buying a boob. , and they don't match as well as I would like.

The weight of them is off and it makes my back hurt.

I just want to be free from the worry of boobs period.

When I was diagnosed with bc and then mastectomy, I thought I'd be getting reconstruction immediately.  Wrong.  My surgeon said no.  It's been two years, and now I don't want it.   I'm perfectly happy with the breast form.  And I never want to see another doctor again until I have to.  The only thing I'm not happy about are the bras.  There're so grandmotherly.  Oops--I am a grandmother.  I found one bra that I like, don't love, but like.  So I buy several.  Anyone have any suggestions on some that are sexy?

New to this room, diagnosed in May, had 4 months of chemo & now facing unilat. surgery .Trying to decide on reconstruction or not, terrified of surgery full stop so good to hear that so many are happy to go without . can anybody tellme.. I am a keen runner,(in fact was diagnosed just 3weeks after running the London Marathon,talk about a bolt from the blue!)and am wondering about what it is like to run with a prosthesis(or, indeed without) Is it possible/comfortable to run longer distances with it in place etc,  also other exercises etc. Please let me know if you are a regular runner! Also ./does everyone feel as crap and scared and pathetic as I do. when trying to decide about this?..?

I do run with my prosth.  Had a unilateral mast. July 2006.  I feel absolutely no difference when I am running.  I run some days on the treadmill, some days outside and then when my shins hurt too much I do the elliptical for a day in between.  I am not a marathon runner but do run at least 5K every other day.  I just stick the breast form that I use for swimming in the mast. sports bra.  It does not slip at all for me.  I have never even tried to run without the form so can't help you there.  I was also scared about the whole thing.  I was worried that by not reconstructing I would not feel great about myself but that turns out to not be the case.

Hi Mand:

I had a bilateral mastectomy in May and am back to running about 30 miles a week.  I have a couple different prothesis and wear them both to run in and I don't really notice a difference.  I am comfortable running, biking and swimming in them.   I am actually doing a cast tomorrow for custom prothesis and I will let you all know how that goes. 

This is a great topic.  I had a bi-lateral in April '06.  Simple mast on right, prophylactic on left.  I prefer not wearing a prosthesis.  The only thing that bothers me is that I have a bit of a hump in the middle.  Do any of you have that?  I don't feel right in a bathing suit, and the prosthesis are just sooo heavy after swimming. 

Saw a PS yesterday, and am discussing having some fat liposuctioned from another part of my body, and filling in the void to even out the "hump".  Has anyone done this type of thing?  I'm not sure at all if its something I'm going to go forward with as I am pretty much content now.

Thanks for any advice you've got! 

I had a bilat in April 2007; bc on left side, but it was difficult to detect.  After annual mammograms and multiple biopsies, my DCIS still was advanced and had gone undetected for so long I had to have a mastectomy and opted for bilat.  I'm not a bit sorry and so glad my ps was supportive of that decision.  Decided not to have reconstruction for same reasons--more pain, not really natural, possibility of failure/rejection--definitely didn't want to go the silicone route.  There was a lot of pressure to have reconstruction, but I read everything I could find on the subject.  Since I had bilat, I can go without a bra in just my t-shirt or can wear the prosthesis.  I always wear it when I go out.  The only thing I'm disappointed in, is it's not that comfortable.  Either I don't have a great fit, or is it possible my skin and tissues are still sensitive from the survery?

I am so happy to find this website.  It really helps to talk about things with others who understand what you're going through.  Thanks for the advice on the fitting of bras--I'm definitely going to check out Nordstrom.  I'm trying not to be impatient and realize that I'm only 6 months out.

Does anyone have any experience with underarm swelling after lymph node removal?  I just had the sentinel nodes removed, but sometimes the underarms just feel "full".  I don't have swelling anywhere else in my arms.  It does seem to be getting less frequent.  I read that exercise may help the lymph channels get re-established. 

Hugs to everyone.

Jan

Hi Jan,

I had a mastectomy with SNB for extensive DCIS 6 months ago and have found that lymphatic massage brings great relief and is very soothing and relaxing. The therapist strokes the lymph from where it is building up to larger drainage channels. Sometimes they apply kinesio tape to encourage the fluid to drain away. I remember the first time I had the tape put on, I went home feeling almost normal again. Six months post surgery I still get a bit of lymph buildup under my arm and also at the other end of my mastectomy wound. Yesterday my lymph therapist taped me again and I feel so much better. I joined up with Curves a couple of weeks ago and find that their circuit training is helping too.

Hugs,

gb 

ps - I have had a prosthesis for a bit over a month and I don't find it very comfortable either. When I walk through my front door, the first thing I do is take it off. It is particularly uncomfortalbe on my mastectomy side. Sometimes I think I should have had a bilat so I would have symmetry.

My left mast was done in September of 2006; I then had a proph mast on the right side this past August. Had to have rads, so implants were out, as are free flaps. Sooo, can only do TRAM, big UGH...I've decided to wait, perhaps indefinitely and not have anything done. Although I've been thinking of having a little tattoo done on my non rads side? Thought it would be cute. I too wear my prostheses to work and out shopping, etc., but at home, nothing, doesn't bother me or my husband a bit. I wasn't big to begin with.

Jan, I didn't have any direct swelling under my arm, but the lat area is a bit swollen, but I believe that is from the skin there? Best of luck to you with that.

Hugs to all you beauties.

Raye

Oh - On the running topic, I put my "boobies" in a regular sports bra (I should say WHEN I run, I've been lazy lately), which is so darn tight it keeps them right in place.  

I'm a 48DD and sometime in Jan/Feb will have surgery.  My breast surgeon will do either a lumpectomy or mast depending on my preference.  After reading, research, etc., I'm really leaning toward a bi-lat just for symmetry and ease of dressing.

The one PS that I saw said I'm too fat to have reconst and at 55 it's just not that important to me.  I just sort of think having one bowling ball and nothing on the other side would be more weird than having nothing on both sides. 

I know my breast surgeon will do it, but will resist the bilat.  Is there anyone around that's overweight and comes in the larger size that can give me any counsel on this?  Is one more of a hassle than none? 

My breast surgeon says that fake boobs in my sizes are uncomfortable and that I'd hate them.  Counsel?  I don't want a 48DD prosthetic (who would do that?!).  I'm thinking that if both of them go away I can be a "C."  But will the C  prostheses be really uncomfortable/difficult/a hassle? 

Anything anyone is willing to share will be appreciated.

Joann

Joann,

First of all, I'm sure that if you wanted reconstruction, someone could do it for you. I think that's ridiculous that your plastic surgeon told you you were "too fat". Some women don't have enough extra flesh for reconstruction using their own tissue but I find it hard to believe you could have too much. That being said, if reconstruction is not important to you why go through unnecessary surgery?

I had a unilateral and I'm a 32DD. I'm not nearly as big as you but I have ambivalent feelings about whether or not I should have had a bilateral. If I had a bilateral I would definitely opt for a couple of B cup prosthesis. Finding a bra and fitting clothes would be much easier. That would be nice. On the other hand, I would assume bilaterals have a more difficult recovery. I also like my one remaining breast and don't want to lose it.

There are certainly many large-breasted women who have been transformed by breast reduction surgery. No more back pain, slimmer silhouette, etc. I can imagine that you could enjoy some of those benefits by having a bilateral.

I know there are some bigger breasted women who post here. As Carol said, I'm sure they'll be along soon with some better advice.

Take care, Susan 

Where do you get a knitted proth?

Thanks

Glenda 

JoAnn,

I am large breasted (38G) and had a unilateral mast in August.  With the support of both my onc and surgeon, I plan on having a breast reduction providing my BRCA test comes back negative.  If it's positive, I'll be opting for the second mast and the ooph.

I will welcome relief from constant backaches and the vain side of me is looking forward to having a C cup.  I've never been that small and it'll be a whole new me! 

Personally speaking, I think any surgeon that it crude enough to tell a patient that they are too fat is a jerk.  I'd get a second opinion.