reconstruction

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gavken
gavken Member Posts: 3
reconstruction

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  • gavken
    gavken Member Posts: 3
    edited December 2007

    Hi-I'm a 1st timer on this site.  I have been through it all.  And now am looking into reconstruction.  I am 36, diagnosed at 35.  I had left mastectomy, heavily radiated-so just regular implants not an option for me.   Had a consultation WOW!!!! My doc says from start to finish it will take 1year.  Considerating mastectomy on rt as well just to have a matching set (haha) no really I just dont know what to do--any ideas or advice?  please let me know--I really hated last summer with the prostetis in my swimsuit--i was always uneven -- I am just really sick of this breast cancer!  Now 1 more year to fix what they just did to fix my Cancer--whats up with that--it seems as though it will never end.

  • BethNY
    BethNY Member Posts: 2,710
    edited March 2008

    Here's a web site I work for...hope this helps

    www.breastreconstruction.org

    I personally had bilateral masts with DIEP reconstruction about 2.5 years ago.  I couldn't be happier. I started with a lumpectomy- then I did chemo, then I was DONE with my breasts and cancer, so I traded them in for new ones.  Then I did a year of herceptin.

  • amandaj
    amandaj Member Posts: 13
    edited February 2008

    I have just had the first reconstructive surgery-tram flap procedure.  It was incredibly painful and I am having complications healing, but on the "good" side everything looks and feels really good.  I thought that since this was the fun, re-building surgery that it would be great and I would love everything but I am not there yet.

  • lhojok
    lhojok Member Posts: 21
    edited February 2008

    i had a bilateral on Jan 22nd.  I only had cancer in the left but chose to do both.  Down deep inside I am pretty sure that I made the right decision for me and for the long run.  Right now I am just getting over the pain and I am still having a hard time looking at the sites.  I did not need chemo to rads so I have expanders in at this time and will probably get silicone once i get to the size that i like.  My ps said that I need to give her 5-6 months to get this to where I would be happy and I have to trust that!  As these awesome ladies told me there is no right or wrong, read all you can and make a decision that you feel is right for you.  I just knew that I want to have another baby soon and I didnot want to be on tamoxfin.

  • suecco
    suecco Member Posts: 317
    edited February 2008

    I was 30 when i was first dx in 2002, had a mastectomy later that year.

    Dont want to dampen your spirits, but I would go for the recon asap, I had to wait for my recon until Id lost 4 stone (about 56lbs) by the time my weight was down (12 months) the dr found a lump under my arm and the cancer had affected lymph nodes, the onc put a stop to my recon there and then that was in 2004 and Im still unable to have my recon, have to admit I find this the hardest part of the whole thing.

    Im not saying for one minute that this will happen to you but it just goes to show we dont know whats around the corner for us, just think what your gonna have in 12 months, throw away the swim suit get a tiny bikini your gonna look and feel fab!

    Hope I havent depressed you too much!!

    Good luck and take care

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