Doc says prostheses won't fit properly--is she right?

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Doc says prostheses won't fit properly--is she right?

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  • lucky32
    lucky32 Member Posts: 97
    edited May 2008

    Hello, ladies,

    I saw a surgeon this morning regarding possible PBM. She really didn't understand why I don't want reconstruction, and told me that prostheses will not look right in clothes and will shift around and may ride up.

    I stopped by a mastectomy boutique on the way home and asked them about this. They said that in a properly fitting bra, prostheses will stay put and not ride up. This is what I had always thought, too.

    So, in your experience, who is right?

    As far as clothes not fitting, I'm not sure about that either. I have looked at breastfree.org, and to me, those ladies look normal in their clothes. I do not wear spaghetti straps or show cleavage now, and I'm not planning to start. So why wouldn't I look just like I always do? 

    By the way, the doc is making me see a plastic surgeon anyway. She won't operate on patients who do not consult with one, even if they decide against reconstruction. So I guess I have to, or find another surgeon. Either way, it's more appointments and more delays.

    Okay, cover your ears while I scream: AAAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHH!

    Thanks--that's better! I really appreciate any insights anyone has.

  • lvtwoqlt
    lvtwoqlt Member Posts: 6,162
    edited May 2008

    My mom had a single mast in 2001 and did not look for recon, she has the prost and sometimes she wears it and sometimes she doesn't. It is a personal decision but I would not be forced into reconstruction if it is not what you want to do.

    btw - I had bilat mast left side proph last June and I opted for the recon but that was my decision.

    Sheila

  • purplemb
    purplemb Member Posts: 1,542
    edited May 2008

    Ok, first it may be time to find a different Dr... but....thats another rant...

    I had a single mast... I wear spaghetti straps, bikini, tank tops and even a really nice beaded camisol for evenings out..I have different prothses for different things...lol..... most don't even know I had a mast... even the lady I went shopping with one day... (on the other side.. I did have reconstruction, twice and deconstruction... so I can give my opinion)... but its just my opinion...

  • caaclark
    caaclark Member Posts: 936
    edited May 2008

    Like purplemb, I had a single mast without recon.  I also wear spaghetti straps, tank tops (just about daily), halter style tops, etc.  I have used the prosth. that fits in a mast. bra and also the contact forms.  It may be different if you have a bilateral, but at least for me, I have no issues with shifting. 

    All that being said, I did consult with a plastic surgeon before my mastectomy.  I wanted to be an informed consumer, so to speak.  I am glad that I did because it solidified what I already knew-that I did not want to reconstruct.

  • Erica3681
    Erica3681 Member Posts: 1,916
    edited May 2008

    Your surgeon is wrong. I had a bilateral mastectomy in October 2006. Once I was fully healed (6-8 weeks), I resumed wearing fitted tee shirts and all the other clothes that I've always worn. I have silicone breast forms that have a microfiber back so they are soft against my skin--I can wear them in a regular bra. I can also use a mastectomy bra with pockets if I wish. I am sure that no one who doesn't know about my surgery would ever guess that I have no breasts. And even my friends can't quite believe it, because I look just fine in clothes. I have NEVER had my breast form shift or ride up in any noticeable way.

    I often read about women with implant reconstruction complaining about unevenness between their two breasts, even if both were reconstructed. I feel as if I achieve better symmetry with my external prostheses than some women do with their internal ones.  

    While I think women facing mastectomies should be aware of their options, I get annoyed at doctors who project their own feelings about needing "breasts" onto their patients. Like Carol, I consulted with a plastic surgeon just to be aware of all my options. But in the end I went with what felt right for me--not reconstructing. Do what feels right for you and remember, you can always have reconstruction later if you decide you want it.

    Barbara

    BreastFree.org 

    p.s. Perhaps you could tell your surgeon about my BreastFree website. She may not be aware that some women really feel attractive without reconstruction! 

  • Jyber
    Jyber Member Posts: 38
    edited May 2008

    I had a single mastectomy and use a prosthesis that is inserted into a pocket of a mastectomy bra. I have had no trouble with it at all. Nobody who did not know I had a mastectomy would guess.

    I am curious about the "push" by surgeons for reconstruction. I told my breast surgeon that I knew I did not want reconstruction. He wanted me to meet with a plastic surgeon anyway. I simply never made the appointment. Before the surgery, I told him again I was confident I would never want reconstruction and if anything I might later want a preventive mastectomy on the other side. He told me he was doing a skin-sparing mastectomy anyway in case I changed my mind.

    All I cared about was being cured. Plus, I spoke with someone who did have reconstruction and years later it needed redoing when her other breast aged and changed. So she needed more surgery so they could match again. Getting a new prosthesis is much easier in my opinion! I am all for keeping things simple.

    But in any event, different strokes for different folks!

  • mthomp2020
    mthomp2020 Member Posts: 1,959
    edited May 2008

    I've never had any problem with my form shifting, though that side hangs lower then my remaining breast!  I'm small though, only an A, so the form weighs more then my breast does!  Now I'm wearing a foam form - problem solved.  I though I'd probably have to get rid of my tank/camisoles, but they actually work fine, especially since I only wore them under shirts anyway - old-age bat-wings ain't a pretty sight! 

    Some things I can't wear, if they're lower cut or too deep a V, but most things work well.  Bathing suits are a bit of a problem.  If I had a bi-lateral, it really wouldn't be as big an issue, but with a unilateral, many suits don't work, so I need a higher cut.  Actually, I think clothing is easier if you are bilateral rather then unilateral.  I sometimes wish I had gone that route, believe it or not.  A lot less hassel in the long run.

    I did think about reconstruction - my surgeon never even mentioned it - but as it turned out, I was stage IV, so it just didn't seem to be worth all the down time, unless I could have had immediate reconstruction. 

    Seems some doctors don't even tell their patients about recon, and others push it on their patients. 

    You always have the option of pursuing reconstruction at a later date, rather then being rushed into if you aren't certain.  Go with your gut.

  • otter
    otter Member Posts: 6,099
    edited May 2008

    lucky32,

    While I think your surgeon is wrong in what she said about the outcome of mast with no recon, I think she is right in wanting you to consult with a PS.  It's a real shame, though, that you are feeling pressured.  I, too, thought I was being pressured by family members and by my breast surgeon, to "save" my breast and choose lumpectomy/rads rather than mastectomy.  So, I told them I felt like I was being pressured into making a decision that was not what I wanted, and they backed off.

    When I told my surgeon I wanted a mastectomy and was "almost positive" I did not want immediate recon, she said, "Well, I would like you to talk with a PS if there is any possibility at all that you might want recon.  If you have not ruled it out completely, you should at least hear about the options that are available.  Even if you do not want recon now, you might decide to have it later."  She and her nurse both said the PS was "very good" and "very nice," and I would like him.

    The consult with the PS cost me the amount of my co-pay ($20), but it was money well-spent.  The PS worked almost exclusively with BC patients; he and my surgeon routinely coordinated their surgeries and were planning to do so with mine, if I chose recon.  The PS and his nurse spent more than an hour with me, looking at the tissue I had available, examining scars from previous surgeries, showing me "before" and "after" photographs, discussing pro's and con's--and complications--of each type of recon, and marking and photographing the relevant parts of my body.

    By the time they were finished, I had decided I did not want to have immediate recon.  I told the PS that, but I thanked him for all the time and care he had taken in explaining things to me and answering all my questions.  He said the decision was totally up to me, and that his job was to present the options.  And, he said if I changed my mind before my surgery, I should call and he would work out the schedule with my surgeon.

    Bottom line:  I recommend that you talk to the PS even if you are thinking you do not want recon.  At least you will have learned what's available.  I thought I knew, but I really was naive.

    otter 

  • SoCalLisa
    SoCalLisa Member Posts: 13,961
    edited May 2008

    I had a single mast seven years ago and have had no problems with my protheses, but I did with the little puff one they give you right after surgery..that one does ride up..but when you get your "real" one it is fine. I play tennis, swim, work out at Curves and anyone who does not know me has no clue...In fact, now I rarely even think about it..

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2008

    Lucky

    I had a unilateral mastectomy in March. I just started wearing a prothesis a few weeks ago and have been fine with it. I do use pocketed bras with it and have had no problems with shifting either. The secret is in the fit of the bras, if they fit well, no problem. I have not considered recon at this time, just wanted to get through this and get back to work and all. Exploring your options is a good thing though,,,,that way you know what's available if you do change your mind.

  • lucky32
    lucky32 Member Posts: 97
    edited May 2008

    Thanks so much, everyone. I am planning to see the PS in a couple of weeks. I hope that she won't pressure me, but if she does, I guess that will tell me something, too.

    When I saw the breast surgeon yesterday, she told me that my only option for recon would be implants, as I am too small to have enough tissue for two breasts. I already knew this, but even if I could use my own tissue, I wouldn't. Recovery is too hard and too painful. I don't want any more surgery than absolutely necessary. And I just don't like the idea of implants.

    I think I might have been more open to the idea of the PS if the BS had put it a little differently. But she flat-out said that she would not operate on me if I didn't see a plastic surgeon, and then when I said I didn't want recon, she was shocked and gave me all that about how things wouldn't fit right, etc. Thinking back on it, I didn't like the way she handled it, but I do see the value in talking to a PS, so I will do it (and try to keep an open mind). But a lot is going to have to change for me to decide to have recon.

    Thanks so much for your input, ladies. It is good to hear your success stories.

  • roseg
    roseg Member Posts: 3,133
    edited May 2008

    I can understand why your surgeon wants you to see a Plastic Surgeon.

    It's a big deal, right on the main page of this web site, about women not being told about reconstruction.

    Although you may have decided, your surgeon is trying hard to toe the line on what she's supposed to do. I would take it as a sign that she makes an effort to keep up with new developments and cares about doing things right.

    Just think, if she told you to forget about reconstruction you'd probably think less of her. 

  • pip57
    pip57 Member Posts: 12,401
    edited May 2008

    Yes, I think you need to have all the information to make the right decision for you. You will probably find a lot of it right here from those of us who have experienced recon and those who have not. Check out other threads on this topic...there are lots of them.



    I too chose no recon after bilat mast. I am quite happy about it. I do have the beanie prost but hardly ever wear them even though they are quite comfortable and do not ride up or shift.



    Good Luck

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