Topic: August Reconstruction Please Join

... But we know a man named Gump who owns a 7 hump wump...  

(sorry just bumping)

... so if you want to go bump, bump, get a 7 hump wump!

Abbadoodles - Why so many reconstructions? 

Tina - I hope you are able to make a decision that you are comfortable with... have you checked into the docs at the Breast Center? I have only heard good things about what they can do w/repairs. I am going there in August - and believe me when I say I have researched!

Hi Everyone!

Add me to the Aug. list. I'll be having pretty much a re-do on my reconstruction on Aug. 10th. I wish all of you the very best! Wish me the same! I'm so glad to have found this site. It's wonderful being able to communicate with others who have been through this ordeal.

Ruthy

Ruthy - Welcome! I hope that your re-do works out for you!!! Keep us posted!

still-me - I know that a lot of people will answer your question, although I don't know if there is a post that is already going on that, but you can always start a new one if you do not get enough answers here. I find it frustrating that your insurance would deny you a bilateral mastectomy - but I think it depends sometimes on your risk (family history, whether or not you are BRCA 1 or 2) for them to cover. And of course every insurance company is different. Here is the thing, I have had a little of everything! I had R breast cancer then had R mastectomy first. Lived w/one breast and a prosthetic for a year. During that year my sister also developed breast cancer, so couldn't take it anymore (monthly worries and had lumpy breasts so was always freaking out). I tested negative for BRCA 1/2, but w/family history, the insurance company had no problem paying for docs to remove the other breast. Had B tissue expanders placed at time of L nipple/areola sparing mastectomy...  got pregnant during expansion phase (hurray!) so kept expanders in for well over a year. Had to have lumpectomy during pregnancy on L breast, which turned out to be normal lactational changes (needless to say it was obvious that all the breast tissue had not been removed, but this is something they really can't do, even w/total mastectomies). Then the expander on the right started to push its way out - or maybe it was just the tissue that covered it started to thin (I had had radiation). I was fed up and the L one always hurt just under the nipple too, so had both expanders removed and had completion of L mastectomy. Whew. That was last May... I figured I would live w/out breasts and just deal w/prosthetics... but I HATE it. I know a lot of people that do not mind being flat... but since the prosthetic also pushed my rib cage back on the R, I am concave on that side. I am active and would like to wear clothing that does not have to be a crew neck for people not to see my prosthetics. I know someone on another web sited suggested layering a v-neck w/a tank... but bottom line: it is still a crew neck line! I just want to be able to go swimming, to the gym, etc. and not have to worry about whether or not my shirt is going to slip down or whether my baby will pull it down and then I will be lucky enough to have everyone look at my bare chest! SO, for me, the thought of more surgery is scarey, but I REALLY want to get back to a more normal life and not worry about where I am going to rinse the salt water off my prosthetics when I am at the beach!!! My only wish is that I would have had the GAP flap done the first time I tried reconstruction, but I went the easy way and went w/what the local doc had to offer. Again, this is me... I have a friend who has had bilateral mastectomies and she has absolutely no desire to have breasts ever again... and this has been for the last 7 years so I don't think she will be changing her mind! Good luck in your decisions! 

 Nordy-

Thank you for your reply.Although I am the first among my sisters to get cancer, one of my sisters who is three years younger than me just found out through a breast reduction that she has Atypica Loblar Hypopasia.  But my OC doesn't think that it is reason enough for me to have my other breast removed.  For me, it would just mean a little peace of mind.  My other breast is very dense and full of fibrosistic lumps.  It is sore a lot.

I am just not sure that I want my breasts anymore and by only taking one, they really leave me no option but to get reconstructed.  It is my body and I am the one that has to live with the fear of cancer returning on a daily basis.  They have taken my choices away and I just feel that it is not right.

I hope everything works out well for all you.  It sounds like reconstruction is the right thing for all of you.  As for me I guess I feel it is a shme that society puts such an important value on the physical appearance of women.  After all, we arn't born with breasts.  I can't hide in shame and cover up the fact that I had cancer for cosmetic reasons because I am afraid of what others will see or think when they see a scar.  I will just tell them that I donated my breasts to breast cancer research.  I am still me whether I have breasts or not.

1. Take care all of you.  I hope everything goes as you all hope it will.  Please try to remember tho'...you are still you no matter what you have or don't have on the outside.  And I love all of you for your bravery and courage as you face this challenge in your lives.
2. Take care  

Plain Jane 64-

Thank You so much!!!!   I see my OC on Monday to discuss Oncotype results and treatment options.  I will mention this to him.  You made my day!!!   :)

still me - PlainJane is absolutely 100% right. I do NOT understand how your surgeon can deny you B mastectomies! In fact when I went in for my first one, I was asked whether or not I wanted her to take off both of them - she said she would do whatever I wanted. Where are YOUR rights in all of this? Insurance companies are legally bound (1998 Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act) to create symmetry for you - if the symmetry that YOU want is to be flat chested, then I am not sure how they can deny that! If I were you, I would look for another breast surgeon - one that will stand behind your decision and go to bat for you with the insurance companies. Every state also has an insurance commissioner - let both your insurance company and MD know that you will be taking it to a higher level. Maybe you can appeal your insurance company's decision - money usually talks for them, so compare the cost of prophylactic mastectomy w/the cost of treating a second primary cancer in the unaffected breast. That usually helps! Good luck and let us know how things come up.

As for your opinion on reconstruction (I know you don't want it and that is great!) - this is MY choice and what is right for me, I am not comfortable in my own skin w/out breasts and it has nothing to do w/anyone else. My husband could care less and in reality doesn't want me to have more surgery, but as this is my body, he leaves that decision up to me. And with your statement about caring what OTHERS think if they should see your scar... I don't really care what others think - it is how I feel when they see my scars...  Even after reconstruction, I will still have my scars... there will just be a little padding behind them!

Thanks Nordy!

I'm really ok w/ no kids......and honestly over the past 3 yrs or so I see these adorable babies and just think...OMG that baby is So sweet...but I'm so glad it's yours and not mine because the thought of getting up at 3 am just does not appeal to me!  I work w/ kids every day and have a ridiculous number of nieces and nephews and friends children whom I could borrow whenever I like, enjoy them and then return them when I get my fill...It works out just super for me!

yes, perhaps stage 2, meanwhile I'm going to try to keep up w/ everyone elses stories/experiences, etc.

I'm having my exchange surgery August 17.  The expanders have been in since March 10.  Can't wait!

I'll bet Nordy will add you guys to the list....this is a non discriminatory thread...hey...I'm just on for consult!  But am living vicariously thru you guys!  Hoipe all have  had a fab holiday wkend!

See there!  YES she can!  awesome job.................thanks for getting me thru the dog days girls!  they're sure here!  August is rough here but at least signals fall will come in another month or 2? Sheesh and we barely started summer!  Oh well...not a big fan of TX summers! sometimes in August we even get a canadian cool front.... it's usually still pretty warm until sometime in Oct tho......praying no hurricanes get in any of our ways!

I was disapointed to find no top 10 travel guide for NO(love those eyewitness guides).....I'll have to buy another ...or use the locals...probably better option!

cheers!

tchmuzik - Welcome to the August club!

Hi Nordy,

I would like it if you could add my name to the list.  I will be having my exchange to silicone implants on August 10.  I had posted on the Exchange City thread and Linda suggested I ask to join your list (Thanks Linda).  Like I told the girls on Exchange City, I always wanted my name in lights so I can't wait to see it on this board.  Thanks for keeping this going.  Good luck to everyone with upcoming procedures this week.  HUGS, Dawn

Dawn - I am going to add you to the list - but when I tried to find it earlier, it was not on the boards! I hope that once I bump this up it miraculously appears again! If not... I will be starting a new thread... Anyway, congrats and welcome to the August list!