I went in for my first appointment with my Plastic surgeon. He wants to make my breasts (1 with Mastectomy, the other to match) a size "B" with no implants. I had six weeks of Radiation. I had VERY large breasts most of my adult life. I was hoping for a nice "C" cup. Are smaller breasts the ONLY possibility for us? Do some of you have size "C's"?
I just wonder if he (Dr.) is trying to do an easy reconstruction - instead of trying to give me the reconstruction which would work with my body type and body "image".
What size(s) have you other survivors become post-surgery/treatment(s)?
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Wonderland Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 109 |
Nov 21, 2009 11:41 am
Wonderland wrote:
What type of reconstruction is being discussed? |
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StarWish624… Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 89 |
Nov 21, 2009 12:32 pm
StarWish624 wrote:
He is talking about using a flap from my back. Is this what you are asking? Would the breasts stay soft and round (hold their shape) without implants? I am on the thin-side, and I wonder if they would be too small for my 5'5" frame. I have wide shoulders and hips, and a small waist. I WAS curvy. I think that a "C" would balance my figure, and look "right". "The art of living is more like wrestling than dancing". Marcus Aurelius - 121 - 180 AD (Emperor of Rome 161 - 180 AD - One of the "GOOD" Emperors.)
Diagnosis: 12/24/2007, IDC, 2cm, Stage IIIa, Grade 2, 5/13 nodes, mets, ER+/PR-, HER2- |
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Wonderland Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 109 |
Nov 21, 2009 01:00 pm
Wonderland wrote:
Sounds like he wants to do a Lattisimus Dorsi Flap. I had another type of reconstruction done. If this is the type of reconstruction your PS is discussing, read all you can about it. Some PSs don't perform all the different types of reconstruction and will only describe the type that they do without mentioning all the types that are available. What works for one woman may not work with another woman but it's important to know all the options. You are already questioning if the doctor is trying to do an easy reconstruction instead of trying to give you the reconstruction which would work with your body type. For piece of mind, it sounds like you would benefit with a second opinion with someone who does all types of reconstruction, or at least be willing to discuss ALL types even if s/he doesn't personally perform them. Good Luck! P.S. For more information from women who are on this forum and have had the Lat Flap, do a search on it. Use the seach option at the top of the screen. |
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Linda54 Joined: May 2008 Posts: 1,927 |
Nov 21, 2009 01:59 pm
Linda54 wrote:
StarWish I am thin and have the Lat Dorsi Flaps. I was a barely B and now I am a nice C cup. I do have implants. Without the implants I would have not had much of anything as far as breast. I do not have "fat" on my back. It would be nice not to have had implants....maybe your PS is not wanting to expand you and do implants because of the radiated side. My radiated breast did fine with all my surgeries. I would go for a second opinion. You can use the search engine (found at the top of this page) and type in LD flap or Lat Dorsi and get previous post about this subject. Don't deny the diagnosis, but defy the verdict.........
Diagnosis: 3/7/2008, DCIS, Stage 0, Grade 1, 0/0 nodes, ER+/PR+ |
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TammyLou Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 638 |
Nov 21, 2009 05:39 pm
TammyLou wrote:
It's a bigger surgery, but have you considered an abdominal flap? Much more likely to get appropriate sized boobies with belly fat. IMO, you need to see a different ps....get a second opinion. tl |
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TammyLou Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 638 |
Nov 21, 2009 05:42 pm
TammyLou wrote:
As far a sizing goes...a good rule of thumb is to look at a standard women's clothing chart (show chest, waist and hip measurements.) Your hip measurement should be a good predictor of what your chest measurement SHOULD be. Measure your flat chest (if you have one)...if you don't, measure your under boob measurement. IF you need 2"...then you need at least B boobies. IF you need 3", then you need at least C boobies. Very common = C cups. tl |
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Farrah Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 523 |
Nov 22, 2009 12:48 am
Farrah wrote:
Hi StarWish, Sometimes lat flaps alone only have enough 'bulk' for a smaller breast. When I was considering the lat flap option I was told that I'd need a small implant under the lat flap to give enough size. I think I would aim for the size breast you really want. Don't settle for something less. If you have time, just get some more opinions as has been suggested above. All the best! Farrah bilateral mastectomy May 08. Silicon implants July 08
Diagnosis: 5/8/2008, DCIS, 6cm+, Stage 0, Grade 3, 0/1 nodes, ER-/PR- |
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NativeMaine… Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 1,873 |
Nov 22, 2009 01:48 pm
NativeMainer wrote:
I want to chime in with the others--get a second and even a 3rd or 4th opinion. The local PS told me the same thing--lat flap, lucky to get an A, B with an implant (and I'm obese! Plenty of fat EVERYWHERE!) While I do want smaller breasts than the DDD's God gave me, I don't want to go that small, and absoolutely do not want implants. That PS also told me that I wasn't a good candidate for a DIEP procedure due to obesity and having had radiation. I had to go out of state to get a consult with a PS that does DIEP flaps, and found out that a DIEP is actually more likely to be successful after radiation than a lat flap, obesity isn't a contraindication (although it does increase anesthesia risks slightly) and I can get C cups without implants. So I'm haivng my recon done in Boston next summer. PS who do not do DIEPs don't give the correct info about them. I'm not trying to push DIEP on you, I just want you to have all the correct information before you make a final decision. Don't settle for something you don't want. A good PS should ask you what you want, and then discuss the options for getting that size. Please get another opinion--even if you choose the same procedure you should feel more comfortable with your PS. dx 3/07, Stage 2, Grade 2 IDC, 2.8cm, ER+PR+, Her2(-), SN-, lumpectomy & rads, mastectomy 8/15/08
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StarWish624… Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 89 |
Nov 23, 2009 10:17 am, edited Nov 23, 2009 10:19 AM
by StarWish624
StarWish624 wrote:
Thank you all for your answers. I had gastric bypass surgery, and have lost about 170 lbs. and am now near my goal weight. The removal of the skin would put me close. I have a large amount of loose stomach skin (apron). I was hoping that he would use this skin, and then I would qualify for a tummy tuck. The Dr. said that this skin was "unusable", that he had to use my back skin, As I said, being formerly fat, I had very large breasts, so my remaing breast is nearly empty, and flat. He (Dr.) also said that he couldn't do a reduction of the remaining breast without the possibility of loosing THAT nipple, also. 2nd opinion sounds good to me. "The art of living is more like wrestling than dancing". Marcus Aurelius - 121 - 180 AD (Emperor of Rome 161 - 180 AD - One of the "GOOD" Emperors.)
Diagnosis: 12/24/2007, IDC, 2cm, Stage IIIa, Grade 2, 5/13 nodes, mets, ER+/PR-, HER2- |
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