Topic: What Type of Surgery?

Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 11

Posted on: Dec 24, 2007 10:09 am

15yrsurvivor wrote:

Happy Holidays Everyone,

As you can see by my signature I'm a 15 year Survivor. I had a Modified Radical Mastectomy in 1992 at the age of 37 on my left side with 32 lymph nodes removed. At that time my surgeon felt my best chance of surving would be not to have reconstruction. Well after 15 years of wearing a prostethis (sp?) I have had enough. I saw my onc last week and told him I wanted to have my other breast removed. He is totally against it. So, now I'm wondering if it's to late to have reconstruction. Since I'm so large breasted with the one that's left I'm wondering if they could divide it up and put half on each side?

I don't know....I just know I'm really tired of wearing a prostethis that shifts and moves all the time not even counting the fact that it is terribly hot in the summer....especially in Arizona where I live and the fact that my bra rolls up into a ball where i'm all caved in under my arm.

Any thoughts?

Posts 1 - 10 (10 total)
MinAZ Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 263	Log in to post a reply Dec 24, 2007 11:11 am MinAZ wrote: A friend of mine had bilat mast 15 years ago, prophylactic on one side. I don't remember the details of the type of BC, or nodes, etc. But after 10 years with prostheses, she had implant reconstruction and has been quite happy with the results. I'm in AZ also, and couldn't stand the idea of a prosthesis in our heat so I went the implant route. PM me if you'd like to chat further. Maybe I could get you in touch with my friend - she doesn't live in this area. Best of luck - Minz
Beesie Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 3109	Log in to post a reply Dec 24, 2007 01:53 pm Beesie wrote: It's not too late. Reconstruction can be done at any time. And if you don't have the prophylactic mastectomy on the other side, one option is to have a reduction and lift on that side, so that you end up with symmetrical breasts. Many of us who have a single mastectomy have symmetry surgery on the other. I'm small breasted, so for me, it was the addition of an implant into my "good' breast. What you need to do is find a plastic surgeon to discuss your reconstruction options. Actually, find two. It's always good to get two opinions, and this way, you can decide which PS you feel more comfortable with. There are many different types of reconstruction but not all of us have the right body type for all of them. Additionally, the surgery, recovery and results can be quite different between implant reconstruction and tissue-based reconstruction, so there's also a matter of personal preference. Here are two website links: http://www3.mdanderson.org/DEPARTMENTS/plastic/ptbreast.htm http://www.mdanderson.org/Diseases/BreastCancer/reconstruction/ Both are from MDAnderson. The first site has less information but provides a good start since all the information is on one page. You can read this to get a quick idea about the different reconstruction options. The second site has a lot more detail but is harder to navigate. You have to click on each topic (down the left hand side of the page) to get the information about that topic. Hope that helps! Dx 9/15/2005, DCIS w/ IDC microinvasion, 6cm+, Stage I, Grade 3, 0/3 nodes, ER+/PR-
AnnieBird55… Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 168	Log in to post a reply Dec 26, 2007 12:04 pm AnnieBird55 wrote: Happy Holidays to you too! I am in AZ too. I have a friend who had a bilat mast 5 yrs ago and she just had expanders in about 10 days ago because she decided later on to get recon. So, I believe is is never too late. I do not know of any procedure where one my take breast material from one side and use it on the mast side. I am surprised that you Onc "is totally against" having your other breast removed. I was encouraged to have a prophilactic mast on my non-cancer side. I guess you just get different opinions. I will say that I think right reason to get a prophilactic mast is to alleviate the worry that comes with the risk of recurrence once one breast has the cancer dx. I don't think one should get a mast for the pupose of hopefully having recon symmetry. I say this only because the recon process can proceed in different way on one person even when recon is done on both at the same time. I am a case where one side is higher/rounder than the other (I had bilat mast in April, exchange in october). I think the process is one of slow, gradual tuning to get symmetry. So, as for myself, I am still waiting to see what the end results will be. I understand the frustration of the prosthesis ..AZ summers. Ulgh... BTW, I am quite happy that I really do not need to wear bras any more with implants. No shifting ...no sagging ...great in AZ heat! Good luck, Anne Dx 3/23/2007, IDC, <1cm, Stage I, Grade 3, 0/3 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-
BMD Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 1453	Log in to post a reply Dec 26, 2007 06:46 pm BMD wrote: All I can say is congratulations on 15 years. You give me hope. We are all in God's caring hands, BrendaBMD
Kathy_K Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 615	Log in to post a reply Dec 27, 2007 01:23 am Kathy_K wrote: No, you can't divide up the remaining breast. The closest I've heard to that is splitting a nipple to replace one. How about an implant on one side and reduction on the other side? Being large breasted myself in my past life, I'm really enjoying the little strapless tops and those with shelf bras that I couldn't wear before. The shelves weren't built sturdy enough for me. I don't think that your oncologist has a right to deny your request for surgery. Do you need to start with your regular physician to get things rolling for a surgical consult. With my insurance I had to talk to the breast surgeon first and then the plastic surgeon to discuss the reconstruction method. Good luck - I hope you get what you want!
twink Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 1564	Log in to post a reply Dec 27, 2007 06:21 am twink wrote: Congratulations on 15 years. I do like to hear about woman such as yourself, it's so encouraging. As for the breast recon, I've always been told that there's no time limit on the decision to go for reconstruction. Unless you have unfavorable symptoms or a genetic basis for concern about your second breast, you may have difficulty getting insurance approval for a prophylactic mastectomy. I did have to dicker with my insurance company a little and my prophy was done at the same time as the diseased breast. Good luck. Why limit happy to an hour? Dx 1/18/2007, IDC, 3cm, Stage IIb, Grade 3, 3/17 nodes, ER-/PR-, HER2-
BethNY Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 3772	Log in to post a reply Dec 27, 2007 03:12 pm, edited Mar 11, 2008 02:16 PM by BethNY BethNY wrote: It is never too late to get reconstruction! Here is some helpful info: www.breastreconstruction.org If your onc is against you having a prohpylactic mastectomy, it shouldn't matter-- it's up to a breast surgeon. I would consult with plastic surgeons first, then see the breast surgeons they work with... I only play to WIN. www.breastreconstruction.org
rubytuesday… Joined: May 2006 Posts: 2102	Log in to post a reply Dec 27, 2007 03:16 pm rubytuesday wrote: Dividing up a remaining breast isn't an option. You need to talk to a PS (or 2) to get their take on what your options are. Since your remaining breast hasn't given you any grief in 15 years (at least, I'm assuming that), consider keeping it. I had a unilateral and am very happy with my decision. My match is amazing (implant on recon side and lift/augment on my natural side). Obviously, I wasn't very well indowed. I went from a small B to a small D and have cleavage for the first time in my life. I like still having a natural breast for AHEM.....although, my reconstructed side (skin sparing) fortunately, does have feeling in the skin. Best wishes with a difficult decision.
moonie Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 1305	Log in to post a reply Dec 27, 2007 07:35 pm moonie wrote: As others have said....it is never too late to do recon and MANY congrats on 15 years!!! I had large droopy Ds and after my mast (9 months later), I had a Tram Flap and a reduction to the other side for symmetry. I ended up with nice perky Cs....gotta love that! Your insurance must pay for this. Do talk to a coupld of ps's and ask to see their pictures and the best thing would be to chat with their patients who have had done whatever type of procedure you are considering. If you haven't yet researched for a ps, here is a website: http://www.plasticsurgery.org/ I also found it helpful to read up on some of the docs on various hospital websites. Good luck to you! Dxd 12/03, DCIS, Mast, ILC, ooph, unilateral pedicle tram 2004
15yrsurvivo… Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 11	Log in to post a reply Jan 5, 2008 11:29 am 15yrsurvivor wrote: Thank you all so much for the input...i'm sorry it took me so long to come back and look but my husband took ill and was hospitalized...but he's home now...so getting back onto an even keel again. No, I haven't had any definitive problems with my remaining breast but am starting to develop cysts which was what initially made me ask my onc why I couldn't just go ahead and have the remaining one removed since I've been going every 6 months for mammo's...but since they haven't found anything positively he is very reluctant to say yes about removal. Instead he wants me to do genetic testing and a breast MRI which my insurance company has been so far denying to cover. I go back to see my onc on the 17th, so I'll let you know what he says this time. Thanks again for the responses

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