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

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...

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! 

Well, I had a left mastectomy 2 years ago and did not reconstruct.  It took me awhile to find the breast form that suited me best but I have absolutely no complaints or problems.  My honest thought at the time was that if there was any chance that a prostheses was going to be uncomfortable I wanted it to be one I could take off - not a 'built in'. 

I got a little pressure to at least talk to a plastic surgeon about reconstruction but I declined and told her very bluntly that it would just be a total waste of my time and theirs.

I do think maybe I understand a little bit about why the surgeon may want to be sure you are definite about your choice.  Since I was sure I was not going to reconstruct my surgeon made it a point to give me a very flat and even scar line -  better surface for the breast form.  However, if you are maybe going to reconstruct later I think they try to leave more skin to help with that process.  I'm trying to give your surgeon the benefit of the doubt here and think that maybe that is why she is pressuring you to do a consultation with a PS.

I sure understand why you are mad at being forced into another appointment - I would have been too - it's not like we don't have enough of those already! 

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 

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.

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.