Best Of
Re: Zometa side effects
marcials1. I've had one infusion of Zometa and it knocked me on my butt for a few days. I would not call it "awful pain," more like flu-ish. But I'm very grateful to have a drug that's building my poor old bones up to help fight against the invader, even if it's a heavy weapon to hoist. As I always think, it's better than the alternative! I have heard that the first infusion is the worst.
Re: Reconstruction?
I know that people talk about multiple surgeries but for those who have skin sparing mastectomies and don’t want to increase their size, one step implants can be an option. My understanding is that you have to be a good candidate for this and your surgeon needs to be experienced in this type of recon. I had a bmx with one step implants, no TE’s. Literally one and done. 13 years later and it’s all good.
Re: Reconstruction?
I am 58 and had my mastectomy on my left breast at the end of Jan. I opted for no reconstruction. I did not want to go through more surgeries and more recovery, because I opted for no reconstruction, my recovery after the mastectomy was fairly easy and quick. I have been very happy with my decision, but I also know that I could choose to have recon done at a later date.
My custom prosthesis looks great. You are able to wear regular bras with your prosthesis - they don’t need to be special bras. I wear both. No matter what type of bras you choose to wear- it’s some trial and error to find ones you love. The person who worked with me for the prosthesis and bras was amazing. Very helpful and caring. She had so many helpful tips ans recommendations.
Re: Reconstruction?
Hi,
Very personal decision for sure. I also wanted to be done as soon as possible, avoid years of surgeries, and keep things simple. I was also very accepting of having lost one breast.
Then, on second thought, after having a better idea of what I would look like with one breast only, I knew I would prefer to have the option of wearing some kind of prosthesis, rather than not. Then, when I looked closer at the prosthesis thing, dealing with that felt to me, personally, given my lifestyle, royally inconvenient. I was (and still am) working, have to dress up a bit for work, and I am very active and a swimmer. Needing special bras for the prosthesis, having to put in on and take it off several times a day -I would rather not deal with that. I thought of an implant as the closest thing to having a prosthesis that is permanent, that you dont need to put it on and take if off, and that works with any bra. That's what I did, and I never regretted the decision (later down the road, I needed a second mastectomy, so another implant); my breasts look obviously fake (when I am naked and/or with light clothes) but I look more or less normal when dressed or in a swimsuit, and not under close scrutiny. One month to the day after the mastectomy, I was back in the swimming pool and could swim all four strokes. I swam with the tissue expanders, and I swam with my implants one month after I got them. Besides running, biking and weight lifting. I am super happy with my decision, in peace with not having breasts, and also very thankful to not have to deal with special equipment when I need to dress up, and I am glad I can walk around the pool deck in a swimsuit looking more or less like the rest of my swim teammates.
Best of luck with your decision,
LaughingGull