mastectomy and possible reconstruction
I had lumpectomy a couple of months ago. A week or so later surgeon called and told me she didn't get it all. So I had a single mastectomy about ten days ago with the intention of having an implant and a lift on the other side. The plastic surgeon wasn't able to put the expander in during the mastectomy so I'm left with a mound of skin on one side. I have to decide now whether to go for another surgery to put the expander in (after a few months of healing) and then a few months later an implant with lift on the other side. Or he could do autologous grafting where they take some fat from the abdomen and put it into the breast. He said the largest he could bring me to with that would probably be a small B cup and I'm a D on the other side. So if I went with that consider a reduction on the other side. But with that I'd only have one more surgery and no drain.
Or I could just wear a prosthetic. I'm 74. If I go with the expander I'd be 75 by the time I had the implant and apparently a lot of women don't like the risk of leaking and other problems with implants.
my plastic surgeon says make your decision based on what outcome you want, not what procedures you want. my husband thinks I won't be happy with just having the mound I have right now.
any opinion or similar experience would be appreciated
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I ended up with lump and then re-excision and did implant but was younger than you are. They can do reduction and lift on the other side if you want to make it match but at that point was tired of surgery and said no. Now have one floppy one that is me and one smaller implant at this point and personally at this point do not care. I knew someone your age who said when she was diagnosed to take them both and went flat. She did not care and just wore loose clothing. She did not want more surgery either and wanted be done with it all.
You have to do what is best for you and what makes you feel good. For me I did not care when I go out I do still wear more lose clothing any way since more self aware as well.
My husband I have been married many years at this point and been through a lot of health issues since he is also a transplant patient at this point and diabetic as well. Then my cancer as well. He does not care how I look either and says being here is what is what is important and bet yours feels the same way. Best wishes to you.
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I also was a D cup. I had the autologous reconstruction with a reduction on the other side at the same time. My surgeon ended up going back six months later to fine-tune the reduction, but that second operation was pretty minor and was optional.
Before the surgery I felt very lopsided, even in loose clothes, with a mound on one side and D cup on the other. I went with a prosthesis in the interim, but found it cumbersome and a constant reminder of what I had been through.
The downside of the DIEP operation is that it is a major surgery, with a long recovery. But the good news is that once it's done you can forget about it and move on with your life. In my experience the new breast feels very soft and natural.
Both your plastic surgeon and bcincolorado give you excellent advice. Everyone is different and you need to trust your instinct on what is best for you.
Whatever you decide, wishing you the best.
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from what I understand with the autologous reconstruction I can expect a 20 percent loss of the fat afterwards. so I'd have a breast smaller than a small B (and the remaining breast reduced to that size I guess). that seems really small proportionate to my body.
An implant would required two more surgeries. first one for expander and that one would require a drain. then months later, the implant and lift. I don't want to go through another surgery with drain.
from what I gather most women my age don't get implants. I have an appointment with a woman who was highly recommended by my plastic surgeon's office. she provides prosthetics, bras, etc. It seems a lot of women find the prosthetics uncomfortable. but the lightweight ones are more comfortable. I have a knitted knocker. I tried it on and it seems pretty good but my surgeon said I have to wait to wear it until four weeks post surgery.
I'll have to take it one step at a time. First try prosthetics and see how that goes.. Right now I'm wearing loose clothing and feeling a bit self conscious. I think I'd be better the a prosthesis as long as it doesn't pop out.
thanks for your insight
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I went to be fitted with prosthesis and new bras. I left with two new bras with pockets, a lightweight silicone prosthesis which I will wear when the doctor gives permission and a cheapie little fluffy thing to insert in the bras. It looks pretty good - better IMO than going flat on one side and wearing a very loose top
the bras - even though the band width is larger than my other bras - seems tight. I've lost ten pounds so I don't really understand this. but maybe after wearing a few times the bras will break in.
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