breast reconstruction?

[minijeanie]

looking for some advice for anyone who has had breast reconstruction lately...
I was diagnosed with DCIS in left breast...then a week later I was told it was stage one cancer...I was uncomfortable with the surgeon and went for another opinion...The 2nd dr. sent me for a breast MRI and biopsy of other breast and yes...it is cancer.. I have 2 different types of cancer. I have to have masectomy in both breasts... (sigh)


reading about implants and DIEP surgery...not sure which way to go.. implants seem to be less painful and better recovery...but the DIEP surgery seems to be better in the fact that you wake up with breasts...

Looking for any opinions ...anyone please please help me decide...
surgery is in 2 weeks....

I am at a loss

ps..I lost my husband last year and don't want to burden my kids.,,,..,this is not the time for this...
but I guess there is never the right time

 

[swald91]

No advice here sorry-just hugs & well wishes to you

 

[minijeanie]

bumping up ...just in case someone sees and has been through it

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

I personally have not been through this.

My dear friend, and my doc both have. Both had cancer, two different types in each breast, both had radical mastectomies; my friend a double, my doc ended up having to have only one mastectomy.

One (my friend) did not have anything done reconstructive. She uses protheses. She's a very, very thin woman (if that matters).

My doc chose to have reconstruction. Her reconstructive surgeon used "fat and tissue" from her abdomen to reconstruct her breast. My Doc was "thrilled" with that as she ended up losing some belly fat! Her breast reconstruction incision was a little tricky to heal as the skin on her body (not the reconstruction) was effected by the radiation.

I know that's not much info for you, but I hope it helps a bit.

Take care now. All the very best to you.

 

[Liberty Belle]

I have no information at all, but I wanted to wish you comfort and healing. You will be in my prayers.

 

[AlleyKat]

bumping up ...just in case someone sees and has been through it

I pm'd you last night.

 

[Pigeon]

I'm so sorry you are going through this.

Please check out the forums at breastcancer.org. There are many women who have had various types of reconstruction whose stories you can read and whose experience may help you.

I'm a bc survivor but had a lumpectomy. I found that making decisions about what kind of surgery to have was the hardest thing. Hugs to you, and I hope it all goes smoothly.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

There are Dis-ers here who are quite knowledgable about reconstructive surgery:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2224699&referrerid=70088

Good luck.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

looking for some advice for anyone who has had breast reconstruction lately...
I was diagnosed with DCIS in left breast...then a week later I was told it was stage one cancer...I was uncomfortable with the surgeon and went for another opinion...The 2nd dr. sent me for a breast MRI and biopsy of other breast and yes...it is cancer.. I have 2 different types of cancer. I have to have masectomy in both breasts... (sigh)

Wow. So glad you got another opinion.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

No advice to offer, just hugs and prayers.

 

[Feralpeg]

OP, my heart goes out to you. It is a very difficult decision you have to make. When I was 31, I had a mastectomy due to breast cancer. I had a silicone implant put in place of my breast. I also had an implant put under my other breast. The surgeon thought it was necessary to even me out since I was rather small to begin with.

The reconstruction process wasn't horrible, but it wasn't easy. The tissue expander process was pretty painful for me.

I did great for about the first ten years and then scar tissue really started to develop. I did all the things they tell you to do, such as massage the area, but it didn't help. Eventually, no matter what you do, scar tissue will develop over a foreign object. Over the next ten years, it became more and more painful. I went to several surgeons to ask about having the implants removed. They said my insurance would not cover the procedure.

Finally, two years ago, one of the implants ruptured. At that point, they had to be removed. So, now, 26 years later, I am back to having no implants. The doctor, who removed them, asked if I wanted new ones put in place. I asked him how long they would last. I didn't want to face this again in another ten to twenty years and I sure didn't want to go through the pain of the scar tissue again. He told me that all implants will eventually rupture. Their lifespan is usually about 15 years, so I guess I did really well. Mine lasted 24 years.

I know that it is really hard to make this decision, OP, but do keep in mind that implants are a foreign object and they will not last forever. Every time I hear someone talking about getting implants, for reasons other than reconstruction, I cringe. They probably have no idea what lies ahead of them.

OP, if you need to talk to anyone about this, please feel free to PM me. I'll be thinking of you.

 

[KJ Luvs Pluto]

This is a very difficult decision. I'm so sorry you feel you have to make it alone and I'm sorry for the loss of your husband.

I decided on the implants because it less recovery time - much less recovery time. I had an expander put it during the mastectomy. Then came chemo, right now radiation and then in about six months, the expander will be replaced with a saline implant. I decided not to have the other side done with an implant to make both side even and perky. I'm almost 50 and don't plan on visiting any topless beaches any time soon . I know it will look a little funny under t-shirts and sweaters but that's not where people should be looking .

The expander is not comfortable but so far I'm glad that I went this direction. I'm an "a" cup and don't have a lot of fat to use (according the plastic surgeon) for the other types of procedures. I did try to point out to him all the areas that I thought could be used for fat transfers - but he didn't think it was appropriate .

Everyone is different and has a different experience. You need to be comfortable with the plastic surgeon and what they will be doing for you.

My heart goes out to you. Those of us who are on this journey hate to see anyone else joining us.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

I have a friend who was 30 when diagnosed 2 years ago with Invasive Breast cancer in one breast. She went ahead and did a double mastectomy because she felt it reduced her risk of getting it again.
This past November she did the reconstruction using belly fat and tissue. She had about a 4 week recovery time but she looks fabulous. Just about what the girls looked like before the cancer and she's really happy with the results.

 

[Kirby]

A good friend of mine had the DIEP surgery last September after having a double mastectomy in May. She has done very well. Here is a link to her DIEP blog:

http://www.diepsurgery.blogspot.com/

 

[AnnaS]

Last month my cousin had her second breast removed. First one was 15 years ago. She also had no reconstruction but prothesies and will again this time.

 

[a1tinkfans]

OP: I pm'd you!

 

[manning]

Thank god you caught it at stage one. Best wishes to you.

 

[PaulaSue]

Thinking Good Thoughts for You!

 

[minijeanie]

Thank you so much for all your generous well wishes, web sites and advice, I an re reading each and everyone and pm'd some of you.

I will let you know what I decide when I see plastic surgeon next Friday..Yes see the doc on Good Friday...maybe God will show me the way...

I know I am not alone in this fight,...both my mom, aunt and 2 sisters have been affected by this horrible disease in some way... I also know the strides in the medical world have been great.

I pray one day that it will be erradicated as I have a daughter and grandaughter who will have to deal with our genes

to all who wrote me and shared their own very difficult story

It is so so appreciated

 

[Mary•Poppins]

You are in my thoughts and prayers. I hope whatever choice you make, you share with someone who can assist you in your time of need.