To lift or not to lift the good boob??
Hi Ladies
For those of you who had a unilateral mastectomy with immediate or delayed reconstruction, did you opt to do anything with your 'good' side???
I had lat dorsi reconstruction last August. Surgery went well and I am all recovered. Am thrilled with the results and so glad I got it done . While the results are really quite good, new foob sits a little higher than my own boob. Volume is pretty much the same (am a 34D cup). In a bra you would never notice the difference however when I am in my birthday suit it is quite noticeable.
I was with Mr Plastics (aka Brian Kneafsey) in Beaumont in Nov and we spoke about nipple reconstruction however he sent me away to think about whether I wanted a little lift on the other side. I was back a Beaumont this afternoon and met with one of Mr Plastic's colleagues to tell them I wanted to leave well enough alone on the good side, that I had had enough surgeries however the Doc (a lady) was trying to convince me to get a lift done to achieve better symmetry.
So I am all confused now and am hoping some of ye who had these dilemmas and / or surgeries can share with me how you might have made your decisions.
Thanks in advance
LindyLu
Hi there Linda,
When I had my surgery for BC on my right side, I ended up having a modified version of a breast lift (mastopexy) instead of a mastectomy. Long story which I won't bore you with!
Anyway, as a result, it was smaller than the left one and the nipple was higher. So I chose to have a mastopexy on the good (left) side the following year so that they were a closer match again. I say 'closer' because its virtually impossible to get a perfect match. But most women who have never had breast cancer or breast surgery don't have perfectly symmetrical boobs to start with anyway!
If you are not bothered by the difference and not pushed on additional surgery, don't be forced into it. Ask them if you are not ready to contemplate it NOW, but change your mind in the future, could you come back and have it done then. Bear in mind that you are still quite young and your 'good' breast will droop more over the years to come which may further emphasise the difference.
FYI - I found the breast reduction surgery much easier than the cancer surgery. I think cos no node removal was involved maybe?
Take care,
Flo.