To reconstruct, or not......

As per my siggy below, I opted for reconstruction so can't talk on the topic of no regrets.

What I can tell you is that I was a Uniboober for 18months and hated it. A 'D' cup on my right and flat on my left but I did wear a prosthetic. Clothes did not sit right, I could not wear low cut tops, I hated going swimming (which I had always loved), sun holidays were a pain in the 'tit' (excuse pun) as it was more obvious that I only had the one boob....

After 2 surgeries, infections, chemo, rads....recon was a simple enough procedure. I was a while waiting on surgery and when it came along I was well physically, so recovered fairly quickly.

Reconstruction was a no brainer for me. I viewed it as part of the healing process. Don't get me wrong, I don't forget that I had a cancer diagnosis, but I am thankful that I don't have a physical reminder of the part of me that cancer stole. My foob is an implant with lat Dorsi so it is fake and feels unnatural but it looks real enough to the outside world and that is good enough for me...

Different people have different views. I have met older women at cancer conferences who opted not to reconstruct who were totally happy with that decision. Whatever you decide, it has to be what YOU are happy with.

Good luck!

Hi LindyLu,
Thank you for replying to my post.
After 4 operations this year, you'd think I'd be used to surgery by now. My cup size is B, so I guess this made life easier for me post-surgery....... swimming at local pool hasn't been a problem for me but very conscious on holidays by the pool and beach.
Thanks again for your advice and wish you all the best.
Kerry.

Hi Kerry
I'm in a very similar position. I'm mid forties and trying to decide about recon. I had 4 surgeries in the last three years, two BC related, well 3 if you count hysterectomy. So when I got an appointment date earlier this year, I bottled out! It was the first time I had a choice in having surgery and I just didn't feel like facing it. It's to be LD flap with implant, whenever I decide. If only there was a magic wand to have it over and done with!
I hate being flat on one side and wear a bra 24/7. I'm also trying to learn to swim and I feel self conscious in swim togs. Recently I've decided to wear one of those sun protector type tops that kids wear, over the togs. It hides the scars in my armpit too.
It's a real pain trying to buy clothes. Even if the clothes have a high neckline, a lot of clothes have no sleeves and i end up with my arm glued to my side so as not to expose my armpit.
I wonder if the armpit scars look any better after recon or are we stuck like that forever?
I noticed also you said you didn't need chemo or rads. I also had three affected nodes and I had both chemo and rads. I wonder how it's decided. It's so good you didn't need them. I think a lot of the aches and pains afterwards can be blamed on them.
So good luck with your decision. I've been told by oncologist and surgeon that there is no hurry. I do feel I'll go for it eventually.
Best wishes,
Jo x

I got it done (diep) and although terrified of another surgery- I don't regret it for one second!!!! It was the most positive thing out of all the rubbish!!!
Good luck with your decision xx

Hi Kerry,

I did not need reconstruction so I am answering your question from the perspective of having one breast smaller and higher placed than the other but absolutely no desire to have the good one reduced in size.

To make your decision I think it is important to understand why the surgeons recommend sooner rather than later. If there is no medical reason but more that women like to finish their treatments and move on, it is really your call. Or maybe there is a medical insurance reason. If there are genuine reasons to make a decision soon, it would be best to know exactly what options you have and what the 'deadline' could be on having the reconstruction.

Best wishes for a healthy and happy Christmas and new year to all!

Kath

Hi Jo,
Thanks for your reply. The reason I didn't have chemo is because I decided to do a Randomized Clinical Trial. I was a suitable candidate for this trial i.e. hormone-responsive breast cancer with 1-3 positive lymph nodes and have a Recurrence score of less than 25. Half the woman on this trial are chosen for Chemo and the other half put on hormone therapy. The randomization like a lottery and it's literally the luck of the draw. Thankfully it worked to my advantage.
On the subject of swimsuits, I invested in a swimsuit from a company called Bellisima. It wasn't cheap but worth the money. Also covers scars and fits like a glove.
I've decided not to rule out reconstruction but I'm definitely not going to rush into making the decision.
Wishing you the best and I'll keep you posted.
Kerry.

Hi Neadi,
It's great to here it went well for you and thanks for the positive feedback. I'm not going to rule out reconstruction but I know I'm not ready to face another operation.
Best wishes.
Kerry

Hi Kathleen,
Thanks for your reply.
There's no medical reason for me doing reconstruction sooner rather later and there's no medical insurance reason (none that I've been made aware of anyway). My impression is that the surgeon is presenting me with the opportunity to have reconstruction sooner rather than later so that I can move on with my life. Thankfully I feel I have got back to normal life but I don't want to look back in 5/10 years time and regret my decision. The thoughts of the operation doesn't appeal to me at this moment in time but maybe in a years time I might be ready to make a decision.
Thank you for your advice and best wishes to you.
Kerry