Mastectomy advice...no reconstruct?

[Ceesun]

Friends, it seems that tiny 2mm stage DCIS has to go and the tumor board and my onc recommend a mastectomy but my surgeon says he can do another lumpectomy with no radiation since I had it before. This is the same breast, but this new DCIS is now er+ pr+ and her2 negative. My tumor 4 years ago was er-pr- and strongly her2 positive. My onc thinks this is a new cancer, but I thought I read that tumor type can change.....I am thankful that it was so early detected...anyway, I am to see a plastic surgeon next week, but my oncologist says that I may want to wait a while for reconstru ction as it is major surgery again and I have had so many over the years-thyroid for cancer 24 years ago, hysterectomy about 9 years ago, bc and thoracotomy-both left side- with a pulminary embolism in "03 at the time of breast cancer. The lung had no cancer at that time just a hemangioma--but had a lung met last year which is now NED....what do you think? Anyone on the board with no reconstruction and how is it-what have you done??? Please share your thoughts on this. In friendship Cathy aka Ceesun

[bonnie]

I would be interested to know what the surgeon thinks about reconstructing a breast that had radiation. I am NED and was considering a breast reduction (Only had a lumpectomy) but the surgeon I saw said he would have to consult with other plastic surgeons but he'd only do liposuction on the radiated breast. I am going to get another opinion but I certainly don't want just liposuction. I'd skip the whole thing if that's my option.

Bonnie

[weezie1053]

I had reconstruction immediately following the mastectomy to my right breast. I had however, "0" nodes. Recovery was about 3 weeks. The surgical onc tugged up one and used an implant for the other. He was blessed because this Humpty Dumpty was so small, and he was able to put me back together again. Am I perfectly symmetrical? No, but I feel so much more comfortable in my clothes.

Louise

[tousled1]

Ceesun,

I had a bilateral mastectomy. At first I was considering immediate reconstruction but when I had my initial biopsy done the surgeon also biopsied a lymph node under my arm that was bothering me. The lymph node showed cancer. Therefore, I knew that I would require radiation and have to wait until at least six months after completion of radiation to have reconstruction. I did not have reconstruction and have no intention of doing so. I'm happy with this decision and very rarely even wear my "fake" boobs. I was a "D" cup before all this happened and I must say I've happily adjusted to being flat chested. Having reconstruction or not is strictly a personal matter and one that only you can make. It has to be a decision that you will be comfortable with. Whatever your decision I wish you luck.

[PinkGirl]

Hi Ceesun
As Tousled said, this is a very personal decision. I did not have reconstruction and I remain happy with that. My decision was based
on my fear of anything "yucky". When I came to understand what was
involved with having reconstruction, I knew immediately that it was not
for me. I wear a prosthetic and I find it very comfortable. If I had both breasts removed, I probably wouldn't wear any prosthetics. Good luck
with your decision.

[Mary Jo]

Hi Cathy,

I had both breasts removed also. I opted out of reconstruction as I knew it wasn't for me. More surgery - the possibility of things not going well (which does happen to some) and just the "hassle" (at least that's what it all seemed like to me) was enough for me to know that it wasn't for me. However, it is a very personel decision, naturally, and a decision only you can make for the reasons that seem right to you.

Like Kate, I didn't wear my prosthesis at all for almost a whole year and felt just fine being a flat chested woman. Also, the bra's weren't comfortable to me (around where the strap goes) it actually hurt for sometime. One day however I wanted to "have breasts" under my clothes again and the bras felt better (probably a healing thing) so I started wearing the prosthesis and have been wearing them ever since. I feel completely "whole" and womanly just the way I am - whether with "breasts" or not.

One thing I really like is in winter - with sweatshirts or bulky clothing, if I opt for the "natural" look I feel good - comfortable and no sagging boobies. It's kind of fun. A no boob day - put them in the box - I want boobs today - take them out. The choice is yours. http://www.her2support.org/vbulletin/images/icons/icon7.gif

Not trying to make "light" (no pun intended) of the situation - but for me personally, it's really an ok thing.

Good luck with all you are going through.

Mary Jo

[harrie]

I had DCIS twice, one on my rt, once on my lt, (1996 and 1999) with lumpectomies and radiation on each side. Last yr I had a bilateral mastectomy due to a 6mm invasion of the DCIS on my left. At the same time of the mastectomy, I had my reconstruction, the DIEP flap. I live in HI, but this was all done in So Calif. My surgical oncologist and plastic surgeon were excellent. I am very happy with the results. If anyone has any questions regarding my surgery & reconstruction, please feel free to contact me.
Maryanne

[fauxgypsy]

There are several threads on this board that deal with this question. The following one is one that I started and I included another interesting thread as well. Try searching the term reconstruction. I have made my decision. I am not comfortable with the idea of more surgery but many women do choose to go that route. I met an older woman who had hers done several years ago and she has not been happy with it and to look right she still has to wear a prosthesis. I think you just have to decide what is best for you at this time. You do not have to make this decision in a hurry. Many women choose not to have reconstruction.

http://her2support.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=29378&highlight=reconstruction

http://her2support.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=30135&highlight=boobette

Leslie

[KellyA]

Hi there,

I chose to have immediate reconstruction following a double mast. My surgeon recommended it, and at first I really fought him on it. It was going to hold everything up by a few weeks, and I wanted the cancer removed ASAP. I eventually gave in and am glad that I did. I had implants and was lucky enough to be able to get them in at the time of surgery without expanders. I did have to have radiation, and there is a very high risk of problems with that, but I sailed right through without any implant difficulties. The surgery wasn't too bad- just felt very tight (they were up to my chin :-) ) . I was able to go to the pool in a swimsuit 10 days later with my three boys. For me it was the right decision. I went with a 34B so there not glaringly big and I feel very comfortable with them.

Love, Kelly

[MCS]

I had a rb mastectomy with no radiation. I did have an expander then a an implant. A year later when calcifications wer found on the lb, I said so long!! and had prophilactic mastectomy on that side. An expander palced and then the implant. both implants are saline.

I opted for it so I could could feel more natural, whatever that means. But I'm really really tiny, a 34b at best so maybe if I would have thought twice, I would have gone with nothing since there are advantages to feeling scar tissue, other cysts etc when there's no implant. I'll tell you I wish I would have done a double mastectomy from the beginning, it would have save me some time

also radiation does affect the tissue so the plastic surgeon should be able to tell you the risks there.

mcs maria