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Dear Tousled
I'm sorry you have to make this decision. It is indeed a tough one. Rather than repeat what has already been said, I will just add my two cents.
I chose bilateral mastectomies with immediate DIEP reconstruction. This surgery is similar to the transflap but no stomach muscles are used so you are not subjected to the side effects of cutting into stomach muscles. There are of course always issues with any surgery, but with DIEP, this is not one of them. For me that was important as I am a very young 50 and have always been quite active.
I am one year plus a little out from my mast/recon and I am satisfied that I made the right decision for me. In my case, when they did the masts, they found another tumor in the "unaffected breast" that had not shown up on the mammogram or with the ultrasounds I had. For me my decision turned out to be a life saver but I do understand that my case is unusual.
If you're not familiar with DIEP surgery, there are some websites that I can dig up for you, just let me know.
Best wishes in your process.
Ginagce
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