Breast Reconstruction Bummer

By KayeD Friday, February 15, 2008

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Hello all:

I'm having a down day. I've met with various plastic surgeons to secure one that I have confidence in. So far, I've met with two in Chicago and after last night, I am upset to learn that while I had a lumpectomy, after surgery and drains and now radiation, there is just too much tissue damage to be able to use my own body tissue to rebuild my breast and so they are both recommending implants. Now, I'm not a fan of implants. I hate the idea that I have to go this route. It makes me think I'm being vain, etc., like the housewives of Orange County! I'm only 48 and single and I want to look good again. It's just such a difficult decision and an uncomfortable thing with which to be presented. I was hoping this would be the fun part, where I could look forward to kind of looking like myself again. To no avail.

Does anyone have experience with breast reconstruction after lumpectomy? What kinds of questions I can ask the doctors as far as using my own tissue? I guess I'm hoping for the impossible. I was so disheartened after leaving the two offices that I didn't even ask questions about implants. Can any of you offer advice in that area?

Thanks to all. I'm just so down in the dumps. It seems cancer just pops up to bite us in the butt time after time after time.

Kaye

Tamoxifen?

Comments (12) | Add comment

2 cancers

2/15/08 6:06pm

As you know what is right for one may not be right for another. I had radiation to my chest for Hodgkin's. So I had implants. I have been very happy. I used a good plastic dr at Memorial Sloan Kettering in NYC. Dr. Mehrara.

I am happy with them, I am about a C cup, but don't have to wear a bra, ever! They just stay up there with great cleavage. I have the "gummy bear" type. While not normal, I do feel confident in clothes, you would never know. I am careful about undressing in the gym. I get my nipples next week. I have developed some scar tissue but it isn't a major issue for me, some discomfort some of the time.

Implants were the right thing for me. I don't regret the decision. People who know me and know my sense of humor say "YOU have a great rack". I hope this helps you.

Adriene Hughes

2/15/08 6:25pm

Dear Kaye,

Though my story is not similar to yours, I had a mastectomy and breast reconstruction following with silicon implants. I myself am a 47 year old single woman - and I had the same concerns as you: how would I be perceived sexually when I am still on the dating market? Even though I feel my breasts are not a reflection of my sexuality nor a mirror of my own femaleness, I still wanted to have the comfort of knowing I could wear a bathing suit again without feeling self-conscious, to be able to wear the clothes I wanted without a padding, etc. I mean, I was 44 when cancer struck and I had every intention of being a survivor, and a HOT survivor at that! Being a cancer survivor does not mean dating and love and all the other things that go along with it...fly out the door!

A friend in ballet class was going through breast cancer the same time I was, and she went through her breast reconstruction before me. I was able to feel her breasts (ballet dancers are very close friends!). And let me tell you THEY FELT GREAT! That was when I learned she had silicon implants. She said not only was she happy with them, but her husband was happy with them as well. And SHE LOOKED GREAT!

I went ahead with my reconstruction and am very happy with the outcome. If you look on my blog here you can see the post-surgery results.

Since then I have gone on to date, have had a couple of really wonderful men in my life who have been incredibly sweet and supportive and are amazing with concerns to my survivorship. Though the relationships did not last, the impression of my friendship with them lives on. I trusted God that the right person would show me my own strength. These men gave me faith that despite my surgeries, the scars, and the emotional scars - that good men exist and loved me for me. It's a hard thing to get over, the chemo, the loss of breast tissue, but these are all secondary to our primary goal: TO SURVIVE! Celebrate your survivorship. Don't be afraid to seek plastic surgery if that is what you want. There is nothing wrong with it! If you feel plastic surgery is not for you, then that is OK too. But these are choices you need to make for yourself. Only you know the answer to your own question. Just don't think that reconstruction is a bad no-no cause it's not. It's whatever works for you.

Don't be depressed! LIVE GIRL! CELEBRATE YOUR SURVIVORSHIP! Take you life in your own hands and be the sexy and fabulous person you are WITH OR WITHOUT SURGERY!!!

with love and support, your fellow sister-surivor

adriene

Anonymous

2/15/08 11:31pm

I to, had lumpectomy on my left side with follow-up treatment of chemo and radiation. Then two years later a different cancer showed up and I had to have a simple mastectomy on the right side. Even though I am small busted (34 B) I did not like being "lop sided", and I was very self consious in exercise or swimsuit gear. I thought about having the left side removed when I had the right side removed and going up in size but the reconstruction on the left side with implants would be 50/50 and I wasn't into the pain involved with trans-flap surgery (using my tummy, although a tummy tuck would be nice). I had surgery on the right side only for an expander placed under the chest muscle which creates a "pocket". That was a very painful process as the doctor injects saline to "blow-up" the expander. Then in about 6 months (my surgeon is very good and likes to take time for recovery) the expander is removed and the implant is put in. I chose the silicone because it is more "natural" in looks and feel. I got my nipple three months after the implant. I am very happy with the implant. I do have to move it around some to keep the pocket open and it looks real funny when I flex my arm muscles just right. I know I will have to have it replaced 10-20 yrs but that's ok. If cancer returns on the left side then I can make changes.

I was diagnosed at 45 with cancer. I am now 49 and hoping to make the 5 year cancer free mark. You are through the hard part, take your time with the reconstruction. Talk to ladies, whatever decision you make will be the right one.

hapisam728

2/19/08 1:27pm

Dear down in the dumps,

Pick yourself right back up. There are worse things in life than implants.

The cancer is gone, you only need partial reconstruction vs mastecomy .

No tissue expanders, then implants, then nipple reconstruction, then areola if you opt. sounding better yet?

Having implants does have its advatages. although using your tissue would be your 1st choice. their are all kinds of plastic surgery options.

Look online for pictures and other doctors. there may be something that will help you to feel better about your choices.

I would have loved to just have had lumpectomy vs mastecomy however I am happy with my outcome... Good luck to you on your searches.

Susan

KayeD

2/24/08 5:19pm

Thank you Susan. When I read posts like yours it does help me realize that as breast cancer goes, I am fortunate. Stage 2b, lumpectomy, complete right axillary dissection, 4 months of chemo at dose dense, 8 weeks of radiation, and then Tamoxifen for God knows how many years. There are so many women, men and children out there in far worse straights than I.

Kaye

Debbie Schroeder

2/20/08 11:34pm

Dear Kaye,

Take heart for there is always hope. You must always believe that. I have had immediate reconstruction after having a bilateral masectomy, first the rt. side in Aug '07 and the left in Dec. '07. I have had tissue expanders in place since both surgeries and in 2 weeks I will have completed radiation and will undergo surgery to have the expanders removed and replace with the silicone implants. My plastic surgeon explained to me that this surgery is not vanity nor is it considered a boob job. This type of surgery is done to give women back some symmetry, a breast shape is what you will be given. Reconstruction can be risky and truthfully a fair amount of pain is involved but I would endure it all again if given that choice because now I can feel a little less disfigured. The goal is to try and restore one's self as close to normal as possible. Good luck to you and I will gladly answer any further questions you may have if I can.

Deb

Kathleen Heckman

2/21/08 11:04am

Hi Kaye,

I was 49 when I had a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery on both sides. I had a full implant on the side where I had the breast removed and a small implant on the other side to try to have the size match. It has been 5 years and I am quite pleased with the implants. I live in PA and had the reconstruction done at the Reading Hospital and Medical Center. The implants are silicone not saline. The surgeon was not able to do tissue replacement because I am thin and did not have the tissue to take from anywhere else on my body. My sister in law had the tissue replacement but it does have its downsides. The healing and recuperation is much longer than with artificial implants. You might want to speak to your surgeon and a plastic surgery to give you all your options. I hope you will decide to get the implants. I think you will feel so much better about yourself. I know I do. All the best to you from a sister BC survivor!

bonbon88

2/23/08 8:55pm

Kaye- don't be discouraged. I just finished chemo and 10 months with an expander after a mastectomy-with one of the most wonderful plastic surgeons at NW Hospital in Chicago. Dr Neil Fine has the most empathy and I believe specializes in breast surgery among others. The other breast cancer survivors I have met while at the office all seem to form a support group while waiting. Surgery was not painless, but the results after 6 days are so far so good...I never thought this day would come. Surgery included a saline implant (L) and reduction (R)-I'm sure there is more to come, but we're alive-winter is almost over here in Chicago-what more could we ask for! Keep in touch!

KayeD

2/24/08 5:22pm

Congratulations bonbon!

I am still finishing up radiation and after I get over my burns, I'll pursue my search for a plastic surgeon in the Chicago area. I do hope I find one that does specialize in breast reconstruction, etc. I don't really know what I'm shopping for.

I feel blessed that I am not facing tissue expanders, etc. This is what I've been trying to focus on lately.

I'm glad for you and yes, I am looking forward to Spring in Chicago...again...someday.

Kaye

survivor823

2/26/08 8:18pm

Reconstruction can be tough. I started with a bad experience. I had bilateral mastectomies and immediate reconstruction. But my plastic surgeon overfilled my implants and my body rejected them. But after I healed now I started over with someone great and I had the expanders put back in and get them filled every week. So far, so good. Hopefully I will have my final implants in July. Hope this helps. I know how frustrating everything is. Just an FYI for a tramflap the risk of infection is so high and you put yourself at other risks. My friends are still having issues after that and it's been two years for them since they had it done.

survivor823

2/26/08 8:18pm

Vickie

3/12/08 11:07pm

Hello Kay,

I didn't need implants after my first bout with breast cancer but after my second bout & a double mastectomy I chose saline implants. They do offer the other ones but I am very happy with the saline. They feel like a part of me. The beauty of using implants is that your less likely to have tissue death than if you used your own tissue. If you get a puncture in your saline implant your body can absorb salt water with no problems. I have fibromyalgia & rhuematoid arthritis so I didn't want anything dangerously foreign in my breast but salt water is great. I know your going through a lot right now but do keep your eye on the prize at the end of the tunnel where the light is bright! Just take it one day at a time or you'll get too overwhelmed.

GOOD LUCK!

Vickie

Breast Reconstruction Bummer

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