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Now that I've suffered the agony of losing my breast and look wistfully at the smart fitted dresses I used to wear,it would lift my spirits immensely to look at a well reconstructed breast.I think you're doing a real good turn to women who,like me,wonder what it would actually look like if they decided to have one.
Delayed reconstruction works just fine. I had mine after 9 months and I'm 66. The results are fantastic and I wear clothes that I could have never dreamed of wearing before the surgery. The discomfort is there but well worth it to feel "normal" again. I think it takes almost 2 years for the modern silicone implants to feel totally like part of your own body - when that day comes, it is wonderful.
Like the writer, I've become far less modest after breast reconstruction. I've shown the results to female friends and in the locker room at the public pool. The scar across one breast is less obvious every month.
I had a right mastectomy due to small breasts and location of the small tumor close to the chest wall. The whole situation made immediate reconstruction not possible. I was lacking in sufficient tissue for a transflap or other type of reconstruction that involved my own tissue (fat). Best option for me was use of silicone implant - the results have been fantastic. It took about 18 months for the entire process with one setback - a bad wrinkle in the first implant and an additional surgery. Was it worth it? Absolutely! I'm 66 and can hug the grandkids, wear all types of clothing, and not be shy in an intimate relationship. The reconstructed breast feels entirely like part of my body. The other side that got a tiny implant to perk it up and match the other side feels entirely natural. It was worth all of the trips to my fantastic plastic surgeon and the hassles. Ladies, the additional surgeries are worth it. Feeling fine!
I'm thrilled to read the info provided by the two 66 years old members. I'm 63. I have diabetes apart from recently recovering from breast cancer,for which I had to have a mastectomy of the left one. I have tried to reconcile to its loss but find it extremely difficult. Could I please have some further info on silicone implants versus saline implants. I would be grateful if somebody with a personal experience enlightens me on this subect. And is general aneasthesia the only option during the reconstruction?Cheers,ladies in my age group,to have gone through with it successfully.
Cressida
in response to your question about saline vs silicone implants- i had saline implants 8 yrs ago for breast augmentation and was very happy with the results, although being that i was very small-breasted before, you could feel rippling of the implants and they were firmer than a normal breast. i had a right mastectomy in july 2009 with immediate placement of a tissue expander. 2 weeks ago, i had the expander and my other implant exchanged for silicone gel implants. i am thrilled with the results- much more natural looking and feeling, even on the side with the mastectomy. statistically speaking, there is more chance of rupture with saline than with silicone and the gel implants are much less likely to leak into the surrounding tissue than the old silicone implants were. hope this answered your question.
Thank you each and everyone who's shared their experience here. Being a bit afraid of other medical conditions that might create a real hurdle, I know it's a bit late to go for it when you are almost 65. But reading of others' experience is very encouraging,indeed.I just might go ahead with it.
Cressida
Yes indeed! We do become much stronger after going through the treatment. We've been to a place where it's lonely and frightening, but we all give one another the courage to go on. Before we know it, time DOES pass by and we are cured(at least for the time being). We hope that all those going through the treatment are cured and those who are cured stay healthy.PJ, you and other members of this site gave me the strength to get through the whole thing. And now, I can dare to hope to get back my old shape, or,even a better one perhaps.
Thank you, PJ, for being there! I sure am going to read that new post on MRI. I had to undergo a CT scan sometime after my treatment was over as I had devoloped pneumonia because of radiotherapy. I didn't like the thought of going through with it, but my pulmonoligist said it was necessary to rule out recurrence.
Anyway, all's well that 'goes on ending well' as far as possible.
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PJH
PJ--you are awesome. There's no other way to put it.
:)