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Who Else Has Decided NOT To Have Implants or Reconstructive Surgery?

Breast Cancer | Last Active: May 19 6:19am | Replies (42)
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@toomanyquestions

I am 17 months out from Double Mastectomy and a poor attempt at reconstruction with pedicle flaps. .. lots of “extra skin left behind because the doctor thought I might change my mind.” I was just starting to try to accept the Friendsship? I now have with my husband (formerly my lover as well). My closest friend convinced me to try another plastic surgeon consultation. She went with me. I was hoping to finally find a doctor who could remove the extra skin. DISAPPOINTED again. Another arrogant male surgeon who wants me to get implants or “it’s not worth his time for $700 from my insurance company.” He said he doesn’t think they will even cover it. To make matters worse, my friend said, “don’t you want to feel like a woman again?” “Get the implants.”

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bpknitter53 | @bpknitter53 | May 17 12:08pm

@toomanyquestions - I had bilateral after dx for TNBC BRCA2+; dx only on left side but high rate of recurrence, so take them both. "I" decided to go flat then I informed my husband of my decision - never asked his opinion - my body; my decision. If our marriage depended on me having boobs - my marriage needed more work then I thought. I felt I didn't need boobs to feel like a woman - I don't. That doesn't mean that from time to time I miss the feeling of them; but I have prothesis and a pair of "knitted knockers" for shaping when I want it.

I was 68 at dx and had no desire for any more surgeries. There are a lot of things I want to do and spending time with more surgeries was NOT one of them. If I had been younger or if I had a high profile job where I was always being photographed - my decision might have been different. But if that was the case I would have been able to afford the extra help and cost that would have made the "downtime" less stressful or impactful on my life. I'm not so I didn't. I have not regretted my decision.

I'm a firm believer that it is my body and therefore my decision - whatever that decision maybe.

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