What age is too old for breast reconstruction?

I am 3 weeks post mastectomy. I was scheduled to have an expander put in but the surgeon declined during surgery because of minimal blood flow. Instead, I will complete 25 rounds of radiation, heal and then decide if I want the expander/implant. I am 68 years old. I am fairly active and have friends that didn't do reconstruction and later regretted it. In part this is why I decided to go ahead with the reconstruction. But now that I have time to think about it, do I really want 2 more surgeries (expander/implant). In 8-10 years, do I really want to go thru removing the implant or replacing the implant (industry recommendation)? I would be 78 years old. While age isn't really a thing today - it might be 10 years. What do others think?

I was 67 and had a left side masectomy. I didnt want all the surgeries. I am still happy with the decision. I wear a bra and prosthesis when I go out as my other breast is a good size. When I am home alot of times I am braless. I wear a shirt with pockets and you can't really tell. Good luck with your decision.

Sending hugs.

We all have different criterion for how we look at ourselves, our breasts, how we THINK others look at and judge us, if we want to even bother with more discomfort/surgery/treatments/meds.
Make up your mind for yourself! You can always change your mind later if you’d like. My second opinion surgeon told me to google “knitted knockers” which fits my personality and mindset perfectly. My friend Kathleen gave me my first one 3 days ago! I enjoy drinking a ‘flat white’ coffee. And now I’M A ‘FLAT WHITE’, but only on my right side 😂 and only when I want to be.
I’m sending prayers, hugs, and strength to you!!

Last year when I was diagnosed I was 73. Bilateral mastectomy and tissue expanders placed in July. In Dec., the expanders were removed and implants placed. I was 74 by then. This April I had a post op eval by surgeon and she put me on the list for later this year, for revision surgery; fat grafting. Not because I’ve had a “bad” result, but because there is some rippling and a dent or two. None of that “requires” revision, but if I desire the enhancement, and the surgeon agrees it’s safe, then it’s agreed upon. I will be 75 at the end of the year when or if this revision is done. In the meantime, next week I need and will have total knee replacement for my R knee. In October I will have another ultrasound to check a BB sized bump I found my a mastectomy scar in July. Probably will do biopsy as well as a needle aspiration of a seroma in same foob. Stuff happens. As with all of us, age isn’t the main factor, it’s just one of them. There are some 50 year olds with poor health who wouldn’t want or couldn’t tolerate all of these procedures. Ask all of the questions you need to and make your decisions based on your own desires and the healthy way to address the desires. Don’t let “age” or other people's opinions make the decisions for you. I’ve had some ladies close to my age asking Why Do You Care so much about your breasts…..well, if they don’t, that is fine, and I think it’s also fine, if I want my last years to be as healthy and pleasing as possible. I realize that unless a person has been through breast cancer, they can’t possibly fathom the weight of what cancer does to mind and body. Best wishes with all of your decisions!

I had a double mastectomy, step 1 of breast reconstruction placing tissue expanders and step 2 of breast reconstruction placing saline implants at age 75. So far, I've had no major complications with these surgeries. In the eyes of my breast and plastic surgeon, these are successful. However, I do not think I was fully informed or aware of the potential pain from the tissue expanders.

The pain or "discomfort" was considerable. Had I known what my experience would be like, I would not have chosen the reconstruction with implants. Because I am thin, 2 plastic surgeons said I was not a candidate for a DIEP flat breast reconstruction. I endured the 5 month tissue expanders. I have some residual intermittent pain which I'm convinced is nerve pain since it comes and goes. I'm constantly trying different bras and camisoles.

When I asked both my breast and plastic surgeon about the sensation as best I could describe it, they listened and nodded but didn't offer any advice. They almost seemed to disregard it. I assume had I pressed the issue and asked for a pain consult, they would have done so. The most sympathetic clinician was my plastic surgeon's nurse who agreed that yes, it sounded like nerve pain and that could happen.

It is better, but still something that comes and goes.

I have spoken to other women who have had no enduring discomfort with tissue expanders. Everyone is different and you simply don't know until you go through it. I chose saline implants because at age 75 , I did not want to think about possible complications from silicone, minimal as they now appear to be. The reason for my initial decision for implants was simply a desire to return to my original body shape.

I was 70 when I was diagnosed. I had bilateral mastectomy and expanders out in. Three months later had implants put in place of the expanders. The expanders weren’t that uncomfortable and the impact surgery went well. I did experience a capsular contraction to my right implant with a seroma five months later and had to have it out and replaced. I then had two different breasts. I developed more scar tissue on that right breast and decided to have them both out and the surgeon put in a totally different kind of an implant called Motiva with a .5% chance of capsular contraction. They were just approved for use in the US in 24. I love my new breasts. I am a very active 71 year old and travel a lot and exercise a lot. I feel like my breasts are a part of me. I chose to go to a much smaller size for comfort and hope not yo have to wear a bra when my healing is complete. I may have a little fat grafting done down the road to fill them in a bit. The surgeon has never once said you are too old. In fact we have discussed having the flap surgery next year if these new implants doesn’t work.

As someone said, everyone has to decide what is right for them. I am not ready to be totally flat. I am a small person but was overly endowed and am enjoying being smaller but still having a figure.

Cancer takes a lot from us and leaves it scars and its worries with us forever. I won’t let it take my perception of who I am and how I appear to the world. I know only I know what I look like under my clothes but it means something to like what you see.

If you want implants then get them. It isn’t about age. It is about feeling your best. Even my plastic surgeon agrees with me. He does implants for 80 year olds.

I hope to get nipple tattooed down the road after all is settled in. I am praying by the third time will be the charm!

Best of luck.

I am 63 and had lumpectomy and reconstruction at the same time. I know I’m a bit younger but I like having my breasts and feel good.

@celestebradham There is no "too old" age for breast reconstruction. Everything depends on your overall physical health, fitness, and medical history.