Researchers designing Custom Molds for Breast Reconstruction

@colely, this sounds interesting. Do you have a link to the article or research paper?

@colleenyoung No. It just came up when I was Googling information on new breast construction treatments. Someone more experienced than I, needs to research it further, I guess.

I understand that this is different than reconstruction, but there is at least one company, ABC, that is making custom prosthetics. I have no experience with this personally, but it was mentioned by my prosthesis consultant while I wasn't satisfied with the shape of the traditional option after a single mastectomy to flat. My understanding is that this company is able to scan your body, noting any chest dips or protrusions on the surgical side, and noting the shape of your existing breast (in cases of single mastectomy). They then use a 3D printing process to make the custom prosthetic. https://abccustombreastprosthesis.com/

Time has led me to a greater sense of acceptance. I have found that knitted knockers have worked the best for me (https://www.knittedknockers.org/). I'm still searching for bra options that I like, but I'm settling in and adjusting.

Everyone experiences the whole breast cancer journey in many, many, different ways. I have seen this unfolding in the five years I have been reading Connect. I have always tried to help myself and others in an attempt to make something positive of this situation. I thank you for your input. I am sure that it will help women. My insurance has paid for 4 bras, every year and Prosthetics every other year for 3 times now. I have also been given knitted knockers, foam inserts, fiberfil inserts. There is only one type I have not tried and they are clear inserts from AnaOno. I think they are silicone. I have to admit, that I am appalled by how I look. There is absolutely no therapist's words that can help me. Nothing feels like my boob, when I squeeze it through my bra. I can hardly stand to take a shower, now. Soothing myself by thinking that I saved myself by having one cancerous breast removed, and then the other cancerous breast removed 3 years later does not work for me when I will probably die from my type of cancer.

@colely I am so sorry that you are unhappy with your body after cancer care. You are always so helpful to others that it really does make me sad to hear this.
We all still need this story too, thank you for sharing it, even though I know it is painful.
I was part of a study about how we feel about our bodies after breast surgeries, and it was pretty brutal to find out that so many of us are silently unhappy with what we ended up with.
I know it still wouldn’t feel the same, but have you talked to your doctor about late revision surgery?

@colely, I’m so sorry to hear about your journey, but I totally relate!! Although I only had a lumpectomy I hate the way it looks. One nipple is higher than the other and a big chunk has been taken out at the top. I feel if I complain that people might think that I’m being superficial or ungrateful, so I never say anything. But if the cancer comes back, I don't think I can go through that again.

@auntieoakley I was sent to a plastic surgeon who specializes in reconstruction after a mastectomy, after the first breast removal. I was shocked by the surgeon's offerings. First of all, the removal of my fascia, without my consent, makes things extremely difficult for any type of plastic surgery. I have adhesions. My skin is glued to my chest wall, in places. I was worked on for two years for that. Secondly, the removal of all four of my healthy sentinal lymph nodes has caused chronic shoulder problems and axilla cording. I would have to have surgery to put in an expander, and then take medication for the pain and sleeping medication at night and try to sleep on my back. I have hyperflexable Ehlers danlos syndrome. I have thin EDS skin over rib bones. The implants would have to be smaller than my original B cups. Then, I have autoimmune disease. I have chemical sensitivities. I would be a very good candidate for Implant autoimmune disease. The other one takes muscle from the back and, makes some sort of mound in the front. Too many problems with that. Stem cells for new breast tissue and nipples is the only thing that makes sense. It is being developed to be safe for breast cancer women. I was told that my second breast cancer type needed 4 rounds of chemotherapy. Two different infusions. The second one is derived from WWI mustard gas, because it was discovered that it got into bone marrow and lymph nodes and destroyed cells. It is given to take out cancer cells in those two areas. My cancer hospital's trials are all about new chemotherapy drugs. I cannot for many reasons, ever take chemotherapy. This should not be the future of cancer treatment! Vaccines, and types of immunotherapy, should be the CURES.