Just want to say that I was told we have a right to symmetry, so a second mastectomy needs to be covered. I had some medical reasons for mastectomy of my non-cancer breast, but I also didn't like having one breast. With both gone, I feel balanced and symmetrical and don't need prostheses.
I had a mastectomy and went for the reconstruction for a more balanced body.
However, I had an inept plastic surgeon, and I got a very bad reconstruction.
I had another plastic surgeon look at me and said he could correct the damage, but because of my
age, he did not recommend it. Then he offered me a painted nipple, said I might feel better.
Here I am with another incentive male doctor thinking this would all go away by putting a
painted nipple in place.
This has been a terrible journey with the lack of sensitive care I received. with my cancer.
Disgraceful and insensitive. Reconstruction of nipple and /or nipple tattoos are definitely options but NOT a solution to a botched reconstruction. I’m so sorry this happened to you ; as if we haven’t already gone through the trauma of the diagnosis and surgery!
I recommend another plastic opinion. If you live in the NY metro area I would recommend my doc.
I had a mastectomy and went for the reconstruction for a more balanced body.
However, I had an inept plastic surgeon, and I got a very bad reconstruction.
I had another plastic surgeon look at me and said he could correct the damage, but because of my
age, he did not recommend it. Then he offered me a painted nipple, said I might feel better.
Here I am with another incentive male doctor thinking this would all go away by putting a
painted nipple in place.
This has been a terrible journey with the lack of sensitive care I received. with my cancer.
I had two mastectomies and "went flat." I don't wear a bra or prostheses of any kind. I am very comfortable but I am older and don't have a partner (divorced). Surgeries were easy (I had a paravertebral block so little pain at first and no pain meds after surgery.)
@polianad22
I'm doing fine. Because of my diagnosis of invasive cancer and neuroendocrine cancer, I have to continue with PET scans, but so far (and it's been 4 years), so good. I walk daily about 3 miles and usually peter out by the afternoon and stop to rest for a bit. Let us know how you do.
I am very happy for you that you are doing well. My surgeon from Memorial Sloan Kettering said that she feels lumpectomy is the route and doesn't see any problem with it besides not getting cleaned margins which she will go back with a second surgery to clean the margins. I am very tempted to do the lumpectomy, but the mastectomy feels safer. I definitely like my second surgeon. Now, I have to decide between lumpectomy and mastectomy.
@polianad22
I'm doing fine. Because of my diagnosis of invasive cancer and neuroendocrine cancer, I have to continue with PET scans, but so far (and it's been 4 years), so good. I walk daily about 3 miles and usually peter out by the afternoon and stop to rest for a bit. Let us know how you do.
I am here at Memorial Sloan Kettering. Met Dr. Alexandra Heerdt for a second opinion. She is wonderful! My first surgeon was Elisa Port, a good surgeon, but very ny-orker, distant, you cannot ask many questions. Both surgeons offered lumpectomy and mastectomy. Dr. Heerdt recommended another ultrasound for me, which I am going to do it in a few minutes. I could go with lumpectomy, but my intuition says mastectomy. There two tumors in my breast.
@polianad22
Have a full discussion with the surgeon on mastectomy. Even with mastectomy, they cannot remomve all breast tissue so there is still a possibility of breast cancer again. Also, they have to cut through a lot of nerves which can cause pain. My breast surgeon removed most all of my breasts so I' now about a bra size "A" which is fine with me. I did have electric shocks from the nerve regrowing but they are gone now. Let us know how you do.
@kruzin I was hoping you could share which route you went with. I just went with bilateral mastectomy (my decision as it was in one breast) with delayed reconstruction. I had expanders put in as I need to do radiation. I am starting to regret my decision and whether I should have went flat. I am trying to understand is some breast tissues were left behind because of the reconstruction decision. Diagnosed with her2+ stage 2.
I stayed flat, and it’s been 4 years with no regrets. I told my surgeon I didn’t want dog ears so there’s no extra skin so because your having reconstruction yes you need more skin. You always gonna doubt what to do cause you just went through a lot of decisions and being overwhelmed all at once. I researched a lot, and still do I’m the type of person that worries about the physical stuff more than how I look. So maybe look at it that way to help with your situation stay strong ❤️
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Just want to say that I was told we have a right to symmetry, so a second mastectomy needs to be covered. I had some medical reasons for mastectomy of my non-cancer breast, but I also didn't like having one breast. With both gone, I feel balanced and symmetrical and don't need prostheses.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsDisgraceful and insensitive. Reconstruction of nipple and /or nipple tattoos are definitely options but NOT a solution to a botched reconstruction. I’m so sorry this happened to you ; as if we haven’t already gone through the trauma of the diagnosis and surgery!
I recommend another plastic opinion. If you live in the NY metro area I would recommend my doc.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI had a mastectomy and went for the reconstruction for a more balanced body.
However, I had an inept plastic surgeon, and I got a very bad reconstruction.
I had another plastic surgeon look at me and said he could correct the damage, but because of my
age, he did not recommend it. Then he offered me a painted nipple, said I might feel better.
Here I am with another incentive male doctor thinking this would all go away by putting a
painted nipple in place.
This has been a terrible journey with the lack of sensitive care I received. with my cancer.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI had two mastectomies and "went flat." I don't wear a bra or prostheses of any kind. I am very comfortable but I am older and don't have a partner (divorced). Surgeries were easy (I had a paravertebral block so little pain at first and no pain meds after surgery.)
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2 ReactionsI don't understand your answer.
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1 ReactionWith the expander s. Do you have to have a revision later
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1 ReactionI am very happy for you that you are doing well. My surgeon from Memorial Sloan Kettering said that she feels lumpectomy is the route and doesn't see any problem with it besides not getting cleaned margins which she will go back with a second surgery to clean the margins. I am very tempted to do the lumpectomy, but the mastectomy feels safer. I definitely like my second surgeon. Now, I have to decide between lumpectomy and mastectomy.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 Reactions@polianad22
I'm doing fine. Because of my diagnosis of invasive cancer and neuroendocrine cancer, I have to continue with PET scans, but so far (and it's been 4 years), so good. I walk daily about 3 miles and usually peter out by the afternoon and stop to rest for a bit. Let us know how you do.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions@polianad22
Have a full discussion with the surgeon on mastectomy. Even with mastectomy, they cannot remomve all breast tissue so there is still a possibility of breast cancer again. Also, they have to cut through a lot of nerves which can cause pain. My breast surgeon removed most all of my breasts so I' now about a bra size "A" which is fine with me. I did have electric shocks from the nerve regrowing but they are gone now. Let us know how you do.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
5 ReactionsI stayed flat, and it’s been 4 years with no regrets. I told my surgeon I didn’t want dog ears so there’s no extra skin so because your having reconstruction yes you need more skin. You always gonna doubt what to do cause you just went through a lot of decisions and being overwhelmed all at once. I researched a lot, and still do I’m the type of person that worries about the physical stuff more than how I look. So maybe look at it that way to help with your situation stay strong ❤️
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 Reactions