Mastectomy and breast reconstruction pros and cons?

@nataliehope
I was quite large breasted and since lumpectomies were on two sides of one breast, it would leave me quite misshapen so a considerable amount of breast tissue was removed and then had to be reshaped leaving me about a size A or a bit smaller. Speak to your breast surgeon about options and if you're not comfortable with that surgeon, go to another for a second opinion. The first surgeon I went to was pretty much of the mind of doing only mastectomies on women as she was a general surgeon. The surgeon I went to next strictly saw women with breast cancer.

Merry Christmas! I am still healing and waiting for the tightness to subside. Still have glue on the incision site. Thank you for your concern . and for clinical trial info-like driftwood....good sign

I had a double mastectomy with expanders in February 2016 followed by chemo. Due to the aggressive grade of my tumor (grade 3; triple negative), my doctors advised waiting a year before having reconstructive surgery. In March 2017 I had DIEP flap reconstruction and am very pleased with the results. I chose DIEP flap because I didn't want any foreign materials in my chest and I was told that implants can cause one to feel cold (and I already have cold sensitivity). As someone mentioned earlier; it is critical you have a highly skilled cosmetic surgeon perform the procedure as it does involve micro surgery in order to connect a blood supply to the transported tissue (be sure to interview several doctors before making a final selection).

I'm so glad you listened to your feelings, and it worked out for the best! I'm going to talk to my surgeon about this, but she sounds like I should just do the one, but we'll see. It's different when someone doesn't have this to say, and this is a business to make money. But I'm doing lots of research, and you've helped so much and I appreciate lots

Okey thank you makes me feel better going into it now

Yes was able to keep the skin. The flap surgery required recovery and some pain but as I remember it now, it was well managed. For implants the tissue expansion can be uncomfortable.

Are the implants a pain ful surgery they are able to keep my skin though

I had the flap surgery for reconstruction in 2004. The 10-12 weeks of recovery was tough but the outcome has been outstanding. I still have a flat tummy and great looking breast from the surgery. I am glad I chose this route in my journey. It may not work for everyone, but it was a great option for me. Knowing what I know now, I would do it over again,