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Back Flap reconstruction vs going flat

Liz_MacK
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Hi

I am llooking for advice please I feel like I am losing my mind with the decision I am facing.  I have Her2 cancer in my right breast and have been through four months of chemo and now facing surgery in 9 days time.  I have lost so much weight that a tummy flap reconstruction is not an option and the only thing I can for for is back flap without implants as I need radiotherapy after surgery.  The other alternative is to remove both breasts and go flat.  I am absolutely distraught with the thoguht of either option it seems an impossible choice and strugggling to cope mentally.  The back flap will leave me unable to enjoy a full range of movement and with a partial disability but create some sort of small breast and involve many surgeries.  Or I have been looking at the flat friends movement and I wish I felt strong like the women on there and could be flat and proud but I dont know if I can live with that option for the rest of my life.  I have just tuned 50 and was so fit and well before this, I am also now single and cant imagine ever feeling attractive again to myself of anyone else after this is over.  I dont know where to turn or how to make this impossible decision.  

Parents
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    Hi,

    I had a lumpectomy with back flap reconstruction 7 weeks ago and have had no issues since surgery. I still have a full range of movement In my arm and my reconstructed breast looks good. I'm small busted so this was a good option for me. I'm sure others have had different experiences and will pop on to give you their advice. It's a difficult decision to make and i appreciate you'll want to look at all options. I'm now one chemo down since surgery with 5 more to go. Unfortunately my cancer spread to lymph nodes so I'm having an axillary clearance after chemo which i have concerns about but want to ensure i have the very best outcome after treatment is finished. Hope this has helped somewhat, any questions fire away.

    Kaye xx

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    Hi,

    I had a lumpectomy with back flap reconstruction 7 weeks ago and have had no issues since surgery. I still have a full range of movement In my arm and my reconstructed breast looks good. I'm small busted so this was a good option for me. I'm sure others have had different experiences and will pop on to give you their advice. It's a difficult decision to make and i appreciate you'll want to look at all options. I'm now one chemo down since surgery with 5 more to go. Unfortunately my cancer spread to lymph nodes so I'm having an axillary clearance after chemo which i have concerns about but want to ensure i have the very best outcome after treatment is finished. Hope this has helped somewhat, any questions fire away.

    Kaye xx

Children
  • Offline in reply to Kaye75

    Hi Kaye

    I had wished I had only needed a lumpectomy but needed the whole breast off.  I am so glad that your back flap surgery has gone well.  I guess a lot of times on the forum perhaps you dont hear all the good stories off when the reconstructions go well and more often than not when things go wrong.  

    Good luck in your recovery and hope you get back to your normal self soon x

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