Hi ED29

I have just been diagnosed too in my right breast and am also waiting for surgery. So, I can't offer advice but just wanted to say hello.

I looked at DIEP flap and thought it seemed wonderful. There are some images online that you can see. It's a major surgery too and a large abdominal scar. I also hadn't realised that the skin from your stomach is also used in the reconstruction.

I have asked for a double mastectomy and have asked for teardrop implants as I thought the diep route would be too long in surgery and too long of a recovery period. I'm due to have surgery on 7th Jan. How about you?

Hopefully, we can support eachother.

Caz

Hi ED29

I have just been diagnosed too in my right breast and am also waiting for surgery. So, I can't offer advice but just wanted to say hello.

I looked at DIEP flap and thought it seemed wonderful. There are some images online that you can see. It's a major surgery too and a large abdominal scar. I also hadn't realised that the skin from your stomach is also used in the reconstruction.

I have asked for a double mastectomy and have asked for teardrop implants as I thought the diep route would be too long in surgery and too long of a recovery period. I'm due to have surgery on 7th Jan. How about you?

Hopefully, we can support eachother.

Caz

Hi Caz,

I’m sorry to hear about your diagnoses. I had also originally drifted towards the DIEP surgery but like you said the recovery is too long and I have a 9 week old baby and a 10 year old and don’t fancy being of my feet for too long. 

My surgery is due to take place 30th December, they had offered 23rd December but I don’t want to be in hospital over xmas.  It was originally meant to only be a lumpectomy but they found more cancer in the breast behind the lump after my MRI, so I now have to have a mastectomy. 

I have until Thursday to make my mind up. I had  asked about a double mastectomy but I was told that they wouldn’t take tissue away that was healthy. I would prefer a double, just because going forward I don’t have to worry about breast cancer coming back again and obviously cosmetically it would look better.

Did you have to convince them to do the double mastectomy? 

E.

Hi E,

Yes, I did have to convince them. I changed my surgeon to one that is more amenable and I have got to go for a psych assessment. For me, even though my cancer is low grade, it is invasive and I know I would be too anxious going forward. I've also suffered with very low self esteem and the look of my breasts, along with the desire for symmetry is also very important. As a consequence, everything has been delayed - My surgery was originally set for 20th December but, like you, at least now I can 'enjoy' Christmas. 

I don't know whether it's worth pushing for a double if you're not comfortable with the decision. The downside is the waiting for the decision. I don't feel that my date or treatment plan is confirmed so I feel very much in limbo. I was diagnosed in 28th November and ever since, it has all been about surgery. It only hit me two days ago, that I have cancer! In the meantime, because of the delay, I've been put on Tamoxifen to block the hormones in the hope that the cancer does not spread further. 

Did your MRI show clear nodes? I haven't had one, so won't find out until surgery and a biopsy.

Thinking of you x

I feel just the same, it’s all about the surgery, it takes over the fact that you have this disease in your body and research and stats say you shouldn’t have it but you do and no one can explain why. Each time I go for an appointment it snowballs, the lump was nothing just a pregnancy lump then another appointment it was cancer and the next appointment there is more than just the lump. 

The MRI showed clear nodes but they are still taking some out but the MRI showed more cancer behind the lump, I have an appointment on Thursday and they will be able to tell me more about the type of cancer etc of the second find. 

I hope your ok and get your final op date confirmed. Hopefully you can see that as the start of your recovery and getting over this first stage of recovery xx

Hi E,

I'm seeing my consultant on Wednesday so hopefully we'll both Get Some answers this week x

Hello CazStu, firstly I'm sorry about your diagnosis and I know this was a while ago for you now but your post caught my eye.  I'm waiting for delayed breast reconstruction and I hope you don't mind me asking but how did you manage to get a mastectomy on your healthy breast. I had another family with breast cancer and have asked for a double mastectomy but have been refused twice. Can I also ask how the surgery went and how you feel now? 

Hi

Im so sorry you're in this situation. 
I was able to get both breasts done but only on the grounds if symmetry being very important to me and concern that otherwise my self esteem, mental health and marital relationship would suffer. It seems bonkers but I was told that is the reason to use as they don't treat 'fear.'

All that said, I haven't got symmetry when my clothes are off and it is nothing like a boob job. They are very heavy and I'm still not used to the feel of them. I've had terrible pain down my left side which might be down to nerve damage. So, it's a massive procedure which has to be considered. 
 

I guess I'm still 'pleased' I had it done as I feel more confident health wise. 
 

I hope you get what's right for you. 
 

Best of luck with it xxx

Thank you so much for your response that's very helpful. I hope you continue to heal well. X