Difficult Decisions: Breast Reconstruction

After a breast cancer diagnosis, you have many decisions to make, several of which come fast and furious. One of those complex choices may be breast reconstruction--if you want to have it, when you may want to have it, and what kind of reconstruction is best for you.
During this program our expert, Clara N. Lee, MD, MPP, associate professor of plastic and reconstructive surgery at The Ohio State University College of Medicine, will offer insight into what your doctor should understand about your health and lifestyle to provide you the information and support you need to make the best decision. She will discuss the differences between reconstructive surgeries and what different reconstruction choices may mean down the road.
Hear from a panel of people like you about their own reconstruction decisions, their stories, and the impact their reconstruction choice has made on their lives.

[@luiseliluis9946]

I wish the oncologists would have more time for the patients to really give information about ALL options and going flat is one of them. We are more than our breasts!!!

[@luiseliluis9946]

All oncologists and plastic surgeons working with breast cancer patients should watch this!!!

[@traceymanzano4015]

I never liked my 36h breast,they were heavy and cumbersome,so I had a breast reduction and a week after that ,I discovered I had DCIS. I immediately knew that I would have a DMX with NO reconstruction. I wasn't interested in any kind of reconstruction whatsoever! I wasn't going to put my body through anymore trauma and I wasnt going to lend my time and energy to more drawn out surgeries. As far as I was concerned, I was totally over breast and felt like they were trying to kill me ,so having a DMX was an easy decision. I knew that I would have scars, because I googled lots of images of women who had a DMX with Aesthetic Flat Closure and I instantly knew this was for me! I will be getting a groovy tattoo to cover the scar and call it day. I cant wait to show off my tattoo!😊

[@luiseliluis9946]

Did you get your tattoo yet? How are you doing? I have my operation in 3 weeks no reconstruction

[@RhondaPressnall]

Omgoodness this has helped me to confirmed My decision to not have reconstructive surgery at my age.

[@rosaliegmaye8539]

I'm having a bilateral masctomy in 9 days. I too have peace, choosing to not be reconstructed at 57. GOD Bless you

[@drusillaarguijo8493]

I wished I would’ve seen this video before my surgery. My reconstruction was done at the time of surgery. I felt as though it was rushed. I wasn’t given an option. I wished I would’ve waited. The doctor did a reduction on both breast. Although only one had the pre cancer cells. I am so disappointed. I can’t look at myself in the mirror. I’m a different person. I haven’t started radiation and I was told that it shrinks your breast. I’m getting a second opinion on the radiation treatment.

[@thankfulblessed3774]

How are you doing now? I hope well!! I’m having a lumpectomy on Monday and My doctor and my plastic surgeon Both want to me to have reconstruction. I am having to have my complete nipple removed as well as areola but I’m not really concerned about that I would just assume get a tattoo over that area because I don’t want to have to go through surgery after surgery. And I’m wondering since I saw your post here it looks like you had a horrible experience and I’m kind of like you I wish I wouldn’t have to go through surgery after surgery can you kind of elaborate on how you feel about this and what happened?

[@dawnwolf4777]

This is my big decesion. They told me if I had them put back in at time of removal then I'd have to redo because the radiology would turn them into cement?

[@beverlygiroux2824]

I am 78,having bilateral mastectomy this Tuesday, May 10th.(2022). Having reconstruction the same day. I am hearing from family members, “oh, just have them taken off….you will heal faster with nothing implanted…..so and so had a flat chest, and wore a padded bra….they are going to wrap the implant in someone else’s tissue? Oh Mom, that’s awful. These are some of the comments I am getting. I just want everything removed….( I did have a lumpectomy in February) anyway, I need breasts….even if they are fake. The majority of people are trying to talk me out of reconstruction. I don’t even know what they will put in. I have only spoken with the plastic surgeon once….will probably see her before my surgery. I am confused…I am scared….only spoke with the breast surgeon once since making the decision to having it done…….thank you for listening. I see this was filmed over a year ago, so have no idea if you will see my comments. Again, thank you.

[@karenjohnson6551]

Hi, how are you doing and what did YOU decide? My bilateral was 3/22/22 and my implant surgery is tomorrow 11/18. I pray all is well with whatever you decided. 🙏🏽🌹

[@beverlygiroux2824]

@@karenjohnson6551 I have been 6 months with my implants. I just wish I had nothing done, But I thought that I would feel more like a woman, with at least something there. Well….I am wishing that nothing had been put in. My “fake” breasts, as I refer to them, are floating around….they are not in place, as I had desired. I was told I didn’t have to wear a bra anymore….well, that sounds great. I have yet to find a bra that fits. Due to the surgery, I only have feeling in half of each breast. I still have Sonoma in left area, so left side is larger than right. I just wish I had gone with no implants…..I a. Seriously contemplating having them both removed. I wish you luck with your surgery. We each need to go through what we think is best for

[@beverlygiroux2824]

Us

[@AD-xp7ef]

So helpful. I had decided at the last minute to not get reconstruction this video helped by giving me confirmation that it was ok to wait or not at all.

[@charleneobrien1803]

This was very helpful. Thanks for the detailed discussions from other women who have gone thru this process.

[@CopingwithGrattitude]

I was quite certain in choosing a double mastectomy with no reconstruction but my breast surgeon insisted I speak to plastic surgery anyway....just so I would have the entire picture. Especially if I changed my mind on down the road so I would understand the process.

[@jenipiechocki6925]

Did u stick with this decision? I am leaning this way, amoung other reasons im worried abiut how radiation will impact implants.

[@zeezazou4741]

Thank you for this video. My surgery will be on the 12th of Dec. My doctor offered me immediate reconstruction and I told her I didn’t think about reconstruction, I just want to get the cancer out. Even when I was diagnosed I was thinking of going flat. She suggested flap reconstruction and I have an appointment with the plastic surgeon in one week. I will go for that appointment to get more information but won’t have immediate reconstruction. I was told that I will have 5 sessions of chemo after surgery and I might have radiotherapy. I’m still thinking of going flat (99.9%), i will use the prosthesis and hopefully I will be happy with this and won’t need reconstruction.

[@LivingBeyondBC]

Thanks for sharing and wishing you well on your upcoming surgery. It's important to listen to your internal voice and do what feels best for you. You can find more information on reconstruction choices here, including some sample questions to ask the plastic surgeon: www.lbbc.org/about-breast-cancer/treatments/breast-reconstruction. Take good care!

[@br5210]

Had a mastectomy with 37, expander then implant for 15 years now, thinking of taking it out and live with a breast prosthetic. Expander was horrible, lots of pain and back problems, implant wandered upwards over the years. Is it really worth it? It was ok being mother of a toddler but now? We can only reconstruct the illusion of a breast.

[@stephanypasnin1474]

I didnt have all those issues with my expanders

[@kristywelton5791]

Thank you so much for this!

[@jayzkatinapi562]

these women are LIT !!! helps a lot thank you very much ::)))) we strong people !!!!

[@mimIsra1]

How should you wait on or for delayed reconstruction.

[@pattybays7372]

Please send me support group link. I am newly diagnosed, and have to see the breast cancer surgeon this coming Tuesday.

[@karygarcia173]

Hi, how are you doing today? I was hoping someone posted the link in response to your comment. I am today where you were 4 months ago. A lot of uncertainty and difficult decisions to make.

[@LivingBeyondBC]

Thank you for your comment and apologies for the late reply. We hope that you are doing well with your treatment. Here are some options for finding support. www.lbbc.org/get-support/support-options and www.lbbc.org/learn/living-breast-cancer/emotional-health/support. We offer a Helpline where you can be matched with a trained volunteer who has had a personal experience with breast cancer as well as private facebook groups to talk meet others in a similar situation.

[@LivingBeyondBC]

@@karygarcia173 Living Beyond Breast Cancer 1 second ago Thank you for your comment and apologies for the late reply. We hope that you are doing well with your treatment. Here are some options for finding support. www.lbbc.org/get-support/support-options and www.lbbc.org/learn/living-breast-cancer/emotional-health/support. We offer a Helpline where you can be matched with a trained volunteer who has had a personal experience with breast cancer as well as private facebook groups to talk meet others in a similar situation.

[@sandramartin5155]

God bless you and keep you remeber One day at a time

[@sandramartin5155]

One thing is that they don’t seem to understand is that Dr are focused on getting in and getting the cancer more your appearance or radiation over your personal look

[@stephanypasnin1474]

Why cant they take fat like liposuction and put in. Dont really want scars on my stomach or back.

[@stephanypasnin1474]

I had breast cancer 12 years ago. Just been told i have to remove my implants as they are associated with another cancer. I will be going in in 3 weeks to have them out. Def dont want to get new ones in. So i have 3 weeks to decide what im going to do now. I know im in for a lot of pain and not looking forward to being scarred and my body mauled. Headache. I have no idea what reconstruction im going to do

[@kristywelton5791]

Sorry to hear this!!

[@cindyburns2240]

How are you doing after surgery? IVE just found out I will be going through what you just have been through. Im afraid of all implants. I think I want the tram flap.

[@dianadougherty1082]

did you have a certain kind of implants?

[@stephanypasnin1474]

@@dianadougherty1082 i have textured apparently. Mentor brand

[@karygarcia173]

Wow 12 years and cancer free, you give me hope. 🧡

[@stchannel2476]

I enjoyed this very much. Thank you very much.

[@cjameelah7]

thank you

[@dawnwolf4777]

I was told I had a 50/50 chance if I reconstruct after removal and before radiation that I will have to have another surgery to redo the breasts cause radiation turns them like cement?

[@estherbaker5576]

I need help

[@renesalazar1678]

I'll tell you they found something abnormal in both of your breasts. Knowing how much breast cancer I've had my family scared me to death death. I truly panicked but I know that's not going to give me anywhere. Watching these videos and learning that I'm not the only one that felt like that it's kind of a normal response. I know it's nothing to mess with I just want to be told what's going to happen best option for me. My heart my mind know that my situation is not good because I'm the one that found the knot in the first place but in just 3 weeks and has gotten much larger. I recently changed from medical to Kaiser I hope I get noticed quickly now that I'm paying for my own medical insurance'the size of the knot in the side of my breast is the only one I can feel it has gotten big quick ly grown from a dime to a nickel size