Breast Reconstruction.

Scripture of the Day:

2 Thessalonians 3:16

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.

I had several choices about what to do after my double mastectomy. A quick note...I chose the double even though only one side was affected. The first choice I was given was to do nothing. I would just be flat chested and then use prosthetics to add to my bra. They showed me the prosthetic and let me hold it. I was surprised at how heavy it was. I spoke with a relative that said it was always an effort to get them in the bra right and even. So I decided that wasn't for me. I have to say now 5 years later, if just being flat chested and not worrying about a bra at all is what I should have done. I really hate wearing one and always have. 

My second choice was implants. This is actually what I chose to do. But then there are a choice of implants. Those made with saline and those made of silicon. If there are more types, I wasn't told of them. I was bound and determined that I wanted the saline. In my mind that is the most natural. However, my plastic surgeon finally convinced me that I would not be happy using those. He said the silicon would feel more natural. My original fear was if the implant sprang a leak all that stuff would go into my body. I felt saline would be more natural if it sprung a leak. But, so far, so good with the silicon choice.

Going for the implants started with my original surgery. The general surgeon removed the breast and the plastic surgeon installed tissue expanders. So after surgery, I was not completely flat chested. Once that was done, I would visit my plastic surgeon once a month and he would pump fluid into the expanders to stretch my skin. Once the skin was stretched to his satisfaction, I went in to surgery again and the implants were put in. This evolution took approximately 8 months. 

The third choice was complete breast reconstruction. They would take skin and tissue from your stomach and mold into a breast.They would have to spend time to attach blood vessels so that the blood would circulate as a normal vein in the breast. Although, this may have been the best option, because I would've gotten a tummy-tuck at the same time, it would have been 12 hours in surgery. I didn't feel like I wanted to do that or put my family through it for that long a time. 

This topic came up when I found a website  discussing this issue or step in the breast cancer recovery. 

Breast Reconstruction After Mastectomy/Lumpectomy

This site goes into the options in depth and offers links to sites with more information. 

Again, if you have a name that you would like me to add to my prayer list just leave me a message. Please include the ones that are already there on yours. 

If you are making this journey as I am, may God bless you with His healing touch. I know  He loves you.