I tried implants after my bmx and I didn't get passed the expanders either they are painful and I have one that deflated and they wont remove it. I have prothsesis on both sides

I also did not want any more foreign materials in me so I chose to have a bilateral mastectomy with immediate DIEP flap reconstruction. For me the recovery was not as bad as others made me believe. I was actually walking the day after surgery and combing my own hair. I did not have any problems with arm reach nor was I in a lot of pain. I was able to start walking outdoors for exercise a couple of days after my surgery.

However, I had fat necrosis and one spot on left breast was slow to heal. But my PS is the best and I am really happy with the results.

No one chooses to get breast cancer, but modern technologies make it possible to be restored very close to what you were before BC reared its ugly head.

Pros: your own tissues, less chances for infection, you wake up with breast right after surgery, implants do not have to be replaced in 10 years, nor do you have to endure the pain of inflating expanders, oh--and a tighter stomach.

Cons: at least two surgeries, possibility of fat necrosis, possibility of flap dying, longer revovery period, scars on cheat and fat harvest site.

I had single mastectomy and DIEP flap recon on 10/16/15. It was a long surgery and recovery has been hard but manageable. I too wanted to use my own tissue. There is a group on Facebook for DIEP surgeries if you would like me to give you the info. Lots of great information!