I had a Lumpectomy & reconstruction same day. The Doctor removed my old implants, removed the tumor and the reconstruction doctor stepped in , sewed my nipples back on ( because my tumor was on the edge of my nipple & I told him you save those nipples & sew them back. Anyway, I have had NO problems whatsoever with reconstruction. As a matter of fact they are the cutest breast I have ever had. So this is a Positive story. I can now teasingly say to my friends, Well that was a Hell of a way, to get those old big implants out, a lift and natural perky breast. HA ! So this was the "1 " Highlight of my BC. I said No to a mastectomy. I have not regretted my choice yet ❤️

I have no answer to this question either. I had a mastectomy and stayed flat. NO REGRETS! Too many women had nightmare experiences.

I had lots of issues after my (2) breast biopsies, cancer surgery, then surgery again a few days later for a large hematoma in the wound, MRSA Twice in the wound, then wound vac for about 6 weeks. That made for a longer than preferred time between finally healing and my radiation treatments. I was left with a little lump of a breast. Mastectomy bras and an insert was what I thought I could live with, but that actually left me feeling lopsided and bulky. So, 1 1/2 years later I checked into reconstruction on the 'little girl'. I basically wanted some symmetry, to look more 'normal' in my clothes. I just didn't know what to expect and/or exactly what to ask for. I was told I could use my own body fat to fill in as much of the little breast as possible and I thought that anything, at that point, would be an asset, no matter how much or how little. I was envisioning a reduction on my other breast to make the two somewhat of a matched set. Somehow in translation, though, the bigger breast didn't end up being any smaller. So, after the fact, I'm much happier with how I feel in my clothes...although...my plastic surgeon did a lift on my normal breast (thank you, aromatase drug for the extra weight gain...everywhere including the breast that didn't need help in that area) and transplanted the nipple. It looks great, however, I was hoping to actually have a small breast reduction on that one, which didn't happen. So my breasts are still basically two different sizes. But the smaller one now looks more normal and I have some cleavage to it, if I so desire. I also have found that in darker colored clothes, or loose fitting blouses I look (thus, I feel) just fine. Do I want to go to the bother of surgery again...I'm thinking not. Maybe that 1 1/2 years of what I first went through, in comparison, makes how I am now so much of an improvement to my psyche, I'm ok. I DO have symmetry and that is, after all, what I started out to aspire to get. I agree with so many that all our walks are different. We need to find our new 'niche' to be happy in and to feel good about ourselves...and after all, in the end, isn't that where we are/were all headed in our journey to find life after breast cancer ?
I'll be 76 next month and I'm Way past the age of wanting to have perfect breasts. I've learned that the people who love me and matter most love me just the way I am...whatever way that is! I know where I'm going when my time on the Lord's green earth ends, and I guarantee you I will have a perfect body beyond words then! Be blessed, sweet friends, I pray for us all. 💕

I had a mastectomy,n in 2024 on my left breast, this was my second occurance on same breast, first time was a lumpectomy, and second time it had to be removed. I opted for reconstruction. I had an implant put in Aug 2024 and a breast lift done on the right breast. I just wanted to feel "normal" again. Sometimes, you need more work due to every breast is not made equally. I just had some "fat grafting" done 3 days ago to fill in the areas to make them look evenly symetric, I wouldn't call it a problem, but maybe an ongoing procress to get them to look natural. My plastic Surgeon is wonderful, and hopefully giving me back my confidence. Every woman is made differently and is a personal choice to have this done. I am happy that things are falling into place.

Again, this is one of those situations where, if everything goes well, women may just state that, and move on.

Those that are finding reconstruction challenging, whether it is pain, healing, the process of repeated fills, timing (some have to be postponed because of radiation, or done through a series of 2 or more surgeries, or ending up with results that are different than they imagined- are the ones posting more frequently.

If anything, the challenges should be a reminder to be very certain about your wishes, research your surgeon, and work with the team to minimize risks.