Preventative Mastectomy with Immediate Breast Reconstruction

[urstandingonmytoes]

I am having a preventative mastectomy with immediate reconstruction.  Due to my strong family history ( my mother and 6 of her sisters having either breast or ovarian cancer ), I had 3 different doctors, including an oncologist recommend that after my multiple biopsies that I have a bilateral mastectomy.  I have read everything I can find on the internet, but there is little information about Prevent. mastectomies with immediate breast reconstruction and the results/experiences of women that have had it.  I am certain that the bilateral mastectomy is the right choice, I have also had a complete hysterectomy and at the age of 34, with two small children to raise, this is a choice I am comfortable with.  However, I still have questions about a few things. Is there anything I can do to help prevent capsular contractures?  I am having a one step procedure, without expanders.  I would appreciate any insight on recovery time, pain, results, that anyone could give me. I also intend to shower with hibiclens the day of my surgery to help decrease the chances of infection...has anyone done this before and do you feel it helped or not?  Thank you so much for ANY insight.

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear urstandingonmytoes:  Your questions regarding recovering from plastic surgical reconstruction would be best directed to your plastic surgeon.  You may not find much in the way of people who have had preventative mastectomies with reconstruction but women who have had mastectomies for cancer would undergo similar recovery.  You should avoid comparing yourself to women who have had radiation as this does affect the healing process.  It will not hurt you to wash with hibiclens the night before surgery, though I am not aware of any data indicating a reduction in infection rates.

[boninclyde]

You can get alot of information at breastcancer.org. And go to their discussion board. So many wonderful ladies there have already been through what you are going to have done.

[rkmsim]

You can get a lot of information from women who have gone down the route you are going on the FORCE website - www.facingourrisk.org - on their message board.  Just post a message and I'm sure you will get a lot of replies.  They are a great group there.

[604joe]

as a natural health specialist, I'm horrified at the way mainstream medicine is practiced. you don't need preventative surgery, you need preventative nutrients, and not just random one's holy smokes I need to make a website and start offering proper information, this is over whelming for me. I don't know what to say.

[Christie04_returns]

I had immediate reconstruction, with expanders.  Never had any capsular contractures.  I think it depends on your body chemistry more than anything.  Keep working your implants around, once the area is healed.  I had saline implants after my expanders were removed.  

[Christie04_returns]

Nutrients do not always prevent cancer.  Yes, it would be fantastic if we all ate the best of the best foods.  But even then, cancer would still continue to exist.

[shellyandchris]

I am also having a preventative mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction.  I have had one mastectomy already due to breast cancer.  I am nervous about it as well and am curious as to what to expect this time around.

[boninclyde]

After my masectomy August 25, 2006 I needed no pain meds. They cut the nerves. I went home the next day and did laundry and cooked. What was your previous diagnosis that required the masectomy? If you don't mind me asking. I was just curious.I wish you the best.

[shellyandchris]

I was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer when I was 21 years old.  I chose at that time to have a mastectomy and had a tram-flap reconstruction.  I am actually having an implant put in on that side as well to try to get some symmetry back and to have more "normal" looking breasts.  My surgery is tomorrow and appreciate hearing you did so well, I hope to be that lucky!

[boninclyde]

I will be thinking about you. Let us know how you are as soon as your feeling better.

[boobsareoverated]

More power to you in taking control of your situation.  I wonder if you have had the genetics test to see if you carry the mutation to the Brca 1 or 2 gene.  I was diagnosed with IDC of my right breast, had lumpectomy, radiation, and chemo at age 32 at which time they told me I was cured.  I few years later I had the gene test done.  I tested positive the BRCA 1 (my grandmother was European Jew).  Now at age 44 I have another occurrence on the left breast.  I am now having a double mastectomy with tram flap reconstruction.  If I had known about the gene before the first surgery I would have done it then. Why not take your odds from 85% down to 5%.  At my age with already my second occurrence I like those odds much better.

You take care and think positive thoughts!

Oh and by the way....I'm in good shape, not overweight, and eat well....NUTRITION DID NOT STOP MY CANCER....although it probably helps in healing from surgery.

[urstandingonmytoes2007]

I wanted to thank everyone for their replies.  My surgery is March 02, 2007 and I'm quite anxious but ready to get it over with and move on with my life without the constant worry of breast cancer.  I've chosen silicone implants that they will place immediately after my bilateral mastectomy.  I will not be having expanders.  I will post as soon as I'm able and let everyone know how it went and what my experience was like.  As women with difficult decisions to make, I think every bit of information is helpful...good or bad. Thank you all so much for your concern, bless you!

[breakthecycle]

Hi- I hope your surgery went well-- I just got approval today to do the exact same surgery with no expanders, silicon implants put in at time of surgery.  I have so many questions and I hope just hearing about your procedure will help me.  Please share how everything went.  Any problems with infection.