i had a double mastectomy with implants originally, due to complications had to go back for surgery(they didnt get all the cancer) well I ended up having the latisimus surgery on the left side and a new implant. The surgeons at Stanford really fixed me up and I am cancer free and the surgeries all went well. Having the implants makes me feel more normal, I had much smaller ones done, lost my nipples with the surgery so I had the tattoo(3D nipples) done a year after all the surgeries done.
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Long story, it was tough for a while, I am now going on 2 + years cancer free!

I've been through a very tough time and the plastic surgeon told me they have me up and running in no time. 15 months ago a bilateral mastectomy. Cancer butted chest muscle and I still had positive margins and plastic surgeon proceeded with Alloderm placement and extenders. They knew full well I would need chemo and radiation. High grade fast growing cancer. Needless to say the cancer side capsulated the extender and both were removed. The Alloderm on the other hand was left in place. I have no idea why and I'm in daily chronic pain. I would have never done this and gone fat and fabulous. I'm living a life of hell all because the doctors made it sound easy!!!! Beware!! Hundreds of thousands of women going through reconstructive surgery and end up in excruciating pain every day. Then the doctors claim they can't help you and that's it. Reconstructive breast surgery is not a breast augmentation!!!! There are high percentage of women that had these procedures and we are screwed up for life!!!!

Hi Caregroat. You are so lucky. I had IDC HR++ so they did first one then the other the spacers and when my implants were put in they did the non cancer side under the muscle then went to the right side the cancer side and there was no muscle. It was all removed to obtain clean margins. So now one wants to slide around and go under my arm and the other looks like a flat tire because it's under the muscle. I have had three revisions and the last one was about a year or more ago. When I seen them for the first time about two days later they were perfect absolutely perfect. Even made me nipples and with in two months the loot like they did before. It's very very frustrating for me and my P/S. He said he has never had anyone have this kind of problem. But I have not given up, I have an appointment next month to discuss our next approach. So I envy you and your bionic breasts. I have not been sorry about the surgery I will keep doing it till there right. Hugs and love to all.
JoAnne you go girl!

@A MyBCTeam Member ... i think it's all alone your choice, nobody can tell u what to get or not to get. some go without breasts others want boobies, like myself. i had the latissimus dorsi flap reconstruction on my right side and a normal reconstruction on my left side. i love the results. i have implants and they feel natural sometimes they are cold. i would do it again.

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A MyBCTea...

And remember, you don't have to do anything. I chose to go breast free and am loving it. See the "Breast free web page. It may give you an alternative perspective. I realize that my choice is not for everyone, and it is a blessing to have the choice of reconstruction if it helps you feel good about yourself. I wish you happiness and health, whatever your choice.