A lot of women worry about getting a mastectomy. Understandably they don’t want to loose there breasts. This is a time when things have to be put in perspective. Are those breasts worth your life? And, why are they important to keep? For women who are well endowed they may a since of identity connected to there large breasts and their appearance in general. We all want to look good and be desired….is it worth your LIFE? Because that is the ONLY question that matters when you have breast cancer.

I was given many options by my surgeon.  Some options included reconstruction and others did not. As far as my surgeon was concerned, reconstruction is a mental and emotional health surgery.  And, based on my age, it would be beneficial to have reconstruction.

The amount of trauma put on my body during this surgery cannot be explained in words. The large benefit is that I never was without breasts. I had a double mastectomy but no one can tell. Nothing on my body is a sign that I have had a reconstruction surgery. The fat from my abdomen was used to create my new breasts. This surgery should be performed by a team of people who will be concerned about your level of comfort and happiness with the overall final product. You will want a team of people that are easily contacted if you have a question or problem.

Reconstruction surgery was approximately 12 hours. I was not able to get out of bed for approximately 48/72 hours.  My body was cut in half. I had a nurse that cleaned my incisions every 2 days. She was so awesome. I also came home with a portable potty, a walker, compression bra, and extra bandaging. Everything and anything I could need, I had, and I didn’t have to ask. This may seem small but when your body has been cut up, beat up, beat down, and broken to pieces, these small comforts will make a large difference.

The scar on my stomach from surgery starts on one side of my back, it goes entirely around my abdomen and onto the other side of my back. I had a home health nurse, a walker, 4-Jackson-Pratt drainage bulbs coming out of my body, breathing assistance items…..etc. Moffitt made sure I had more than enough pain medication. This is important because I have had surgery at other places and left in pain and remained in pain. I could not move around for weeks. I could not drive as well as other limitations. The mastectomy allows my surgeon the opportunity to remove all of my breast tissue and biopsy everything to ensure I was cancer free. At the end, all of the pain and suffering was worth it to know I was cancer free.

Update: As of 2020, I have a different perspective on my breast surgery. I see many survivors that do not have reconstruction. In the past, I did not understand this decision. However, as of now, I do understand. If I had it to do again, I am not certain that I would get reconstruction. AND, if I did I would make sure that I received the size A cup that I asked.