prosthesis after mastectomy

I had a mastectomy in 2015 with immediate reconstruction which unfortunately failed. I was older than you so you are definitely not too old. I have tried various prostheses - the stick on ones are quite good but I now just use a sports/swimming prosthesis for everyday use in a pocketed bra. You can get most prostheses on the NHS but I buy my own these days. There should be a specialist nurse at the hospital who can advise you.

I had a mastectomy in 1998. At that time the surgeon advised waiting 9 months for reconstruction to allow any swelling to reduce in order to get a good result. Things have probably changed a lot in all that time.

It took me a very long time to get over the surgery as I have M.E. and other health conditions. I had horrible reactions to the Tamoxifen I had to take but the prospect of reconstruction kept me going.

However, when I began to look into it and the consultant said I would probably need surgery on my "good" breast so that it would match up with the reconstructed one, I decided not to bother and that my health just couldn't take more surgery.

Since then I have worn a prosthesis in a pocketed bra and my scar is my badge of pride. I have had cancer twice and am just glad to still be here 24 years later.

A friend of mine had so much trouble with her reconstruction. OH and I discussed this. We are all different- but at my age, I would not bother at all.

I had recon after double mastectomy. 13 1/2 hour surgery, but I'm really glad I did. I have one tram boob and one diep. Harvested From my stomach fat and muscle.

@Suzique, this is a thread from 2013.
When I had BC I found the website Breast cancer Now very useful. Also there is a UK Breast cancer Facebook page. (Avoid US sites because they treat differently). I met up with a group of lical women as a result of that.
I didn't have reconstruction so can't help on that.

I have two very lightweight ones made by a charity called Knitted Knockers UK, sorry but I haven’t mastered posting links yet. They also do them for swimming. Much more comfortable than the silicone ones in hot weather. As to being too old for a reconstruction - nonsense. Good luck and I hope you find a solution that’s good for you

Mastectomy worries
Can anyone advise whether it is best to go for reconstruction at the same time as the mastectomy, or is it better to wait a while?
What are the pros and cons?

My plastic surgeon told me a lot of women just have the tattoo and stop there. I'm still not sure if I'll go ahead or not but definitely going to chat to him about it.

Forzanonna - yes I had the tattoo but just after I had the reconstruction but have found that it has faded somewhat. I didn't bother with the nipple reconstruction as it doesn't notice (unless it is very cold )

Hi anxiousgran I had a mastectomy and reconstruction a year ago - similar to what Barrow had done, but no bag, just the muscle from my back. Has been absolutely great and no probs. Had my ariola (can't spell!) tattoed about 3 weeks ago and will be seeing the plastic surgeon soon to talk about having a nipple fasioned. I was 60 last October - family joke I had to wait till this age to get a tattoo - too old, never!! PS All NHS.

Thanks, all. I will screw up my courage and enquire about reconstruction.
As a fall- back though, I will take a look at Amoena's "stick-ons".
They look like they've been modernised.

AnxiousGran being too old? Never! You just go for whatever makes you feel good about yourself. We can read all we like about other people's experiences with BC, but in the end, it was your illness, your operation, your body. I have a friend who has reconstructions and she looks great. Me, I have a large bit missing on one side, but not the whole thing. Just a hollow!

I worked as a speaker for BCC for some time, then transferred to Cancer Research UK, and am now also involved with the Breast Cancer Campaign - all about research. And, of course, I had the ** thing!

Go for it!

AnxiousGran, I shouldn't worry about anyone in the NHS thinking you're 'too old'. Have you enquired about having a breast reconstruction? This is what people do nowadays rather than having to put up with uncomfortable prostheses.

Try a site called BreastHealthOnline: www.breasthealthonline.org

Also Amoena: www.amoena.co.uk

Being too old? I'm going for reduction mammoplasty in the private sector in 2 weeks time (breast reduction, in other words). No question of being 'too old', and I'm 20 years older than you. Although, to be honest, I didn't even ask the NHS because I simply didn't want the delays. As it is, I should have had this done in January but had a cold which lasted 3 weeks and not safe to anaesthetise me.

anxiousgran it is quite a big operation. In my case they took some of the muscle from my back, threaded it under my arm and then attached it to my chest wall maintaining the blood flow. They then inserted a "bag" which over the next few weeks they filled with saline to stretch the skin (not painful just a bit uncomfortable). This was 14 years ago so things may have changed since then.

In your position I would have a word with my Doctor to find out what the alternatives are. As Ariadne suggested,Breast Cancer Care will also be able to advise you. The length of time since your operation shouldn't make any difference

Good luck with whatever you decide

They also used to have a forum which I found very useful.

anxiousgran Breast Cancer Care - www.breastcancercare.org - used to have many sorts of prostheses. Worth a try?

I do sometimes go flat chested, and I am not particularly bothered, but I know others notice.
To be honest I would like a reconstruction on the quiet, but no-one really discussed it with me, and time went on and it seemed too late for me to bring it up.
The trouble is my mastectomy was 6 years ago now, and also as I am 57 I feel a bit embarrassed about the medical profession thinking I am too old.
Also
to Barrow in particular, was it a very big operation?

One other option might be to do as my sister has done - she just doesn't bother with any sort of prosthesis but wears her flat chest with pride! She never was huge in the boob dept, and I guess it is more difficult if you are/were well-endowed.

She made the decision after someone came round the ward with a tray of stick-on nipples to choose from and it made her laugh so much she decided to do without!

I do hope that there are many people on this forum who can give you the advice that you need anxiousgran.

I had the adhesive ones when I had my mastectomy (sp), I got them free from NHS. With the ones I had there was an adhesive strip which you stuck onto your body and that strip had velcro on the outer side and the prosthesis also had velcro strips which your fixed onto the adhesive strip (hope that makes sense) I found them heavy and at least once a week you have to remove the adhesive strip from your body and scrub away until all the old adhesive is gone.

After three years I had a reconstruction done and it is so much better. You used to have to wait three years before they would do a reconstruction but these days I know some surgeons will do it at the same time as the mastectomy.

I would speak to your consultant about it and see whether a reconstruction is possible.

Talk to your Macmillan nurse and if there is a care group canvas
their opinion.