There are some women who choose never to have BREAST RECONSTRUCTION following mastectomy. Clearly, the decision to have reconstructive breast surgery is very personal and depends on several important factors including age, general physical health and self-image.

Can-Help News spoke with June (name has been changed), an attractive lady in her 40’s who had breast cancer more than 2 years ago. She chose breast reconstruction after her mastectomy. Breast reconstruction, or creating an artificial breast, is an option available to most women who wish to replace the breast(s) they have lost. June shares with Can-Help News how breast reconstruction changed her life. Now she is able to enjoy life to the fullest, living in and loving her own body again.

CHN: How soon after your mastectomy did you go for breast reconstruction?
JUNE: Immediately.

CHN: What was your reason for choosing breast reconstruction?
JUNE: I consider myself young and have many more years to live. I felt that the mastectomy might affect my self-esteem but I wanted to feel good about myself despite the surgery. So I read up lot about breast cancer, mastectomy and breast reconstruction. I got to know the options available for post mastectomy breast reconstruction. The other reason is that I love to go swimming and visit the gym occasionally. So using an external prosthesis and special swimwear would be inconvenient.

CHN: Who or what convinced you to go for breast reconstruction?
JUNE: Nobody. It was a personal decision. I knew very well that I want to feel good. When one feels good she will look good – so I decided to go for it.

CHN: How long did the procedure take?
JUNE: About 8 hours.

CHN: What were your feelings like the moment you woke up from anesthesia after the surgery?
JUNE: I felt tired. I did not sleep well before the operation because I was anxious. When the surgery was over, the anxiety was gone. Honestly, I did not feel much pain – not as bad as my caesarian child birth. However, I was unable to get up on the first two days. I had a TRAM flap – where extra tissue and muscle from the lower tummy wall was used to reconstruct the breast. So, there was a feeling of tautness and numbness in my abdominal area after the surgery.

CHN: What was your husband’s feeling about you going for breast reconstruction?
JUNE: He was worried because of the length of the surgery and was also concerned about complications. He was also afraid that healing might take much longer than usual. Nevertheless, he gave me all the emotional support and blessings that I needed.

CHN: What was his reaction or feelings after you had the surgery?
JUNE: He was very happy with the results and agreed that I made the right choice.

CHN: What did you find most satisfying about the surgery?
JUNE: It saves me from waking up and seeing myself without a breast. I don’t have to buy special swimwear or clothing or use an external prosthesis. My two young girls are less affected emotionally when seeing me without a breast.

CHN: What did you find most about unsatisfactory about breast reconstruction?
JUNE: The reconstructed breast does not have the normal sensation of a real breast. Sometimes there are some tingling sensations not amounting to pain which the doctor says is normal. This is because the nerves were affected during surgery but they are in the process of healing.

CHN: Are there any restrictions after breast reconstruction?
JUNE: Not much, except that I was told not to do exercises that use the abdominal muscles, for example ‘sit-ups’.

CHN: How has breast reconstruction made difference to the your quality of life?
JUNE: It does help to improve my self-confidence and self-image.

CHN: What advice would you give to a patient considering breast reconstruction?
JUNE: Ask your doctor as many questions as possible about breast reconstruction. He/She knows your medical condition and will be in the best position to answer you. Also, talk to someone who has undergone this type of surgery. However, no one can make the decision for you. You must know what you want and discuss your expectations and concerns with the surgeon. Be fully aware of the risks and benefits of each option of breast reconstruction; be it an implant, a TRAM flap, immediate or delayed reconstruction etc. This will help you make an informed decision. Breast reconstruction after a mastectomy can only improve one’s appearance and renew one’s self-confidence. Keep in mind that the desired result is only an improvement, not perfection.

There is probably no other time in a woman’s life when she feels less like making herself look attractive than while she is being treated for cancer, yet I know of no other time when the effort is more rewarding.
-Nancy G. Brinker- (Founder of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation)