Christy Said:

Double mastectomy being offered?

We Answered:

You have asked this question before and have yet to give us the more important thing we need to know. Have you tested positive for a hereditary breast cancer? If so, which one. Although, I doubt you have been offered anything without being tested.


EDIT: I am shocked that any doctor would suggest a double mastectomy for someone who has not tested positive for a hereditary breast cancer. Did your doctor explain his reasoning for this? This would never happen in the US. There are also more hereditary types beside the BRCA 1 and 2 and just because you sister is negative it does not mean you are unless you are identical twins. Has anyone in your family tested positive? Did they check for all types? Have you even had a mammogram? My goodness, at the very least get a second opinion.

We don’t know what causes cancer. All we have are risk factors, but you can have every risk factor under the sun and never get cancer or have none at all a get it anyway. Your sister having breast cancer does increase your risk and because she is a first degree relative your other relatives also add to that risk. This means you need to start screening now assuming there is not more than a 10 age difference between you and your sister.

I’m sorry to say I am not surprised your sister has a stage 4 cancer as young women tend to have more aggressive cancers than older women. This is such a personal decision and there is so much missing information it is difficult to answer you. Your doctor should have taken a complete history from you to at least see how many risk factors you have. Sometimes women opt for having their ovaries removed instead, but if no one has a hereditary type there is no way to know what is best for you. If this were a case in the US a patient would have to push for such drastic measures and the doctor would bring it to the ethics committee and tumor board before they would agree to it.

Ana Said:

Abdominal bulge?

We Answered:

It sounds like a hernia. You don't want any of your intestines to get stuck in there because they can get strangulated and die which will cause some life threatening problems for you. Better see your doctor ASAP and get it checked out.

Jenny Said:

Has anyone had a TRAM flap surgery for breast reconstruction?

We Answered:

I had one September of last year. Unfortunately, part of mine died away. Apparently, that doesn't happen often. Up until that point it was looking pretty good and after the recovery of the surgery there wasn't any pain associated with it. I just had the Dorsi flap reconstruction (from the back) though and since then I have limited movement, muscle aches and spasms. Feel free to email me for specific questions.

Adam Said:

Post Tram Flap Exercises for Abdomen?

We Answered:

Good luck. You are so right that it is NOT a "tummy tuck."

Dorothy Said:

If you have had a tram flap surg as reconstruction for a mastectomy, can it be fixed?

We Answered:

I had the tram flap in April of 2005. I am trying to envision what the bulge looks like, and I think I finally understand. It almost seems as if the ab muscles were twisted and not layed flat, I don't know how else it would bulge like that. In my opinion, if we go through that big of a surgery (which is VERY big!) that the results should be something we like, something that we know isn't perfect but something that is acceptable.

I would go back to my plastic surgeon and see if something went wrong as those are not the results you were supposed to have. And if something is wrong, how are they going to fix it? You deserve more than that. We have lost our real breasts, the least that we could have is somewhat of a decent body form. I hope things go well for you, I will be thinking about you!