I had a mastectomy and then I had the other side removed as a precaution. I had tissue expanders put in and reconstruction that came out wonderful. I cant say if the surgeries \"worked\" but I have gotten a few more years out of life, although now my cancer has returned as mets to my spine. I would advise having a mastectomy for several reasons but thats just me. To each his own and its really a personal choice and based on your own phase of cancer, etc.

I had a db mast, tho only a single was necessary, with plans for recon at a later time. My decisions turned out to be best for me. After the surgery I had a horrible systemic MRSA staph infection which reached a septic shock stage and my very life was at risk. The port-a-cath was removed. If I\'d had recon, the implants would also have had to be removed and treatment for the MRSA would have been further complicated. Chemo has been ruled out due to the complications, so it\'s fortunate I had the db.

I\'m very fearful of any further surgery so I doubt if I\'ll ever be brave enough for reconstruction. The prosthesis option is working extremely well for me.
Jessie

In June 2006 I had a left breast mastectomy with a tissue expander put in at the same time. Dr removed five lymph nodes as a precaution (should have checked for sentinal node when he did the surgical biopsy earlier, but he didn't) which left an indentation under my arm. Had tissue expander taken out and saline implant put in in Nov 2006, and had the right breast lifted with an implant put in also. No complications from the surgeries as far as the mastectomy and implants. Just a complication with anesthesia when surgery was completed in June. Timing was off when they were finished with surgery and taking out the breathing tube. I was suffocating upon waking because the tube was still in and I was not getting any oxygen. My br ca stage was 0(Tis) and I opted for mastectomy because of high grade. Dr said that if the ca came back it would probably metastasize. I didn't want to chance it. I used to watch TV shows where women who had mastectomies were being interviewed, and I wondered why they chose that method. I don't wonder why anymore.

Be sure to find a surgeon who specializes in breast surgery, not a general surgeon. Follow that person's advice. Tell him/her your (or your wife's) life needs a lot more time and you want that time. My mastectomy was 4 years ago, followed by chemo and radiation, and I'm healthy and happy today. No reconstruction, didn't want to waste more time recuperating. None of it is fun, but this is really do-able. Ask your wife (or whoever) to e-mail me and I'll help her through.

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I LOVE this book!! Totally got me in sync with my body which is why I was able to figure out something wasn't right with my body. Turns out it was annovulation, but I would of wasted alot more time ttc before seeking help if not for this book :)

I've had this book for about 8 months, very helpful.

I really loved this book. It was amazing to read about how our bodies as women are made, and I wish that they taught this to more women as they entered their teens. the only challenge is to remember to do it every day!

Great source..often funny.