When you're deciding whether to have breast reconstruction after your mastectomy, it may help to hear what other women thought about as they made their decision.
[Darlene] "When I found out I needed a mastectomy, I knew I wanted to start reconstruction right away.
I've always had large breasts ... they're just part of who I am ...
and I didn't want to give up that part of me.
After talking with the plastic surgeon, I decided to have tissue flap surgery.
He used tissue from my belly to make my new breast ...
which means I got a 'tummy tuck' at the same time.
I needed surgery on my other breast to make it match the new breast ...
and I have that extra scar on my belly ... but it was worth it.
I'm happy with my new breast, and having it helps me feel less like a cancer victim and more like a cancer survivor."
[Tish] "I had a double mastectomy a year ago, and I decided not to have reconstruction.
I didn't want more surgery ...
I wanted to put my energy into recovering and getting back to my life.
I tried breast inserts, but I'm pretty active ... They just got in my way.
So I started "living flat," as they call it.
I had to get rid of a lot of cute tops and dresses ...
anything with darts didn't fit me anymore.
Some days, it's still hard when I look in the mirror.
But what really matters to me is being strong and healthy ...
and doing everything I can to make sure the cancer doesn't come back.
I don't need breasts for that."
[Camilla] "I found out I had breast cancer right after my husband had a heart attack.
There was so much going on in my life that I needed to heal as fast as I could ...
so I didn't have reconstruction then.
When my husband was better ... I started the process of having implants put in.
It took several months, and the implants don't feel like my natural breasts did.
But they give my body a better shape ...
and they make it easier to find clothes that fit.
Cancer takes so much away from you.
Having breasts again helps me feel a little bit more whole."
Like the women you've just heard from, you have your own feelings about the pros and cons of breast reconstruction after a mastectomy.
It's important to share those feelings with your doctor, so that the two of you can talk them over ... combine them with the medical facts ...
and choose the best treatment for you.