I'm not sure if I have shared this - but I was able to walk about of the hospital with boobs - those of us in the double mastectomy reconstruction world call them foobs [F(ake) (B)oobs]. They are smaller than my original boobs, but much more cancer-free so I can't really complain. I do have an option later on to have liposuction to render fat to fill my boobs to make them bigger. What's that? I can lose a pant size and gain a cup size. OK. My being able to walk out of the hospital on February 9th with foobs was 100% due to my fabulous and capable plastic surgeon, Dr. Masters. He performed a Direct To Implant (DTI) procedure that not many other Oklahoma ladies have gotten to do. Below you can see two images of what a DTI is and how it compares to other ways of Bilateral Double Mastectomy reconstruction options. Not all women qualify for a DTI and if you are considering a PBM, I would ask your plastic surgeon about this option. Before my husband and I met with Dr. Masters, we had no idea that DTI was even an option, let alone a reality. And even though my recovery has been slow and at times frustrating, it has been so much better than I ever imagined reconstruction with expanders would have been. I didn't really talk about my fears of the expander reconstruction before surgery because I didn't want to jinx myself and wake up with expanders instead of implants. Because, as I've said before and I will keep saying, the main objective is to beat the cancer before it beats me. If I have to go through pain, awkwardness, and back sleeping for a year, it is worth 50 more without breast cancer!!! New Boobs? Burn those Bras!I didn't really get to burn any bras. That seems like a tragic waste of money. BUT, I did get to give away some new/gently used beautiful bras to a friend. Now I have open space in a drawer and no regrets. My plastic surgeon says that I won't need to wear underwires...EVER...so GOOD RIDDANCE you uncomfortable pieces of fabric and wire. These days I'm rocking very practical, old-ladyesque, Hanes cotton bras and you would never be able to tell the difference. But, let's talk about this for a few minutes. I have to admit to you that it is incredibly difficult to find bras that are cute, feminine, wireless, and with a closure. [I still can't take clothing off over my head very well, so I am relying on loose necked tees and button up tops.] No offense, but all of these bras make me really sad.
I just want to feel 30, flirty, and fabulous. What is wrong with that?! I did find a few cute bras* from the target that will get me through this in between period until I can wear all the super cute bralettes that are hip these days. *after accidentally buying two nursing bras... If you are industrious, PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF LADY LUMPS ALL OVER THE WORLD, invent/create beautiful post mastectomy bras for us ladies to wear with dignity and joy.
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AuthorChristina Mallory Chicoraske - a 30 year old, 4th generation Okie, diagnosed BRCA2+ and undergoing a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy. This is the tale of my journey with hopes to inform and encourage other young women searching for answers after a BRCA1/2 gene mutation discovery. Archives
May 2017
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