Please Don’t Say This
Facing mastectomy many breast cancer patients still hear something like this: “well at least you get a free boob job out of this.”
Let’s straighten this out right now. Breast reconstruction following breast cancer surgery is not a boob job. A boob job, commonly done to augment or at times reduce the size of breasts, is a chosen act.
Breast augmentation surgery involves using breast implants or fat, referred to as fat transfer breast augmentation, to increase the size of your breasts or restore breast volume that has been lost after weight reduction or pregnancy.
It can be done as an outpatient procedure. After breast augmentation, scars are often undetectable. Loss of sensation can occur in as many as 15% of women who have augmentation.
Breast Reconstruction
This is not the case with breast reconstruction. Breast cancer surgery, whether mastectomy or lumpectomy leaves scars and removes large amounts of tissue.
Breast reconstruction is a type of surgery for women who have had all or part of a breast removed. The surgery rebuilds the breast mound so that it is about the same size and shape as it was before. The nipple and the darker area around the nipple (areola) can also be added. Most women who have had a breast removed (mastectomy) can have reconstruction. Women who have had only the part of the breast around the cancer removed (lumpectomy) may not need reconstruction. Breast reconstruction is done by a plastic surgeon.
After surgery there is often chemotherapy and sometimes radiation. Radiation can damage skin, chemotherapy reduces the ability of the body to defend against infection. These factors impact the timing of reconstruction and may
delay or prevent reconstruction.
Breast reconstruction can begin during removal of cancerous mass, by placing a temporary tissue expander during the surgery. This is not an option for all breast cancer surgery patients. Over a period of weeks are months, saline is injected into the expander. Finally another surgery must occur to remove the expander and put in the implant. This is the least difficult reconstruction. Many survivors describe different experiences.
The loss of nipple sensation is a strong possibility for women having mastectomy. This is because, often nipples are not preserved and/or so much muscle and nerves are taken out during cancer surgery.
There is hope. A pioneer in breast reconstruction, Dr. Rache Simmons, is working to change current 
surgical practices. As Chief of Breast Surgery, Professor of Surgery and the Anne K. and Edwin C. Weiskopf Professor of Surgical Oncology at New York- Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center. Dr. Simmons is well known for her groundbreaking work on nipple-sparing mastectomy operation. Many of the mastectomies she performs save all the skin of the breast as well as the nipple areolar complex. This innovative process provides many patients with a more natural appearance. Perhaps her work will become the norm.
For the perspective of breast cancer survivors on this issue, please read Nancy’s Point and Double Whammied as well as Diane Mape’s explains in two different posts her experience on Today and again here where she discusses using the BRAVA external expanders treatment.
Have you ever had someone say to you “at least you got a free boob job”?
What did you say? What did you do? Do you think that posts like this one are needed for change to take place?
Yes they have and it makes me angry a boob job is where you get implants I wasn’t lucky enough to get them I had radiation so it was like rebuilding an engine ;(
I was told this as well. It is so insensitive of women to say such things. Breast reconstruction with an expander is NOT AT ALL easy!!! It was one of the most painful procedures I’ve endured. I could not even go as large as I and as the doctor wanted to go. I could not endure the pain. The expander made my muscled feel like I just overdid it during a workout, only worse. it was an awful 6 months! I lived on pain meds. I’ve heard the same from other woman. My implants still do not feel a part of me and I still feel like the bride of Frankenstein. And they hurt. But, my husband likes them… oh well…
I’m in the middle of this.. Expanders in and filling.
Hey, I am thinking of undergoing breast implant surgery. My problem is about going under muscle as I am extremely active meaning that I workout. Does anyone have any recommendations? I am still to see the the doctor as I am still uncertain about the surgery. Thank you
I’ve heard the term “boob job” often used too. I’m glad you shared this article, there’s a big difference. People now tend to say it with a bit of tongue and cheek but not everyone may see the fun side.
I am going thru the expander and fill phase.
It has been about 4wks since the surgery and even though I am moving bit more, my chest and ribs hurt continue to hurt. My “other” refers to my journey as a “boob job.” I love him but he is an imbecile. He hurt my feelings. This isn’t a boob job. I have tried to educate him on the difference between breast augmentation and breast reconstruction. He is a moron and believes after all is said and done …. I am still getting “new boobs.” I will continue to let him sound stupid while I take care of myself.