Decision making is a process we use every day. When faced with a mastectomy for those affected by breast cancer, decision making can become emotionally complex and sometimes physically exhausting. Assessing your decision making in breast reconstruction can help you understand the deliberate and thoughtful work you put into this critical time in your life.
First Steps in Decision Making in Breast Reconstruction
This topic has come to my attention this week while supporting a newly diagnosed woman. Her process resonates with me as I recall my own process of decision making in breast reconstruction after my second breast cancer diagnosis. Here are pertinent steps to consider.
- Know what your options are for breast reconstruction: implants, using your own tissue, or a combination of these two options called a “hybrid” breast reconstruction.
- Gather relevant information using online resources or medical apps. For breast reconstruction I recommend the Breast Advocate App.
- Find support through online resources or in person support groups.
- Begin coordinating your care with your oncologist, breast surgeon, radiologist, and plastic surgeon. It is often the onus of the patients to drive this.
- Find a board-certified surgeon to perform whatever breast reconstruction you decide on.
- Learn the importance of having a shared decision-making conversation with your surgeon to communicate your preferences and know the benefits and risks of the surgery you choose.
How Are You Doing So Far?
These six steps are key but certainly not all inclusive in the decision-making process for breast reconstruction. When you step back and look at them collectively you should be giving yourself quite a bit of credit at this point! It is a lot to accomplish. However, tackling each step individually will in the end, reduce your decisional anxiety and regret in decision making. One of our sons used to tell me this during my decision process to have DIEP flap.
It’s like eating an elephant Momma, one bite at a time.
Rich Coutee
You are the CEO of your decisions along with your support team. Support teams can also help keep you on track as you move forward. They can be emotional and physical support for you. Being at appointments to listen to and drive you to and from the hospital for surgery are critical roles of your support team. It also includes your surgeon and their administrative and medical staff. Be sure to ask how to stay in contact with them through the entire process from beginning to end. You are doing great so far! It’s hard work, isn’t it? But this puts you in control.
Assessing Your Decision After Breast Reconstruction
You set your course through this decision-making process and moved forward with your surgery. Did you have any setbacks, side effects, or things you advise others to consider now that you’ve had breast reconstruction?
Surgery is not without risks or adjustments and changes that will happen to your body. That is nonnegotiable and a given in this entire decisional process. I have always said, even in difficult situations, or for those who have had setbacks, it is the work you did in your decision process to have breast reconstruction that will ultimately make the difference in your survivorship beyond breast cancer and surgery. Go easy on your self-assessment of the decisional process to have breast reconstruction. If you put in the work and followed some of the steps I went through, your performance is worthy of consideration and kudos for having to decide on this huge event in your life you never thought you would be faced with.
I shared a lot of resources from my DiepCFoundation but would love to hear what you utilized during your decision process to have breast reconstruction surgery.