"delayed breast reconstruction"

After some years of delay post mastectomy at Barts, caused by further illness and not being sure what to do, i decided at 70 to undergo breast reconstruction.

i was encouraged by meeting the very positive surgeon who agreed to operate on me. i had met others but this one was great, as was the other surgeon who works with her and the anaesthetist. i wasn’t afraid, but hoped i could have a DIEP flap without any use of mesh - i definitely hadn’t considered an implant at any time. obviously i had to wait until a slot was available as most of the surgery is an emergency, done immediately post-op. i only waited 6 months.

the surgery took 6 hours, though longer was forecast. i was in a single room (with a great view) for four days, and had to keep still for the first 48 hours. the surgery site was checked very regularly day and night to make sure the microsurgical procedure of moving blood vessels had gone ok. it had, and not long after i felt totally recovered and very well. the nursing staff were exemplary all the time.

i am now glad i dithered and waited, as i think this kind of surgery has improved hugely in recent years - e.g. no muscle was cut, i have had no pain - or maybe it’s just that these surgeons are geniuses. whatever, i am eternally grateful to the teams at Barts and The Royal London who initially saved my life, and have now made me feel Even better by generously giving me plastic surgery. this has improved my self-esteem and quality of life more than i ever imagined possible.