No Guarantees

What are you talking about, out of pocket expenses of having both breasts removed!?? I had both breasts removed 14 years ago and never, ever looked back and never, ever paid other than my deductible. AND, I had them replaced 3 years ago to silicone. I only paid deductible. Don't ever, ever let any insurance company tell you NO. Fight for your right to reconstruction!

And, ladies, I was only out from work a few days from my mastectomy. I had the implants put in in the same surgery I had my breasts removed. Sure, you are sore. Sure, it hurts. But recovery is fast if you are healthy
and if you are determined. Sure your new breasts are different! Who cares when you know your likelihood of a cancer recurrence has been darn near eliminated!!

I think after reading this article I need to call my surgeon and thank him again because my new breasts are beautiful and I love them!

Laurie B
Boise, Idaho

In 1988, things were different. I found a lump, saw my doctor, and was taken into surgery within a few days. I requested that I get a double mastectomy and reconstruction. My lump was in the left breast. I, of course, was turned down that request from my insurance company. I worked at the hospital where I had the surgery and radiation. I asked again, at least to do a reconstruction on the left breast, and was told to wait a few months. But no way would they do a double mastectomy. I was a working woman, single, and did not have the cash to pay for this on my own, but the HMO did pay for the lumpectomy and radiation on the left breast. So, my self-esteem went downhill, I have a very lopsided breast-line, as my breasts were fairly large. I have tried mastectomy bras, and they still do not make me look even. Now, I am 70, and it doesn't really matter now, but I ENCOURAGE any person facing this, to pursue all avenues to be able to get what THEY want done. As the person said below, it is not about living longer, it is about a better quality of life. I had to stop going to the swimming pool, wearing anything close to revealing any cleavage. But the best thing is, I have been cancer-free since that time. We have a lot of breast cancer in our family, but here again luckily my sister has not had cancer.

In 1989, I found out I had breast cancer in my left breast. I was working at a hospital and had their insurance. I saw the surgeon, and they operated on me within three days of my discovering the lump. I asked at the time if I could have both breasts removed, as there was a history in my family. The answer was absolutely not. I had a lumpectomy with quite a bit of breast removed along with a lymph node. Naturally, that breast has shrunken to a tiny, firm breast. They woud not reconstruct that breast. My right breast is still large.and I am totally lopsided. Being a single person, I had no resources, although my insurance paid for the surgery and consequent radiation therapy. I have been cancer free since then, which I am very glad of. The problem is, that I totally lost my self-confidence and it totally changed my outlook on life. I would advise anyone facing this problem, to do all they can to have the second breast removed, and to have reconstruction on both. I agree with the lady below, it is not about living longer, it is a better quality of life for the time one is alive. Unfortunately, it didn't work that way with me, due to the tight restrictions by my HMO insurance plan.

If the rich had to use the same healthcare plan as the middle and lower classes, every woman would be told what her reconstruction options are, because all of us would have options. We must have universal healthcare in this country.

Once again, people are missing the point.

This is not about living longer, it is about a better quality of life for the time one is alive. For most women, breast cancer, if found early, is curable.

Women aren't removing healthy breasts because they are concerned about dying prematurely, they are doing it because they want to prevent the suffering that comes with surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.

We have to stop couching the health care debate in this country in terms of longer survival and start couching it in terms of better quality of life.

Living longer shouldn't be the goal. Living healthier should be.