I’ve been told that one of the silver linings to getting cancer is the “breast cancer boob job” or the “free boob job” that breast reconstruction is often referred to as.
These phrases often had a negative effect, despite being said with good intentions. After having gone through a breast reconstruction, I can say with certainty that it is NOTHING like a boob job.
When I was diagnosed with breast cancer and was forced to decide which surgery I’d have, I was facing a life/body/emotion-altering decision that I’d have to live with for the rest of my life. I was forced to make decisions I didn’t want to make. Comparing that experience to the choice to have a “boob job” is just inaccurate.
What’s the Difference?
A breast augmentation, or “boob job,” enhances existing breast tissue by inserting an implant or transferring fat from another part of the body.
Imagine a pillow. You want to enhance it, so you open it up, add more stuffing to what is already inside, then sew it back up. Voila–a fuller, sexier pillow. 😉
A breast reconstruction is more like the rebuilding of a body part after an amputation as opposed to the enhancement of a part of your body.
Imagine that same pillow. This time, you open it up, remove all of the stuffing, insert new stuffing and sew it back up, removing some of the fabric or even changing the shape of the pillow altogether. The pillow may look very different from the original. It could be smaller, larger or a similar size.
Depending on the situation and surgeon, breast reconstruction is often done over the course of several procedures. An augmentation can usually be done with a single procedure.
Types of Breast Reconstruction
When you think of breast reconstruction, your mind might automatically think of implants. While that is one option, there are other reconstructive procedures. There is also the choice of no reconstruction. Many women choose an aesthetic flat closure of their mastectomy and do not go through the process of reconstruction at all.
There are various procedures that reconstruct the breast out of fat harvested from other areas on the body.
With implant reconstruction, there are saline and silicone options, and the choice of whether the implants will be placed over or under the chest muscles.
There are lots of choices and different surgeons will often recommend or perform different ones. Each individual woman must choose what is best for her. In making my own reconstruction decisions, I focused on the questions, “What can I live with?” and “What will give me the best opportunity to feel whole again?”
There Ain’t No Such Thing as a Free Lunch
Next, let’s address the word “free.” Women facing breast cancer have often cited that they’ve been told they’ll get a “free” boob job as a result of their cancer.
“Free” implies there is no cost.
The Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998 does require group health plans to pay for mastectomy and reconstructive procedures. This means women who have elected reconstruction may be able to have procedures covered by their insurance that would typically be deemed “cosmetic” without a cancer diagnosis.
While insurance does cover the procedures, many people (myself included) are still responsible for copays and deductibles. That’s not to mention the other costs associated with cancer treatment. I met my out-of-pocket maximum three years in a row.
I may not have paid a fee specifically toward my mastectomy and reconstructive procedures, but I would not call them “free.”
In addition to finances, there are physical and emotional costs tied to cancer and cancer treatment.
The physical changes to my body have cost me the opportunity to breastfeed a child, the feeling on my chest, and the ability to recognize the self I’d known for 30 years.
How You Can Support Women Going Through Breast Cancer/a Reconstruction
Having some insight into breast reconstruction helps give you context for supporting women who are going through breast cancer.
We’ve gone over why “boob job” and “free” are inappropriate descriptors for breast reconstruction. So what can you say instead?
If a friend or family member of yours is facing the unfortunate journey that is breast cancer, try:
- What can I do to help you as you recover from surgery?
- I’m sorry you have to go through this.
- I’m here to listen if you want to talk.
- I’ll be here with you if you don’t want to talk.
And one of the best ways to provide support is just to be there. You don’t have to say anything. Just spending the time can offer so much comfort.
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