Immediate Breast Reconstruction

Abstract

This article represents findings of a qualitative analysis of interviews with women age 30 to 64 years ( n = 14) who had undergone immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) following mastectomy. The purpose of the study was to explore women’s experiences for electing IBR. According to our analysis, women experienced mastectomy as a disability, and their expectations of IBR to restore their sense of normalcy were not fulfilled. Most women perceived the reconstructed breast mainly as a visual replacement. Women’s experience formed a continuous narrative from the moment of diagnosis, through mastectomy until the completion of the reconstruction.

The mirror viewing experience of women undergoing a mastectomy: An integrative review

“…A few women were able to view themselves in the mirror for the first time while in the hospital (Davies et al, 2017; Freysteinson et al, 2012), but most did not see themselves in the mirror until they were at home (Freysteinson et al, 2012; Gershfeld Litvin & Jacoby, 2020; Kocan & Gursoy, 2016). A lack of privacy when viewing their mastectomy site led to trauma in some women (Herring et al, 2019).…”

“…Some wanted to view their mastectomy site immediately after surgery to confront it (Freysteinson et al, 2012; Slatman et al, 2016). Full‐length mirrors (Freysteinson et al, 2012) and bathroom mirrors (Gershfeld Litvin & Jacoby, 2020; Slatman et al, 2016) were used for mirror viewing. No study mentioned the use of handheld mirrors.…”

“…Terms used to describe this disfigurement included Frankenstein, hideous, malformed, mutilated, monster, ugly, deformed, butchered and not a woman. Some women found their results to be good (Gershfeld Litvin & Jacoby, 2020; Lewis et al, 2022), natural‐looking (Gershfeld Litvin & Jacoby, 2020), and beautiful (Slatman et al, 2016).…”

“…Frequent mirror viewing led to mirror comfort and acceptance of the mastectomy (Davies et al, 2017; Freysteinson et al, 2012; Slatman et al, 2016; Tollow et al, 2019). Breast reconstruction made it easier to look in the mirror and adjust more quickly to the changes (Gershfeld Litvin & Jacoby, 2020). Women who were part of a mirror viewing program that included preoperative education on mirror use for viewing the incision and dressing changes showed a trend in improved body image scores and emotional well‐being scores compared with women who received standard care after mastectomy (Freysteinson et al, 2015).…”

“…These traumatic mirror experiences can meld into the long-term memory, triggering mirror avoidance as a protective mechanism to block overwhelming emotions (Freysteinson, 2020), characteristic of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD; Crespo & Fernández-Lansac, 2016). Our review suggests that PTSD may not be uncommon for women undergoing a mastectomy, as many of these women could not bear to look at themselves in the mirror months to years later (Davies et al, 2017;Gershfeld Litvin & Jacoby, 2020;Slatman et al, 2016).…”