What Christina Applegate Faces with Breast Reconstruction

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Life isn't fair sometimes. Be informed about breast reconstructive surgery, and check out http://www.cosmeticprocedures.com for information about it. You never know when you'll need to be prepared.

Cosmetic Guru of CA 2:28PM May 26, 2009

Just had my implants put in and moving about pretty well. I am looking forward to all the scar massage and lymphadema prevention massage to begin, as I know they worked pretty well for my bilateral mastectomy and breast tissue expanders surgeries. I just have to wait for six weeks, and then I begin again. The journey is long as this surgery is my 5th on the right and my 6th on my left....I can't wait for it to be all behind me...in the mean time, I am growing new breasts, the best ones that I can, for right now. No pity here, mind you, I get to shop for new bras, and new clothes when this is all done and at age 52 I am getting new boobs...this was not even in my most wildest dreams, but I am going to make the most of this journey.

By the way, I am breast cancer survivor, never took the test, but I guess if your mother and a couple of her sisters all died of breast cancer and if you get it before menopause, whats the point of taking a test. I will just get over it and live my life the best way I know how...making the best of what ever life deals me.

Liana of AK 11:04PM January 04, 2009

We wish her well and know what she's going through. We're raising money for her and the millions of other women affected by breast cancer each year, watch the YouTube video and allow yourself to laugh: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ny0c48KG7MA

www.5k35.com

John of OR 8:08PM August 28, 2008

This is a terrible thing for such a young woman to go through. I hope that her wonderful attitude will help lift up others dealing with cancer or other medical issues. The best thing someone can do for themselves is to keep thinking positive.

John Williams of NC of 10:10PM August 20, 2008

Peace,

There are different options other than saline or silicone implants. As a breast cancer survivor (I am 65), I was given the option of reconstruction while undergoing a mastectomy. It would be good if thorough research on this had been done before presenting misinformation

I do wish this to be an anonymous posting.

of 7:29PM August 20, 2008

I have so much respect for Christina Applegate and for her decision to aggresively treat her breast cancer at the age of 36. My friend Marcia, now 38 and a 10 year survivor of ovarian cancer has started a non-profit to help all cancer patients communicate easily with their friends and family through free-personilized websites. The name is the MyLifeLine Cancer Foundation (www.mylifeline.org). Marcia also, like Applegate had to treat her cancer aggresively with a full hysterectomy at the age of 28 before she even had a chance to have children.So she understands clearly why Applegate would have a double masectomy. My husband and I are volunteers with MyLifeLine and have been able to see the great impact the website has had in the lives of cancer patients and their loved ones. OUr hope is that we will be a support to all cancer patients in the future. Thanks Christina for your courage and willingness to be open to the public about your cancer. Blessings, Alison

Alison Muckel of CO 12:29PM August 20, 2008

I pray for a complete recovery in her case.

After her treatment she may want to consider stem cell implants. http://www.cellport.jp/english/

Cancer patients might require a temporary use of standard implants to reform the skin and then transfer to stem cell implants. As you knoe standard implants may suffer from complications over time.

This physician and group performs stem cell breast implants, and stem cell replacements for silicone or saline breast implants. The before and after pictures are impressive. The volume of breast tissue formed is lower with stem cell breast implants, than in traditional breast implants, but the benefit is that it is your own tissue.

She may want to wait until this is available in the USA, but it is offered in Japan. The physician that developed the procedure is from Japan and trials with cancer patients in Europe are ongoing. This should be available in the US in 5 years or so.

http://www.cellport.jp/english/

PS- I have absolutely no financial intrest or investment in this technology. The contents of this email do not constitute medical advice. All medical decisions should be reviewed with your physician.

D of SC 12:12PM August 20, 2008

JUST READING HER STORY MADE ME MAKE MY ANNUAL APPOINTMENT. I WISH HER ALL THE BEST - SHE IS AN INSPIRATION TO ME !!!-

KATHY FOSTER of NY 12:02PM August 20, 2008

"Bravo" to Ms. Applegate for her great attitude, although I wonder if her decision to operate, without more carefully considering chemo and other alternatives, was made a bit hastily. Regardless, thanks for becoming a cancer spokesperson, as mentioned in subsequent news articles, Ms Applegate!

As for this and other blog sites which, for whatever reason - - hopefully not merely for trivial, if not titillating (no pun intended) sensationalism - - bizarrely stress the sexual aspects of mastectomies, may I point out that there are plenty of ways to give a woman pleasure without touching the breast, and, if my experiences are any measure, a woman will respond more to the attitude of her lover than she would to any foreplay.

P.S. To "sick and tired of XX" who railed into Ms. Applegate for her seemingly flippant attitude, apparently you haven't heard that "laughter is the best medicine." As someone who has had way too many friends and family suffer - - and some have died - - due to various forms of cancer, I assure you that a negative attitude and complacency will not help in such, or any other circumstances. And, at the risk of adding salt to whatever wounds you're suffering from that has given you such a bad outlook on life, may I suggest that you consult a dictionary, spell-check program, or local English teacher, before submitting incendiary posts on any website, as it makes you appear unintelligent, as well as misinformed?

Skaizun of KY 10:11AM August 20, 2008

To those who worry about Silicone, I have had Silicone implants since 1981 -- that's 25 years! I had the encapsulation broken by twisting again and again and again. At this point, there's a chance there has been some leakage, but the silicone has NOT traveled.

And, at this point, I figure it's time to have them removed, but there's no huge reason to do so.

Because of MY experience, I really wonder about all the hoo-hah others correlate to their implants, and wonder if the effects have been either allergy or fear caused.

Frankly, if I had it to do all over again, I wouldn't, because of loss of some erotic sensation. I would only have a breast lift.

But frankly, all the absurd accusations against silicone is just that in my view. Everyone should self-educate and make choices that work for them and their bodies and lives.

This works for Applegate. Go for it!

Old gal with good boobs of PA 5:34AM August 20, 2008

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On Women

Deborah Kotz, senior writer for U.S. News & World Report, covers everything women care about when it comes to their health. She's often tapping out "Oprah-esque" confessions about how the latest news relates to her personally—whether it's on breast cancer, contraception or easing work-family stress.

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