Breast Surgery Fears

When faced with the decision to have reconstructive surgery the list of fears and worries can grow rather long. There is so much to consider. Reconstructive surgery is a life altering decision, and hopefully a positive one. That is why it is important to put a lot of thought behind your decision.

Often times we fear what we don’t know or understand. In your mind you create images pulled from TV and what you’ve heard. What you envision in your mind might be the furthest thing from the truth. And what you envision is what is holding you back.

Knowledge is the key to making an informed decision. When you know facts, those images your mind holds can be corrected with honest information. Armed with facts, you can make the decision to have reconstructive surgery or not.

Try making a list of every one of your concerns. No matter how big, small or silly the fear may be, write it down. Write down everything that comes to mind.

I made a list of some of my fears:

- Money – Do I have enough money to pay for this? Would insurance cover reconstructive surgery? If insurance doesn’t cover it, could I afford payments?

- Family – Who would take care of my daughter while I was having surgery? How would my family feel if I decided to have the surgery? Who would take care of me after surgery?

- Health – Am I healthy enough to have surgery? What would the procedure be like? How long would it take? How long would it take to heal? How long before I could go back to work? Am I going to be in a lot of pain? How do I find a doctor that I can trust?

Those would be some of my concerns. Although, the list is long and not complete by any means, I could find the answer to every one of those questions! With the power of internet and telephones you could have answers to all of your concerns very quickly.

If you are serious about reconstructive surgery, the best place to start is by finding the right doctor. The internet can be very helpful. Most practices have their own web sites. You can find out about the type of procedures the doctor uses, without having to make an appointment. Most importantly you can get a feel for the doctor and how he/she treats patients. Once you find a doctor that meets your needs call for a consultation. Talking to a doctor does not mean you are committed to the surgery. Bring your list of concerns, fears and worries. Share them with the doctor and take notes. When you leave the office take your time to do more research on what was discussed. Give yourself time to process the information.

Arming yourself with knowledge will help you make the decision if reconstructive surgery is right for you. Do not let fears influence your decision. When you understand, know facts and have a plan of action your fears can not stop you. No one is going to knock on your door and tell you everything you need to know about reconstructive surgery. YOU are going to have to take an active role and seek out the information to make an informed decision.