Don't be swayed by the internet,do some research on your own. Ask your
primary care doc what his opinion is since s/he has no vested interest other
that your best interest. If you go to the doc, perhaps you daughter could be
on the speaker phone. Alex

Dvora,
A lady with MS here chose prophylactic double mastectomy - removal of the
other breast to ensure that recurrence would not occur in the other
breast. I think that way ensured she would not have to have another
surgery with anesthetic risks. But the surgeon left some breast tissue, in
case she decided to reconstruct later, which if I recall, she regrets.
Make sure you're clear on what you do or don't want and follow the best
advice about the cancer, from your cancer doctor (not a cosmetic surgeon)
to ensure your best chance of survival.

She also said that she'd found the perfect prosthesis; did not move
around, when she moved, was not uncomfortable and looked sharp even in
evening wear. If I have time later, I'll try to find the brand and model.

Send your daughter the FDA website
http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/breastimplants/indexbip.html
Under "Local complications" it says "Breast implants do not last a
lifetime. Some breast implants rupture/deflate 14  in the first few months
after being implanted and some deflate after several years. Others may
take 10 or more years to rupture/deflate."

The ones who've had problems are on another newsgroup. Recently two older
ladies posted.
One had had her implants for 26 years and had an mri because she was in
pain and both had ruptured.
She posted that removal cost $20,000. (in debt and was looking for
financial help).

The other is 72  with 30+ year implants. They are hard as rocks and
painful.She was trying to find a recommeded doctor to remove them. Here's
her posts http://tinyurl.com/qrq8r
The main message is implants don't necessarily last forever. Sure some
have no problems, some die with their implants and others have problems.

So if you delay the reconstruction surgery, you've got extra surgery (and
anesthetic risks) later and you would have to find out what's involved if
extra breast tissue is left vs none and deciding no reconstruction.
So much to that, whether the tissue has to be irradiated; how it's imaged
later to monitor.

Might be a good idea to send a copy of that book to your daughter, as
well, so she can do some reading and understand the options so she can
discuss them with you. It would also be nice if she could go with you to
take notes when you see the doctors.
J

I am a bit confused, did you  complete your treatment or you just beginning?

The people who post here about implants are neither breast cancer or have
breast implants. I see on TV, women who have huge  implants for cosemetic
reasons by doctors who's ethics are in question.
If you live in the US, you will never have to pay for implants or the
following surgery , as long as you have insurance.

A breast center, has a plastic surgeon who works with the team.