I was diagnosed with breast cancer on 9/30/08 in my left breast.  After an initial unsuccessful lumpectomy, I chose to have a double mastectomy with immediate Perforator Flap reconstruction.  When the surgeon that performed the unsuccessful lumpectomy gave me the news, he stated that if I chose to have a mastectomy, they could do reconstruction.  He did not have any kind of discussion on what that meant.  When I met with a surgeon at Wake Forest Baptist Hospital, they did well by having me also met with the plastic surgeon at the same appointment to talk about implants.  My issue with all of this is that when physicians do actually talk with you about reconstruction, they do not provide any options other than implants.  If I had not done extensive research on my own, I would never have known that I had options to implants.  I chose IGAP surgery for my reconstruction and had to fight with my insurance company to get the physician I chose covered as he was in another state and out of network.  It is not right that women have to go through the horror and stress of breast cancer and then not receive the best information possible about their reconstruction options.  The medical community must do better and the insurance companies must also do better.  I am lucky that I took control over my situation, many women are in such fear with their diagnosis that they simply put themselves in their doctors hands trusting that they will be given all needed information.  How can we make informed decisions when we are not given the needed information?!  I had the very strong feeling that many of my physicians (not all) thought, "who needs breasts?  You should be thrilled that your cancer has been removed."  Most of my physicians have been great, but until I finally found those that would provide needed information and treat me as a partner in my treatment, well...I went through a number of "frogs" before I found the "princes."  So, "who needs brests?"  Whoever decides they want reconstruction, that's who!