Forum Discussion
To remove or not to remove..... that is the question
Hi all, I am 2 years post diagnosis. Left Mastectomy, Chemo, Radiation, Oophorectomy and taking Exemestane. I looking for advice from anyone who decided after treatment was finished instead of a reconstruction have the other breast removed for "evenness". I believe that the reconstructive surgery would be a pretty long operation as I don't have enough skin to simply slip a implant in. I just think it would be simpler to remove the other breast but any advice on either the pros or cons of this option would be greatly appreciated.
20 Replies
- Hi all I'm new to this. I had a cancer diagnosis in May and surgery then - and then margin surgery. I was told after margin surgery that I'd need a masectomy and I'd have a reconstruction but told that I could talk about that post chemo. My chemo started 3 weeks after margin surgery. I finished chemo on October 1. I met with the plastic surgeon that same week. At all stages in this process the cancer surgeon indicated I'd have a reconstruction. I never questioned. And just couldn't read about all aspects of surgery and its impact - so I didn't think about it and certainly didn't know what was involved - I was given access to websites etc but I just didn't want to think about it. And now I'm less than 2 weeks away from the masectomy and reconstruction and I don't know if I want that, or can cope or even think of reconstruction. I'm 60 and not super fit and really knocked out by chemo. But I'm uncertain of my decision. I know my cancer surgeon wants to remove the breast because of my cancer. So that surgery needs to happen. But I don't know if I want to have a reconstruction. I have very large breasts and worry how I'll cope with a masectomy and the remaining breast given my size.
- It's a hard decision. Life would be easier without the other one. I had thought of it.
I don't like wearing a bra, especially with the prosthesis.
But I am a larger lady, size 18. I would be bothered by my larger belly, if I was flat.
If I were flatter abdominally, I would choose both off.
For now I'm planning on a reconstruction, perhaps next year. - Hi @Gavroche - Thank you and yes, that is the plan and has been since it was done. As per the 'normal' I went back to him 6 mthly for 3 years then 12 mthly. Every visit he said he'd done a good job (yes, he did get rid of the cancer) and always said "is it flat when you are laying down with your arm above your head ?" I felt like responding with "you should sit the patient up before closing to make sure you have the skin straight - a seamstress makes sure she has the weave matching" but I was always too timid. Not now ! Hee Hee.
- @June1952 - I'm so sorry to hear that. My breast surgeon, whom I really like, was indeed taken aback - as though I didn't have faith in his skills. But I simply said "For me this is piece of mind" and then he was cool. Both of them visited me in hospital - this was mid-April and there was no elective surgery then because of Covid. So I suspect they were a little bored. They admired their handiwork and sometimes stayed up to an hour for a chat! Lol. They both said that they learned from each other during the surgery.I certainly hope your left breast remains cancer free. Perhaps you can consider revision surgery for the right side that you df
- @Gavroche - "Perhaps the breast surgeon was a tad offended even" - yep, so was mine when I suggested it. He said it was not required. A regret as I soon found that he was no 'seamstress' having not pulled the skin straight so it all pulls to one side and has a large mini breast under. If Miss Leftie goes bad he won't be getting the work - and I will request some sort of 'fix' for his sewing. :)
- Hi @Caz1 - thanks for your message. I'm finding halter necks, ruffled shoulders and patterns work a treat. In the past I've been a solid colour person, but I'm really enjoying trying out these new styles. I've found fab pieces on eBay.About the plastic surgeon - this is pretty common in France and the USA. Both my breast surgeon and the plastic surgeon were surprised at this request. (Perhaps the breast surgeon was a tad offended even. And the plastic surgeon hadn't worked with a breast surgeon before on a DMX). However, they knew each other - they share rooms at St Vincent's Private Clinic in Sydney.Having seen images of truly ghastly mastectomies - lots of flesh left behind and dog ears - I wanted piece of mind, knowing 2 experts were "working on me". The breast surgeon bulk-billed for the entire operation and I thought that $1200 was a reasonable price to pay for that piece of mind. My scars look good - from the beginning I haven't been scared to look in the mirror.xx
- @Gavroche, will have to look up those groups too. Fashion is important to me too! I am doing way too much research and often go down insta rabbit holes , eeeeek! So much inspiration out there.
Its interesting that you had a plastic surgeon at the same time. Hmmmm, another thing to consider!!!!
Caz xx - @ddon I so know that feeling of having had enough. It’s really taken 4 months to get back to feeling normal after my surgeries and cellulitis. And I’m on oral chemo now too as an insurance for six months too. Bit sick of the endless hurdles. I think I just want to get the boob off and be done.
I can’t even even do it till middle of next year till I’m off the chemo. :(
And I was like you -hiding my baldness, then new grey regrowth and I’m still a bit conscious of my one boob but not as much now , ( I’m working on this ).
I’m proud of my body ;it’s got me this far.I’m a survivor, and ready and hopefully ready for what life throws at me! If other people can’t deal with that , it’s their problem.
Its so nice to talk to someone with the same perspectives and feelings. Thankyou.
Caz xx - Hi @MrsMac,This is such a personal and difficult decision.My cancer was in my right breast only. However, after a lumpectomy and then re-excision, still couldn't get clear margins, so a mastectomy was needed. After the Endopredict test, it determined that I needed chemo as well and this was scheduled prior to surgery. So I had 5 months to consider all the issues and lot of nights sobbing into my pillow!I did an enormous amount of research. As @Caz1 i mentioned, there are several Facebook groups: Fabulously Flat - Unreconstructed Breast Cancer Survivors, Fantastic Flat Fashions, Flatties Unite.Although these groups started in the US (and sometimes a bit too "thank the Lord"), the membership seems to be pretty international. I found lots of excellent advice, lots of tips about dressing as a flat chested-person.- fashion is important to me. It was quite inspiring.I also changed breast surgeons. My initial surgeon pushed implants, which, given all the associated health issues, I didn't want. Both implants and diep flap seemed fraught with potential other issues and ongoing surgery. The option of being a uni-boober seemed inconvenient and uncomfortable.So I opted to go flat. As well as a breast surgeon, who did not try to talk me out of my decision, I also engaged a plastic surgeon to ensure an aesthetic flat closure. They worked together during the 4 hour surgery. The plastic surgeon, not covered by insurance, was $1200. My surgery was mid-April and I had 5 weeks of radiotherapy starting 1 June.I am very pleased with the results. In fact, in some clothes I look better than when I had my 34D breasts! Perhaps I was lucky that I live in the Blue Mountains and so had all of winter to get used to my new shape rugged up in jumpers. Of course I was initially self-conscious but then I realized that no one notices! People are caught up in their own life.Now it's summer and some clothes definitely look better with inserts in a bra. There are many alternatives to traditional prosthesis. I absolutely love Busted Tank bras. Brilliant designs, buttery soft fabrics and the inserts are just $15. There's also Fuuk Cancer, started by an Australian, flat chested woman. I have a couple of her bras and they are also great.One issue of going flat that women report is "Buddah Belly", i.e. after your breasts are removed, your tummy is more apparent! I am lucky that I am pretty athletic and have a small tummy. This isn't an issuer (However, I think it is absolutely crucial to exercise daily).I should also say that I haven't had an "emotional melt down". Perhaps because I had many months to consider and research plus I had a supportive medical team. This doesn't mean I don't miss my breasts - I do. But I feel healthy and comfortable and look good in whatever I chose to wear. As another person wrote, breasts do not define a woman and being flat has not compromised my femininity.Happy to discuss more if you want to send me a private message.I wish you all the best.
- @Caz1 if I could have had mastectomies and immediate recon I maybe would have but because of disease being missed on scans, and extra surgery and the need for immediate chemo recon was going to be something down the track. As time has gone on I have just felt I have had enough. My surgeon tells me if I change my mind I can still get it done but I know I won’t. I am content with how my chest looks - it’s very neat and flat ( I struggled to fill an A cup before) and I just don’t want to put my body through anything else that’s not strictly necessary.When I first got cancer, and for months during chemo, I didn’t want to stand out - I wore a wig, padded my missing breast area and tried to not look any different. Now, I have accepted that I have been through a trauma to mind and body and I no longer feel the need to hide it. This is me. Battered and bruised with body parts missing, always braced for the next blow of bad news.And as a side note - I hated my drains with my first two surgeries. This one I have now is a breeze. I am sick of carting it around and sleeping with it but it’s not sore or causing me any problems. Hoping it goes out tomorrow - day 5. It’s all getting itchy.
