Forum Discussion
Bilateral Mastectomy - please share your experiences and views.
I am planning on having a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy in the next few weeks. I have previously posted in the category of issues with dense breasts and ongoing surveillance. Thank you to all of...
I was diagnosed with Grade 3, Her2+ DCIS in 2012 and wasn’t given a choice about whether to have a mastectomy or not.I elected to do bilateral mastectomies with reconstruction using tissue expanders. I found it to be a very painful experience but once I found the right pain medication, I tolerated it well. It took 4 months for the expanders to do their job and I followed that up with an exchange with implants. I had to learn to sleep on my back as it was too painful to lie on my side. It took a long time for my body to return to a reasonable state of fitness and I had to learn to find a “new normal”. It’s been 7 and a half years and I can honestly say that I have had more peace of mind from electing to do the bilateral surgery. I had no issues with the wounds healing and no real complications. Good luck with your surgery and all the best :)