Hi all,
I’m deciding between a double or single mastectomy. I’m 48 and single and really want to conserve the look and feel of my boobs as much as possible. I was wondering if I got one with implant and left the other natural (the surgeon said he could lift it up a bit to match my implant side)- will they look similar still? And will they feel (to touch) completely different from one another?
Thank you
Hello - I ended up having a double nipple sparing mastectomy with implant reconstruction (after lumpectomies with unclear margins). I am happy with the look of them (I think they look better than my natural breasts - rounder and perkier), however they do feel different (not as soft). In particular the one that had the cancer has thinner skin in one area where I can feel the implant. Also, I have lost quite a lot of sensation in the breasts. Overall though I am happy with the outcome. I had the double mastectomy for symmetry but also to reduce the risk on the other side because of dense breasts.
Thank you 🙏🏽 that gives me hope. Do you have any sensation left in the nipples? That’s one of my main areas of grief- if I lose this.
Do they feel heaps different to your normal breasts?
How was recovery for you?
I am glad it gives you hope.
While I don't have sensation in the nipples, I do have some sensation in other areas of the breast. I can understand your concern.
I understand there is a greater likelihood of nipple sensation when doing the DIEP flap style of nipple sparing mastectomy (this is where they take fat from the stomach and move it to the breast under the skin to replace the breast tissue which is removed). I looked into the DIEP flap as I was told it had the best outcomes in looking and feeling like natural breasts. However, it was not the right fit for me after further investigation (eg. my veins and body fat level). You may want to discuss this with your surgeon.
For me I am pretty happy with the cometic outcome of the implants, but they are not as soft as natural breasts. I can tell the difference. Something to consider.
Recovery took about 6 weeks from memory. It was quite uncomfortable during this time (and I was taking pain medication).
Hope you come to a decision you are comfortable with. Wishing you the best, it is a difficult decision.
Thanks so much for your reply Suki. So they don’t really look like natural breasts at all? Would anyone pick it? Or just you because you know what your old ones look like. Sorry, I’m new to this and so overwhelmed! Is the numbness weird too? I worry about that loss of sensation
ps I’ve joined the recon group, just waiting to be approved ☺️
I am pleased with the look of my implants. They look like younger versions of my natural breasts (prior to surgery, my natural breasts had breastfed two kids and both been subjected to a vacuum-assisted core biopsy, plus a second core biopsy on the left).
I think whatever you choose will result in some change from what you have now. Removing my nipples was the biggest visual change and biggest decision to make, but was required to remove my aggressive cancer.
I was surprised to have sensation in the skin of my implant breasts (as friends had mentioned numbness as a possibility). Some areas have reduced sensation and I obviously don't have the heightened sensation of nipples (as I don't have any!). It might be to do with the surgery - my surgical cuts are different to friends who have had nipple-sparing mastectomy.
Perhaps write down and discuss all your concerns with your breast cancer nurse and surgeon so you can make an informed decision.
I had a bilateral mastectomy, so can’t advise you regarding one implant, one natural.
But generally, my implants are heavier than natural breasts and more firm. The weight took a bit of getting used to. Maybe ask your surgeon or breast cancer nurse (or a friend) if they have an implant you can feel?
Because the mastectomy removes most of the breast tissue, you can clearly tell I have implants when I am naked - they are up front and round. I also have some slight rippling if my posture is bad (shoulders rounded). With clothes or bathers on, I think they look good.
I have two angled scars where my nipples were removed (that look like \ & /) so I can wear low v-neck clothes if I want to. The scars are fading, but will probably always be visible (although a nipple tattoo would cover most of the scar).
You could join the private reconstruction group on here and someone who has done one of each might be able to help further. Otherwise, feel free to throw some questions my way.
