Newly Diagnosed

Hi Sharl, I have had bilateral mastectomies as well. Initially I just had the breast removed that had cancer present. I had chemo, and once I recovered from that, I went ahead and had a second mastectomy, and the beginning of reconstruction. My surgeon recommended that I should give my body 6 months to recover from the chemo. I used an external prosthesis for the 9 months up to this surgery, and it was quite ok. Having the reconstruction at a later date, lessens the risk of complications, and isn't as painful. I never found my first mastectomy to be painful, and when the expanders were put in 9 months later, it wasn't too bad. The painful one was the immediate reconstruction side, and this felt like I had a truck sitting on my chest. I also had a major bleed on this side 3 weeks later and needed surgery to drain the clot. This has healed without issues, and this immediate recon side is more natural looking than the delayed side. So, what I am saying is, there are pros and cons with either way, but for me the least painful way was delaying the procedure. I have photos on the Reconstruction site if you want to have a look. You will need to become a member, but that is easy. Just find the group on this site, and then request membership. Take care, and good luck with everything. Love Chris xx