double mastecomy

Hi unknown. I had a single skin saving mastectomy In June with immediate reconstruction using implant. I don't  have a medical reason at this stage for mastectomy on the other breast so my surgeon has suggested a reduction in size with a smaller implant to match my rebuild! I don't know when that is going to be scheduled but I have my next appointment  with my surgeon in February. She was saying that there was a recommendation that any matching surgery be done two years after the initial surgery so that there is healing time and active treatment has finished. Again don't know if that is across the board or just at the hospital she works at. Xx

Hi, is there anyone out there, who has had a mastectomy on one breast and immediate reconstruction and then decided a year or 2 later to have a mastectomy and reconstruction on the other breast ?

Thanks margie. I will talk to health insurance. I am 60 and had mastectomy & reconstruction done for left breast in October 2015. my dilemma is can they do 2nd reconstruction to match? will they  do mastectomy? I was in hospital 7 days last time. Good luck with your surgery great idea to do it over Xmas break.  Marion

hi there marion I'm not considering reconstruction at this stage as I'm more than happy with the prosthetics at the moment but am on the waiting list at royal Brisbane if I change my mind at some stage but I don't think so. I am having my other boob off at the Redcliffe hospital with dr Borrowdale who has been great so far and the only thing I'm out of pocket for is the bed ($350) surgeon is around $800 from memory and $118 for the anaethesist and I get 75% back of that and the surgeon from medicare. I'm off work til the new year and wanted to have it done while I'm off rather than having more time off next year and also the wait publically would be 12 months as its not considered necessary. Talk to your private health company and see which is the more affordable option for you. I only need to stay in overnight as well. I'm 44 by the way too and like you wanted the surgery while I'm healthy enough to do it. I also qualified for the gene test as I'm aged under 50 and have no family history so there is the prospect of having to have my ovaries out if I test positive fingers crossed I'm not. Hope this helps. Margie

I had  to interview four surgeons before I found one that would do a double. It's different in the country. I was 43 and fit so was in a good position as far as enduring the procedure.
My advice is that anyone contemplating this gets involved with a counsellor and has some robust discussions with them about it. In the end, the surgeon who I chose rang my counsellor to confirm that I had given the matter proper consideration. Which was a bit patronising and demeaning, to be honest. Like, do you really know what you want? Yep, I did. I didn't want to go through the whole process twice when I was fit enough and informed enough to do it once. Sometimes you have to tick the boxes.
Mind you, I had tissue expanders placed at the same time. I wouldn't recommend it--had nothing but trouble because my body hates the intruders. Everyone is different.

Hi Ladies.   I am also going for DMX early 2017.  Seeing surgeon on Dec 2.  I had Lumpectomy and Re-excision and still not clear.  My surgeon did mention at first consult that this could be the case she will discuss MX .  I'm 60yo and decided to have both off with no reconstruction.  I'm HER3+ so this was my decision for the DMX.  Had to wait for chemo to finish which is 19 Dec.  I decided to go public and have had to only wait about 3 months (but then again I'm in Tassie- less population)

doing both reconstructions as same time is good.  I have had reconstruction done.  So it will be a new mastectomy & reconstruction on the other breast.  If only I had insisted a little more........

I also wanted a double but surgeon said we could do the other one next year with reconstruction both sides so have agreed to this. Radiation Oncologist stressed your breasts are totally separate entities & cancer can't travel from one to the other but I would like to reduce risk anyway.

Hi Margie, thank you for your comment, great to hear from someone who is having double mastectomy at different times.  I am 60 and don't want to go through the surgery later (or even now) but know I will recovery better - the younger I am.  I also don't want the mental anguish each 6 - 12 months after scanning / ultrasound.  are you have a reconstruction done? and if you are - from where?  I had a reconstruction done from my stomach, so I don't know what they can use next time. good to know its affordable, I have private insurance, didn't think of going as a private patient in a public hospital - is that cheaper.? Marion

Hi there I had L mastectomy May 2016 asked for double and told it wasn't necessary but am booked as an intermediate patient to have the other one off Nov 28th. I saw my surgeon again and he said again it wasn't recommended but reasononable for me to request this again so off it goes!! I'm not hanging around to see if I get it in the other side either. He was going to refer me to the public system but that would take 12 months so I'm going in as a private pt in a public hospital to have it done and its more affordable than I thought. the other day I was umming and aahing about this yet previously I was adamant I wanted it done and am again now that I do. I think it was just the thought of more surgery and being a nurse I'm not a very good patient!! I'm 44 and finished chemo 5 weeks ago. So there are options out there if you want to get the other side done like I'm doing. I'm glad I had them done separately as I would of been very limited with movement and would have to deal with 2 drains instead of one and one was a big enough pain in the arse! Margie:)