Mentally preparing for mastectomy

Hi Penonce​ 

Sorry to hear you are anxious, but totally understand it.

I too had neoadjuvant chemo and then I followed up with a bilateral skin sparing mastectomy, direct to implants.

It was a large surgery (took 4 hours) and I was also very anxious beforehand.  I hadn't had an operation since my wisdom teeth removal as a teenager, so not knowing how I would cope with going under a general anasthetic and whether my movement would be restricted permanently at 47 years old was stressful.

Post-op, I can definitely say that chemo was the harder part and surgery was much better!  Pain was well controlled by meds in hospital and I woke up from successful surgery feeling ok.  I looked different (which is shocking at first and takes time to get used to), but now I am very used to my appearance and actually see positives - no cold nipples showing through my T-shirt!

Post surgery rehab has gone well and I have full movement in my arms plus quite a lot of feeling in the skin of my breasts.  I still have scars, but they are slowly fading.

Definitely seek reassurance from your surgeon and BC nurse about your anxiety.  All the best and feel free to ask any questions.  xx