Hi. I am wondering if anyone would mind sharing their experience of unilateral mastectomy with me? It looks like I need to have the breast removed but I am a DD cup size & I can't see how it would be comfortable for daily life or playing sport having one breast, even with prosthetics. I would love to hear your experiences to help make my decision. Jane
Hi Jane,
Is immediate reconstruction an option for you? I was a D cup when I had my unilateral mastectomy and they put the tissue expander in at the same time, so I woke up with a 250ml breast shape. It is easy to then pad that out until you are fully expanded.
Even if you can't have immediate reconstruction you should find that about 12 months post mastectomy you can start the reconstruction process so the prosthetics don't need to be a forever thing.
As for playing sport with a prosthesis you could always try something lighter than the traditional ones and use a Knitted Knocker in there, would also be easy to wash when you got all sweaty..
I'd really suggest visiting a sister site Reclaim Your Curves http://www.reclaimyourcurves.org.au/ and having a read about options so you can then go back to your surgeon with specific questions.
Jen
Hi Jane
I was 12DD and the surgeon said, because the my boobs were big and droopy (although she didn't put it quite like that), it wouldn't be possible to get a good cosmetic result with unilateral mastectomy and reconstruction. Even with reduction of the unaffected breast.
To be honest, I was so damn glad to get rid of both the bastards to remove any future cancer risk. And I like running etc. Having only one done would have been a nuisance sport-wise. Had bilateral mastectomy with expanders about 9 weeks ago and am loving the new small boobies. Under a top no one would know. It was helpful to look at online photos pre and postop because it's confronting, but I don't mind 'em and my husband doesn't care. Barbie didn't have nipples either.
Good luck with your decision :)
Hi Jane,
i hd my left breast removed in 2013. I was a size DD too. I wore the special bra with the insert in it. But even weighing quite a bit the bra still pulled to the right. I found a crop top from Big W to be more comfortable. It was ok and I played hockey with it but I made sure I had a top high enough to prevent the insert falling out . I found the crop tops very good. Hope you recover well xx best wishes Bep
Hi Jane, I have just posted a comment on my blog with the same title ( I didn't copy you I swear :)). Anyway I am in a similar situation because I am a size 26E cup size. I want to have the bilateral mastectomy because of the same reason. My choice is under review by the medical assessment team at the hospital where I am to have my surgery. I wish the choice was just mine to make?
Hi Jane
I decided to have a bilateral, for a few reasons but one was symmetry. I wear prostheses but will look into reconstruction later (currently doing radiation). I go to gym flat though :)
Ask your surgeon, maybe you can have reconstruction at the same time ?
