No reconstruction after double mast
im looking to hear from women who have had a double and chose No reconstruction. iv had a double, temporary implant ( which are s pest) I was considering DIEP hence the implants...... but not sure if the surgery/ reconstruction is worth the $16,000 and Another BIG surgery and recovery. ( yes the tummy tuck and nice breast would be great..... no doubt there at all and I’m sure it’s worth it but anyone not reconstruct and still feel content and happy. my husband I’d supportive of what ever I choose. I’m quite active, I like to run and exercise and I want to be able to do handstands and cart wheels with my daughter before she gets over it. I just hate these implants, I could get them out quickly. But have to wait for DIEP as I had radiation in dec. 🤷♀️ Just interested to hear others experience with no reconstruction. Or anyone like me and want or removed these stupid uncomfortable implants?
"Its up to you!!! "
I am soooo tired of hearing "Its up to you!" I turn to the brains trust here to give me constructive advice about a problem that I have to ( or want to is nearer the truth) address. I have been through the (L) mastectomy followed by Chemo and Radiotherapy (oh the horrors!! :) ) I want to hear about what you did or didn't do, whether it was worth it or not and pro's and cons of having a second mastectomy . I have spoken with so many people including GP's and surgeons, family and friends. I even had a family friend, a recent graduant from Uni with Counselling Diploma start to counsel me...and they ALL said...well really its up to you!! I KNOW its up to me....arggghhh!! :) But no one could give me personal experiences and expectations....just second and third hand stories - you know the sort...friends of friends, mothers/sister/aunt or niece of friend three times removed..:) I had a lumpectomy 25 years ago in (R) breast - it was encapsulated...no further treatment given. I had bilateral lumpectomy last March - the right was benign and the left breast went for the mastectomy. I have been told my problem is NOT in the genes so I have no reason Health wise to have it removed. It is purely psychological (and up to me!! :) ) I will of course be obliged to have regular mammograms :s and oncology follow-ups. Breasts are for feeding babies and giving someone else a thrill!! At 68 I am over both! I haven't got into the habit of wearing prosthetic bra yet because of radiation burns (and infection!!) that took ages to heal and of course this horrid hot sticky summer heat! I have worn it a couple of times and I feel so lopsided lol I know comfort will come with practise and further fittings. I have looked at myself in a mirror and thought about "To do or not to do!" Does dressing become easier, buying clothes, wearing swimwear ? Are you sorry it was done? Regret not having it done? I think a lot of this is to make me think about it as I wrote....didn't help - lol - I still don't know what to think about to help me make a decision. And please....don't tell me "Its up to you" :p <3
Mastectomy this Thursday..
I am booked in for a single mastectomy (followed by chemo and radio) this Thursday. I tried to discuss with my surgeon the possibility of removing both breasts at the same time, one being preventative (as this is what I would really want) but she dismissed it. I have asked again yesterday and she said she wouldn’t do it as it may delay treatment and because of covid, there is a need for beds in hospital.. plus there is double the risk for complications. While I originally accepted her reasoning, I am now working myself up as I am upset that this option was not fully considered and the reasoning do not make all that sense to me. There are pros and cons of course.. Anyone been in a similar situation and/or had a second mastectomy later? How long after you finished treatment were you able to have another surgery? I do not want to delay surgery this week, but I also want to do the right thing for myself..
Looming double mastectomy
im having a double mastectomy with auxiliary lymph node clearance on the 1st November. Finding it hard to believe it’s happening even though I’ve had 6 months of chemo! Wondering how to get my head around it. How have others dealt with it? Going from a 10G to nothing seems so extreme!
Bilateral Mastectomy and no further treatment
Just wondering if there is anyone out there who has had either a mastectomy or bilateral mastectomy who then didn't need any further treatment at all? I had this earlier this year but everywhere I look everyone talks about treatment following surgery.Mine required none which is fabulous but I have this feeling I don't quite fit anywhere. It seems there was this sudden rush of activity after diagnosis, a quick surgery and then a sudden stop it all. I was never sick, another thing to celebrate.
Elective preventative mastectomy advice?
Every single day since my wide-excision I have resented my oncologists choices to deny me a double mastectomy, and for my five year survivorship I plan to treat myself to correcting it. The surgery I had left me with permanent pain, and after becoming pregnant, which I wasn’t sure was possible, my other breast grew over a full cup size. There are no bra solutions. And I lost the baby just at the end of the first trimester. I’m left more uncomfortable on a daily basis than I’ve ever been in my life. I don’t have a love-hate relationship with my breasts, they are uncomfortable both to see and touch. This exposition is more for the purposes of illustrating that I don’t take this decision lightly and is not purely out of that life long survivor’s anxiety of recurrence, and I know that it won’t be covered by Medicare. My question is, where do I go? I don’t want to come out of the surgery as a purely medical exercise, I’d like a somewhat smooth chest. Does anyone know a surgeon in Sydney who offers mastectomy and - I suppose ‘sculpting’? I don’t need or want new fake breasts or nipples, I just do not want to come out of the surgery only to recover with new alien lumps and folds to get used to. Thank you in advance for any input and guidance!
after an axillary clearance
I had a bilateral mastectomy plus axillary clearance with DIEP reconstruction 13 weeks ago. I completed chemo on the last day of 2018 and radiotherapy finished in early March. What does it normally feel like in your armpit after an axillary clearance? Numbness yes. Swelling yes. Otherwise it’s feels normal, except for a lump which I have noticed for a few weeks now (swelling has settled). Would it be normal to feel a solid but moveable lump, size bigger than a pea in the armpit area? I’m seeing the GP Tuesday but just wanted to know what other’s armpits have felt like after an axillary clearance. thanks
Preventative mastectomy decision - young mum
Hello, Are there any young mums out there, without BRCA, who have chosen to have a preventative mastectomy of the other side at the time of reconstruction? I am a young 34yo mum who was diagnosed with BC, stage 2-3, 30% Oestrogen and 100%HER Pos. This last year I have gone through chemo, surgery and radiation and as I gear up to having reconstruction I would also like to get a preventative mastectomy on my other breast. My surgeon isn't keen on me making this choice. My pros are I never want to go through this, or put my family through this again. My cancer was aggressive and only a few months old had spread to lymph nodes, so I consider myself extremely lucky it was caught. As I have large breasts even the surgeon could not feel the tumours when he knew where to look, which makes it impossible for me to catch BC early if it does develop it in the other breast. And what if I am not so lucky next time around. After genetic testing came back negative I was still given a 20% chance it will occur in the other breast. 1 in 5 seems too high for me to gamble with. And if I get the other breast done they will look somewhat the same... my husband is completely supportive of any choice I make. Cons for me are the risk of lymphoma and other complications in getting implants. Not knowing if I am cutting off a perfectly good breast that may never develop anything. Did anyone here make this choice and what has been your experience? Are you glad you proceeded or do you wish you waited..? Or is anyone else at the same stage as me and thinking this through? Thanks, S
Post mastectomy pain
So it’s 12 days since my double mastectomy. Drains came out yesterday which was a huge relief. I was blaming them on the incredible discomfort. However, not much has improved. The drain hole sites are still very sore and the top of my rib cage and chest area. I told the visiting nurses and they said it’ll probably be uncomfortable for a while. UNCOMFORTABLE!!! I’m munching panadols like Smarties! When does it start to ease up abit girls?
