I was just wondering if many of you out there are living without reconstruction or considering not having reconstruction. If not yourself, maybe you know somebody who has opted to have mastectomy but no reconstruction, preferring to live breast free?
The reason I ask is that I made this choice for myself and have absolutely no regrets and wanted to promote the benefits of living after breast cancer treatment without breasts. I have looked for more people having chosen not to have reconstruction but though they are obviously out there, there doesn’t seem to be very many of them. I don’t know if this si because they have moved on and don’t bother with these web sites or forums anymore or if there are just so few of them and I’d be talking to myself?!
If you would like to know more or you know others who would be interested in my experiences, I’d really love to hear from you, either via this forum or private message (which I assume is possible from this web site)
I too have decided to go ‘breast free’ following my second mastectomy. This was a prophylactic mastectomy because of my fear that the cancer would develop the other side. As it was, it was found that I had two areas of DCIS, so thank goodness for that decision! I am still in recovery mode, dealing with a bit of an annoying seroma so am still looking forward to arriving at a ’ new norm’.
I had my first mastectomy (for invasive lobular cancer) in November 2012 , which included lymph node clearance and resulted in dealing with a very large seroma problem. That scar has settled down and ‘tightened up’ (at one point I felt as though I was growing a new boob) so I am confident that the new mastectomy site will settle down in time.
Apart from whether I would or would not be a good candidate for reconstruction, on a personal front I just don’t want to go through any more surgery than I have to. Nor do I want to run the risk of a failed op or infection, and even more important to me, I do not want to spend any more of my life than I have to focussing on breast cancer. It is rather liberating to be ‘breast free’ having been ‘double G’ for quite a long time!
I was classified as ‘high risk’, and have undergone ‘3rd Generation’ chemo followed by radiotherapy to the chest, underarm and neck. Nothing has been found on any of my scans, and concern about the cancer returning far out weighs any concern I have about living breast free. But I totally understand there are ladies out there who would not wish to consider this option. So I am totally signed up to ‘The Breast Free Club’!
I had my mastectomy 11 months ago and I have no interest in or intention of having a reconstruction. I am more than happy with my body image and wearing a prosthesis is not a problem for me.
Should I ever get BC in my remaining boob I would not hesitate in asking for it to be removed. Like Chrissie I would not have a problem joining the Breast Free Club.
I had my mastectomy 5 weeks ago and wasn’t offered the option of immediate reconstruction but was told I could consider it in 18 months to 2 years if I want to. However at the present time I have no intention of having a reconstruction and I don’t believe that will change.
Like Oyster, if I developed cancer in my remaining breast I would not hesitate to have it removed.
I am having my right mastectomy tomorrow for Lobular Invasive and never even considered reconstruction. I just feel it would give me more stress than I need and getting rid of the cancer is my main aim. I would be happy with having the other side removed and living breast-free if it comes to that and the surgeon says I have that option. He was concerned that I shouldn’t make the decision in a rush but wait until after the initial curative surgery is over.
Afterwards I will be happy to pick up this thread.
I had left Mx in March last year & will have right Mx on 1st November. I am happy with Dolly my Prothesis & can’t get my head around implants or having flesh relocated to form a breast. Luckily I am confident in my body . Am having my 50th birthday party 3 weeks after surgery so have bought a fab draped Vivienne Westwood dress to wear with no falsies. It hangs really well on my flat side so am very happy.
I had MX on left side last December. I had chemo between February 5th and May 23rd, and I’m now on Anastrazole (or as I call it, a nasty stroll). I’ve never regretted the MX and would never have a reconstruction as the operation is too long for my poor old lungs to cope with (lung disease). I admit I’m not very comfortable with my prosthesis as I was/am a ‘D’ cup and the pop in boob is heavy and weighs my bra down on that side. Also the bra rides up under my armpit, which sometimes still hurts after my SNB. So I tend to go braless which does look a bit lob sided, but more comfortable for me. I wouldn’t hesitate to have the other breast removed if it became necessary.
Hi am having a double mastectomy on 24th sept, I had recurrance to breast which has not responded well to chemo so have decided to have mastectomy, as I am a 40e I asked to have double mastectomy rather than mess about with falsies. I also have secondary to lung which did respond to chemo so fingers crossed there. Any advice , suggestions welcome
I had left mx on 29 July,doing exercises and trying to get back to normal. Living with the cumfee at the moment and going to be fitted for the prosthesis next week. Originally my surgery was mx with delayed recon but because they clearned all the nasties out and hadnt spread into lymph nodes I dont need radio or chemo so at my check up two weeks after surgery my surgeon said I could consider recon now. I just want to get over the surgery and am not keen at the moment on having more surgery and not that keen on the option for recon. That might change over time of course but I’m likely to continue left breast free. I wouldnt have second thoughts about mx on right side if any more nasties arrived. I am considering though having a reduction so that future prosthesis might be more comfie, as I’m an E/F cup.
i have thought about going breast free. Alot of pictures on the internet of breast free women are from America, where they have to pay for health care.
I think its almost become abit of a salute to womens indepencence & womens rights ect.
Ive been told by friends (some male) to not have reconstrution (be natural)!
Its a personal choice & depends on many factors, such as whether or not you have immediate reconstruction or have to have more surgery down the line etc.