I did have cushion .but to be honest it was interesting how they do it.
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@lil56 is that a new episode I watched the lumpectomy one which I found fascinating!
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Thanks so much hc1973.
We will fight this. 
Hello loupy one of the new episodes, I watched that episode. I had wired excersion 2019, it is interesting to see what they actually do.
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Oh I’ll have to watch the new ones thanks for the heads up! @lil56 i found it so interesting- although I can see why some people couldn’t watch it @Jaygo xx
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Hello everyone and thank you so much for all of your comments. I had a lumpectomy, sentinel nymph nodes removed and a perforator flap, had a heamatoma the day after so needed to go back to theatre. My results came back but they didn’t get clear margins so now I need a mastectomy. Since I had to go back to theatre I prayed I wouldn’t need to have another operation but I do and I’m so worried but all your comments have relaxed me a little. I now have a decision to make of implants, reconstruction or go flat on my right side. I was pretty much settled on going flat but started to panic if I’d made the right decision I have to let my consultant know tomorrow. I just want the simplest operation with the quickest recovery, I’m a marathon runner and miss running so much so that is why I think going flat is the best option, I think I’ll feel okay as I’ve only got small breasts anyway (36B) but just hope there isn’t too much tightness across my chest afterwards and really hope the recovery will be much quicker than the other procedures I had, the drain I had was in for 20 nights and this is the one thing I struggled the most with, my consultant said I will have another drain preying it’s not in for too long, I had nightmares about it pulling out and I forgot it was there a few times and dragged it off the sofa even in a small crossbody bag it felt so liberating to have it out. This is just such a tough journey and I have so much respect for anyone going through this and supportive partners who are often bypassed my husband has been my rock but hardly anyone asks how he is.
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I went flat on my right side when I had single mastectomy in December and have been out running since (before chemo floored me). I did my exercises religiously and have no tightness across my chest - had axillary clearance too and that was much tighter initially but it’s amazing how the body can heal and adapt - you got this! You will be back running in no time
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Arrhh thank you @rubytuesday thats so reassuring x
@ljsdreams222 I’m exactly same as @rubytuesday . Mastectomy in November (single and went flat, like you small breasts anyway), recovered very well and was back running after one month. Not running now as chemo has also floored me and gives me HR spikes 
. But my scar is not tight at all, I had very little pain and walked every day from the day after surgery . Also back doing weight training and Pilates, occasional cycling class. I just live in little crop tops and the occasional sports bra (the crop top type that flattens you) and they’re super comfy against the scar. Tbh I hardly ever think about it now. I did have a couple of scar massage sessions in January as I had a little bit of cording in my armpit but it’s much better now and the masseuse said my scar was really smooth and healthy.
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Arrrhh @sam1204 thats so reassuring to know thank you hopefully you can get back to running at some point x
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Hi,
I too asked if I could have my left (healthy) breast removed but they simply will not remove a health boob unfortunately 
I think that if I had been allowed I would’ve definitely opted to remain flat.
I therfore made the decision (which was hard!) to have an immediate DIEP (flap) reconstruction.
Hope this answers your question ? X
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Why is it not our decision to have the healthy boob removed! I would have opted for a DMX but as you say they won’t give that option! Surely it should be up to us! Rant over 
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Yes, I asked for the same when my right MX was discussed and the answer was no. I have made a decision that if I ever get a DX in my left breast, I’m not going to muck about with chemo, just get the bugger off and we can mop up anything after. Here’s hoping it never comes to that. I quite like my flat side though.
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@Jaygo ive made that decision too! Let’s hope neither of us ever get to that….this journey sure does change your attitude to things! I too like my flat side!
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I bought a rouched top from Tesco which seems to be quite the fashion at the moment. It clings to my flat side and I actually like it, because it helps me make a statement. ‘This is me and I’m proud of it’. I’m a dreadful exhibitionist though. The top is really pretty and was quite cheap. Bonus!
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Hi @Jaygo
What a great post. So good to read everyones varied experiences.
I had a single masectomy and then a double masectomy (balancing/contralateral) a year later at the end of treatment.
My surgeon practices a weird quilting stitch to stop seroma so no drains. He glues and stitches and covers scar with steri strips to stop it pulling. When I looked down after surgery it looked like foccaccia with all the divots. But hardly any pain at all, which really surprised me. Amazing scaring especially on breast that had radiotherapy.
My cancer (tnbc) was aggressive and unfortunately chemo resistant. I had urgent surgery to remove my left breast and all axilla including rotters nodes in 2024 then had more chemoimmunotherapy then right breast removal 1 year later. The option to have the right breast removed was given and the decision to have it removed was mine but it was an easy decision for me. Over the course of treatment I had 3 painful cysts develop in right breast and had to have repeated ultrasounds to check these and a biopsy as one looked slightly iffy. I also suffered with terrible back pain…2 lower lumber slipped disks 4 months prior to bc diagnosis, a slight frozen shoulder developing from axilla clearance and the advice was that balancing surgery may help also with this.
The general consensus was that the right breast was healthy tissue and I was no more likely to develop cancer in it but the existence of the painful cysts meant I probably wouldnt know if i did develop a tumour and no one was really sure what the reoccurrence risk is with chemo resistant tnbc.
Reconstruction isnt something I considered once the chemo stopped working and tumour grew back (plans change in battle). I adjusted to single breast quite quickly, non symmetry is not what we are used to but its not bad. I used an m&s prothetic for a year but only when i went out, whilst i had the single msx, but i found it too light and it kept rising up and i was constantly having to rearrange myself.
After the double I have gone flat. I have a bra in a draw with 2 prosthetics in it but I just haven’t bothered at all. It was a revelation to do exercise and most things without breasts. Whilst i accepted the one breast look i am surprised by how happy i have been to have symmetry again. The scarring is really neat. Most people dont notice or realise I have had a double msx they just assume I am really flat chested. I am really happy with how I look. Its a mental shift having / surviving cancer, what matters to me has shifted in a way I did not fully expect. I look at the scars with pride. I did it, i’ m still here and I will do it all again if I have too.
Big hugs. Flat and fabulous forever. Anna xx
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There was a study to assess whether a balance surgery should be offered as standard. It’s was called the FLAME study at the university of bristol. It was looking for womenwith lived experience of seeking/discussing/having a balancing mastectomy who had completed their main breast cancer treatment (surgery/chemotherapy/radiotherapy) within the last 5 years. I can’t remember where I saw it advertised.
I am unclear if its still running. But I will take a look and feedback.
Xx Anna
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Anna x51. Goodness what a journey and how positive you are. You are an inspiration to us all. Thanks for sharing your journey.
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Thanks @poppy261
You experience sounds similar to mine in terms of pain and scaring
I am glad to hear you are healing and able to do more 7 weeks on. I hope treatment goes well. X Anna
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Thanks Anna. Best foot forward. Had my hair cut off today to pixie from below shoulder. 
Got a lovely wig and numerous chemo hats.
So all prepared. Xxxx we are stronger than we think aren’t we!!!
Its fine to have bad days as well as good. 
i eat yummy chocolate on my bad days. That makes it all doable. 
Xxx
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