How do you come to terms with such a drastic change to your body? I’ve always been big up top (36HH), and I’m not allowed reconstruction, so I’m going to be massively lopsided in size, weight and how my body moves.
For those of you who have had a single mastectomy without reconstruction, how have you emotionally come to terms with it? My surgery is on Wednesday.
Hi @SnorkMaiden - first of all, welcome to this forum and I hope you will find some answers. I had a single mastectomy but also had reconstruction at the same time so I can‘t properly answer your question, but I didn‘t want to read your post and go past without commenting.
Have you done a search across the forum? The search box is just above here, but make sure you change the grey box to search Forum, not just this board. You should find others who have had a single mastectomy and who haven’t had reconstruction. I don’t know if you are on Facebook, but I believe there is a group called Flat Friends on there, and may be elsewhere too.
I am happy to answer any other questions about mastectomy if you have any. I also wish you all the best for your surgery on Wednesday. Evie xx
Hi @SnorkMaiden
I hope your surgery has gone well. I am 9 weeks post surgery left side mastectomy.
My way of coping was to put all my energy into feeling well. It’s important that you move your arm and do the exercises. I really concentrated on this rather than the loss of my breast.
Once the dressings/drains were off I was shocked at how I looked, however most of how you look is due to bruising and swelling. How I looked 9 weeks ago is vastly different to how I look now. I wish I’d have realised that at the time so hang in there.
I am now wearing a bra with a softee in (awaiting my prosthesis). Surprisingly it is comfortable and I forget it’s there. It took a couple of weeks to get used to but you do.
When I felt low I told myself that I’d rather be fit and well with one breast than be ill with two breasts.
Wishing you a good recovery.
PS there are some lovely bras out there too!
Imp x
I go in for my surgery tomorrow, also single mastectomy and I’ve opted not to have a reconstruction I’m 36DD.
You will have had your surgery now I would love to hear how you are coping and if you’ve found any solutions.
I spent some time searching Google for images of single mastectomies. I’ve seen some awful sights and some really inspiring sights and stories. I’ve been totally inspired by pictures of people who have had tattoos, this won’t be for everyone and I’ve never considered a tattoo before but it’s an example of how women embrace the treatment rather than let it define them. Looking at the pictures also helped me to visualise how I might look after. I’m hoping having done this that I won’t be so shocked when I see the scar.
Above everything else remember you are part of a group of women who have survived and have a wealth of knowledge to help you. In this age of the internet we are never alone even when we think we are.