Dear all, I was told yesterday I should have a mastectomy (plus reconstruction if I so decide) after 2 unsuccessful lumpectomies that showed several foci of invasive cancer and a large area of DCIS.
i completely get that the whole breast needs to go, but then it gets difficult.
My gut instinct steers me towards simple mastectomy. I’m desperate to hear from others who have done this what their experience has been like? Any regrets? I like the simplicity of it and relative peace of mind. How difficult have others found it to adjust, ie confidence in own self image and in relationships? The biggest fears I have are what it is going to be like looking at myself in mirror and as a single parent in my early fifties will I have to give up my hope of ever finding another partner, although this may be superficial thinking and not matter looking at the bigger picture.
I know the decision is entirely personal and still am very grateful for anyone willing to share their experience with going flat or how they felt with using implants instead. Thank you.
I had bilateral mastectomy 2 weeks ago. I was offered immediate reconstruction with implants which I have had done. I did consider going flat as this would be easier practically and physically in the short term. However, psychologically I didn’t think i would cope to well in the long term. it’s not about vanity but about self image and identity. The surgery, whilst not a ‘walk in the park’ was easier than I thought and surprisingly I have had little pain. 2 weeks on I am healing well and don’t regret it. I like the symmetry and the fact I still have a cleavage. Psychologically I am sure I have made the right decision. Diep was discussed but the waiting list is over 12 months in my area, so if I had opted for that procedure I would have had to go flat for a year at least, adjust to that and then psyche myself up for more surgery which, I think I would have found to stressful. Getting rid of the cancer is first and foremost but there is more to it than that, we have to live with our altered body and that is another matter, one that is just as important for our mental health. I hope this helps a little. Everyone is different, I hope you can decide what is right for you.
I was diagnosed last June at 31 years old. Due to where my tumour had decided to position itself I was told that they could try a lumpectomy but they were not confident that they’d get clear margins. I was told that a mastectomy would be the safest option for me.
Due to my age and also not having any family history of breast cancer, my team wanted me to have genetic testing, the issue with this is that it was taking 4 months for the results to come back. It was suggested that I have a mastectomy with implant for the time being and then once my genetics results came back, I could look to have DIEP. So at the moment I have an implant.
I was diagnosed 2 weeks before my wedding so I wasn’t looking forward to having such a big change so soon after becoming a newlywed! But to be honest, that didn’t make too much if a difference to my confidence! I also lost my nipple!
The recovery from the surgery was absolutely fine, I got by on paracetamol and ibuprofen for pain relief.
Ive struggled more with my appearance since having chemo - actually my reconstructed breast hasn’t bothered me as much as I thought it would!! I will be having DIEP but there’s a bit of a wait which I’m not sad about!!