Getting a little anxious only 7 days to go im having my right breast removed due to dcis that has reaccured after 21 years so no recon for me as ive had radiothrapy in the past just trying to find some who has had a bilateral masectomy no recon x
4 Likes
I was diagnosed with bilateral cancers in July and needed double mastectomy.
I was insistent I wanted immediate reconstruction, however that would have delayed my surgery by at least another nine weeks, so I opted for a delayed reconstruction (I didn’t need chemo and am taking letrozole for 10 years).
Post surgery, I actually discovered I really liked being flat, I mean really loved it, and didn’t want any more surgery. The delay actually meant I didn’t feel rushed to make a decision and end up with a reconstruction I didn’t know that I didn’t really want.
I was back up and running and at the gym within 10 days and back at my daily 6-8 mile walk on day 3. The fear is much worse than the reality. I was sent home with a variety of painkillers but just took paracetamol a couple of times.
Good luck with your op and please ask any questions you have xx
5 Likes
Thankyou so much for your reasurring reply 
i love that your so active so soon 
And that your happy being flat x
I had breast cancer in 2003 radiobtamox zoladex injections as i was pre menapausal this time its dcis in the actual scar of previous so i have no option but to remove ive askrd for other to be removed too but they wont do this at the same tome as they see the cancer one priority and dont want complecations ?? Im just going with there lead im a strong person, and i have a very positive attitude. that got me through the last 21 years but i never have a millon years expected it to return. i had no idea it was common as i was just getting on with my life !!!
Ive had to wait 9 weeks since my diagnosis as i had just had a hip replacement, on yhe 15th of nov so they are worried about blood clots but im all booked in for next tuesday i think ive got this just need little reasurances and other peopls experiences i think it all helps so yhankuou once again 
3 Likes
Oh gosh, you’ve been through a lot.
I was actually diagnosed after finding a lump and then they looked at the scans again and found calcifications which turned out to be DCiS on both sides.
Pathology after the op showed two tiny invasives among the DCIS on the original non-lump side so I’m glad to have got the double mastectomy as they would have not got the margins anyway with a lumpectomy.
I genuinely love being flat, I just wish there was more info about no reconstruction- I could see lots about implants and DIEP but very little about being flat.
If you’re on instagram, there’s a fabulous woman under the name of delightfully_delight who had a bilateral mastectomy without recon.
4 Likes
I real do feel for you, recurrence is my biggest worry (ER+) and i hope the mastectomy will do what’s needed to get rid of it all.
I wasn’t aware until a few weeks ago, reconstruction was not an option after radiotherapy. I had asked “what if” and was told mastectomy but i didn’t ask about reconstruction nor was it mentioned by the Dr. In hindsight now, I wish I had asked about a mastectomy and I do ponder how effective a lumpectomy really is, particularly when DCIS is found.
My mum had mastectomy, with no come back after 30+ years, but she does struggle with the prosthesis moving and looking “lob sided”. If she had the choice then, she says she would have had both removed.
I send you my well wishes and hope there are no more hurdles x
3 Likes
Hi there, I’m having a mastectomy in 10 days and I’m also starting to feel anxious about it but I also want it out of my body assp. So it can’t come to quick enough! Hope you’re ok. I’m trying to keep busy but over the next 10 days and got lots of appointments x
1 Like
I’m glad you’ve reached out here @gayedw and found reassurance from other forum members.
Our specialist breast care nurses are incredibly knowledgeable and kind, so please don’t hesitate to reach out if you want to talk things through. You can get in touch with them here on the forum on the Ask our Nurses your questions board or on our helpline 0808 800 6000 which is open Monday to Friday 9am-4pm and 9am-1pm Saturday.
Sending our warmest,
Lucy
2 Likes
Hi @stafford22
It’s no wonder you feel anxious whilst you wait for your mastectomy. We have some information on our website about dealing with anxiety that you may find useful: Coping with breast cancer emotionally | Breast Cancer Now.
Our breast care nurses are also here for a chat on our helpline 0808 800 6000 which is open on weekdays 9am-4pm and 9am-1pm on Saturday. And of course, the forum is here for you any time of day.
Thinking of you,
Lucy
2 Likes
@gayedw
Hi,
I had surgery 2 years ago to remove my right breast. The surgeon asked several times about reconstruction and explained options but I was sure I didn’t want it. He even offered to leave surplus skin incase I changed my mind later, which I declined as I knew I wouldn’t.
I asked if I could have bilateral mastectomy but as cancer was only in right side and bilateral surgery would take longer theatre time than was available, I was booked for single right sided mastectomy. My lovely surgeon did explain I could return at a later date for the left removal if I wanted but I would need psychological evaluation.
Anyway, I had mastectomy 2 years ago, home in time for tea, up and in the shower independently next morning (surgeon didn’t use drains), hanging out washing the day after (okay I did have to improvise by pulling the clothes line down to me abit more rather than reaching fully up). I also didn’t need any pain relief, although this could have been because I didn’t have drains like many others.
I have never regretted staying flat and would much prefer my other breast not to be there so I am not lopsided. However, not keen now to go back for more surgery just as I am starting to reduce my hospital follow-up visits so may have to live with that.
I understand it is each to their own and we are all different but no recon was right for me and I am as happy with that decision today as I was 2 years ago.
I can totally understand your anxiety getting close to the procedure, sounds like a totally normal wobble?
Do you think it would be useful to talk to your breast nurse or call the helpline here?
Sometimes talking through big decisions with someone neutral, will either absolutely cement your decision and get you back on track, or will take you down a different path whilst you still have time to do that.
Taking 20 minutes now could be time well spent especially since life is a rollercoaster as soon as we are given a cancer diagnosis, and we may not have stopped since…
Just a thought - feel free to ignore if not useful for you.
Laura
3 Likes
I had a mastectomy on the right side ,I decided I wanted the other breast removed, this was done at a later date .
I use softies and normal bras .
I Velcro the softie and the bras doesn’t move .
Done 2000 second operation done later .
I will be 25 yrs cancer free this June
4 Likes
Hi @gayedw
I was diagnosed with high grade DCIS 4 years ago; mammogram suggested 5cm diameter so lumpectomy wasn’t very practical given my small boobs and mastectomy seemed more sensible. Just as well really because at histology it turned out to be 6cm and they wouldn’t have had clear margins from a lumpectomy. As others have found my surgeon was very keen on reconstruction; I was too thin for DIEP so she was pushing me to have an implant with the option of later “corrective” surgery to the healthy side so they’d match 
Implant + boob job really didn’t appeal. I dithered for a couple of weeks, read lots of threads on here and BCN also put me in touch with someone who has an implant. I chose no implant. The surgery (single mastectomy and two lymph nodes removed) was done as a day case. I did have a drain for 10 days which was a bit of a nuisance but manageable. Started gradually building up my walking distance the next day. The pain was manageable with paracetamol which I only needed for a few days. The hardest bit was getting arm mobility back but I did my exercises religiously and there’s an excellent set of videos in YouTube from the breast unit in, I think, Cardiff.
I hated being lopsided and because I have a terrible family history (BRCA negative but there’s another gene in the mix it seems) I really wanted the other boob gone. It couldn’t be done at the same time because of the psychological evaluation they needed etc so I had that 2nd mastectomy 9 months later.
I’ve got prostheses in case I feel like using them and sewed pockets into a normal bra but haven’t used them yet and, like @lynnc123 I genuinely like being flat.
Hope this helps allay the worries slightly! I wish you all the best and a speedy recovery x
3 Likes
Hello, I had a lumpectomy in 2021, then a recurrence in 2023. I was told it would be possible to have another lumpectomy.
I decided that I would have a single mastectomy and go flat.
In hospital 7.30am and back home by 5pm.
TBH it was less painful than the original lumpectomy.
Sending hugs xx
2 Likes
Hi! I had a smx on Wednesday and I am surprised how well I feel. I was anxious too and the waiting is the worst! I still have a drain in but hardly needing any pain relief. Just be kind to yourself, rest, eat and drink well and nap when you need to. Good luck xx
2 Likes