Hi Sheil
Welcome to the club, but sorry you have to be here. Big hugs for getting through this.
I had just the right mast + ld flap recon in oct last year and I spoke to a couple of people who had bilateral and general consensus is we're all happy, it's comforting to wake up with something there. It takes time (ie 6 mths) to settle down, mine is looking/feeling more 'breasty'' now. For the back I have a neat scar along the bra line, you get a 'waist tuck' too (there are advantages 😉 ), I found the back more painful than front but the anaesthetist put a local anaes in so you didn't feel it as much.
On the other hand some people prefer to see if they are happy living breast free and saving the back op. If you'd prefer breasts than 1 op is better than 2. But if you think you might be happy without than you're saving a few hours of surgery. It's just a personal choice.
Have you got a BCN? OH and I were shown pictures and it was good to see what to expect before the op.
A few tips....
1. Get front clasp bras with high sides, m&s do a front zip sports bra that I still use as it's so comfy and you can't reach back to do up clasps for a little while.
2. Get some button front tops as you can't reach up for a while.
3. Get a v-pillow or prop yourself around a few pillows as getting in/out of bed can be awkward. And sleeping on your side will be impossible as they bring the muscle around there so it is tender.
4. Have someone at home to look after you as you can't reach up or lift things for a while and do the exercises they give you...it may seem fruitless at first but it does make a huge difference.
5. Arrange to go to a nice lingerie shop a year later as a reward for what you've been through [I'm still waiting for this moment but another lady said it was so nice to have a treat to look forward to]
All the best for your results and op, happy to help if you have any questions.
Cat xx
