I don't think you're being paranoid, I think you are being extremely sensible going through all the options available to you. The decision was a very easy one for me - I am 39 with 4 children, my mum died when I was 21 of breast cancer, and getting breast cancer has always been my BIGGEST fear. My 28 year old cousin was also diagnosed last year and also decided to have a double mastectomy with immediate reconstruction as she decided she couldn't live with the worry of recurrance, so I guess I was lucky that I had her for support and to ask about the procedure.
After initially being 'talked out of it' by my original surgeon I was referred to a different one who was absolutely amazing. I did have to have a psychological assessment as I was removing a 'healthy boob' which l thought was a bit strange, but it was actually quite therapeutic talking through my reasons for wanting it.
The surgeon was very honest with me about the final cosmetic result-it will never look or feel like a normal boob, and the nipples are obviously absent, but after having 4 children mine weren't exactly picture perfect anyway and I felt this was a small price to pay.
I am so pleased with the result, although I know they still need to settle down quite a lot as they are still bruised and swollen. They are super perky and i have an amazing cleavage now.
I took arnica for 1 week before surgery and 1 week after and I think this helped with bruising and swelling, the surgeon seemed very pleased with the way they were healing anyway.
I would be lying if I said it didn't hurt at all, but it honestly hasn't been anywhere near as bad as you would think. It was very sore when I woke from surgery, but this was soon sorted by a little morphine.
I had my surgery on Thursday morning and came home on Monday. I could have come home on Sunday but still felt a bit wobbly and in need of an extra night to rest - my house is a bit manic, and to be honest I LOVED being looked after and waited on!!!
My chest doesn't really feel tight, although the bra I was given to wear for 6 weeks is super tight. The best way to describe the feeling is heavy, like there is a bag of sand on your chest. But this sensation isn't constant and according to my cousin does cease after a few weeks.
After 18 years of worrying about 'if' I am going to get breast cancer, being able to take this decision was 100% the right one for me. I just know I would have driven myself mad worrying about every single lump and bump (and I did have lumpy boobs) and the annual mammograms and MRI's would have sent me insane.