Hi MayberryMagpie Sorry you are in this position - it is difficult. Also sorry you had bc on one side - and then not long afterwards on the other - I had a similar experience. I had DCIS on the right, lumpectomy then mastectomy (no clear margins). About 3 months later DCIS found on the left - so second mastectomy which revealed invasive cancer (hadn't shown up on mammograms, u/s or biopsy) - so chemo, radiotherapy and herceptin. I decided not to have reconstruction/implant when I had the first mx - I read up about the options: there is a very good BCC publication on this website - hope your hospital has given you a copy but if not it is worth a look. I didn't even consider reconstruction but did think about an implant. I decided against - didn't like the idea of the silicone, longer recovery, it wasn't going to feel the same and I was worried it might make it harder to detect any recurrence. I did find it very useful to talk it through with one of the nurses on the helpline before finally deciding. For a brief period I was lopsided - so I was using a (heavy) prosthesis on one side - surprised at the weight because I wasn't a very large bra size. After second mx I actually found it easier. I can go flat - which I sometimes do. However, I very quickly discovered some great lightweight foam prostheses - so generally I use those and I completely forget I'm wearing them. Didn't need to replace clothes I already had and I look the same as I always did to other people (I found that helpful initially although I don't really care these days). I'm fine with the way I look. I found that it was worthwhile going to a specialist bra supplier - so I could try different prostheses and mx bras to find what worked for me. Hope that is some help. I was interested to see Ruth's post - very good to see the implant worked for her. Best of luck with your surgery - hope it all goes well.
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