Single mastectomy with reconstruction

Hi Agatha1 and a very warm welcome to the online community which I hope you'll find is both an informative and supportive place to be.

I had a lumpectomy so don't have the experience you're looking for. However, I noticed that your post hadn't had any replies yet so responding to you will 'bump' it back to the top of the discussion list again.

While you're waiting for replies, it would be great if you could put something about your diagnosis and proposed treatment into your profile as it really helps others when replying to you and also when looking for someone on a similar pathway. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.

Hello Agatha1,

I am also due a mastectomy and reconstruction and I have the same worries as you. I have my appointment with the consultant to decide the date tomorrow and I am trying to understand types of treatment and reconstruction available. I live South of London and I am also trying to find the best surgeons. Would be nice to share similar experiences as I am still awashed with this news and all the information and decisions that come with it.

Send you love and strength as well.

Thank you Davida so much for replying, I am so, so sorry that you are going through this too, it is an emotional nuclear event but for sure the more information we gain, the more control and confidence we will have in the process, and the experts who will care for us. I am only a week post-diagnosis and found the teams so helpful in explaining things but it’s only when you read the resources, more questions arise, they gave me a great booklet, also available online, irish cancer society: understanding breast reconstruction, explains different options, of course may be much more and different options in London. When you meet them again, i’m sure they will signpost you to lots of reading material and bring a list of questions. I rang them back then with lots more once i had time to read and reflect. I’m being treated in Ireland so I can’t help as well with your system. I really think talking to another person who has been through the whole journey in a similiar way to your plan will give you so much comfort and understanding and advice, in irekand there are volunteer prior patients who offer to chat to new patients, for both of us i think would be super helpful even just for the emotional aspect. My experience is only beginning so i can’t be a fountain of knowledge but i definitely have an understanding of the emotions etc, so anything i can do to help, please shout and remember it’s naturally super overwhelming at the beginning, once you have time to read the resources, understand the options, it will feel much steadier and you will trust in the process. We will get through this, one step at a time, don’t look too far ahead.X

Thank you so much for the guidance, that is a huge help! I will do this and already find the resource and people so amazing. Thank you for helping and catching us when we need it!X

Hi, I've only just joined but have recently had my surgery for single mastectomy with immediate implants reconstruction, so am happy to offer my experience if that's helpful (I'm also a rower and fell runner who likes the occasional party dress!). My surgery was 9 weeks ago, and I had a pretty good recovery actually by all accounts, feeling very fortunate about that. By 5 -6 weeks after surgery I was managing 6 mile walks in the hills, and about 7-8 weeks after I managed an orienteering event in the Peak District alternating running with plenty of walking, so hopefully you'll have a similarly positive experience in that respect. 

In terms of breast symmetry, I think maybe it's very individual. My surgeon is amazing but my breasts are apparently wide and shallow, so I'm less symmetrical that I was before and was feeling pretty self-conscious about it. That said, by about 6-7 weeks after,oat of the swelling has gone down and I could get into some of my old sports bras, they were just a shade tighter. Unfortunately I'm now into chemo and that's putting a spanner in the works, but that's another story! 

Sending you best wishes x