Mastectomy

Hi Kalamazoo, I had a single mastectomy in November and decided not to have reconstruction. My Drs were concerned for my mental health and worried that I would have issues post surgery. Good news is I’m fine, I too am very practical and from the start I just wanted the cancer hone and to get on with my life. I wear a bra with prosthesis and it’s fine for me. I would say meet the plastic surgeon purely so you have all the answers. Then do what feels right for you xx

Thank you so much for your reply. I have always said if I was diagnosed with B C then I would request  mastectomy, it really doesn’t bother me. It’s just that now reconstruction has been mentioned its pecking at my head! . I will go with my list of questions then make a decision. Glad it all went well for you xx

Hello

I had mastectomy with diep flap reconstruction in July for Dcis - total shock but after a few wobbles I accepted my fate and had the operation. The staff know we are scared etc but they put me at ease and I was laughing going ‘under’. After a 7 hour op I woke up feeling great - no pain just discomfort- no morphine needed just a 48 hour pain bomb ( looked like a massive yo yo !!) Up the next day and home on the third day - I can honestly say I’ve not experienced any pain just discomfort- fatigue grabs you and you have to sit down/sleep and rest is essential but so is gentle exercise- your body will let you know what you can and can’t do !!

i appreciate everyone is different and recovery is not the same for everyone but I hope this helps you know that it’s NOT all pain and the end of the world - yes … I have a tight tummy which is still swollen and very uncomfortable at times still but Pilates helps stretch the scar tissue - my new boob is great - I don’t like looking at it even now 6 months later but I’ve been talked in to having a new nipple and 3d tattooing soon so hopefully I’ll feel better naked!!

With my clothes on nobody can tell I’ve had anything done and I can honestly say the op is not as bad as I imagined- sometimes it’s mind over matter and there was no choice really to not go ahead with it - yes I would love to be the woman I was but I’m very happy and grateful that it’s over and done with - far too much to do ahead of me !!!

Hope this helps and happy to answer any questions you may have - good luck 

Thank you for your honest account. You are the first person that I have found to give me an insight to what may lie ahead.nice to hear you are making a good recovery. x