Single mastectomy immediate reconstruction with implant

I’m not surprised you are feeling sad. I don’t think we are prepared for what we are going to look like after surgery - the focus is all on getting that cancer out.  I didn’t even look at my mastectomy scar until the surgeon showed me in the mirror at my follow up - she was beaming about how neat it was but I was just shocked at how lumpy everything was - and I still have a big lump under my arm.   I don’t know what to say except that you won’t be alone feeling this - things may well “settle” over time and I know I’ve been asked “aren’t you pleased with how well it’s healing” but I have nothing to compare it to - we only have one body and don’t see these scars and things day in and day out - just our own. The anaesthetic will have worn off now and that can make you feel extra sad for a bit - so snuggle up with something nice to do and delicious to eat and spoil yourself.  There might well be ups and downs - some days I  fine with my scars and lumps and prosthesis and other days I am really sad…..  take care xx

Hi Notme,

yes it IS a shock, and it will feel hard, and not a bit how you thought, BUT it truly does settle and can take quite a few years to do so. My mx was in 2018 and it’s only in this year that I didn’t wear a bra at night (to be honest it just got far too hot in the 40 degree heat we had!) and my new boob is still settling. I asked about plastics and had an appointment (they won’t advise this for a couple of years) but decided there really wasn’t a huge need for any extra surgery.

They will be happy to refer you in a year or two if you still feel unhappy. But give it time, boobs do take a long time to settle after any surgery, surprisingly. 

Hugs xxx

I had mastectomy with immediate implant 7weeks ago. Or has definitely softened in those weeks. My scar is a thin red line only. My surgeon spent a long time explaining different implant options and how I wanted the final look but did say it will take several months to settle. As others have said it is early days. Some days I love my new boob as it means the cancer is gone, other days it makes me sad. Try to take it one day at a time x

Hi I am due to have left breast removed at end of November. Scared n wondering if I too will feel similar to you.Plus right breast needs partial removal n small implants in both breasts. Two lymph nodes removed as well. Any info welcomex Get well soon hunx

I just wasn’t expecting it to look so deformed I suppose I was expecting it to be different and to maybe be lobsided compared to my other one but I wasn’t expecting this big Crease/ dip type thing in it x 

It's so much to take in, the loss of your breast, the reconstruction, cancer etc, it is overwhelming, I know I felt so confused & upset for a long while 

It takes 3-4 months for the implant to settle into a final position & as I understand it creases etc can resolve themselves. If not the surgeon will review the cosmetic side of things in the future. 

I've had mine for just over 5 months, it is firmer than my own breast but have started to get used of it.

I know it's hard but try to relax rest & heal, & in time it will improve.

Best wishes x

I had mastectomy and immediate reconstruction with implant in April and also have a thin trough like dip tuning alongside the scar that goes diagonally across whole breast. I have been offered some lipo modelling to fill it and improve shape. Plastic surgeon wouldn’t put me on a list for further surgery for minimum of 6 months post op. Appearance will change, implant will settle and then once all swelling gone and body accepts implant there will be a number of options should you still have lumps or dips. Be really patient and kind to yourself xx