Mastectomy

I’m due a mastectomy in 10 days. I asked if they could do a double and they said no. I thrive on symmetry so I am gonna find this tough x 

Hi, I had the option at the time but changed my mind at the last minute, regret that now..hope all goes well for you xx

Thank you, it’s tough making these decisions, and often without time to really think it through. I hope you work something out (maybe reconstruction?) x

Maybe xx

I had single mastectomy in February. I asked for a double as I didn't think I could cope with one breast. I was refused, surgeon said they dont want to take healthy tissue and it wouldn't stop further cancer (despite me having tnbc which is known to recur so surely it would stop cancer in the remaining breast) but if I feel the same further down the line I could have an assessment (psych) to see if they would consider it. This is in north Wales and I don't know what you have to do at the pysch assessment for them to agree and I expect with the state of the NHS there would be a long wait for elective surgery anyway.

I've had my appointment with bra fitting nurse, there was no choice of prosthesis or bra, they only had the one make. Bra cup size only went up to DDD, no bigger (I'm E-F, what on earth do bigger ladies do) and she only tried the one back size on me. I've persevered but it feels like scaffolding, side of bra rubs edge of armpit, even with bra extender it's still feels too tight, prothesis causing soreness above where breast was. I've stopped using them and have arranged an appointment with a specialist shop that does mastectomy bras and prothesis in the hope of finding something comfortable that fits well.

Hi, I tend to go braless most of the time I find the prosthesis so heavy and the bra's uncomfortable,  then I catch sight of myself in mirror ..awful, and I know I'm lucky to be here etc, it's just a constant reminder, I had a lumpectomy 18yrs ago then it came back..suppose vanities a terrible thing lol  x

Did you have a choice of bra and prosthesis from the NHS? Or just the one like me?!

The price for me to buy the prosthesis I was given is £165 so it's not as though they're giving you the cheapest one, you would think they'd want to give you a good fit at that price. What a waste.

I definitely prefer braless at the moment but it would be better if I was small breasted rather than blessed! Canny dressing with a gilet over long sleeved t-shirt sort of disguises the unevenness but when the weather is better I wont be able to disguise it if I go braless. I would prefer to be completely flat.

Hi, just given one choice, I've bought bra's on line with lace inserts, it's just more when the warm weather comes, miss my cleavage so much lol, I would prefer to be flat chested than having

one saggy boob, need to do a lot of thinking x

I feel for you! I had single mastectomy and prosthesis was OK to start with, then after chemo Iost 2 stone but prosthesis I was given I found out was over £100! I decided to persever then ended up putting chicken fillets in other side to balance it all out! What a palaver!!

It's all a juggling act! X