Feeling panicky after mastectomy operation

I had mine under general anaesthetic but felt very scared I wouldn’t wake up if something would go wrong but the anaesthestist reassured me they monitor my brain waves to make sure I’m asleep and not too unconscious. I would rather be asleep and not know what they are doing. After i didn’t want to look at my breast and hated my body as I looked lopsided. It felt better when I could wear a bra as it’s more hidden but the downside is I still can’t wear some of my older clothes as the bras are full up and it shows if anything is remotely low even slightly which is hard. I do feel better as time goes on. I’m now 4 weeks in and scar is healing. I hated looking at it as ut was all red and swollen but it will get easier.  

Hi RKD

Thanks for your reply. I’m feeling quite panicky this morning. I guess I will have to give it a bit more more time as you say. I also don’t like the fact I am lopsided. I feel the cancer took my best breast too. I think it may be a bit better when I can wear bras with an insert but that’s not the same. I’m also single so worried about ever dating again. I think I’m going to try and get some counselling. I hope things will improve over time for both of us

It’s horrible I know. When I had the surgery I couldn’t wear a bra as it was too uncomfortable so every time I looked down I it’s definitely hard as it’s not the same as having a breast. There’s always reconstruction later on when you feel better. I’m also going to have counselling but it’s a long journey. You’ll get there even though it doesn’t feel like it x

Hi, I had a right side mastectomy 6 months ago. I’ve always been ok with looking in the mirror, but I still find a bra uncomfortable and am happy to go out braless with just one boob. I’m lucky I was quite small anyway but to be honest nobody notices!

Hi Robann

Thanks for replying. Like you l’m quite small, but unfortunately I just can’t get my head around losing a breast at the moment. I have already bought a bra and inserts ready for when everything is healed up. Someone said they found tying a silk scarf over the scar made it more comfortable for her to wear a bra

Thanks RKD,

I’m still feeling panicky and finding it hard to accept. I know there is the option of reconstruction in the future but I have a phobia of general surgery and have been told I can’t have it under local anaesthetic. I may be able to have it done like that privately but I don’t have a lot of money. I coped well with the 6 rounds of chemo prior to surgery but seem to have reached a brick wall here. I begged for a lumpectomy but was told no because I had small boobs.They refused a skin saving mastectomy under local so I had no choice to go flat. Originally I was going to have an immediate reconstruction with an implant under general anaesthetic but I couldn’t do this due to my phobia. I just hope this gets better over time. I’m going to contact my doctor this morning to get some médication