Living boob/foobless

sandejosgirl

Hey all.  I am finishing up treatment Sept 6th (ACx4; Tx8) and then getting my expander yanked before rads x35.  I had a unilateral mastectomy April 6th.  Just wondering, who has remained boob/foobless? And, any words of advice?

I am getting my expander taken out 'cause I realized that the risks of problems from implant + rads completely freak me out way more than the idea of being flat, and, I have little kids so the idea of another intensive surgery that requires me to not hold my baby anytime soon is hideous to me.  So I'm going flat for the time being, maybe forever.

Thanx. ~Stephanie

Melonda

Hey Stephanie, so you're going to be a uni-boober right? My mom has had only one breast for 17 years now. She never did any surgery at all. She wears a prosthesis every day and I've been around it since I was 12 so I feel like I have some insight into it.

Also I went without recon for 3 years between my failed recon and when I tried again. I wore prosthesis the majority of the time, but grew to be comfortable in wearing loose-ish sweaters, t shirts and sweatshirts. My biggest problem was without breasts my stomach seemed to be the focal point and seemed larger somehow.

Are you thinking of wearing prosthesis or going flat? I guess it would depend on the size you were, I was large chested to begin with so it was important to me to look even.

apple

i like being 1/2 flat if that helps.. no bra.. no worries.. i'm pretty flat anyway.

sandejosgirl

I am thinking a prothesis 'cause I am a 34 DD.  I also think my kiddos are of an age that they might say something to random strangers if I go out w/o one. But who knows.  Maybe nothing at home? I just think that it would feel completely weird to not wear a bra on my R side at my size w/o some support which means getting a prosthetic to match.

But, I am kinda weirded out by being flat on the one side two.  I miss my breast and HATE the expander.

Melonda

I would recommend a prosthesis since you have one breast left, it makes things more balanced and easier to wear clothes. Since you are a DD I am betting you would like it more and it would at least feel more natural.



My mom doesn't wear her prosthesis at home but only at night.



I'm so sorry you had to get rid of an expander, it was very painful when I had them too. I completely understand why you wanted to get rid of it.

sandejosgirl

Yeah, if a DIEP was an easier in/out I might go for that now, but even if I want one I will need to wait. No one around here does them with any success & my PS said they could not get me the size I want. I am not THAT skinny (size 12). If I recon I at least want them to match.

kmpod

Even though we're not all "young" women here, you may find some useful information:

 http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/82/topic/582184?page=1 

(I hope I got that linked properly) 

kmpod

Darn, it doesn't look like that link is active.

Look in the Reconstruction Alternative Forum and find the "No Reconstruction - Happy with/ your decision?" thread if you're interested. I've found it to be very helpful. 

saffyres

My mom's been a uniboober for 17 years, too - and I delayed recon for about three years. I wanted to be SURE that recon was the right option for me...

rmf

i think what you are doing makes sense -thinking back i wish i would have given myself more time post chemo to do my reconstruction so i could just get better. i did  a diep...  ha ...they wont say it failed but yeah i wouldnt call mine a success story . you can wait & always go back it & get what you want once the kids are older or just when you are ready to revisit that cycle of surgery again. in that sense coverage wise for insurance time is on your side . i laugh at myself & how i was thinking at the time ... i think i thought that getting the recon with the mastectomy would be better time wise & just to mentally adjust & have something there .  but coulda woulda shoulda ..... best wishes with rads ....& congrats on finishing chemo !