One vs. Two

Anonymous

One vs. Two

NY30

It seems to be confirmed that I need a mastectomy on my right breast. The left one, thankfully is clear. However, the reconstructive surgeons have all said they'd recommend doing both to better "match". This involves taking both of my nipples as well.

Not sure about anyone else, but I'm not all that quick to give up a perfectly healthy breast with feeling for as I understand it one without. Has anyone opted to only do one with a lift or something minimal to help match the other side? And/or can anyone comment on the loss of sensation in the breast overall after?

Trying to understand the pros/cons of doing one vs. two.

Thank you.

Moderators

Hi Tara,

We're sure there will be lots of helpful answers from your fellow members shortly, but in the meantime, we wanted to point you to the main Breastcancer.org site's Reconstruction pages, where in the Types of Breast Reconstruction section, you can see the many different types of surgery you can have to successfully achieve a "matched" look -- if you choose to go that route -- including info on Altering the Opposite Breast.

We hope this helps!

--The Mods

GG27

Tara, I didn't have a choice as I had bilateral breast cancer, however, I truly miss that part of my life & body. My reconstruction looks beautiful, I've never had a wear a bra since but I miss that feeling. If I'd had the choice, it would have been a difficult one for sure. I felt like I wanted them both gone as they had let me down somehow, but I miss them. Sorry you have to be making this decision. Good luck, GG

grammakathy

Tara, please don't let your doctors talk you into something that you aren't sure about. You can take this process slowly, one step at a time. I had a Mx for my cancer side, waited for the pathology report, waited to see if I needed radiation, and then met with the oncologist who ordered the oncotype DX test on the tumor. I healed and tried a prosthesis before decided on tissue expanders and reconstruction. Then after meeting with the plastic surgeon, decided on a second Mx on my other side. There is no rush to do all this and it can take as long as you like until you know what you want. There is usually a loss of most sensation in both surgeries and that is a bummer. One advantage of doing a prophylactic Mx is that no lymph nodes need to be removed unless cancer is found there. Take care and make the right decision for you.

ual0307

hi Tara

Faced the same decision as you in 2013. Actually decided for the bmx but the information in the end was that the bmx would NOT improve survival rates and any reconstructed breast would NOT have feeling.

While there is no right or wrong, there is nothing that can make up for the feel of your husbands touch....even if there is only one. My husband asked me whether I was after form or function.

After two years, I can tell you "matching" is not as critical as you think in the beginning.

My best to you. You'll know what's right ...

So-Oly

Hi Tara, I am glad to see you inquiring about this with peers, I did not do that. From the moment I was told it was very likely to be cancer I was already asking about the double mastectomy. The choice was still difficult! However, happily I have found that I am not completely numb on my new breasts. I have sensation on the surface, and the scars feel arousing where the nipples were and I am pleased to announce that whatever nerves are there are working.

I feel if people trust their gut they will basically make the right choice for them. But we face all our unknowns and the unknowns of our doctors. Mine won't look as perfect as someone else but, surprise! I can feel. Good luck and peace be with you.

Moderators

Dear So-Oly,

Welcome to the community. Thanks for sharing your story and reaching out. We hope that you will stay connected here. The MOds

NY30

Thank you so much ladies for the thoughtful responses and information. I have another PC consult tomorrow morning, and am definitely feeling more confident to exploring my reconstruction options with an MX on only one side and maybe a lift on the other to help balance them out. Interesting about sensation around the scars So-Oly, I would have never thought that!

It's amazing to me how little discussion there has been around sensation in the reconstruction discussion in general. I'm 36 yrs old and thus far the cancer diagnosis has almost been the easiest bit of news to digest: it's been a 1-2-3 punch: you have cancer, by the way you now have no chance at having children without a surrogate as Tamoxifen will "kick you into menopause", and oh yeah, did we mention we'd like to take away a major erogenous zone with no real medical cause?

Trying to keep the focus where it belongs...on getting rid of the cancer. However, there's just so much information that's delivered very matter of factly that has very real implications, which are sort of glossed over in discussion. Thankful to have you all as a sounding board/resource while trying to get my thoughts and questions in order to finalize the treatment plan.