OK, I did it. Called the PS office and said, no thanks

It doesn;'t absorb water at all - it is thin, I think the are sort of "falsies" used to enhance swimsuits on normal breasted people. They sewed it into the lining of a regular swimsuit. (you can't see it, they unpicked the lining and inserted it and sewed it up again. If anyone wants a photo, pm me your email address!

Annie - I had no reconstruction (I'm 41 - had a mastectomy).  I haven't regretted it.  I still need to be fitted for a decent mastectomy bra and pros. but want to wait until my port comes out as it's right on the bra strap line and it gets real sore.  Right now I'm wearing camisoles and stuff the one side.    Thank goodness it's winter with lots of big sweatshirts until then!

I totally TOTALLY get why most people have reconstruction.  But it just wasn't for me.    I enjoy not having my D cups anymore (I had  a reduction on the other side -many many days I regret it and wish I had pushed for a double for peace of mind....)   

This is great reading all these responses.  I had a left mx in May, and am trying to figure out if I want more surgery.  I really hate having only one large breast.  It's just too awkward looking if I need to go without a bra (like in my pjs, or hosp. gown for rads).  I don't mind using a prosthesis, and have used one since I was just 2 weeks (or 3?) out from surgery.  The light fluffy ones didn't work for me because they didn't stay down like my natural breast.  I'm thinking I will just have the other breast removed.  There was a lot of DCIS in my breast and a 3.5 cm tumor that were not seen on mammo or MRI, so I worry about what might be lurking in my right breast.  I've been through chemo twice and don't want to do that again.

Anyways--all this to say that I appreciate reading everyone's thoughts and experiences!

I , too, was scheduled for recons. after my single mx. I called the week of my surgery and cancelled it too. IT SEEMED, at least here in the Atlanta area, that the male doctors seemed to want the recons. more than I did.  (Maybe it's a bigger  thing for men than women to be boob-less???)  Anyway, my BS said to me that I really needed to be committed to the recons. if I was going to have it done. By his statement, I knew I wasn't committed and that kinda solidified my decision to not have it done. I knew, too, that I could always have it done later. For me, to take one thing at a time "felt" better. That was a year ago and I have no regrets at all. I know a few women who have made the statement to me that if they had to do it all over again, they would not have had the recons. But then again, others are very happy that they did. For me, I'm glad that I didn't. It IS a hard decision...along with everything else we have to deal with!  I hope my "2 cents" has helped someone.

Annie, Good luck tomorrow! I'll pray for you tonight and tomorrow for sure!

Annie, 'anxious to hear from you!

Annie

I'm glad you are doing well after surgery.  I wish I had been decisive about no recon prior to surgery and then I wouldn't have these awful dog flaps.

I comend you all for your decision for no recon, of course it is a personal decision that only you can make yourself.  I chose to do recon and now regret it.  I had an infection after surgery and had TE taken out of tumor side, tried again and failed.  Next week I talk with both my BS and PS about my decision of no more recon and to take the left TE out.  I had my surgery in May of 2010 and needed both chemo and radiation treatments.  Finished chemo last year and starting rads just this week.  I feel like a weight has been lifted from my shoulder with this decision.  I guess my next step after rads is schedule the deconstruction.  My DH is behind me 100% and would have had me without it from the beginning. 

I almost feel liberated.  No bras just cami if you want

dmorgan2 your are right I am not doing reconstruction not or later.