prophilactic mastectomy

Hauntie · July 2011

I'm a 17+ year survivor. I'd like to hear from anyone who has had a prophylactic mastectomy on their remaining breast. I have pretty much decided to have it done and not necessarily for the reason you might think. Developing breast cancer in my remaining breast is something I rarely spend any time thinking about (except during my annual mammogram). My issue is that when I look down at my chest I often think, "What's wrong with this picture?" The "what's wrong with this picture" has changed over the years - it's no longer the breast that was removed, it's the one that remains. It just doesn't seem to belong there anymore; especially when I'm wearing a shirt and not wearing my prosthesis. I see my remaining breast as a growth that looks odd and very out of place. I attempted reconstruction immediately after my mastectomy. It didn't work out. The implant became encapsulated and looked and felt like a tennis ball in my chest. I realized that what I was looking for then, was replacement, not reconstruction. I don't think I would have been satisfied even if the results had been better. I'm way past that now. What I really want, now, is symmetry. Symmetry with no breasts, 2 prostheses, or 2 reconstructed breasts. I don't think it really matters to me. I'm wondering if anyone else feels this way and how you've handled it. I know this post is kind of long. If you've gotten this far, thanks for reading it. I look forward to hearing from anyone who has an opinion on this.

mumito · July 2011

I had thesecond removed within a year of my original MX and yes Symmetry was one of the most inportant reasons for my decision.I hated being what I called onesided.Now that I am flat I am happier and very seldom bother with prostetics.

mscal02 · July 2011

Hauntie: I thought that I would have a prophylactic mastectomy after padding my bra on the right side for 2 years. I decided to have DIEP reconstruction and will be getting a lift on my native breast. Like you, I don't think much about getting bc in that breast. I just wanted symmetry.

firebird · July 2011

I chose a prophylactic with no reconstruction and never had a moment's doubt or indecision about either. For me the BMX was the proverbial no-brainer! My 'bedrock' reason was to lower the risk of it happening in the other breast, and in equal measure because I never wanted to risk having to go through that kind of surgery a second time (I am surgery-phobic to the extreme!). I would say that those two reasons were truly of equal importance to me.

But even if there was such a thing as being given a 'written in stone guarantee" that my other breast would NEVER have cancer (talk about a fantasy world, LOL), I would still have chosen the BMX because I would not have wanted the Amazon look AND would never have considered reconstruction; that whole concept just gives me the willies....brrrrr. It's just not for me.

I discovered very quickly after surgery that I much prefer going flat. It's so easy and comfortable!! I do have foobies but always find excuses to not wear them. :-) They will probably not be used more than a half dozen times during the next 40 years. Maybe I'll shock everyone and wear them to my 100th birthday party, LOL! :-D

flopsy · July 2011

I had a BMX after being dx with left breast cancer. Found two precancers in the right at time of BMX. Have never regretted for one second doing both and do not plan to do recon. I work in Breast Imaging and have decided I would rather be flat than go through what a lot of ladies do to have recon done. I am not into pain. I wear my bilat prosthetics or go with nothing/it is all good. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Hauntie · July 2011

Thank you all. I'm more convinced than ever that having my remaining breast removed is the right decision for me. I called my surgeon today and have an 8:30 a.m. appointment tomorrow. I'll post to let you know how things turn out.

Hauntie · July 2011

I'm scheduled for a prophylacic mastectomy of my left breast the first week in August. I've been looking back at old journal entries and essays, I wrote over the years, about losing my right breast. Losing my breast was the toughest part of having breast cancer. It's been a long, physically and emotionally painful journey. I think this surgery brings me to the end of this journey. Looking back showed me how unbelievably far I've come. I'm ready now to put the loss of my right breast to rest and let the other one go. Contrary to my earlier feelings, my breasts having nothing to do with who I am as a woman. They never did.

Maria_Malta · July 2011

Thanks all for a very interesting discussion as it has confirmed what I've been thinking since my diagnoses.. not only would I rather have an MX than a lumpectomy after my neo adjuvant chemo, but intend to have a prophylactic MX on other breast as well.. From women I've spoken to, as well as all contributors to this forum, no one seems to have regretted having a dmx. Don't intend to have reconstruction either, but that is a very personal choice and I can imagine that I'd go for recon if I were younger....

Hauntie · August 2011

My PMX surgery was cancelled last week and rescheduled for tomorrow at 2:00. The waiting for the surgery has been an emotional roller coaster ride, but I'm a peace with my decision. I just wish the surgery was scheduled for earlier in the day. As long as my supply of xanax holds out I'll be fine until the anesthesiologist sends me off to la la land. I can wait to be bra free. Anyone want to join me for a virual bra burning party? I think the only time I'll be wearing my prostheses is at work or for "dress up" occasions. I hope I am comfortable enough being symmetical to not feel the need to wear my prosthesis in my casual daily life. There have been so many times this summer when I just wanted to be able to walk out the door without feeling the need to hide my lopsidiness with a prosthesis. The "blank canvas" look of a BMX doesn't appeal to me, but I like the lopsided look even less. I just recently realized that it's not the lack of breasts that looks so odd, it's the lack of nipples. With or without reconstruction, there may very well be a couple of tattooed nipples in my future. Thanks everyone who responded to my original post. I'll let you know how things turn out.

Maria_Malta · August 2011

Good luck Hauntie! Thinking of you Smile

Hauntie · August 2011

I'm baaaack! Surgery went well. I stayed in the hospital 2 days (in a private room - bonus!) I could have stayed another day, if I wanted - but I needed to get home so I could get some rest. Although, when my temp hit 100.1 last night, I was wishing that I had stayed. It came down in a couple of hours.

I was out and about for a little bit today. I'm still really sore, especially where the 2 drains are inserted. I also have a HUGE (softball sized) bruise under where the drains are inserted. One of my brother's said that's where my surgeon must have been resting her elbow while she was operating Smile My cousin, who's a nurse and a BC survivor, is on her way over to help me change the dressing, so I'll get my first look at the incision.

I am feeling such complete peace with my decision. As soon as I woke up after the surgery, all the doubts and anxiety were gone. I went to buy a mastectomy camisole today and when my fitter asked me if I "wanted boobs" (put in the foam prostheses) I said nope. I had no problem being out and about as a "flatty". I've never felt comfortable, out and about,.without a prosthesis. I think the prostheses will be for work and dress up only, from now on.

Now there's just the wait for the path report. Even though there is no reason to expect that they'll find anything, the waiting still makes me a little anxious.

prophilactic mastectomy

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