Having double mastectomy and considering no reconstruction

Mizkitty....while I did choose to have bilateral DIEP reconstruction, mine was delayed for 15 months after my mastectomy. If you change your mind,you can always do it at a later date. I don't think you are making a mistake by not doing it now. You have a lot on your plate right now. And you may feel just fine without breasts. Do what is best for you, and just realize you have options if you decide differently later. Good luck with your surgery this week.

Hi Vanessa, so sorry you had to join us here, but glad you found us. This is a great place for information and support from others in the same boat.

I had a mastectomy on the right side only with no recon a little over a month ago. Mostly for the reasons you listed. I don't want more surgery. I've read way to many stories about recon failing and having to be removed anyway. I went with the thought that it's only a boob, I don't need it, so why bother with all that when I can just skip it and be done.

I'm only 37 but I'm married, so the worry of finding someone while I only had one boob wasn't a problem, but I was so very worried about how my hubby was going to see me after. Happy to say, no problems there. He says he loves me, boobs or not and from the way he acts, I can't argue with it. Any man worth being with will see that you are great no matter what. If they don't you didn't want that jackass anyway right? The right guy wont care if you have them or not.

I also felt like the doctors and other staff were trying to force me to do recon. I had to get mad and tell them to lay off, I wasn't going to do it before they would accept my decision. 

Now that it's over, I do miss my boob. It's getting better, but sometimes I wonder if I made the wrong choice, even tho I know I didn't.

This is such a hard choice, but the one thing I kept in mind that helped me with this was that I can always do it later if I change my mind. I don't think I will, but it is a comforting thought for me. 

*Hugs*

Vanessa-You can always postpone your surgery. It sounds like you are being rushed. Biopsy last week.....surgery on the 11th. I had bilateral cancer. From my biopsy to my bilateral mastectomy was about 5 weeks. I didn't reconstruct. No regrets. The reason for the delay in my surgery was, I was suppose to talk reconstruction with a plastic surgeon before making my decision(protocol-I think). I didn't keep the plastic surgeon appt(OK, I never scheduled one). I just called my surgeons office a couple of weeks later & told them I wasn't doing recon. Then I went skiing for a week. I couldn't get scheduled in until 5+ weeks after my diagnosis. Perhaps you should talk with a plastic surgeon if you are having doubts. I don't see the sense of urgency here. Good luck

mizkitty

Fortunately, this is the one treatment decision with this disease that is reversible.  You can do it now, or later, or never.  You can even undo it later.

You are beautiful with or without breasts! As far as meeting someone If they have a problem with your decision then they are not the right one for you. My husband of 13 years left me because of botched biopsies in both breast's a few years ago my boobs are very deformed. I met a man over a year ago who loves me as I am, and is supportive of whatever decision I make. Besides you can get the mastectomy bras in all sizes..... I have teased that I am going from one extreme to another with the bras after I have my double mastectomy. Keep your head up, and follow your heart! We are here for you.