Having a prophylactic mastectomy and have some questions.

Hi Kim, I'm a uni boob, but my best friend is just like you.  She started with a mastectomy on one side and about 4 years later decided that instead of reconstruction, she would have her remaining breast removed to even things out.  She said the second operation was different from the first, her scar from that was different, not as tight.  She wondered if it was due to being a bit older.  

She goes flat without a bra.  It would be my guess that if you have no breasts, you could pick what ever cup size you want - your chest measurement is your chest measurement - that would be the only measurement needed.  

All your questions about SNB should be asked of your surgeon.  If it's not needed, I would avoid it.  I had one with my mx and that is the most sore part on my body still.  My mx was in spring 2009. I had radiation in 2007.  IMHO, the rad/SNB combo caused my trunkal lymphodema. I never even knew lymph nodes were associated with breasts before all this.  

I know what you mean about bad fitter experiences.  I avoid them too.  Now I wear my old bras and have a couple of breast forms that I rotate.  

You are in my thoughts and  prayers are with you as your journey continues.  Wishing you speedy healing and great good health! - Cyd

I had a BMX from the get-go, so some of the questions I can't answer for you. However, my left breast was removed prophylactically, or so we thought. All the same, they used the dye and took the sentinel node to be sure they did not leave any cancer in there. The node was clear, but the breast had stage 0 cancer (in situ).



However, on the bras and their size: No reason to aim for your original size, unless you liked it. I go smaller, and I wasn't that big to begin with. The woman who sold me the fiber foobs to wear home from the hospital (still the foobs I use) tried to talk me into bigger. Her argument was that I was tall, so I could "carry" it (i.e. wouldn't look ridiculous). But if you always wished you were bigger, go for it. It really is all up to you (and your wardrobe).



I too have some lymphedema crap going on in my armpit and back, making bras a really bad idea. I took the first batch of MX bras I had bought (cheaply at TLC online), cut the straps and backs off them and sewed the remaining part, the cups, into a fairly tight tank top. I stick the foobs in there and it is very comfortable and does not irritate the lymphedema. I have done the same with even cheaper genie bras, most recently sewing the front part of one into a fitted dress, for one-stop foob wearing. The only thing is that this get-up won't work with heavy foobs, so you would need something lightweight.

I had my breasts removed at different times. The left one had cancer and was removed along with 7 lymph nodes.

The second breast flagged on a MRI in 3 places. I completely freaked out and wanted it removed. The doctor said he could remove it and NOT touch any lymph nodes. However, if any cancer showed up in pathology, he would have to go in and take some lymph nodes.

I was very firm about no lymph nodes, I needed one good working arm and I do know even 1 lymph node removed can lead to lymphedema.

Fortunately I did not have cancer in the second breast, some precancerous conditions, and therefore no further treatment and no lymph nodes removed. I work with my hands so preserving myself from LE was critical.

 I am flat now, often choose to be flat, but wear any size i feel like, 3's to 5's. In a coobie type bra, you can wear any size, they all fit. Actually I wear a bra from bali, bare something or other, very flimsy, no cups, I just tuck the form in and head out. I do not want a tight bra due to the LE issues on the cancer side.

Oh! I healed 10 times faster where there was no cancer involved. The drain was only in for days.....on the cancer side, weeks.

I had a PBM last December and went breastfree for 4 months.  I was lucky that the fitter I went to was very attentive and knowledgeable.  I tried on many different bras and different type/sized foobs until I found what I was comfortable with.  A good idea is to bring some favorite tops with you so you can see what the foobs look like in them.

A word of caution on lymph node removal.  Because of a suspicious area in my right breast that couldn't be biopsied, I agreed to a SNB on that side only.  When I got my path report back after surgery, it said that 19 nodes (5 SN) were removed on my right side and 9 on my left.  The nodes were entwined with the breast tissue. Of course, this is from someone who's tonsils grew back too...I'm a mutant.