Bilateral mastetcomy of unilater?

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Mikela
Mikela Member Posts: 37
edited June 2014 in DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)


Hallo ladies,


As many of you know already I need to have a mastetcomy on my right breast and need to decide what to do with my healthy left breast. Whould love to hear your decisions and reasons behind that.


I have been dx with extensive DCIS in my right breast.


Thank you so much!

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  • velle
    velle Member Posts: 24
    edited November 2013


    Sorry to hear that. I'm in similar situation (but dx on the left) and need to decide by the day before my surgery (Dec 10). I prefer to not get opinions from people who have NOT been through it. Everyone wants to tell me what their brothers cousins aunt did. So this is the best place for you to get feedback. I've read a ton already. Whatever you decide, it will be the best choice for YOU.

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  • Ariom
    Ariom Member Posts: 6,197
    edited November 2013


    Mikela and Velle, I was in the same situation about 11 months ago. For me the choice was very easy. I wanted a Umx, and that is what I did. I couldn't remove my healthy breast, it just didn't feel right for me.


    I never considered having recon, and have an ever growing wardrobe of foobs, boobs and prosthesis. I have reached the point where I get dressed in the morning, with my choice of foob and I don't even think about it again till I take it off in the evening.


    I know this choice isn't for everyone, but for me it has worked, and I have absolutely no regrets.


    I wish you both all the best for your decisions!

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  • Beesie
    Beesie Member Posts: 12,240
    edited November 2013


    Mikela and velle,


    Although your situations are different because you don't have the option of having a lumpectomy, you may find the discussion in the following thread to be helpful. My June 13th post in this thread includes a long list things to consider when making the lumpectomy, MX or BMX decision:

    Topic: lumpectomy vs mastectomy - why did you choose your route?


    My case was similar in that I didn't have a choice about the MX. Like Ariom, I made the decision to have a single MX - I just couldn't see removing a healthy breast. I was having reconstruction, and when thinking about the risks associated with the surgery and reconstruction, I knew that I wouldn't be very happy with myself if I had the prophylactic MX on the healthy side and ended with up any surgical or reconstruction problems on that side. It also was important to me to keep one breast that has natural sensation.


    Each of the options presents risks and downsides, as well as benefits. We all have different feelings about what concerns us most and what we are willing to live with. So the list of considerations in my post might help you come to grips with which option is best for you. Because that's what it comes down to.... what is best for you? Which option can you live with most easily, not just over the short-term but in 3 years or 5 years or 10 years, when this diagnosis is long behind you?

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  • fitnessfreak
    fitnessfreak Member Posts: 9
    edited November 2013


    I also had to make that same choice. I consulted my PS before my mastectomy to ask what kind of results I could expect from a unilateral vs bilateral. My concerns for unilateral were


    symmetry and how much I would continue to worry about getting cancer in the good breast. My concern for bilateral was losing a healthy 'sensitive' breast. Sensitivity was important to me. I chose unilateral. I'm still in the process of achieving more symmetry, the nipple on my good breast did lose some of it's sensitivity, (had a aug /lift) but I can feel it, unlike my other side. You do have to ask yourself what's important. Talk to your PS to see if he can meet your goals on whatever choice your leaning towards, it will help in your decision process.

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  • velle
    velle Member Posts: 24
    edited November 2013


    Thank you. I will read this info in depth!

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  • catbert42
    catbert42 Member Posts: 4
    edited November 2013


    I had a very similar situation--left breast had Stage 1 and, following lumpectomy, more DCIS found. My mother and grandmother both had breast cancer, so it seems to run in the family and the possibility of recurrence on the right side was high. My decision was not easy, but I decided to go with the bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction. I'm happy with my decision, but I think you need to talk this over with your doctor, consider your family history and consider your personal health. I wish you all the best for a speedy recovery!!


    Catbert

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  • Mikela
    Mikela Member Posts: 37
    edited November 2013


    Hallo ladies,


    Thank you everyone who have responded. Would like to let you know that I have decided to have mastatcomy on my right breast only, I'll keep my left one and do a lift with a small implant later so I will have one natural and one reconstructed breast. My plastic surgeon have said that I'm a candidate for a tummy tuck and that would be done on the surgery number two when he takes out tissue expenders to raplace it with a permanent implant...but my insurance wont be paying it for it and it has to come out from my pocket ughh it cost like 8,0000 so all in all in looks like That I will be trading my right breast for a nice tummy tuck plus getting a rid of my DCiS.


    I just can't remove my healthy breast yet.


    Thanks everyone!

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  • ClaireFraser
    ClaireFraser Member Posts: 94
    edited December 2013

    My grandmother died of BS at 52.  I am 51 and thought I was going to do a unilateral, but now I'm not so sure (I am ER/PR +, negative for BRCA 1 & 2, but Grade 2-3).  I've read that a lot of women are opting for bilateral and the medical community has indicated it's extreme for some women.  I haven't even discussed this with my PS, who never addressed this after my follow-up.

    The decisions we have to make are overwhelming, aren't they?

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  • velle
    velle Member Posts: 24
    edited December 2013

    Yes, they are overwhelming.  Did my MX last week.  Left breast only.  Lift on the right.  I haven't even looked at them in the mirror yet.  Guess I am in denial still.

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  • LAstar
    LAstar Member Posts: 1,574
    edited December 2013

    Congrats on making your decision, Mikela!  Good luck with your preparations. I hope you do not have to wait too long. 

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