34 years old and do NOT want reconstruction.

I had a single mastectomy with no recon and I do not regret it.  I think you are thinking very clearly.  It's your decision and with your husband backing you up you have all the support you need.  What others think they 'might' do if confronted with the same problem means nothing IMO.  They do not have to live with your consequences either way.

Go with your gut, especially since your husband backs you up. It's YOUR choice, not that of those who disagree with you; THEY aren't the ones who would have to go through the extra surgeries.

Besides which, every single doctor I've talked with since my diagnosis has asked me if i planned to do reconstruction, and when I've said "no," ever single one of them has said, "That's something you can change your mind about later, even years later."

Cammychris, I know exactly where you are coming from. Reconstruction was never an option for me. Thankfully, my husband was very supportive in my decision. I made my decision on two reasons: first, I have always felt that "if it's not mine then I don't want it." Second, I wanted to be sure that there would be nothing in the way to cover up or mask any recurrence (although my BS assured me that would not be an issue). I had my BMX last June with no recon. When I look in the mirror and see my scars and flat chest, all I think about is "IT'S GONE!" I consider them to be battle scars.....I intend to win this war! If you choose not to have reconstruction at your initial surgery, you can always rethink it later and do it then. Keep that in the back of your mind since you are young (I was 53 at diagnosis).

There are inconveniences related to not doing recon, but they are offset by other positives. It's hard to find bathing suits, and they are expensive, but my insurance pays for my bras so I guess it balances out.

I wish you all the best, and you will be in my thoughts and prayers on May 15. Please be sure to let us know how you make out, or feel free to PM me if you want.

Martha

I felt the same way, cancer got my breasts but nothing else. And I never reconstructed. But many women have the chance to reconstruct for a few years after the mastectomy, so the option is still possible.

My thoughts, no, I am not *happy* with my flat self, I wish I had breasts, but fake breasts that hurt to get and are numb won't make me happy either. I am making the best out of having the mastectomy by buying fun scarves.

Wishing you the best.

I also chose NOT to reconstruct.  Had a single mast. in 2006 and everyone thought I would regret not reconstructing.  I'm still waiting but so far no regrets.  Listen to your own voice, not the voices of others who are not walking in your shoes.  I had just turned 40 at the time of diagnosis so I am now 48.

Go with your gut. Like you, the idea of more surgeries repelled me. I also see my scar as a battle scar. I only care about getting through all this and living my life again.

all of you gals are an inspiration and your stories help when struggling with the question of what to do?  I have breast conservation and just met with a 3 rd breast surgeon this morning to go over report to assure me that if I choose to keep my lumpectomy, it would be ok...then of course it comes back to what I am comfortable with and if monitoring my diseased breast will be difficult or not.  BUT after much discussion, research, reading about others on the boards here, I feel that if I did need to remove my right breast, I would not go through reconstruction.  I am 54, and many of the reasons I would go that route has already been stated in the above posts !  It's just nice to have support on the decisions we make!  Thanks! Rosie

I am 65 but have made the determination that if I have a re-occurance, I will have to do a mastectomy (BS and I have discussed this 2 years ago when they needed to biopsy something seen on mamo) and also that there will be no reconstuction

it is all personal and what you are comfortable.

Also, a gym pal of mine, waited over 2 years till she decided to do reconstruction on her breast so the decision came evolve 

if immediate reconstruction is on offer for you then remember that this gives the best results, delayed recon is never as good, just saying thatsall, good luck

Quite a few threads very similar to yours....pages and pages of comments with like-minded people; I am one of them.

Stay the course and go with your gut; surgery can always be done; undoing it is much more of a big deal.

You are completely thinking straight because you are listening to the little voice inside you instead of letting everyone project their fears/needs/desires on you.  It's such a personal decision!   FYI, my reconstruction had a complication and now I am looking at a total of 4 surgeries with long recoveries instead of just one simple one.   You may just love the simplicity after having large breasts.  I tried to get smaller breasts and mine still came out large!  I think plastic surgeons think everyone wants to have a large bosom.  Best wishes for an easy procedure and quick recovery!  Getting the "C" out is what it's all about!  

I had my double mastectomies in 2005 and I thought the same as you are now.  Y only advise looking back on my decision is  really consider the reconstruction now versus maybe later when the affect of having no breasts hits you. And it will. I had a really hard time for a while and recently while wearing the external prosthetics which tend to move around and clothes just aren't made for them!!  I just wish I would have done reconstruction.  

Cammychris please go with u' r tru feelings and on top of that u have a supportive husband so that even helps u'r decision. When my Dr. asked me I said no immediately just get rid of them I said but it[s more surgery and who really wants that. Good Luck. U sound pretty clear minded to me.

Go with your gut, Cammy.  And you are welcome to join us on other threads, should you want to be in the company of like-minded sisters.  ROCKIN' FLATNESS LIKE A BADAS$ is for sisters who do just that -- no recon, no prosthetics.  And NEW AND FUTURE FLAT SISTER WITH QUESTIONS has a whole bunch of different kind of sisters on it -- some uni, some not; some who rock prosthetics, some who don't.

We are all with you! XXX

Cammy - I hope your surgery goes well and that you have a swift recovery.  It sounds like you are confident that you are making the right choice for yourself.  Please don't let anyone take that confidence away from you!