Surgeon says right has to go

I have a triple-negative IDC in my right breast and I will be having a mastectomy with prophylactic mastectomy of the left breast. I'm also under the opinion that if one has to go, they're both going. At least this way when I have them re-built, they'll be all matchy-matchy and I won't have to worry too much about the what-ifs.

Hi Hummingbirdlover,

I also decided to get rid of both, mostly because I wanted to have a matching pair. Righty had to go because of mutlifocal DCIS and after a lumpectomy and a cuadrantectomy with no clear margins, there was not much left o my little A cup. I had a double mastectomy with one step reconstruction May 29th. They did look good, even if I am having some troubles now, I don't regret it a bit. Hope it helps

Hi Britt!

I live in Virginis Beach.  Small world.

I had BMX with immediate implants on 8/27.  Cancer was only in the right, but I didn't want to have to worry about the left forever so  - Off with them both!  I don't regret the decision one bit.

Good luck with surgery and let us know how you are doing.

I had a right mastectomy only.  I'd already decided on mastectomy when they later found a 2nd tumor so I felt even better about the decision.  I didn't feel I was a good candidate for reconstruction because if I don't have nipple and sensation - I didn't see any reason to have it. But no one even told me that would be the case because I'd already decided against it because I worried that I'd be too concerned about future mammograms and cancer "hiding" behind the implant, etc.

I later wished I'd had both taken off, if for no other reason than living "lopsided" is a pain in the arse.  I even talked to a breast surgeon about it at one point, but then teared up in the exam room thinking about losing my only breast with any feeling left. This was also the first time I realized they would never be terribly equal if I did reconstruction. The other side would have to be lifted (more than once, over time); I might need to replace implants ( I never considered the other reconstruction options - too scary to me), if I gained or lost weight would one change more than the other?

So my "lefty" remains, always in the way, and may still come off someday. I also think I'd feel better about looking at myself in the mirror with no breasts than with one. It took awhile to get used to seeing myself with one, and no one else has EVER seen it (well, except doctors of course).  I have not been in an intimate relationship since my diagnosis. So much for saving the existing breast, eh?

With prostheses, it's nearly impossible to lean forward with anything lower than a collar that is at least as high as a T-shirt collar. That doesn't seem like a big deal.  Let me assure you, it IS.  I have ZERO cleavage on the mastectomy side.  I don't wear ANY type of "low cut" tops. It's the NORMAL tops that are the problem.  Even wearing an undershirt is not adequate. It's hard to explain but it's truly always a problem. My swim suit comes up to my neck. True story.

So - I tell you this to say that you should not feel that removing both breasts is overkill.  Whether you wear prostheses, get reconstruction, or go flat - at least you'll have a "matching pair" and that will be much easier to deal with. So, listen to your docs, and research others' experience, but go for what YOU think is best, and don't look back.  I've NEVER regretted removing the cancerous breast.   

Best to ya.

We're thinking about you!

whatnow - multifocal is 2 or more tumors in the same quadrant of the breast, multicentric is tumors in different quadrants or sometimes they go by 5cm or more apart. One is better than the other but I do not remember which one or why. So the staging situation when they will measure two or more tumors as one goes for multifocal. I had both - lucky me. In your case the pathologist was able to tell you that you had two primaries but in most multifocal and multicentric situations the question that goes unanswered is how did those multiple lesions happen. It could have risen from two different areas of DCIS, from the same area of DCIS or seeding.

I had a left mx - and I had two tumours, but one was IDC and one was ILC. I did ask to have both off - mainly because I didn't want to worry about it coming back in the other breast. My bs talked me out of it.

I never considered reconstruction. Didn't want the extra surgeries and all the pain and inconvenience they would bring.

I'm four years out now, and can say that I don't mind being lopsided at all. It was hard to begin with, but I'm used to it now. I wear a foob (prosthesis) when I go out, but at home I go bra-less. I don't love the foob, and can't wait to get it off when I do get home.

On the whole though, I'm quite happy being lopsided. Well as happy as you can be in this sort of situation lol.

Good luck to you, I'm sure you'll make the right decision for you.

Do your research, ask your docs, ask here & then do what is right for you in your situation. 

I did not have multiple tumors, but had a lot of wonky stuff going on besides my IDC. I tried a lumpectomy, which they were unable to get clear margins from, and seriously considered a second lumpectomy. Turned out what was right for me was BMX. I have no regrets, and my docs agree it made sense with what I had going on in both breasts.

I am 42 years old. I am not sure if I will have reconstruction. I do not wear prosthetic bras...or any bras. I might change my mind.

Regardless of what people tell you, make your own choose based on what is right for you & don't look back.

You deserve what you need to get past this insane part of your life. Good luck.

Hummingbirdlover. Since the BC I have met so many women that have undergone double mastectomies. I learned this much. All those that had reconstruction later faired well. The results were good. They can easily wear swimsuit and/or some cleavage and look/feel good about it. The ladies I met that had reconstruction immediately following surgery did not have the results they had hoped for.

I wish you all the good possible.

Gentle hug

Yes, I agree with you having them take both out. I only had IDC in my left breast. They took that, and, I kept my right. And, I had a Diep Flap Reconstruction done. I am ruined. I am all scarred up now. I totally regret not having them both taken out. Have them take both. Be done with it. You,then can have the reconstruction done later.

Kaloni