How is life with one boob?
Comments
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Hello
I wish I had an answer for you but your concern sounds just like mine. I was wondering should I have both removed just to call it even. I also wondered if there are special bras for the side with the missing breast. And how will I feel looking down and see one of the girls gone (expression) or looking in the mirror or showering and rub across the flat surface where my breast once was. So many mixed emotions......but what I do know is that you have to make decisions for the greater good (my entire body/life) regardless of what I, my husband, or anyone else thinks. Although, with the exception of my husband, my plan is not to tell people about the surgery (family & close friends) so when they talk to me they look at my eyes (face) and not my chest to see what it looks like have a breast missing.
I can sympathize with your dilemma.
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no sugar, I'm confused about your question for a bra for a missing breast. You buy a bra with special pockets and wear a prosthetic in the pocket of the empty side. No one will be able to tell. When wearing the bra I sometimes forgot which side was missing! Maybe it was because I still had pains where the missing breast was! Have you had surgery? What is your story?
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Too funny you say that sometimes you forget which breast - I catch myself scratching my prosthetic - funny it doesn't help the itch. I usual wear a prosthetic - I was lucky and found a wonderful place to be fitted - she'll spend hours to get the right fit and comfort for me, however, last time her business partner helped me and I finally got frustrated and said, this one is the best - come to find out it was only $79, which she billed to my insurance, now I have to wait 2 years to get a more expensive one :-( I would have paid out of pocket for one under $100, and waited to bill my insurance for on of the more expensive ones. I toy with the idea of having a PMX on the other side, but just want to avoid more pain and surgery, so am up in the air, and have been for 5 years.
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Luckily for me, I was directed to a BC support group two days after my diagnosis (thank you California Pacific Medical Center! ) and heard stories from women who had had reconstruction surgeries... enough problems that I chose not to do reconstruction.
A rolled up sock in the empty cup was initially enough for me to feel OK, with strategically placed scarves, then I got silicone "enhancers" from Walmart ($15 a pair). After about 5 years I finally got myself to Nordstrom for a real prosthesis and bras with pockets. Swim (two or three times a year) using a net shower puff ...or just go flat.
And if the prosthesis shows ... who cares ??
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Had my mastectomy on November 11th, left side, and I was going to do reconstruction right away. But then I decided to put my health first and concentrate on my body healing which my surgeon said was a wise choice. I too wanted to cut both breasts off, but my surgeon talked me out of it and so far I'm happy he did. I'm glad I have my breast. I'm 50 and my husband and I are still sexually active. I still wanted the feelings and sensations of him touching me (call me selfish). I asked him if it feels weird and he was honest and said just different. He was more afraid of hurting me. I don't know what the future holds, but right now I'm liking my uniboob. The scar is kind of ugly but it's more beautiful than that cancer that was there. I'm going to make plans to finally get my fake boob. I started chemo last Thursday and want to do something good for myself so a hunting for a boob and a wig I will go. It's been a huge change in my life, however I feel like I got a second chance at life and I'm not going to waste it. I'm going to try to enjoy everyday and stay positive. Stay strong ladies and be warriors!!
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I got BC at 49 and single/divorced with three kids, one teen and twenty somethings. I also had large breasts. I elected not to go through the recurring surgeries and issues with breast reconstruction. I have lived for 26 years with a single breast. It's annoying at times, I don't go out in public without the prosthesis and am very sensitive to anyone seeing me, including doctors. I also look lopsided sometimes, especially at the end of the day. But most of the time, I don't even think about it. My biggest regret is not having a prophylactic double mastectomy then and using prosthetics when I dressed up. I also wouldn't have had to live with the pendulum of recurrence in the other breast hanging over me. I was diagnosed last spring with a return of the same estrogen + BC, but in my bones. So much for worrying about the remaining breast, but I still would have chosen double mastectomy, although it was frowned upon back then.
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KrisCrzla, so sorry you had to join us, but welcome to our tribe of uniboobers. I had to have a left mastectomy back in 2000. I am also glad that I was able to keep the sensation of my right breast. If I had cancer in it, of course it would have to go, but not until then. It took a while, and some tears, but I was able to accept my cancer scars (I also needed surgery for bone cancer in my left leg as a teen) as the price of being alive. My BF will often touch one of my scars in the shower, and say, "you are so beautiful with your cancer gone." Or sometimes "you may not be all there, but you're still here." Either is usually followed by, "and now, how about ..." I also felt better after I got my foob, which is what often call our fake boobs here. I wish you the best in your BC journey,
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Amy, thanks so much for your story. Sometimes I feel like I'm the only one out there dealing with this. I have no family history of BC and I don't know anyone going through this. I go to my first support meeting on Monday. It brought tears when I read about your BF touching yours scars and what was said. It was beautiful. I often say my scar may be ugly but it's more beautiful than the cancer. Thanks again.
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Jennie93...I am currently uni due to recent surgery. I wanted both off right away, but my surgeon would only do one at a time. He wanted the cancer part looked after before doing the other breast. I knew I did not want recon. I have several reasons for getting the other off but my Doctor says I can do that at any time with no cost. I am in Canada so maybe it is different here. I am big busted...never really liking my boobs so I am looking forward to teh day I am flat.
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mommamac, just want to welcome you to Breastcancer.org and say thank you for sharing your experience with the others!
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I am a relative newbie, I had a mascretomy on the right side just over 3 months ago. Prior to surgery I thought I would be devastated, but when i woke up from surgery I actually thought what a good job the surgeon had done and I was so relieved to get rid of my cancer, which was so large it had taken up a the majority of my breast anyway. I've been using a prothesis ever since and they really aren't that bad. I have one for day to day use and another for swimming. You get use to sleeping and kinda just level out. I'm 34 years old and m mascretomy has saved my life so far. I'm due to have reconstruction 6 months after rads in sept 2016.
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Don't know if I am on the correct thread, but I deconstructed two weeks ago, (recluctantly but wise), and Dr. left skin and nipple just in case. At this point I am not even considering reconstruction, has anyone else removed implants and had nipple and extra skin left?? I have been looking for this answer. Does anyone know where I can relate to on these posts.. Thank you.
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I remember a few people who deconstructed,,, trying to remember where they posted. I see you have a separate thread here,, that is good,,, but maybe also post under the surgery area??
and your little dog is so cute!
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Hello ladies...
Not sure if anyone is still on this thread, but I just had a mastectomy of my left breast on January 9th, 2017. I just had one of my drains removed I still have one left. I opted not to have reconstruction but I'm having the hardest time trying to find comfortable shirts, bras, etc. I know a lot has to do with the healing process everything hurts right now, but I look so lopsided and I feel like everyone is looking at my chest. I'm a large D cup so it's very obvious. It's too soon to get fitted for my prosthesis... But I'm due to go back to work soon and need some suggestions to help camouflage a little. No one else seems to understand my dilemma, this is such a nightmare Thanks in advance...
Lil lady
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Hello, Lil Lady.
I had a right side mastectomy 18 months ago. I am also a D cup. During the immediate healing period I wore a mastectomy camisole that had pockets for a "poof" -- just a soft breast form filled with stuffing like for a stuffed animal. The poof gave some protection to the surgery area and filled out my shape so I looked fairly normal. My insurance paid for two camisoles. That's what I wore when I went back to work two weeks after surgery. About 3-4 weeks post surgery I got fitted for a mastectomy bra and a lightweight foob (prosthetic), then I got a silicone foob about 10 weeks after surgery. I am really pleased with how I look with the prosthetic -- my husband sometimes has to ask which side is the fake boob!
Vicki
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I am nearly 5 years with only one and I HATE it still, it is not by choice, I wanted reconstruction but the waiting list is years long and inhumane.................I feel abnormal, I am uncomfortable, find the summer an emotional challenge every year and for me it is a constant reminder I had cáncer..........daily.......
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I had a right mastectomy 16 years ago. I had a soft foob until I healed augmented at times with a sock. It passed .
Once I got my prosthesis I looked pretty normal. My mastectomy bras are very sturdy and over the years I now have more than one prosthesis. I also have one for swimming
Most of the time I hardly think about it.
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thanks ladies... As least it's not all in my head. Thanks Vicki, I forgot to mention that I do have the camisole, it's been helpful though I never seem to get it to match my original cup. I understand this is a temporary fix. It's good to know your husband has gotten used to it.(gives me hope) do you now have full range of motion in your arm. I'm still very limited..
Thanks Lily, I understand your feelings as well. I'm hoping it gets better..
SoCal, I never thought about a sock, nice trick in the interim. I'll get fitted for my prosthesis soon. The weather is cold here in GA so I'm hoping to camouflage with scarves and sweaters.
Thanks ladies... Let's keep fighting.
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I wear amoena prosthesis on one side. I feel quite happy with the result. Have decided not to go ahead with having other side removed.
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Had LMX Dec 9, I have a knitted knocker for now and I use a Genie Bra. Not much support for the R side but at least I look and feel better
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I had a RBMX 8 years ago when I was 44, no recon, other side is a DD cup. I have a prosthesis, but it has only been worn a few times. For me, having one breast is my normal. I am comfortable just going flat on one side, and I wear what I like, including fitted shirts and singlets. I either don't notice anyone looking, or no one is. You will find what works for you. I have a friend who wears a swim one all the time as she finds it lighter. Another friend likes the weight of her prosthesis to make her feel balanced.
Best wishes.
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I was a uniboober for almost 4 years. I had small breasts and it was ok for the time as I did not want to have additional surgeries. I did not wear a prosthesis all the time and it was always a hassle when I did and I hated it. I even went to the sauna and did not care if other people saw that I was missing a breast. Over time I also got problems with my back due to being one-sided.
I was now finally "forced" to go down the reconstruction road (DIEP) because of a new primary in my other breast and love having both breasts again - I regret not having done it earlier.
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Yes, my range of motion came back. Do those arm exercises. It will seem like they aren't doing anything then suddenly you'll see a difference. You can ask your surgeon for a referral to a physical therapist if you aren't getting results on your own.
I really had to play with the poof to get it to look even with the left side. My surgeon had me keep my chest wrapped for weeks, so my left boob was flattened. I bought some loose patterned tops to help camouflage what was going on there. I was happy to get back into my tshirts and form fitting tops once I got the foob.
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The pulley exercises worked best for me..
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Hi, Lillady,
I had left mastectomy 1/12/17, also a D cup. When I was still hurting, b4 I got my prosthesis, I wore a sports bra that had a little padding, over a tight t-shirt, took a quart ziplock, filled it with ice and a little water, and stuffed it in the empty breast cup. The ice melted faster than I expected but shape looked about right and the cold felt great! A little wad of paper towels was all right, too.
Of course, a lightweight jacket over that in public.
Hope you feel better now. I pulled out my own drain in the shower. Haha. Really glad to ditch that thing.
Fearless
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Life with one boob is fine. I would never want more surgery or healing time. Also, they do not make recons big enough to match a DDD so would have had to slice and dice the other side to match reconstructed side. Not a happy thought. And, what would happen if I lost weight? Would probably be uneven. So, with one natural, I can get any size prosthesis as needed.
By the way, the Amoena I wear was free at our local American Cancer Society office. Those are $300 each at Nordstroms. And, if my size changes, I can go back to ACS and trade for larger or smaller. Awesome!!
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Medicare can pay for mastectomy bras. Your doctor can write a RX.
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The thought of having reconstruction wasn't appealing to me and I didn't want to deal with any more pain and surgery.
The prosthesis covered by my insurance company is extremely comfortable (it had better be - it cost $500!). I wear it for work and when going out in public. I have never worn bras before either, just athletic gear. I was fitted by a specialist in the hospital for both the bra nd prosthesis. The bra is surprisingly comfortable.
I began with a TE when I had the mastectomy. Couldn't wait to have it removed.
Sometimes I think my healthy breast is a little lonely. Lol.
No regrets.
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not a problem for me, actually I dated a lady with a mastectomy about 35 years ago. they don't normally do reconstruction on guys, and I am a guy.
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I am 38 yrs old and had a right side mastectomy and I opted for no reconstruction. I had my mastectomy on Feb. 3rd, 2017, I just had my 2 drains removed on Feb. 14th so I am still new and healing. But as of right now I do not regret my choice. My surgeon did leave me a little shelf as she calls it, extra skin so I'll have something for a bra to rest under to keep my bras from riding. I imagine I'll eventually get that removed so I am completely flat.
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