Will my dog be the only one who looks at me the same?

Oh dear, I'm so sorry you're going through this. I think I understand at least somewhat. The fear of losing our figures is valid. And if your breasts were something people noticed regularly about you, then of course a mastectomy scares you.

Someone suggested to me recently that this ordeal might as well bring emotional growth since I can't make it magically stop. I'm trying to see this as a chance to redefine myself based more on my inner self and less on my outer self, but I'll be honest. This sucks. It just does. Still, I'm going to try to focus more on my inner beauty as my outward appearance changes. I figure I really don't have any other option. One thing I did recently was to cut my hair short so if I need chemo and I lose it, the shock will hopefully be less intense. Who knows if it will help, but I'm trying to do all I can to mentally prepare.

I wish I could say something to make you feel better. I feel like my words are inadequate though.

Thank heavens for unconditional doggy love!

I was fine before surgery, then after surgery the first time I saw my chest without the breast binder, it was devestating. I did cry. My son tried to consol me and so did the nurse, but after that I have been fine, it was just the shock and it was the 3rd day post op I was still under lots of narcotics. Make sure you have support the first time you see yourself.

I was a DD before my bilateral mastectomy (March 28th, 2017). I am completely flat and did not get prosthetics until 2 weeks ago. I went only where I needed to go, but everyone noticed, of course. I bought some sport bras to wear that gave me some definition in the breast area. I was fine if I was around strangers. I now have my prosthetics, but they hurt my chest. I can wear them for a few hours, and I have, but I have pretty much gotten used to the flat and not wearing a bra at all. I don't know if I will have reconstruction in the future, but right now, I prefer to just be flat if I am around strangers, and when I must go out in public where I will see acquaintances, I can wear my prosthetics for a short time. I have 2 sets, one is silicone and very heavy, the other is microbeads, but still too much to wear for long periods of time.

I went from a DD to flat and, honestly, nobody noticed unless I pointed it out and I work with primarily men, so I figured EVERYONE would notice (not necessarily SAY anything, but at least notice).

They knew I was out for surgery but most didn't know for what (though I told the team I was on and told them why it was being done) and either nobody legitimately noticed or they were polite enough not to point it out.

Honestly, I kind of had fun pointing it out myself after I got back just to see the double takes after they got the okay to look at my flat chest--with my shirt on, obviously, I wasn't flashing my bare chest at work.

My husband doesn't view me any differently either, primarily because he married me because he loves me as a whole person and not just the fact that I had big boobs. He was always more concerned about hurting me while touching the surgical site while I was healing than he was about looks, and he's never complained about how I look with or without a top on.

I was DD as well and opted for bmx with recon. Couldn't be happier with my smaller perkier implants. For me mentally I couldn't do a unx with no recon. Have you considered recon? How you feel about yourself is important. If you are ok with umx with no recon then that's great. And pets are the bomb, better than humans in that there are 0 expectations and they love you no matter what.

Dogs are wonderful! And you might just be surprised at who becomes your biggest supporters through all this. There are wonderful people out thee with big hearts that help you through it. My family has been great and those surprise friends as well as some tried & true have boosted me up. May it happen to you too.