Renate 

bless you it’s a hard decision , o had a lunpectomy opted for a masectomy but was told no .

however looking back the right choice was made my one boob is smaller but not hardley noticeable , I also had full lymph removal auxiliary node clearance in a 2 nd operstion removing 30 nodes I would have been far much happier getting it done in one operation but my nodes came back ckear in biopsy but after operation there was a trace in one so had to have2 nd op 

xid they give option of lunpectomy or masectomy ? 

love Lara xx 

Hi Renate,I was told to have mastectomy on left side and lumpectomy on right . Had total axillary clearance on left as a second op,I decided to have bilateral mastectomies,as I felt happier doing this and being even . No pain at all ,only took occasional Panadol .I am going for reconstruction soon , a year after my op. Best wishes R

Rumple 

how is your arm after full node clearance can I send you a friend request ? X 

Hi Renate E,

Avery warm welcome to our forum.

This is always a difficult decision and really only one that you can make. I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer. First time, I had a lumpectomy. When a second bout was discovered a year later, I had a double mastectomy. Unfortunately, I was unable to have reconstruction, due to previous non-cancer related surgery. I still wear prosthetic boobs, 14 years later. These can be heavy, if you have large breasts and I often find myself going completely flat for comfort. I use an assortment of prostheses for different activities. I have had some embarrassing moments with these in the early days, but have got them sussed now.

Most people on this site, who have had a single mastectomy, claim that they feel lop sided with just the one natural breast, unless they have a reduction.

Whatever you decide, I hope that it is the right decision for you. Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Option is between mastectomy on left boob or reduction on both sides plus the ancillary clearance anyway.

Recovery from reduction surgery (even though I'd end up with 2 smaller boobs) is much longer.

I haven't had any surgery at all yet.

Thank you! It's a difficult decision.

I feel if I don't go for the reduction now, the chance is lost and reconstruction further down the line means using skin from another part of my body whereas they'd be able to work with the current good breast to reduce both somehow 

My main worry is the recovery and pain and being out of action for 6 weeks then face radiation and or chemo and tablets.

A mastectomy means I'm up and about more quickly and getting on with the rest of the treatment I guess. Losing a boob a small price to pay for getting the cancer out!

Hello Renate,all good with me thanks .Had lymphclearance in the October last year .Did the exercises and massaged the arm as I had been told . I make sure not to get any cuts or injuries on this hand ,wearing gloves when gardening as well as using a glove when I cut raw meat .So far I haven’t had any swelling ,the upper arm is slightly numb .Yes ,a friend request is fine .Best wishes R x

Hi Renate,

As I have already said, I have had both a lumpectomy and a double mastectomy. Much to my surprise, I healed much quicker after the bilateral mastectomies, than the lumpectomy. Is there any reason why you can't have reconstruction at the time of surgery, using an expander?

Have you been told that you definitely won't need radiotherapy or chemotherapy if you go for the single mastectomy? This can change if anything shows up in the pathology results post-surgery. It would be a shame to avoid  a mammoplasty, in order to avoid these treatments, only to find that you still need them after surgery. What is six weeks in terms of the rest of your life? Choose whichever you think you'll feel happier with at the end of the day.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hiya

I had a therapeutic mamoplasty in 2021.  Because I was very big chested the consultant was leaning away from mastectomy but said it was my choice as he couldn’t guarantee clear margins.  I had been very lucky that I didn’t have any pain from my previous two surgeries so the thought of having another if this didn’t work didn’t bother me. Thankfully we got clear margins so no need for mastectomy.  I also kept my nipple which I’m not sure if that is possible with mastectomy. I was very lopsided for about 12 months but have now had the other side reduced and I’m very happy with them.  My consultant has been fantastic.  Not sure if I have helped at all but I am happy with the decision I made.  

Hi Renate ,

I am 7 weeks post Therapeutic mammoplasty, Op went well, my tumour was 35mm so lumpectomy with Margins would reduce the size of my right breast and look quite a bit different from the left, so went along with the suggestion of the mammoplasty.

I’m really happy with the overall aesthetic look and it’s not hugely smaller, (DD to a C/D cup) but rather more of a lift and they look good (better than expected)

I found the pain manageable, just uncomfortable at night lying on back and not able to get comfy, but felt physically good and was able to get away on holiday 4 weeks post op, (wasn’t allowed in the water) but it was worth it.

Best of luck
Josa xx