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

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!

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

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