Inflammatory breast cancer - has anyone not had reconstruction surgery after a mastectomy?

Hi. I was diagnosed in January this year and started treatment in February. I've had chemo, then a left side mastectomy.  I'm having 3 weeks of radiotherapy starting 20th October and more chemo which will continue until June of next year.  I'm not having reconstruction surgery and would like to ask if anyone in a similar position is not bothering wearing a breast prosthesis. 

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  • Hi Florence54,

    A very warm welcome to our forum.

    It sounds as if your treatment is well underway and I hope that you are coping with it all. I have had a lumpectomy, then a double mastectomy just under a year later, when I discovered a second cancer in the same breast. Unfortunately, due to previous non-cancer related surgery, I was unable to have reconstruction.

    I initially had large breasts and felt very aware of myself when I was totally flat, I manage fairly well with an assortment of prostheses for different activities. I have gradually reduced the size of my prostheses over the years, as I found the large ones too heavy. I moved to a different part of the country recently, where nobody knew me and have since found myself not bothering with prostheses, unless I am swimming. I find this much more comfortable. It is now 16 years since I was first diagnosed and I still lead a busy life.

    There is an online group called flat friends, which you might find useful (flat friends.org.uk). This is a group for people who have had mastectomies without reconstruction.

    I hope that your radiotherapy goes well. Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

Reply
  • Hi Florence54,

    A very warm welcome to our forum.

    It sounds as if your treatment is well underway and I hope that you are coping with it all. I have had a lumpectomy, then a double mastectomy just under a year later, when I discovered a second cancer in the same breast. Unfortunately, due to previous non-cancer related surgery, I was unable to have reconstruction.

    I initially had large breasts and felt very aware of myself when I was totally flat, I manage fairly well with an assortment of prostheses for different activities. I have gradually reduced the size of my prostheses over the years, as I found the large ones too heavy. I moved to a different part of the country recently, where nobody knew me and have since found myself not bothering with prostheses, unless I am swimming. I find this much more comfortable. It is now 16 years since I was first diagnosed and I still lead a busy life.

    There is an online group called flat friends, which you might find useful (flat friends.org.uk). This is a group for people who have had mastectomies without reconstruction.

    I hope that your radiotherapy goes well. Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

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