I am sorry that you haven't received a reply sooner. I have only just noticed your post and I hope that my reply is not too late for you.
This is always a tricky question and only you, with the guidance of your surgeon, can decide what is best for you. This will depend upon the type of breast cancer you have and what stage it is. I have had both a lumpectomy and then a double mastectomy, a year later. Surprisingly, I recovered quicker from the double mastectomy than I did from the lumpectomy. You do not say what age you are. Are you planning reconstruction if you have a mastectomy? As Blackburnden has said, this can make future mammograms more difficult. Some people also feel a bit lopsided when they have had a single mastectomy, although surgeons do their best to match the two breasts up.
It is also worth considering, whether your surgeon intends to do any reconstruction straight away or decides to do it at a later date. There is usually a wait of 1-2 years to get this done, along with a second surgery.
Unfortunately, I was not a suitable candidate for reconstruction, due to previous non-cancerous surgery, but I manage fairly well with an assortment of prostheses for different activities. I originally had large breasts which were my pride and joy, so was not keen to go totally flat. However, I lost my mum to secondary breast cancer before this and didn't want to take the same route. I do miss my cleavage and have to adjust most V neck clothing to close a little further up.
Draw up a list of questions for your surgeon and take this with you to your next appointment. Remember that no question is too insignificant to ask. I am now 16 years on from diagnosis, so I am happy that I took this decision and, with the benefit of hindsight, it was the right one for me. I hope that you sincerely hpe that you can make the right one for you too.
Please keep in touch and let us know what you decide. We are always here for you,
I am sorry that you haven't received a reply sooner. I have only just noticed your post and I hope that my reply is not too late for you.
This is always a tricky question and only you, with the guidance of your surgeon, can decide what is best for you. This will depend upon the type of breast cancer you have and what stage it is. I have had both a lumpectomy and then a double mastectomy, a year later. Surprisingly, I recovered quicker from the double mastectomy than I did from the lumpectomy. You do not say what age you are. Are you planning reconstruction if you have a mastectomy? As Blackburnden has said, this can make future mammograms more difficult. Some people also feel a bit lopsided when they have had a single mastectomy, although surgeons do their best to match the two breasts up.
It is also worth considering, whether your surgeon intends to do any reconstruction straight away or decides to do it at a later date. There is usually a wait of 1-2 years to get this done, along with a second surgery.
Unfortunately, I was not a suitable candidate for reconstruction, due to previous non-cancerous surgery, but I manage fairly well with an assortment of prostheses for different activities. I originally had large breasts which were my pride and joy, so was not keen to go totally flat. However, I lost my mum to secondary breast cancer before this and didn't want to take the same route. I do miss my cleavage and have to adjust most V neck clothing to close a little further up.
Draw up a list of questions for your surgeon and take this with you to your next appointment. Remember that no question is too insignificant to ask. I am now 16 years on from diagnosis, so I am happy that I took this decision and, with the benefit of hindsight, it was the right one for me. I hope that you sincerely hpe that you can make the right one for you too.
Please keep in touch and let us know what you decide. We are always here for you,
