HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - Breast reduction to unaffected breast?? Anyone?

Louise O'Brien · 03-30-2008, 04:20 PM

Carol:

I'm really interested in this topic because I'm facing the same thing. At this point (unless I change my mind) I'll be having diep reconstruction on the left side - and I'll return four months later for a reduction on the good side. I made this decision after seeing two plastic surgeons - and I just clicked with the second one.

I totally understand how you feel - and how any one would feel in our boat. As for the critics - hey - unless they've walked in our shoes how would they know? I'm a size D - and told the surgeon I'd be delighted with a size B. Right now I feel quite lopsided and I refer to myself as a "circus freak". That's what this has done to my self esteem.

I have an insert I can wear and in normal clothes it looks quite good. You would never know. It was expensive but it's still heavy and as grateful as I am to have something that makes me look "natural", I'm tired of lugging it around.

I had a sobering moment with a dressmaker though, a few months ago. She didn't know my history and she was taking in a dress and matching coat. As she was pinning everything she said, "you know, you really need to get a good bra - you're hanging too low."

She felt awful when I explained why I could do nothing about it - but in a sense she was right.

I made my decision in Janurary and I'll get my official surgery date in June. I haven't wavered in my conviction that this is the right thing for me to do - even though I know it might not be a picnic a few weeks after. But my goodness, haven't we already learned to cope with the worst?

I'd like to read more discussion on this - and from women who have had surgery or are about to have it - especially when we get closer to our dates. I'm still fearful and I don't rule out the chance that I might just bolt. I'm also interested in recuperation times.

I've been assured by the way that it will still be possible to read mammograms on the good side.

03-30-2008, 04:20 PM	#18
Louise O'Brien Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 75	Carol: I'm really interested in this topic because I'm facing the same thing. At this point (unless I change my mind) I'll be having diep reconstruction on the left side - and I'll return four months later for a reduction on the good side. I made this decision after seeing two plastic surgeons - and I just clicked with the second one. I totally understand how you feel - and how any one would feel in our boat. As for the critics - hey - unless they've walked in our shoes how would they know? I'm a size D - and told the surgeon I'd be delighted with a size B. Right now I feel quite lopsided and I refer to myself as a "circus freak". That's what this has done to my self esteem. I have an insert I can wear and in normal clothes it looks quite good. You would never know. It was expensive but it's still heavy and as grateful as I am to have something that makes me look "natural", I'm tired of lugging it around. I had a sobering moment with a dressmaker though, a few months ago. She didn't know my history and she was taking in a dress and matching coat. As she was pinning everything she said, "you know, you really need to get a good bra - you're hanging too low." She felt awful when I explained why I could do nothing about it - but in a sense she was right. I made my decision in Janurary and I'll get my official surgery date in June. I haven't wavered in my conviction that this is the right thing for me to do - even though I know it might not be a picnic a few weeks after. But my goodness, haven't we already learned to cope with the worst? I'd like to read more discussion on this - and from women who have had surgery or are about to have it - especially when we get closer to our dates. I'm still fearful and I don't rule out the chance that I might just bolt. I'm also interested in recuperation times. I've been assured by the way that it will still be possible to read mammograms on the good side.