Mastectomy surgery and scar

dhealey · 10-18-2007, 05:10 PM

I have never felt amputated either. I hade the left breast removed last Oct. when diagnosised and the right removed propholactic in June of this year. I have a very good surgeon and healed quite nicely. I never felt quite right when I just had the one removed, felt lopsided. I was actually relieve when the other was removed. Made me feel very proactive with my treatment. I have not done reconstruction, as I feel my breast don't determine my sexuality. My husband loves me just as much as before and it is great to not have to wear a bra. I just wear sexy, lacey camis. It is all in how you view your body and love yourself and your self esteame (sp)

Ceesun · 10-18-2007, 06:52 PM

thank you all so much-it helps to hear your thoughts. Cathy aka Ceesun

cafe1084 · 10-18-2007, 07:13 PM

Ceesun,

Another thing I wanted to add: if you're going to wear prostheses because you are self-conscious about them being gone, I'd do it as early as you are able. I waited about 7 months to wear one and now, for me anyway, it its awkward to drive, to go out to dinner, to write, just because they get in my way, even though they are sized the same as my natural ones were....go figure. Not wearing a bra IS wonderful!!!

Catherine · 10-23-2007, 07:54 AM

I too, make light of the fact that my boobs are gone. I did allow myself to mourn their loss for about 2 weeks after surgery. But at the same time I felt like the cancer was gone and I was relieved. 13 months after surgery and 18 months after DX, life is good. It is personal for everyone, so I wish you all the best for this life transition. I would rather be less a couple of boobs than less a vital organ. I do have to admit that I did have breast envy for about 2-3 months after my surgery. Again, this is a difficult time, so I wish you strength. Just always believe. This will all be better one day, just a little daunting right now.

Hugs, Catherine

Vi Schorpp · 10-23-2007, 10:11 AM

Once I looked at the scar I was fine...I was grateful the surgery was behind me and the drains would soon be gone. I have to say that the one thing I focused on when Hoda Kotb discussed her cancer was the tremendous amount of pain she felt trying to figure out the right decision for HER. Even if a lumpectomy has the same results, you have to figure in the size of your breasts and other things. My sister-in-law (who is barely "B") said that if she had to do it over again she would have elected the mastectomy because she felt the lumpectomy "disfigured" her breast. As Tousled mentioned, going from a "D" cup to nothing would be a shock. There's no right answer. I elected a mastectomy on the right side and 4 years later haven't decided what to do with the left side. I have no regrets because that was the best decision for ME.

As an aside, many people wondered if I felt "cheated" when I had 2 C-sections and didn't experience the pushing. Again, no regrets. The outcomes I wanted (two healthy children, my daughter and my son) were achieved.