Bilateral mastectomy support group

[Pinay88]

Hello, I thank God that there is this site. I am a newbie here. I am lucky to have an amazing sister who led me to this group. Eleven days ago, I underwent a bilateral mastectomy.. it was an elective procedure on the left for peace of mind and symmetry Just yesterday, my JP drains were removed..yay! I have a wonderfully caring husband who has always been at my side since I got my diagnosis. We've been married for 15 years now and I know for a fact that hubby though is quite sensitive to the sight of scars, etc...so much so that I haven't shown my excisional scars to him since the surgery. I do hope we get through this phase of awkwardness, the only questions are how and when. We've always enjoyed our intimate moments. Any ideas, experiences to share? I was quite timid to ask this of my surgeon. Anyways, we were offered immediate reconstruction which I didn't buy into because the thought of longer healing and delay of further treatment was not appealing at all. Truthfully, when I saw myself in the mirror after surgery, I was not horrified but surprisingly calm with the only thought in my head that this will help to cure me. I can't also see myself wearing prosthetics in the immediate future...don't see how comfortable that will be in my country's climate. As for reconstruction in the future, just the mere thought of more surgeries is enough for me to put that idea in the back burner. This has gone on long now. Thanks to you all. Reading what you sisters post here is more than enough to inspire and invigorate me as I start my own journey in battling this disease. God's blessings to us all.

[Westcoastgirl]

I had a double mastectomy and was very comfortable with the decision. My surgeon was adamant that I have both breasts removed and I eventually agreed after a few days of thought. I had planned on silicone implants but then I had to undergo radiation so was very concerned about the end result. It took me a great deal of time to decide to go ahead. My ps was not keen on tissue transfer as he felt too much could go wrong with a double transfer. He suggested implants despite the fact that I had had radiation. I would not have gotten breasts if I had had to do the tissue transfer as I wanted as little surgery as possible and no more scars. I was not really uncomfortable with the look of prosthetics but found them hot and they bothered my skin. I found I often went flat chested because my skin would rash so easily. I have to say I did not like the flat look and found with prosthetics I had to be very careful in my choice of clothes. I went ahead with the surgery as the ps thought my skin was in great shape (I took care of it like you would not believe during radiation) and I have not looked back. I did not have to go the expander route as the mastectomy surgeon saved a lot of skin. I went direct to small silicone implants just so I could have breasts and figured my body would handle small best. I am pleased with the results, not perfect but I have breasts and can wear anything I want. I love looking down and seeing flesh as opposed to the prosthetic sneaking out of the top of the bra. I am still shy about them with my husbnad but getting over that. My nipples will be fashioned from a skin graft and I won't even need anesthetic to do the operation. I have waited a long time for that surgery as I want everything to be healed and as good as it can be (will be done Nov 2011). I understand that it is easier to do examinations with implants (no mammograms) as it pushes the whole area out and any imperfections are evident. I was also told that the results are more predictable and often more successful with silicone as opposed to saline. I probably will not bother with tattoos for the nipples and will be content with nipples of any sort. I feel a need to complete the process now and have something in the centers of the breasts rather than just breast mounds. Best of luck with your decision. Carolyn