Optional double mastectomy over single. What helped you to decide?

I know you will get other replies. I will just say that the reasons are as varied as we all are. I had started out with the one side, as it had a tumor that was large and getting margins around it would cause me to lose the breast. Then came a genetic finding. I carried the BRCA2 mutation. For me, I did not want the chance cancer would come back in the other side. I had chemo for the left side. I had a chose still when the final surgery came up. I chose removal. For me, I look the same as I did. I got implants the same size as what I had. Noone looking at me would know.
I do believe it takes about 6 months to not think about the implants being there. I am 1 year past that. They are cool to the touch. For me. just the skin remains from my original breasts. I do not regret it.
There are so many variations on all of this life changing event. I think one you get more shares from more people, what you want will become evident. prc73- As long as you trust your medical team, you will be o.k.
Wishing you peace once you get some more replies.

Thank you so much for the quick response. Such a blessing

@prc73 I wanted a double mastectomy. My doctors wanted to see how I did with one surgery due to some health conditions and if did well, agree to do the other, which they did a couple of months later. I was told we have a legal right to symmetry.

There was no doubt in my mind. I went "flat" and am very comfortable with that. I didn't want to deal with prosthesis to make the breasts match to the outside world. Also, my on-cancer breast felt "funny" with some itching and pressure.

Turned out that my non-cancer breast had a lot of cysts and atypical dysplasia (could eventually be cancer) so another reason I was glad.

A friend of mine is 10 years out from a single mastectomy and did an aromatase inhibitor. She now has a tiny new cancer in the other breast. The monitoring is very thorough once you had cancer in the other breast, and wtih a tumor that is 4mm, it is not a big deal. So there is that.

For me, I had confirmed cancer in right breast and had to have mastectomy in that breast due to tumor size, but chose DM to put mind at ease from it coming back into left breast. Also, didn't want to have scans on the left side every 6 months. Also, symmetry was a factor in the decision too.
I figured if I had to have DM in one, might as well do them both so I didn't have to go through that surgery and recovery again. Good luck w your decision!!

I had recurrent cancer 17 years after I was first diagnosed. The 2 things that really helped me decide to have a bilateral mastectomy: 1) a friend who had gone through it before who said if she had it to do over again, she would have ‘done both sides’ and just gone flat. 2) my husband is still ‘interested’ in me and I felt his reaction should weigh in. My friend was in her mid-60s, in a stable supportive marriage. I opted for reconstructive with saline implants which I don’t regret, but I do feel my doctor’s assistant set me up for unrealistic expectations. Four years later they do not feel natural, a little ‘crinkly’ and a little uneven. BUT…I don’t let myself dwell on it all. I’m alive. I had very good care…and my diagnosis was the best of the bad news. I hope this helps…I wish you all the best as you go forward.

I was originally told I only had an issue in one breast by one facility who did my monogram. I went to another facility for a second mammogram and they not only confirmed cancer in that breast, they found it in the other as well. At first I was told they didn't believe the cancer in my left was aggressive and I could do just a lumpectomy on the left side (on the right side, there wasn't a choice due to extent), but I opted to take it all out. And I'm glad I did. They ended up finding aggressive cancer on the left side as well. I opted for implants and have been happy with my decision.

It's a very personal choice. Listen to your inner voice and you will find what is right for you.

I had a 4.5 cm tumor on my L breast. After all the chemo and radiation I decided to have a bilateral mastectomy.
I had the tissue expanders placed during the surgery. They were uncomfortable. The first 2 weeks were a challenge but after that I felt good. Reconstruction surgery with gummy implants followed 7months later. It’s a slow process. Do t get discouraged.

I insisted on a double. Doctors didn't feel it was necessary. Fast forward...PATHOLOGY showed Lobular was in BOTH embedded in the tissue.
I have no regrets at 74 years old.

I was dx TNBC and BRCA2+ in left breast and was told high rate of recurrence in the other breast, so decided bilateral mastectomy. I was 69 when surgery was going to be performed and had been married for about 40 years - saw no need to have implants or any additional surgeries - so I went flat. I did decide to get the prothesis - which are covered by my insurance. I only wear the prothesis when I want shaping. I also knitted myself some "knockers" which provide shaping without the added weight - great for the summer months. I think if I had been younger when I received the dx my decision might have been different regarding the implants - but I probably would still have had the bilateral performed due to the high recurrence rate in the second breast.

My only "issue" would be my definition and the surgeon's definition of flat. My chest is not as flat as I would have liked - when I went for prothesis and bra fitting, the assistant asked when I was having my implant surgery. I have some, not a lot, but some excess skin and some areas that cave-in more than others. Maybe it would have been different if I'd taken in a picture (so surgeon would be able to comment whether it was possible), could also be that I had gained some weight over my treatment journey and my expectations were unrealistic because of the weight gain. But would I change the bilateral and going flat - nope, the decision still would have been the same.

Best of luck when, if you must make the decision.

I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for all the comments !! These are extremely helpful. I have started to feel some pains on the left side so It just makes me wonder . If I get one done will I always worry each time I get pain on the other side . I was about to get surgery scheduled then lost my insurance but working to see if hospital may cover cost. In the meantime it has actually allowed me to evaluate so maybe just as well . It was meant to be so I could revisit my decision . I do worry a lot about quality of life as I am hoping to fulfill my lifelong dream of being a nurse .