Hi, I was faced at age 43 with the dilemma of mastectomy vs. lumpectomy in 1992. Not as much was known then about lumpectomy. Even though I was young, I wanted to live to see my children grow up. Breasts were dense. So I opted for the mastectomy + 6 mo. of chemo. They found another spot after the breast removal. It was difficult as a young person with body image, hair loss, etc. But every year that I returned for a mammogram on the other side I got more used to feeling healthy & wearing that prostheses...it just felt like a part of me when dressed; husband didn't care. So now I am having a recurrence, but it's 32 years later, & kids are adults; I'm 75.
My surgeon says we now know that bilateral mastectomies don't prevent a recurrence; I was surprised to hear that. So I am back to watching the other side with mammograms. That was my experience. Good wishes for a positive experience for you!