Having a mastectomy and reconstruction is obviously a highly personal decision, and through this website and other research, I’ve learned that the decision is also influenced by your treatment requirements.
For anyone out there considering this decision, I will add my voice to the many articulate, smart, and thoughtful women in this feed.
I was able to begin reconstruction the day of my bilateral nipple sparing mastectomy. This process involves tissue expanders, and I will get implants next month. I was not able to go direct to implants.
I did not need chemo or radiation, which enabled me to move into reconstruction at the time of my mastectomy.
My tissue expanders can be painful. And I am, frankly, not looking forward to my next surgery which will also involve fat grafting to make the breasts smooth. However, I have chosen this option because I still want breasts.
For me, personally, I like having breasts. I am 59. I am often in a bathing suit with my 4 grandchildren. Being at the lake is part of our family lifestyle.
My reconstruction of my breasts is looking very good, and I am indebted to my plastic surgeon who has helped me feel whole again.
This is a very personal decision for every breast cancer patient.
My thanks to all of the women in this feed who share their perspectives and decision-making processes. We are all connected through breast cancer, the club we did not want to be a part of. Staying alive is the priority.
Thank you
I have my surgery on Tuesday 28th. So far they say I may not need chemo and I pray that is the case because I withheld my surgery for a long time. I was taking care of my mum who passed away and her funeral was on the 20th. They did say they will put an expander
Hi Windyshores. I hope you are healing well by now. I came across your "Iron Bra" post and wanted to know what you had experienced.
I am post op 2 weeks now for double mastectomy with no reconstruction. I have iron bra and it's awful! Could you tell me what you did for it? Any insight is appreciated. Thank you.
Hi. I’m two months out from surgery DMX. The tightness gets better with time. But also, a qualified massage therapist can help stretch the skin but wait til two months to try that. Xo
I had a bilateral mastectomy on 11/5 and they did skin sparing surgery so that I can more easily start reconstruction which is May 28. They wanted to wait until my body had time to heal before starting...and I had put on some weight. My white blood cell count was also a little low.
I looked at the options of using my own tissue/skin but I did not have enough body fat to make that happen. It is also a 3-5 day stay in the hospital with that procedure. I have elected for the expanders and the bi-weekly fill. The surgery to put in the implants is several weeks after I get to the desired "size" with the expanders. My doc also advised against travel during the time the reconstruction was occurring to reduce the chance of infection.
I had little issue with the mastectomy, and am actually growing quite FOND of having a flat chest that I don't have to worry about! 🙂
Good luck to one and all with this phase of the process.
Hi Windyshores. I hope you are healing well by now. I came across your "Iron Bra" post and wanted to know what you had experienced.
I am post op 2 weeks now for double mastectomy with no reconstruction. I have iron bra and it's awful! Could you tell me what you did for it? Any insight is appreciated. Thank you.
My surgery was 7 weeks ago and I still feel tender and tight across my chest. It took me more than 6 weeks to feel better, probably because of the hematoma. I have to do warm compression everyday (after 4 weeks of healing) and probably it will take a few months to a year for the hematoma to go away completely. If you don't have hematoma, you will heal faster. The iron bra will go away after a while, from 4 to 6 weeks. Just relax and let ppl take care of you. It will get better. Hugs
I had a bilateral mastectomy on 11/5 and they did skin sparing surgery so that I can more easily start reconstruction which is May 28. They wanted to wait until my body had time to heal before starting...and I had put on some weight. My white blood cell count was also a little low.
I looked at the options of using my own tissue/skin but I did not have enough body fat to make that happen. It is also a 3-5 day stay in the hospital with that procedure. I have elected for the expanders and the bi-weekly fill. The surgery to put in the implants is several weeks after I get to the desired "size" with the expanders. My doc also advised against travel during the time the reconstruction was occurring to reduce the chance of infection.
I had little issue with the mastectomy, and am actually growing quite FOND of having a flat chest that I don't have to worry about! 🙂
Good luck to one and all with this phase of the process.
3 years ago, i had one side with expanders and skin sparing. 1o months later both sides. I must say that having my own skin in the breast area makes me look as i did before. Because of my cancer both nipples were removed. I can wear my V necks and i look the same. For me, I was grateful the doctor suggested this procedure and happy i had the plastics dr i did.
My surgery was 7 weeks ago and I still feel tender and tight across my chest. It took me more than 6 weeks to feel better, probably because of the hematoma. I have to do warm compression everyday (after 4 weeks of healing) and probably it will take a few months to a year for the hematoma to go away completely. If you don't have hematoma, you will heal faster. The iron bra will go away after a while, from 4 to 6 weeks. Just relax and let ppl take care of you. It will get better. Hugs
Hi Myoga!
Thank you for your info.
No i don’t have a hematoma. So sorry to hear you do. I would think it should heal well soon.
Now my issue is swelling on Rt side where Sentinal node came from. It is going from back to front
I hope it’s not lymphedema. Went to PT today & she worked on it & said she doesn’t know yet if it is.
Hi Myoga!
Thank you for your info.
No i don’t have a hematoma. So sorry to hear you do. I would think it should heal well soon.
Now my issue is swelling on Rt side where Sentinal node came from. It is going from back to front
I hope it’s not lymphedema. Went to PT today & she worked on it & said she doesn’t know yet if it is.
I think it’s too early to tell. I still have swelling under the armpit and the iron bra sensation has not completely gone. The PT didn’t think it lymphedema. You’ll see a big improvement after 4 weeks. It’s the hematoma that messes up my healing time. My sister had the surgery last year. She was sailing through, no pain, no iron bra, just a small restriction in motion that she needed to stretch to get rid of it. A good doctor makes a big difference. You will heal well and resume your favorite activities soon. Best.
Hi Myoga!
Thank you for your info.
No i don’t have a hematoma. So sorry to hear you do. I would think it should heal well soon.
Now my issue is swelling on Rt side where Sentinal node came from. It is going from back to front
I hope it’s not lymphedema. Went to PT today & she worked on it & said she doesn’t know yet if it is.
I had mastectomy in October 2024. About 6 weeks ago I was still having lots of discomfort and swelling underarm and under side of upper arm. Finally got my NP to realize something wasn’t right so she sent me to a lymphedema clinic. The lady there was super kind and taught me how to massage the area of arm. After a week and a half I am better and optimistic that it will improve even
More ! I also wear a compression bra now which also helps !
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Here’s info https://www.bustedtank.com/ Look up the busted tank for post mastectomy clothing with no broadband elastic.
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1 ReactionThank you
I have my surgery on Tuesday 28th. So far they say I may not need chemo and I pray that is the case because I withheld my surgery for a long time. I was taking care of my mum who passed away and her funeral was on the 20th. They did say they will put an expander
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsHi Windyshores. I hope you are healing well by now. I came across your "Iron Bra" post and wanted to know what you had experienced.
I am post op 2 weeks now for double mastectomy with no reconstruction. I have iron bra and it's awful! Could you tell me what you did for it? Any insight is appreciated. Thank you.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionHi. I’m two months out from surgery DMX. The tightness gets better with time. But also, a qualified massage therapist can help stretch the skin but wait til two months to try that. Xo
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsI had a bilateral mastectomy on 11/5 and they did skin sparing surgery so that I can more easily start reconstruction which is May 28. They wanted to wait until my body had time to heal before starting...and I had put on some weight. My white blood cell count was also a little low.
I looked at the options of using my own tissue/skin but I did not have enough body fat to make that happen. It is also a 3-5 day stay in the hospital with that procedure. I have elected for the expanders and the bi-weekly fill. The surgery to put in the implants is several weeks after I get to the desired "size" with the expanders. My doc also advised against travel during the time the reconstruction was occurring to reduce the chance of infection.
I had little issue with the mastectomy, and am actually growing quite FOND of having a flat chest that I don't have to worry about! 🙂
Good luck to one and all with this phase of the process.
Tits up!
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2 ReactionsMy surgery was 7 weeks ago and I still feel tender and tight across my chest. It took me more than 6 weeks to feel better, probably because of the hematoma. I have to do warm compression everyday (after 4 weeks of healing) and probably it will take a few months to a year for the hematoma to go away completely. If you don't have hematoma, you will heal faster. The iron bra will go away after a while, from 4 to 6 weeks. Just relax and let ppl take care of you. It will get better. Hugs
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction3 years ago, i had one side with expanders and skin sparing. 1o months later both sides. I must say that having my own skin in the breast area makes me look as i did before. Because of my cancer both nipples were removed. I can wear my V necks and i look the same. For me, I was grateful the doctor suggested this procedure and happy i had the plastics dr i did.
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 ReactionsHi Myoga!
Thank you for your info.
No i don’t have a hematoma. So sorry to hear you do. I would think it should heal well soon.
Now my issue is swelling on Rt side where Sentinal node came from. It is going from back to front
I hope it’s not lymphedema. Went to PT today & she worked on it & said she doesn’t know yet if it is.
I think it’s too early to tell. I still have swelling under the armpit and the iron bra sensation has not completely gone. The PT didn’t think it lymphedema. You’ll see a big improvement after 4 weeks. It’s the hematoma that messes up my healing time. My sister had the surgery last year. She was sailing through, no pain, no iron bra, just a small restriction in motion that she needed to stretch to get rid of it. A good doctor makes a big difference. You will heal well and resume your favorite activities soon. Best.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI had mastectomy in October 2024. About 6 weeks ago I was still having lots of discomfort and swelling underarm and under side of upper arm. Finally got my NP to realize something wasn’t right so she sent me to a lymphedema clinic. The lady there was super kind and taught me how to massage the area of arm. After a week and a half I am better and optimistic that it will improve even
More ! I also wear a compression bra now which also helps !
Good luck to you in your journey. 🙏
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions