Connect
← Return to Mastectomy: What do you wear after the compression bra?
Discussion
Mastectomy: What do you wear after the compression bra?
Breast Cancer | Last Active: Feb 20 3:59pm | Replies (14)Comment receiving replies
I just found out I have a small cancerous mass in my breast. They recommend a lumpectomy, radiation and an estrogen suppression pill.
I want to do a double mastectomy to avoid radiation, future anxiety and mammograms and fear of it reoccurring, I am 62 and I don’t want implants. My husband is a physician and tells me I will regret that decision. I’ve always been flat chested so my breast have never been a thing for me. I don’t think I will miss them. I know it’s a big decision and a big surgery but I don’t want the anxiety of it returning. Did anyone out there chose a mastectomy over a doctor’s recommendation for a lumpectomy? Any regrets? How painful and how long was the recovery.
Thank you
Replies to "I just found out I have a small cancerous mass in my breast. They recommend a..."
@blkdog I just tried twice to write you a nice long post and welcome you to connect.
I am giving you this link to a long active discussion about this.
Mastectomy and reconstruction pros and cons.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mastectomy-1/
What type of cancer is your mass? Did this play into your husbands comments?
@blkdog I thought the same as you but I was going to go with a double mastectomy but nipple sparing. When I walked into the plastic surgeons office and said that his eyes grew wide and was like noooooooo. He suggested and I did take his advice I chose a breast reduction. I was nearly a C cup and went to a very tiny A cup. And to be honest I love them, they feel so much more perky on my 67 year old body 🙂 My tumor was 1.3 cm clear margins, no lymph nodes. However it was located directly above my heart and the numbers did not add up to have radiation. It would have been more harmful than beneficial, so it was an easy no. The hormone therapy was also an easy no as well. I had a miserable experience with menopause and there was no way I was willing to take a drug that would bring it all back.
@blkdog DB. Does not mean it won’t reoccurs. Same outcome and longevity as a lumpectomy
@blkdog
When I was told I need mastectomy for the right breast, at age 59, I asked if I could also get it for the right breast. I too was very worried about always wondering if the left breast would get cancer.
Now at age 62.5, I've had 2 biopsies of the right breast, 4 ultrasounds because new lumps are worrisome.
I wish I had insisted on getting a mastectomy on the left side. I still ask my surgeon if I could get it to relieve the testing everytime a new lump occurs. To this day, she still says no reason to remove good tissue. I do not agree. The anxiety and fear consumes me.
Please share your our decision.
Connect
@blkdog
The part to me in your story is your physician husband's view. I had a dbl mastectomy due to a genetic mutation.
I do not have a husband or boyfriend who may have thought they had a say in this decision. Directly it is your body. How your husband feels and why is important. If you have been married long time, he might know you will regret it. Your cancer just may be one that does not comeback. Come back a lit the stage for sure. Stage 1 means they often want to save your breasts.
A lumpectomy was not a choice for me. I was small breasted as well, but i did get implants and i am 62. I wanted to look normal. Look the same and i do.