Bilateral Mastectomy without Reconstruction Recovery Timeline

Thanks for your meaningful story, I begged my doctor for this all those years ago. I fell into that time when they had just discovered that lumpectomies provided the same outcomes or at least that is what he believed to be best for me and refused. When I hear your story, I sometimes dream that I have that simpler life now, lol.

Annie, thank you for sharing. I'm encouraged by everyone being so helpful!

I agree about no reconstruction. Unfortunately, I had silicone implants which ruptured, spilling silicone throughout my body which caused a myriad of health issues. I was in the Dow Corning Settlement. I had them removed and have struggled a long time, but I am finally getting a hold on better health. I also wear no bras except for very special occasions.

Hello, I have a question. Did u take anti-hormones (exp tamoxifen) following your bilateral mastectomy?

Yes. I am taking anastrozole. I started taking it in 2018 after lumpectomy for IDC.

Please help me. My doctors will not answer my questions. I even had a group of doctors escort me out of their clinic and told not to come back. For asking too many questions. I am the most polite person. Can they do this? I ended up in the E.R. after fainting in their lobby.
My question is: I’ve had 4 breast biopsies in 20 years. LCIS, ADH, FEA, and now DCIS. Tamoxifen 5 years. Raloxifene 7 years. Osteoporosis. Some Heart blockages. Mitral valve prolapse. Complete hysterectomy at age 43. I want a double mastectomy . Maybe No reconstruction. I’ve seen 4 surgeons. They all want to do lumpectomy, radiation, AI again. Can someone tell me if a mastectomy is as horrible as they are telling me? They say I will have more side effects. I’m 60 and active. They said I will have to give up sports. Tennis, pickleball, Newcomb.
I need advice from real women who have been through it.
I want to be done with this breast business.
Thank you

Linlam
I am crying with happiness that I found your post. I can’t find any docs to help me with flat beautiful busy surgery.
I am done with frequent lumpectomies and stress and want to move on. All I get are nightmarish stories of side effects and concave scarring. Your links won’t work for me. Are there any other sites you recommend with images? Information?
Thank you.

toomanyquestions I did not read all the posts in this thread as they're very dated. I am here for any questions I may be able to help with. You are not alone. My short is ER/PR positive stage 1 - 2007 lumpectomy. Had the complete package of chemo, radiation, and 10 years of Arimidex. Fought my insurance after 10 years for screening only mammo and had 2 before Yep, it was back. I wish I had had the double back then. This time I had no questions about bye-bye girls on 05/25/2022. If I understand you are looking for images that you most likely won't find. I suggest you work with your breast surgeon aka general surgeon along with a plastic surgeon that will provide your goal of a beautiful flat chest. I hate to say that insurance may not cover most of the work that needs to be done to achieve this goal without multiple surgeries. I am just now getting my strength back without reconstruction. I'm living with keloids, numbness, swelling, and 2 ugly scars since both incisions healed differently. While surfing the net I did find a young woman 30+/- that had navy blue surfer shorts on at a beach playing frisbee. No top and free for the world to see. However, I find it hard for a person to expect such a thing unless they've had multiple surgeries and years of healing. Hope I'm wrong!!!

Hello- you are younger than I was when I had a double mastectomy and chose, after much discussion with my husband, not to reconstruct. I knew I could choose to do it later, but two more surgeries and all that recovery time never sounded good to me. I can be very comfortable and look very normal with the cosmetic help that is available. I was pretty well healed in a few months. The decision is controversial and many friends will not understand. My friends were wonderful through treatment, but I decided to keep this decision private.

@toomany questions I am flat on both sides now. Recovery wasn't too bad. No concave scarring r side effects. Feel fine. My only suggestion is to have a paravertebral block before surgery so you don't need pain meds.

What do you mean by not finding a surgeon to do surgery that leaves you flat?