Can someone who’s had a mastectomy share the psychological effects ?

I had a second mastectomy on my non-cancer breast (which ended up having atypical dysplasia and was full of cysts). I wanted symmetry and also not to have to worry about cancer in that breast. My docs wanted to see how I did with one, before doing the second and I did fine.

I went flat and don't wear any prostheses. I am very comfortable and have not had any distress over this, even though docs and nurses kept trying to find distress in me!! I have no partner and my breasts fed my kids so it was okay with me. In fact clothes fit me better. But that's me and my situation.

Thanks for sharing.

Just want to add that I know others have a lot more difficulty with this, and I don't mean to minimize those feelings. Every person and situation is different.

I had bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction to avoid the physiological effects. I knew for me it was the corrected decisions. Otherwise, I feel I would have been severely depressed.

I had a bi-lateral mastectomy on May 16. I was amazed at the fact that I never had a need for pain medication. I took a Tylenol at night just to help with sleeping in my recliner until the tubes were removed 2 weeks later.
I am 73 and chose to go flat and I did get prosthetics, but I don’t wear them very often. In Florida, it is nice reliving my braless years with the heat. I am glad to have the choice.
I had 2 lesions in each breast and was assured that I had the same outcome with lumpectomies or a mastectomy.
I went through chemo and radiation with non Hodgkins 25 years ago. I chose the mastectomy because I didn’t want to go through all that again at my age. Quality of life is more important to me. I have never looked back, very happy and blessed.

I should add that my breasts were not great, one was even scarred from burns I received as a toddler, so I didn’t miss them. My cousin on the other hand had large breasts, even after having had a reduction 20 years ago. She only had one lesion, but did not want to have chemo or radiation and the possibility of more surgeries. She opted for a mastectomy and going flat. She has never regretted the decision, but she said she was sad sometimes about her breasts being gone in the beginning. So, as others have shared everyone has their own feelings.
Attitude will win out in the long run! Praying for you!

Hi Meomurian-
I also had a mastectomy at 72. Am now 74. Like one of the other contributors, I was amazingly pain free after the surgery. I came home and made dinner.
My considerations were:
* The nature of triple negative breast cancer.
*I wanted to heal and get on with my life at age 72 with a perceived feeling of safety that all tissue was gone and I would more easily be able to feel any reoccurrence.
*I have the ATM gene and did not want radiation after reading about ATM related reoccurrence risk in the other breast from radiation.
I do wear a light weight prosthesis inside a very comfortable sports bra. I look like my old self and I elected to tell my friends that I was not sharing what I was or was not doing with respect to mastectomy/lumpectomy. I did this for me and for my husband.
I have had no regrets, but if I did have, I would still be a candidate for reconstruction. Sending good wishes.

I appreciate your reply. I think the feeling of security in having it all removed will outweigh any negative psychological effects I might have.

It is probably normal to feel sad at the beginning. Thanks for the prayers!

I wonder if the difficulty is in having our identities based on our physical appearances.