I had a double last January. I do not have any regrets. I had a flat closure. I had heard about too many friends having to have multiple surgeries after reconstruction and didn't want to have any additional surgeries. I am 65, so that played a part in my choice as well. I did not have any issues other than some fluid that had to be removed by a needle aspiration at a couple of the visits. I had 3 lymph nodes removed and have had a little lymphedema but not bad and is dealt with quickly. I do suggest that you start rehab to help with the tightness that you experience after surgery. I hope this helps.
Had double mastectomy at 54. Stage 1 BC but BRCA2 mutation. No reconstruction. Go flat most of the time to be comfy. Wear prosthetics when dressing up so clothes fit better. Had some range of motion issues and lymphedema initially but PT takes care of that. No regrets.
I had a double last January. I do not have any regrets. I had a flat closure. I had heard about too many friends having to have multiple surgeries after reconstruction and didn't want to have any additional surgeries. I am 65, so that played a part in my choice as well. I did not have any issues other than some fluid that had to be removed by a needle aspiration at a couple of the visits. I had 3 lymph nodes removed and have had a little lymphedema but not bad and is dealt with quickly. I do suggest that you start rehab to help with the tightness that you experience after surgery. I hope this helps.
I had a double, but doe 11 moths apart. I did have implants, my original size. I had expander on the first one removed with the tumor but did not end up having the radiation i was supposed to have. The Radiation MO said it was not worth the 2% better odds it would give me. He had said if i was family he would tell me there are other options. I have BRCA2, so my 2nd breast came off in December of 2022. My chemo to shrink the tumor was August to Nov 2021.
Last December I did have a hematoma on my breast that was removed as caution. It was fortunate i had my 1-week check- up, had sent pictures to my breast surgeon and plastics doctors through the portal. So one week after my 2nd surgery, I was back in surgery to clean out the breast area, remove the implant and get stitched up again. I had 4 hours to get home and get back for the surgery. All went well. Except, I did have one more issue. Fluid like sirene that pooled behind my breast. I hd 2 aspirations, and when faced with tube to be reinserted, I bought 4 great sports bras and stuffed them, I mean really stuffed them, so no room was available for the fluid to pool. A month later, I was clear.
Do i regret it? NO! I have no nipples due to my BRCA2 and HER2+ from my tumor.
Sometimes the choice is not so easy. Flat closure or implants. For me, for today. I am grateful for the doctors and nurses who treated me and cared for me.
Double mastectomy in October 2023 with lymph node dissection and flat closure, nipples also removed due to location of the tumors. No regrets. I'm 56 years old and very active. I do plan to get prosthetics for better fit of some clothes. My husband tells me daily that I am beautiful. I need that! I miss my hair (chemo) more than I miss having breasts.
I had three drains. The first two came out after one week. The third, an axillary drain, was in for 6 weeks. I continued to wear an ace bandage wrapped around my chest for about 7 weeks, and now wear it if there seems to be any fluid build-up. It does the trick. When I exercise I wear a compression sleeve on the arm that had ten lymph nodes removed. Sometimes fluid builds up a little in that armpit, but a day in the ace bandage remedies that.
I too had a double mastectomy 2 years ago. 3 lymph nodes removed and a flat closure. Started walking right away. I got prosthetics to wear when I dress up. No complications. Highly recommend a good physical therapist who is trained to work with people who have had mastectomies. Helps so much with range of motion, strength and lymphedema. Best wishes.
Double mastectomy in October 2023 with lymph node dissection and flat closure, nipples also removed due to location of the tumors. No regrets. I'm 56 years old and very active. I do plan to get prosthetics for better fit of some clothes. My husband tells me daily that I am beautiful. I need that! I miss my hair (chemo) more than I miss having breasts.
I had three drains. The first two came out after one week. The third, an axillary drain, was in for 6 weeks. I continued to wear an ace bandage wrapped around my chest for about 7 weeks, and now wear it if there seems to be any fluid build-up. It does the trick. When I exercise I wear a compression sleeve on the arm that had ten lymph nodes removed. Sometimes fluid builds up a little in that armpit, but a day in the ace bandage remedies that.
I was told that they do not recommend compression sleeves anymore. I guess you can still get them. Not sure if it would help me as I mostly feel it under the arm and side of my chest.
I am going for mastectomy because my cancer came back. A little afraid because I heard about pain from the mastectomy and lose of motion in arm. How was the surgery? Was there much pain after surgery?
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I had a double last January. I do not have any regrets. I had a flat closure. I had heard about too many friends having to have multiple surgeries after reconstruction and didn't want to have any additional surgeries. I am 65, so that played a part in my choice as well. I did not have any issues other than some fluid that had to be removed by a needle aspiration at a couple of the visits. I had 3 lymph nodes removed and have had a little lymphedema but not bad and is dealt with quickly. I do suggest that you start rehab to help with the tightness that you experience after surgery. I hope this helps.
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5 ReactionsNo regrets. I went flat as well. Early 60's as well. Clothing is actually easier. I don't wear prosthetics at all.
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5 ReactionsHad double mastectomy at 54. Stage 1 BC but BRCA2 mutation. No reconstruction. Go flat most of the time to be comfy. Wear prosthetics when dressing up so clothes fit better. Had some range of motion issues and lymphedema initially but PT takes care of that. No regrets.
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5 ReactionsSirene,
I had a double, but doe 11 moths apart. I did have implants, my original size. I had expander on the first one removed with the tumor but did not end up having the radiation i was supposed to have. The Radiation MO said it was not worth the 2% better odds it would give me. He had said if i was family he would tell me there are other options. I have BRCA2, so my 2nd breast came off in December of 2022. My chemo to shrink the tumor was August to Nov 2021.
Last December I did have a hematoma on my breast that was removed as caution. It was fortunate i had my 1-week check- up, had sent pictures to my breast surgeon and plastics doctors through the portal. So one week after my 2nd surgery, I was back in surgery to clean out the breast area, remove the implant and get stitched up again. I had 4 hours to get home and get back for the surgery. All went well. Except, I did have one more issue. Fluid like sirene that pooled behind my breast. I hd 2 aspirations, and when faced with tube to be reinserted, I bought 4 great sports bras and stuffed them, I mean really stuffed them, so no room was available for the fluid to pool. A month later, I was clear.
Do i regret it? NO! I have no nipples due to my BRCA2 and HER2+ from my tumor.
Sometimes the choice is not so easy. Flat closure or implants. For me, for today. I am grateful for the doctors and nurses who treated me and cared for me.
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3 ReactionsMe, too, Windyshores. I love the freedom and balance is easy with patterns and colors. No regrets.
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3 ReactionsDouble mastectomy in October 2023 with lymph node dissection and flat closure, nipples also removed due to location of the tumors. No regrets. I'm 56 years old and very active. I do plan to get prosthetics for better fit of some clothes. My husband tells me daily that I am beautiful. I need that! I miss my hair (chemo) more than I miss having breasts.
I had three drains. The first two came out after one week. The third, an axillary drain, was in for 6 weeks. I continued to wear an ace bandage wrapped around my chest for about 7 weeks, and now wear it if there seems to be any fluid build-up. It does the trick. When I exercise I wear a compression sleeve on the arm that had ten lymph nodes removed. Sometimes fluid builds up a little in that armpit, but a day in the ace bandage remedies that.
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6 ReactionsI too had a double mastectomy 2 years ago. 3 lymph nodes removed and a flat closure. Started walking right away. I got prosthetics to wear when I dress up. No complications. Highly recommend a good physical therapist who is trained to work with people who have had mastectomies. Helps so much with range of motion, strength and lymphedema. Best wishes.
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6 ReactionsHad double mastectomy with tissue expanders last year. No regrets at all. I chose double because why would you trust your breast tissues again?
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5 ReactionsI was told that they do not recommend compression sleeves anymore. I guess you can still get them. Not sure if it would help me as I mostly feel it under the arm and side of my chest.
I am going for mastectomy because my cancer came back. A little afraid because I heard about pain from the mastectomy and lose of motion in arm. How was the surgery? Was there much pain after surgery?
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