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Double or single mastectomy?

Posted by toomanyquestions @toomanyquestions, Nov 23, 2022

Hi
I have DCIS, my surgeon did not get clean margins. I need another surgery for that DCIS and now they found another area of concern. At this point one breast is a 32 DD and the other will end up a 32 B. And that nipple is a mess. I am trying to decide between double or single mastectomy. I don’t want implants. Will the extra surgery of a double mastectomy make my quality of life easier or harder? I have an active life, in my 60s , married, Clothing, swimming, sports, running around seems like it would be easier with no breasts rather than one large one. Am I wrong?

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windyshores | @windyshores | Nov 25, 2022
In reply to @bcwarrior "Looking back.....The better decision for me would have been a bilateral back in 2007. All these..." + (show)
@bcwarrior

Looking back.....The better decision for me would have been a bilateral back in 2007. All these many years of 2-3 hours mammos every 6 months + 10 years of Arimidex have injured me more Physically and Mentally. No matter, what IF I had to do it all over I would consult a plastic surgeon to be involved During any surgery. Since this is a recurrence I will not have reconstruction, Me and anesthesia are not worth having girl bumps. I Love the comments from flat chested, my question to them is how many years before all the swelling, fluid is truly gone and you are no longer lumpy and numb?

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@bcwarrior the swelling went down quickly (1-2 months?) and the numbness took a little longer. It was 8 years ago so my memory is fuzzy but I don't remember any problems with swelling past the initial recovery month and numbness and "iron bra sensations" resolved relatively quickly. I did exercises that also helped.

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polianad22 | @polianad22 | Nov 26, 2022

@bcwarrior . Wondering if having double mastectomy cancels the hormonal treatment. And yes for plastic surgeon, highly recommended to have him in your team. I didn't have any pain and barely swelling after the unilateral mastectomy on November 14th. No implants and no flap surgery for me. For a moment I thought flap surgery in 2 - 3 years. It's a no as I am pleased with my aesthetic flat surgery.

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