Mastectomy and breast reconstruction pros and cons?

I had a bilateral mastectomy on 11/5 and they did skin sparing surgery so that I can more easily start reconstruction which is May 28. They wanted to wait until my body had time to heal before starting...and I had put on some weight. My white blood cell count was also a little low.

I looked at the options of using my own tissue/skin but I did not have enough body fat to make that happen. It is also a 3-5 day stay in the hospital with that procedure. I have elected for the expanders and the bi-weekly fill. The surgery to put in the implants is several weeks after I get to the desired "size" with the expanders. My doc also advised against travel during the time the reconstruction was occurring to reduce the chance of infection.

I had little issue with the mastectomy, and am actually growing quite FOND of having a flat chest that I don't have to worry about! 🙂

Good luck to one and all with this phase of the process.

Tits up!

Hi Windyshores. I hope you are healing well by now. I came across your "Iron Bra" post and wanted to know what you had experienced.
I am post op 2 weeks now for double mastectomy with no reconstruction. I have iron bra and it's awful! Could you tell me what you did for it? Any insight is appreciated. Thank you.

The iron bra gets better!

Having a mastectomy and reconstruction is obviously a highly personal decision, and through this website and other research, I’ve learned that the decision is also influenced by your treatment requirements.

For anyone out there considering this decision, I will add my voice to the many articulate, smart, and thoughtful women in this feed.

I was able to begin reconstruction the day of my bilateral nipple sparing mastectomy. This process involves tissue expanders, and I will get implants next month. I was not able to go direct to implants.

I did not need chemo or radiation, which enabled me to move into reconstruction at the time of my mastectomy.

My tissue expanders can be painful. And I am, frankly, not looking forward to my next surgery which will also involve fat grafting to make the breasts smooth. However, I have chosen this option because I still want breasts.

For me, personally, I like having breasts. I am 59. I am often in a bathing suit with my 4 grandchildren. Being at the lake is part of our family lifestyle.

My reconstruction of my breasts is looking very good, and I am indebted to my plastic surgeon who has helped me feel whole again.

This is a very personal decision for every breast cancer patient.

My thanks to all of the women in this feed who share their perspectives and decision-making processes. We are all connected through breast cancer, the club we did not want to be a part of. Staying alive is the priority.

Try this. It’s great. No band at all.

I too am looking for a comfortable bra. I was diagnosed in August 2024 and had unilateral mastectomy in October, three months ago. I also chose to not have reconstruction . Should I even be trying to wear a bra ? I have a sports bra with pockets for inserts but not comfortable! I recently ordered a bra with sewn in prosthetic liner from EverYou. It looks much better but after wearing it a couple of hours, I’m in misery. Even after taking it off when I return home, I am still very uncomfortable. I seem to have some swelling underarm, especially after wearing bra or any exertion. Most days I choose to wear a camisole only. Have been doing therapy at home.
I am so blessed to not need Chemo nor radiation but just thought I’d feel better by now. I had begun to feel a lot better but seem to be going in wrong direction now. Probably overdid during Thanksgiving and Christmas . This past week has not been fun … plan to call my surgeon’s office tomorrow but most times they’re not a lot of help.
Thanks in advance for any advice.

Yes, do contact your surgeon about your swelling, etc, and I would ask to be seen if you are concerned things are worse.
I waited a little over 6 months before trying to get bras. I wanted to be over the main tenderness and swelling. Medicare covers a prosthesis and 12 bras a year. I think I have that number correct. I have friends who swear by Knitted Knockers. Those are knitted and poly filled prosthesis to slip into your own old bra or a new pocket bra. They are handmade by ladies all over the world and free for the asking. I was given one but need to try a larger size. They are very light weight.
It is easy to overdo once you start feeling good. Hope you can get some answers to your issues. We all just have to hang in there, don't we? Harder some times than others.