Who Else Has Decided NOT To Have Implants or Reconstructive Surgery?

Posted by marybe @marybe, Feb 15, 2019

I had a left breast mastectomy and will be having the right done after chemo and radiation. So I have time to decide. My surgeon left plenty of skin in case I decide that I want reconstruction. But I’m not sure that I do. I may just have the right one taken off and the excess skin on the left removed. I think I would be fine with being ‘flat’ and just wearing bras with prosthesis in them. I like to sleep on my stomach and I’m not sure how implants would work with that. Also, my husband and I have been married 30 years and he is leaving the decision up to me (he doesn’t care either way). But I’m curious to hear your experiences. Thank you

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@applegreen205

That’s great! I’m 57 had left breast mastectomy in October. I finished radiation March 26th. I’m not sure what to do. I received a knitted knocker from my surgeons office. It fits really nice.

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Problem with those long term is that if the side you're left with is heavy, you'll be unbalanced., with likely bad effects on your posture. After my first mastectomy I had to wear a size 10 prosethesis, even around the house. (My grandmother was of German origin - big boobs run in the family.) Now with nothing left, I go flat around the house and wear size 7 when I go out.

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I had a DMX in Jan 2023 and have been wearing prosthetics from
bustedtank.com inserted in trueandco.com bras. They are so comfortable! The prosthetics are lightweight, soft, wash well and look natural. And the bras are very soft and comfortable.

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@bpknitter53

I opted to go flat and chose to get the prosthetics; but sometimes want just a little shaping without the additional weight. I'm a knitter and made my own "knockers" from the Knitted Knocker pattern - which are knitted shapes filled with fiberfill and therefore add no additional weight. I have some sports bras which hold them in place and I also have a couple of other bras that have "pockets" which allow me to insert the "knockers" so they are held in place. I believe the Knitted Knocker project will send "knockers" to those in need - I'm not sure if there is a small charge. But even the cost of make them myself was the cost of the yarn and the fiberfill.

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Thank you for the information. I had a L MX 3 weeks ago and just ordered one.

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@bpknitter53

I opted to go flat and chose to get the prosthetics; but sometimes want just a little shaping without the additional weight. I'm a knitter and made my own "knockers" from the Knitted Knocker pattern - which are knitted shapes filled with fiberfill and therefore add no additional weight. I have some sports bras which hold them in place and I also have a couple of other bras that have "pockets" which allow me to insert the "knockers" so they are held in place. I believe the Knitted Knocker project will send "knockers" to those in need - I'm not sure if there is a small charge. But even the cost of make them myself was the cost of the yarn and the fiberfill.

Jump to this post

That’s great! I’m 57 had left breast mastectomy in October. I finished radiation March 26th. I’m not sure what to do. I received a knitted knocker from my surgeons office. It fits really nice.

REPLY

I opted to go flat and chose to get the prosthetics; but sometimes want just a little shaping without the additional weight. I'm a knitter and made my own "knockers" from the Knitted Knocker pattern - which are knitted shapes filled with fiberfill and therefore add no additional weight. I have some sports bras which hold them in place and I also have a couple of other bras that have "pockets" which allow me to insert the "knockers" so they are held in place. I believe the Knitted Knocker project will send "knockers" to those in need - I'm not sure if there is a small charge. But even the cost of make them myself was the cost of the yarn and the fiberfill.

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@justyes

I had my double mastecomy one year ago and divorced and age 68 did not opt for reconstruction. What i wanted to share with you is that i have found the most comfortable way to appear ""normal"" when i go in public
I went to Big Lots of all places shopping a year ago and saw some sports bras and thought they would be comfortable on my scar as it felt better being wrapped. but after taking them home just for grins i put my implants in them and since they are stretch they are not up to your chin perky but instead look just a tiny bit droopy as they should and as for comfort i can wear these bras and the implants for long 12 hour days and do not even know i have them on. they carry two types one is a razor back and one by gloria vanderbuilt has traditional straps wiith a stretchy sports bra attached they come in a three pack for 16.99 and leave the prescribed prosthetic bra in the dust .

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@justyes, helpful tips. What an ingenious DIY for a natural look for a fraction of the price.

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I had my double mastecomy one year ago and divorced and age 68 did not opt for reconstruction. What i wanted to share with you is that i have found the most comfortable way to appear ""normal"" when i go in public
I went to Big Lots of all places shopping a year ago and saw some sports bras and thought they would be comfortable on my scar as it felt better being wrapped. but after taking them home just for grins i put my implants in them and since they are stretch they are not up to your chin perky but instead look just a tiny bit droopy as they should and as for comfort i can wear these bras and the implants for long 12 hour days and do not even know i have them on. they carry two types one is a razor back and one by gloria vanderbuilt has traditional straps wiith a stretchy sports bra attached they come in a three pack for 16.99 and leave the prescribed prosthetic bra in the dust .

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I was diagnosed with Right breast Ca in Oct 2017 (I was 42 years old) I chose to have bilateral mastectomies & not to have reconstruction. I am enjoying not having breasts & being free of bras & back pain 🙂

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I opted NOT to have reconstructions because of the same reasons many above cited. That was 3 years ago, I'm 61, been married 35 years. My husband didn't care and I didn't want the extra surgery, risk or frankly.....breasts. I'm sorry I got cancer (that's not fun) but the breasts.....don't miss them. Haven't worn my prosthetic but I have it in case I want to wear something that would require breasts. I use a speedo type swimming suit and throw a light weight t shirt over that if I feel uncomfortable with how it looks on a given day, but mostly.....I just look flat chested. I did have a scar revision surgery to remove extra skin and tissue a year after my mastectomy to improve the chest wall appearance and to clear up a lymphedema problem (fluid was collecting in the extra tissue and not moving properly through my arm). I was very tired of doctors and surgeries and knew I'd still have check ups and other considerations and didn't want to the added thought on reconstruction but I know many women who did have the reconstruction successfully and they are very happy too. I was told to wait a bit and see how I felt because you can do reconstruction later.....but 3 years in I'm settled and like my decision. Hugs.....

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I had a double mastectomy this past Wednesday and decided not to have the
reconstruction personally I felt like it was a risk that I didn't want to
endure and I'm happy for my decision, but I think everyone should make
their decision based on their own personal needs.

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