mastectomy WITHOUT reconstruction

If you decide on prosthetics, your doctor will refer to a provider who specializes in breast prosthetics ( I went to Hanger Prosthetics). They have several different brands and shapes and different bras for you try on. Keep going until you find one that feels right for you and you like the appearance it provides. If your first provider doesn't have what you are comfortable with ask for another referral. Good Luck.

I had a double mastectomy two and a half years ago and decided not to have reconstruction for at least three years. I have two folds of skin that resemble a very small breast on each side of my chest. I also have a small buldge of fatty tissue under each arm. I think that the doctor did this to leave enough tissue in case I did change my mind down the road. I can tell you that I do not regret my decision. I do have a pair of silicone prosthesis but have found them to require too much work (and luggage) when I travel as they have to be placed into boxes with forms when I am not wearing them. This year I bought some light foam prothesis from the TLC catalog and am very happy with them. They are light and comfortable and offer just the right size breast for me. I love the fact that I can just toss them into a duffle bag or suitcase when I am done with them for the day!

Sarah06 said:

Are you talking about the TLC at the website: TLCcatalog.org? I also heard Busom Buddy was good. Did you not decide on reconstruction, because of the possible risks of saline or silicone implants or because of the operation?
Sarah06

Sarah and Claudia,
Yes, the TLC is the catalog and also the website www.tlccatalog.org. Wonderful resource. I sent you both personal messages in regard to your questions.

Sally

I had a bilateral without reconstruction. I just don't want to go through the implant process. I'd rather have a face lift ;-) for my next surgery of choice.
You do not have to make your decision immediately. I felt I could only handle one major decision at a time.
Sometimes, I wear large sweatshirts, instead of wearing the prosthetics. However,the prosthetics don't irritate or bother my chest.
I did go in for (what I call)clean-up surgery to remove the balls of fat and wings. My chest looks okay now...something I can live with.
However,u must do what makes YOU happy.

SweetSue said:

I had a bilateral without reconstruction. I just don't want to go through the implant process. I'd rather have a face lift ;-) for my next surgery of choice.
You do not have to make your decision immediately. I felt I could only handle one major decision at a time.
Sometimes, I wear large sweatshirts, instead of wearing the prosthetics. However,the prosthetics don't irritate or bother my chest.
I did go in for (what I call)clean-up surgery to remove the balls of fat and wings. My chest looks okay now...something I can live with.
However,u must do what makes YOU happy.

My breast cancer came back after nearly 10 years in the same place, and I opted to have a bilateral mastectomy without reconstruction. It has only been 2 weeks plus, and I will be undergoing chemo in a few weeks. Were you totally healed before you began your chemo? When did you begin exercising and stretching? I have begun some Tai Chi and Qi Gong exercises, something I have been doing for several years now. Any tips on chemo would be very much appreciated too.

Sarah06 said:

Fortunately, knock wood a million times, I did not need chemo or radiation. I am looking into options. I want to see what it is like to have no reconstruction. I don't believe implants are for me. I am also looking at tissue transfer from my butt to breast. Right now it is very costly to get the doctors I want. I stretched I believe about a month later. It was slow going. You can not lift and can not put your arms over your head to over reach. In the beginning, I couldn't even reach over my head to do anything.
Sarah06

HI Sarah,
Now I wish I was given the option of putting in the inflater thingy when I had my masectomy. (Left Side) I was looking forward ro reconstruction until I found out the Lat Flap and Stomach Muscle Transfer just is too much for me. I juts want my legs to feel better and am thinking I may never want surgery. Those soft TLC prosthesis sound pretty good to me. I have one that is quite heavy and is a pain to put on in the morning. I'll have to check that out.
I asked about the butt transfer and it sounded like not too many surgeons like to do it due to attaching nerves and muscle. I'm not sure but my plastic surgeon who is highly recommended here in La Jolla CA, said he stopped doing it cuz it was hard on him. So, it must be pretty hard.
Anyway, I can't even think about surgery. And ya I like my baggy sweatshirts too. I just want my legs back. (7 months at recovery)
Keep Hangin in there!
Kath

karatemom said:

My breast cancer came back after nearly 10 years in the same place, and I opted to have a bilateral mastectomy without reconstruction. It has only been 2 weeks plus, and I will be undergoing chemo in a few weeks. Were you totally healed before you began your chemo? When did you begin exercising and stretching? I have begun some Tai Chi and Qi Gong exercises, something I have been doing for several years now. Any tips on chemo would be very much appreciated too.

Wow! Karatemom! I had the very same thing! I was dagnosed eleven years ago with a barely Stage I intraductal carcenoma. I had no lymph node involvement, but had many removed(before the mapping was used). I did 28 radiation treaments after a quadranectomy. Then, after all those years I discovered a lump in the same breast! It was Stage II ductal carcenoma this time. I,too, had bilateral mastectomies. Because I had no lymph nodes to be checked my onc said I needed chemo. Yes, iwas somewhat healed before I started chemo and I had a portacath installed. I have taken it easy because of having the port, but can tell that my upper body needs some exercising and toning. I will be finished with chemo in about a month and my onc says I can have the port removed soon after I am finished. In regards to your chemo questions: I had adriamycin and cyclophosphamide(Cytoxan) together every three weeks for 4 treatments. I did really well I think. Blood counts remained good and I will say I was "under the weather" for about 3-4 days after each treatment. My first treatment was a breeze, really. The second wasn't too bad just felt a bit sicker. The 3rd and 4th were crappy and I was a little sicker for a little longer. You will have to experiment with things that taste better than others. For me, I ate crackers and milk a lot.Yogurt helped too. I had a two week rest and then I was started on Taxotere. I get a threatment every week for three weeks in a row and then a week off. I am doing 4 series of those treatments. I am going to get round 3 in the third three week series. I will be off a week and then start my lst three series on May 10. I see that I am a little late seeing this. I just found this site tonight. I am sure you are already in treatment. I hope all is going well for you! Please let me know how you are doing. I hope my reply helped a little. I don't think I will have reconstruction. I am fine with no breasts!