BusynMember
Well-Known Member
I had one when I was 43 so obviously I was younger. I had a Stage 0, which is very early and non-invasive, but I am a worrier and did not ever want to worry about that breast again. I asked for a double mastectomy because I knew I was at greater risk in the other one now too, but was told my insurance wouldn't cover it so I didn't have one.
The mastectomy was a simple one with no nodes or muscle tissue and I recovered in a wink and a blink.
Last time I went for a mammo, I had to have a regular mammo, then they called me back for a larger one, then they called me back for another test (forgot name), then a sonogram then a biopsy. This was all in the same day. I was sure I had cancer. I was really scared. I had breasts changes...more microcalifications which hadn't been there before and an enlarged lymph node, but it actually turned out to be NO cancer after all that.
Mammos have scared me since the stage 0 so I decided after this to have the other breast removed. I am very determined and sure. I saw the surgeon and recon surgeon yesterday and felt very positive. I still feel positive, but I am a little timid now. I am not 43. I am 61. I'm still healthy and thin and in good shape. If anyone has had a mastectomy, can you share how the surgery went and how fast you healed? I read it could be five or six hours of surgery with recon right after and I do want to recon. It's just to match the one boob up with the other which had recon years ago, nothing fancy. I don't need huge perky breasts at MY age...lol.
If anyone has any feedback or can help, I'd appreciate it. This will be scheduled for mid-February. I wanted to have it done during a yukky time of the year when there are no big holidays. All of you are always so helpful I am reaching out.My surgeon told me that if I had had one breast removed in 2014-15, they'd have consented to do both and that this is normal these days and insurance covers it. Lucky me. I had the first surgery too early
I did not ever once feel less of a woman without the breast and I'm sure I will be able to say an easy good-bye to this one too.
The mastectomy was a simple one with no nodes or muscle tissue and I recovered in a wink and a blink.
Last time I went for a mammo, I had to have a regular mammo, then they called me back for a larger one, then they called me back for another test (forgot name), then a sonogram then a biopsy. This was all in the same day. I was sure I had cancer. I was really scared. I had breasts changes...more microcalifications which hadn't been there before and an enlarged lymph node, but it actually turned out to be NO cancer after all that.
Mammos have scared me since the stage 0 so I decided after this to have the other breast removed. I am very determined and sure. I saw the surgeon and recon surgeon yesterday and felt very positive. I still feel positive, but I am a little timid now. I am not 43. I am 61. I'm still healthy and thin and in good shape. If anyone has had a mastectomy, can you share how the surgery went and how fast you healed? I read it could be five or six hours of surgery with recon right after and I do want to recon. It's just to match the one boob up with the other which had recon years ago, nothing fancy. I don't need huge perky breasts at MY age...lol.
If anyone has any feedback or can help, I'd appreciate it. This will be scheduled for mid-February. I wanted to have it done during a yukky time of the year when there are no big holidays. All of you are always so helpful I am reaching out.My surgeon told me that if I had had one breast removed in 2014-15, they'd have consented to do both and that this is normal these days and insurance covers it. Lucky me. I had the first surgery too early
I did not ever once feel less of a woman without the breast and I'm sure I will be able to say an easy good-bye to this one too.
