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[Miss Sunshine]

Mastectomy isn't radical, it is a low risk surgery because it doesn't involve opening up any major body cavity such as the chest or abdomen.

I was in for two nights and would have recovered sooner had I not been forced to accept unwanted silicone implants which lengthened the procedure and caused more (although still minor) tissue swelling.

That's for both sides.

I didn't have any precancer but with 7 affected relatives at young ages I was desperate to get my cancerbags removed before I was next.

I would say it was one of the best decisions I ever made except it wasn't even a decision - the moment I learnt I could dodge it and didn't just have to live with a sword hanging above my head I fought tooth and nail to get the procedure.

There is a deeply ingrained culture within the field of breast surgery of prioritising the male gaze above women's wishes, health and psychological wellbeing.

Whenever I was turned down and I asked why, it was never because of any medical reason (it has a virtually zero mortality rate in healthy women) it was what if your husband no longer finds you attractive, or what if your husband leaves you or dies and nobody else finds you attractive!

It was when I pointed out that the pen had stopped moving and insisted the surgeon document verbatim the primary reason I was being denied potentially life saving surgery was to cater to what heterosexual men may or may not find attractive, and also in polite terms what I gave about that, I was accepted for surgery not long afterwards.

It has given me immeasurable relief and peace of mind over nearly two decades now. I never have to go for any screening which would have caused me severe distress and anxiety, I can take the pill without fear to halve my risk of ovarian, and I can take HRT without fear.

If anything did develop as nothing is ever 100%, it would have nowhere to hide so I would have a much better chance of early diagnosis.

I have seen so many women in the BRCA 1+2 community both previvors and with a diagnosis discouraged from mastectomy, young athletes pushed towards avoidable chest irradiation based on the surgeon's beliefs about what they ought to look like in the nude rather than clinical outcomes including psychological wellbeing, that I feel really strongly about this option that has been such a tremendous blessing to me to be made available to all.

Of course not everyone will choose it but it should be made available as an option without the paternalistic coercion towards procedures that prioritise appearance above health.

Thank you.  It's a valid point you make.  I would struggle with the psychological impact of a mastectomy.

[CLKD]

When in 1995 after surgery I was recalled to C the surgeon B4 my appt., I decided that should the 'c' word be mentioned, I would have both breasts removed.  When told that 'ladies with this type of condition' don't require it .......... that was it, eventually I developed a totally different relationship with them 

One step at a time!

[Nas]

Hopefully you won’t need a mastectomy Miss Sunshine. Everyone copes with such surgery differently. I struggled hugely with the loss of my breast.  I was lacking symmetry and hated the “ flat look”, end of.

The loss of my breast is the least of my worries now.

Get the op done and move on 😊

[bombsh3ll]

I totally agree regarding symmetry - nobody should be left lopsided for the long term, it is cruel (unless of course they choose to live single breasted).

Problems can arise when the surgeon is only willing to provide symmetry on their terms ie breasted symmetry when the patient wants flat symmetry.

I realise what a privileged position I am in to have got both sides done at the same time.

[CLKD]

Also implants may cause problems in that they shield any breast changes behind which will not show on future scans.

[bombsh3ll]

The one positive about implants is they are easy to get removed - I had mine removed under local anaesthetic however I would like to think that women are being listened to more these days and the right to flat closure respected.

Certainly I think when someone has a breast cancer diagnosis they have more leverage over what does and doesn't get put into their body as their surgery is time critical, vs someone having risk reducing mastectomies - my surgeon threatened to cancel my operation if I refused to sign for the implants.

[CLKD]

WHAT!  bombsh3II that's awful 

[Nas]

Bloody hell bomb, what an a**e of a surgeon! That’s awful. That’s surely blackmail?

These implants, well with the best intentions, are just foreign objects. Mine causes no end of bother with scans because it’s in the way all the time. If I was facing BC now, I would firmly say “ no” to implants, request the other breast to be removed and proceed to get a lovely tattoo as a replacement 

Any, Miss Sunshine, how are you today?

[Miss Sunshine]

Any, Miss Sunshine, how are you today?
[/quote]

I'm not great tbh.  I've cried a lot.  I went to get a few things for lunch and had to wear sunglasses on the way home.  I've been on the breast cancer now forum and as supportive as everyone has been, I've gone from thinking I'm quite lucky this has been discovered so early to thinking more will be discovered after the op and basically I'm spiralling.  I'm not ready to ring the breast cancer nurses.  I know I will just cry down the phone.  I'm so emotional and still in so much shock.  I had a shower this morning and as is routine for me, did a little check.  I think the fact my breasts look and feel the same as always makes it very hard to reconcile what's happening. 

Thank you, all of you.  You've been such a support without scaring me.

[CLKD]

My lumpectomy and follow-up radiation was fine - it was the waiting around that encouraged my brain to wander  . U Cry Girl!

[Miss Sunshine]

My lumpectomy and follow-up radiation was fine - it was the waiting around that encouraged my brain to wander  . U Cry Girl!

❤️

[Miss Sunshine]

Operation date announced, it's in a few weeks!  I'm so worried that more will be found when they open me up!  I'm also worried about my BP.  It always goes sky high in medical settings.  Could that cancel the surgery?

[CLKD]

Yes it might be a reason to postpone surgery.  However, I believe that patients undergo a 'pre-op assessment' where worries can be discussed.  This may B with the Surgeon and the Anaesthetist - mayB ring the Dept and ask the questions.  This is your body and U do not have to sign a Consent Form until you are absolutely certain that your worries have been talked about.

Make a list of your worries so that nothing is missed.  If 'more' is found, it will be dealt with, something to put on your list. 

Did I mention already to buy button through nighties and not over the head pull-on designs?  Who is supporting U at home?

[Miss Sunshine]

Yes it might be a reason to postpone surgery.  However, I believe that patients undergo a 'pre-op assessment' where worries can be discussed.  This may B with the Surgeon and the Anaesthetist - mayB ring the Dept and ask the questions.  This is your body and U do not have to sign a Consent Form until you are absolutely certain that your worries have been talked about.

Make a list of your worries so that nothing is missed.  If 'more' is found, it will be dealt with, something to put on your list. 

Did I mention already to buy button through nighties and not over the head pull-on designs?  Who is supporting U at home?

Thanks.  Yes I've spoken to cancer nurse, assured that I can get a little something from my GP to calm me for the day.  Also that it would have to be really high before they would cancel the operation.  I'm just very nervous and can't think straight.  I'll have plenty of help from family. 

[CLKD]

Of course U R in shock too.  I would be opting 4 an overnight stay if possible to sleep off the effects of the whole experience.