Appearance after bilateral mastectomy
I had a bilateral mastectomy about six weeks ago, without reconstruction. I can't get used to the bizarre lumps all around and on where my breasts used to be. One scar seems deeply embedded; both scars look rough and bumpy. Is this normal? My surgeon is unconcerned and said it could take up to six months for things to smooth out. I would appreciate your thoughts and experience. Thank you.
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I am 2 years post BMX without reconstruction and my scars significantly improved over time. At first they were red, bumpy, fairly wide, and I had small dog ears at the end near my armpits. The dog ears were completely gone after a few months. The appearance of the scars gradually improved and now they are thin, white pencil lines. My chest isn't perfectly flat and smooth, but it's pretty close.
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@reiterlaw, welcome to Breastcancer.org! We're glad you found us.
While your surgeon's advice is reassuring, it's understandable that you're feeling nervous. As you can see, many members in the community have shared similar experiences, with lumps, bumps, and scars taking time to heal. Here are two articles from our main site that might help you understand more about post-mastectomy healing and what to expect during recovery:
Hope this helps. Feel free to share more about your diagnosis and treatment, and don’t hesitate to keep participating and asking questions. We're here for you!
The Mods
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Thank you. I will be patient and hope for improvement.
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Yes, my scars too took months to get finally flat and light in color.
At a point i tough they were going to stay very ugly, as 3/4 months passed and they were still red and thick...but they eventually got better and even!
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Surgery of any kind wreaks havoc on the tissue around it. But if things still look like they won't improve enough for your satisfaction, you can always look into revision surgery. Not Putting On a Shirt has a directory of survivor vetted surgeons who perform Aesthetic Flat Closure. They will be able to give you a better chance at a smooth chest surface post-op.
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