Mastectomy

💗 June 2026 Surgery Roll Call — You’re Among Friends Here 💗
If you have surgery coming up in June —whether it's a lumpectomy, mastectomy, reconstruction, or another procedure—this thread is for you. This is a place to connect with others who understand what it feels like to count down the days, manage the unknowns, and prepare for surgery and recovery. Whether you're feeling calm,…
Mastectomy on the other breast
Hi, I had a mastectomy on my left breast in January. No reconstruction. I recovered well and relatively quickly. My other breast is "busy," according to my oncologist . I am seriously thinking about getting a mastectomy on the other side as well. Not because it will eliminate cancer on that breast, but my surgeon says this…
Tips for Bilateral Mastectomy with Immediate Tissue Expander AND Implant Exchange
My Breast Cancer Journey from the perspective of a physician/patient/wife/mom of 3 boys and 1 pup: Dec 2022- First screening mammogram (Age 45, no risk factors) found over a 5 cm area of microcalcifications of left breast near nipple, which then led to 4 additional mammograms and ultrasound biopsy. Biopsy showed DCIS, high…
💗 May 2026 Surgery Roll Call — Come On In, We’ve Been Saving You a Spot 💗
If you’ve got surgery scheduled this May—lumpectomy, mastectomy, or something in between—this thread is for you. Not just to read. To be part of. 💗 This is where names turn into familiar faces, where “I’m nervous” gets met with “me too,” and where no one has to carry the weight of this alone. However you’re feeling right…
Unilateral or Bilateral Mastectomy - Pros & Cons for ILC
Hi, I learned on April 12th that both biopsies taken from my left breast on March 26th have ILC. The MRI showed at least three more (Stage 1a). They are all very small, but given there are now at least five, the surgeon's recommendation is unilateral mastectomy. I am about 95% certain I'd like to just go for the bilateral,…
introduction and looking for people to connect with
Hey everyone! I have been in this "journey" for quite a few months now and have been feeling increasingly isolated. I was diagnosed at 25 and am currently 26 years old. I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma in the fall after a long journey to be seen properly for the lump I found. Once I was officially diagnosed,…
Premenopausal and Starting Tamoxifen -- Looking for an Ongoing Chat
I took my first dose of tamoxifen last night and am feeling so much dread around it. I put it off due to avoidance and confusion around the small impact that taking it has on my future recurrence rate (4% vs 8%). Looking to find peace in this journey and am wondering how others have figuratively 'swallowed the pill' of…
💗 April 2026 Surgery Roll Call — Step In, Speak Up, We’re With You 💗
Is surgery on your calendar this April—lumpectomy or mastectomy? This is your space. And we truly mean your space. 💗 Consider this your official roll call—but more than that, it’s your invitation to be seen, supported, and surrounded by people who understand. No matter where you are emotionally—calm, scared, overwhelmed,…
What is one thing you wished you knew about DCIS or any breast cancer diagnosis??
I went into my post DCIS diagnosis under the false assumption that my lumpectomy on the right breast and reduction on both was a one and done deal. I was not prepared for the roller coaster of events that occurred post surgery. DCIS in the 3X biopsied benign left breast, a left mastectomy, tissue expander placement,…
Am I being under-treated?
Newly diagnosed here. TNBC stage 1b grade 3. I met with my BS, MO, and RO for the fist time yesterday. Breast MRI shows a 1.5cm mass that hasn’t grown since mammo and US a month ago and no nodes involved. So the plan is: -Surgery first (I am leaning towards SMX no recon) -Chemo: 4 rounds of TC spread 3 weeks apart -No…
💗 March 2026 Surgery Roll Call—Join here for support! 💗
If surgery is on your calendar this March—lumpectomy or mastectomy—this is your place. 💗 Consider this your official roll call. Whether you’re calm, overwhelmed, full of questions, or riding every emotion at once, we want you here. Post. Introduce yourself. Let us know you’re counting down the days. This thread is more…
STILL Anthology - Celebrating Flat Closure with Fashion Photography
Exciting news to share! The STILL Anthology has dropped. It's a fashion photography project created by the incredible Lisa Taft Sylvester to help raise awareness of and to normalize aesthetic flat closure. I was invited to take part in the second volume that has just been published. It's a beautiful volume, and the stories…
💗 February 2026 Surgery Roll Call—Let’s Do This Together 💗
If surgery is on your calendar this February—lumpectomy or mastectomy—you’ve found your people. This thread is your meetup spot: a place to show up exactly as you are, whether you’re feeling steady, scared, curious, or all of the above. We’re here to swap questions, share nerves, trade tips, and offer the kind of support…
Why I chose to go flat after my single mastectomy
It's been a year since I had my single mastectomy for Stage 3 IBC. I decided to commemorate the occasion by sharing (a) what I learnt from a plastic surgeon regarding my reconstruction options and (b) why I chose to go flat. Hope my essay helps those who are thinking about foregoing reconstruction! Link to my essay:…
💗 January 2026 Surgery Crew—You’re Not Doing This Alone 💗
Are you scheduled for a lumpectomy or mastectomy this January? This space is for you. Come gather with others who truly get it as we prepare for surgery together—sharing questions, nerves, fears, tips, and hard-won honesty. This is a place for real talk, reassurance, and mutual encouragement before and after the big day.…
Surgery scheduled for December 2025? Join the surgery waiting room for support!
Are you scheduled to have a lumpectomy or mastectomy in the month of December? Join us here where we support each other as we prepare for our surgeries, ask questions about what to expect, share reservations and fears, and support one another through preparation and recovery. And, we encourage others who've "been there" to…
Lymph node removed but pathology says no evidence of lymphatic tissue found!
Has anybody had masectomy with sentinel lymph node removed but pathology says no lymphatic tissue found? I’m seeing breast surgeon tomorrow and oncologist next week. Will I need another procedure? I’m not sure I’m comfortable not having lymph node tested as this is my second time having breast cancer!
Having surgery in October 2025? Let's support one another here!
Are you scheduled to have a lumpectomy or mastectomy in the month of October? Join us here where we support each other as we prepare for our surgeries, ask questions about what to expect, share reservations and fears, and support one another through preparation and recovery. And, we encourage others who've "been there" to…
Advice for caregiver
Hi all My partner is scheduled for single mastectomy and implant next week. Looking for advice-tips on what type of things I can expect, what can I do to prepare for after surgery and what I can do to help her though the recovery period?
Planning surgery for November 2025? Join the waiting room for support.
Are you scheduled to have a lumpectomy or mastectomy in the month of November? Join us here where we support each other as we prepare for our surgeries, ask questions about what to expect, share reservations and fears, and support one another through preparation and recovery. And, we encourage others who've "been there" to…
Deciding on what type of reconstruction
I will be having a double mastectomy with immediate reconstruction on Nov 6 on Long Island,ny. My surgeon’s will be Dr Hodyl and Dr ott young. I have a new primary cancer on my right breast. Idc hr+her- (same as last time 10 years ago) I previously had lumpectomy and radiation and tamoxifen. My oncotype score was 10. I…
Large Lumpectomy vs Unilateral Mastectomy
Hello everyone, I am a 50-year-old woman recently diagnosed with stage 1A, grade 1, HER2-negative, hormone-positive breast cancer in my left breast. I had invasive ductal carcinoma confirmed in two locations. My genetic testing was negative for all cancer syndromes, and a sentinel lymph node biopsy showed no cancer.…
Post bilateral mastectomy hypersensitivity nerve pain in chest and axilla
Hi, I am new here. Recent dx of R sided ER+, PR+, HER2 - breast cancer at 40 years old. Chose B mastectomy and immediate reconstruction. Just had drains removed at nearly 4 weeks post (sx was 8/12/25). I have been dealing with a lot of hypersensitivity to my chest/axilla region. I am a physical therapist by trade and plan…
Getting needle biopsy on Oct 7 2025 in Phoenix/Mesa AZ, would like oncology and surgeon recommen...
My maternal grandmother survived breast cancer back in the 1970s. (She died at 106 yrs about 15 yrs ago) . My sister is a breast cancer survivor (over 10 years now). It didn't happen to my mom. My father's half sister never got it. Mammogram found two somethings suspicious in my left breast, follow up ultrasound confirmed…
Scheduled for Surgery in September 2025? Gather here to support one another!
Are you scheduled to have a lumpectomy or mastectomy in the month of September? Join us here where we support each other as we prepare for our surgeries, ask questions about what to expect, share reservations and fears, and support one another through preparation and recovery. And, we encourage others who've "been there"…
Looking to talk to a woman who has been through a mastectomy, chemotherapy AND radiotherapy
I'm actually reaching out on behalf of a friend. His partner has had a mastectomy, and has been through a treatment of chemotherapy. Doctors are now heavily encouraging her to undergo a course of radiotherapy. My friend, based on his own research, and his knowledge of his partner's unique situation, is quite strongly of…
Second time around needing Chemo - just wondering about the prescribed treatment
Double mastectomy 7 years ago. New 1-2 cm cancerous lump found on breast and also in three sentinel nodes have all been removed. Same cancer (EST+, HER2- ). Having more surgery next week to remove 1st and 2nd level nodes. After surgery, my oncologist is prescribing Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide every two weeks for 4…
Lymph node enlarged
I had a mastectomy two years ago following 8cm DCIS. They found 5mm of tumor and sent it for oncotype but not enough to be analysed so no chemo. All lymph nodes clear and had reconstruction. Last year I felt a raised part under my arm same side as mastectomy. Had an ultrasound and nothing showed up so consultant thought it…
Sensation of movement of implant
I am almost 4 weeks post bilateral mastectomy and immediate reconstruction, skin sparing. In the last 2 weeks I can feel slight flickers when I move my right arm overhead, lean forward, lie side to side and now I feel the weird sensation of movement of the right implant, which is awkward and annoying. I notice it when I’m…
Prophylactic Mastectomy
Looking for anyone with shared experience. From my 1st mammogram 15 years ago at 40, I have had issues. Multiple biopsies and lumpectomies, tons of scar tissue as a result. I have extremely dense breast tissue, complex cysts, breast disease, multiple bilateral papillomas and just recently diagnosed with LCIS. I do not have…

Mastectomy

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