Living Without One Breast

Hi LSG,

I have been living with one breast for 2 years now. A mastectomy was my only option. Looking back I was initially sad to lose my breast, but now I'm so grateful that I didn't have to go through radiation. Living with one breast has helped me in a way. I was finally able to find the right bra size. All these years I was wearing a size that was one cup smaller. My insurance paid for some fake boobs and two bras that I love the fit so well and they look so pretty too.

If I want to go out and have a boob I'll sometimes wear my knitted knocker it is very soft and fits comfortably inside a bra. Hawaiian shirts have been my new best friend for what I don't want to wear my fake boob. The patterns on the shirt does a good job of camouflaging my missing breast so no one can tell I only have one boob. Colorful scarves help too.

Some days I don't even think about that I'm missing a breast I just enjoy life to the fullest. God forbid anything happened to my left breast but if something did I think I would have another mastectomy just to be done with it all. Then I would be even and no more bras or mammograms. I am hoping though that my healthy breast will continue to be a good girl and not get sick. I do like having her around. :-)

I know this is one of the biggest and hardest decisions you have to make. Take your time and do what feels right for you and what will give you peace of mind.

Sending you lots of support, love and hugs, Sara

I did the rads three years ago and glad I did. Stage 1, no spreading. It wasn't fun but glad I did it. 30 days is really nothing and that is done.

I am right there with you girl, my surgery is scheduled for October, just finished up my chemo. I am having such a hard time deciding whether to have reconstruction or not. My doctor said I had no option but the masectomy. No radiation is a good thing about it. I'm almost 63 so I'm leaning towards fake boob instead of reconstruction. This is such a hard decision to make.

I had a right sided mastectomy in Sept. 2018, followed by 28/7 radiation. I am in remission and chose not to do reconstruction. I have a prosthetic and a knitted knocker. Most days I go natural, with no bra or prosthetic. I am lucky that I have a husband who told me not to get the reconstruction just for his sake, that he loves me know matter how many breasts I have. I am comfortable with myself and so is my spouse. I know I get looks from people but I do not care. I woke up breathing, it's a good day. I don't care what others think about me. I fought, I won, I will live live to the fullest and not worry about what others think about how I look. When I do wear a bra, the knitted knocker is so much more comfortable than the prosthetic my insurance paid for. What ever you decide, Make sure it is what you want for yourself. You need to be happy about your self image. There is no right or wrong way to react or do things after cancer. Good luck.

LSG,

FWIW...I had a Left Breast mastectomy 2011. I wanted both breasts taken, but the general consensus was IDC/DCIS wouldn’t come back in the other breast. And a PS told me at age 60 I was both to old and too fat to have reconstruction.

My mastectomy was Radical because there was skin involved. Some muscle tissue in the armpit was taken.

It has been difficult to find a proper prosthetic. And it’s not “overtly” noticeable, but my clothes fit differently.

Two days ago I found out there is cancer in my Right Breast.

If I had it to do over, I’d find a Surgeon to take BOTH

I had a nipple sparing skin saving mastectomy to my left breast following my DCIS dx. Pathology report found .7 cm spot of HER2+. My mastectomy choice left me with a great deal of my breast & shape - almost like having a lumpectomy. I will have some reconstruction to shape it and fill it in, but not as much as I thought I would be having.

I had a single mastectomy 19 years ago now with no reconstruction. Frankly, I rarely think about it much any more. I have good mastectomy bras and a good prosthesis so I just leave it in the bra, hang it over a chair and put it on the next day. I have a swim prosthesis that I have had for 18 years and still works great. I get 3 mastectomy bras from medicare every six months and a new prosthesis ever couple of years free. The supplier calls me when time to get the new ones is up.

A friend of mine also has large breasts and had a single mastectomy. She wishes that she had removed both because she said the large prothesis she must wear (to match her other breast) is uncomfortable. Her surgery was about 4 years ago and she is still uncomfortable - she says it's heavy.

I am 57, and wear a B cup size bra. I recently had a right sided mastectomy and no reconstruction. I found all kinds of foam FOOBS (fake boobs). The Empower pads from Athleta are the most comfortable for me. They fit into all my existing bras - have to discover the ones that are most comfortable to wear during the healing process, and that varied at the very beginning due to sensitivity. Today begins week 5 of recovery and each day gets better with less sensitivity and more comfort. I am actually able to wear my regular bra and my FOOB all day long, and no one would ever know one was real and one wasn't. I do not regret my decision. Being fitted for bras and a prosthetic in a couple of weeks because insurance will cover it. Not sure what I will like more my foam Empower FOOBS or the prosthetic - we shall see.

I had my left breast removed in December 2019. I didn't have a choice between a lumpectomy or mastectomy due to my small breast size. However, I was grateful that I didn't need to get radiation especially after 16 rounds of chemo. The pain after surgery was manageable, the anesthesiologist offered a nerve block prior to surgery that lasted several days and lessened the need for heavy pain meds post surgery. My scar has healed nicely and I'm not experiencing any lymphodema. I've been going to physical therapy biweekly to get my range of motion back - which I have. I've been wearing stretch camisoles instead of bras and I'm not sure I'm going to get a prosthesis yet. Clothes are a bit challenging at times but I'm choosing not to focus on it. I know these are tough decisions but the one you make will be the right one for you.

Sharon, since insurance is paying get the prosthesis and the mastectomy bras at the same time. You can also get a Foob on your own dime and then decide. You can always use either one, but you probably only get one every couple of years.

Hi Ladies! Success!! Last summer I had a left mastectomy and knew from the beginning I wouldn't want reconstruction. Now that summer is on its way (and the lockdowns won't be forever), I needed a new swim suit. So I found a tankini at Target with a nice crossover bra top that worked nicely for conversion to a half-top. I know this won't be a style that everyone would be comfortable wearing, but for those of us that want to show off our tattoos, or who simply don't want to bother with a foob....

Thank you, Bonnie, I really appreciate that. I’m actually really nervous about wearing it to the pool (eventually!!), even though I normally go out without wearing a foob.

It will ask everyone around to change their expectations of what a woman’s body is supposed to look like, how we’re supposed to present ourselves in public. I’m already steeling myself for if someone says, “Cover up! There are children here! No one wants to see that!” Hopefully, society has moved forward enough that people will know what BC survivors can look like - it’s not like I got my boob chopped off for funsies! But you never know until you get there.

(((Hugs!))

aal, get your doctor to prescribe new mastectomy bras...that fit, mine were free...then you can fiddle around with what works for you in the mast. side.

I have prostheses of different weights.