Saving...

Has anyone ever regretted deciding to go with a double mastectomy for an LCIS diagonis? Why?

Cancel

Topics (Tags):

Patient Experiences Double Mastectomy LCIS (Lobular Carcinoma In Situ) Breast Surgery Surgery Mastectomy

Topics:

Patient Experiences X Double Mastectomy X LCIS (Lobular Carcinoma In Situ) X Breast Surgery X Surgery X Mastectomy X

Done

Diseases:

Breast Cancer

Diseases:

Breast Cancer

Done

Answers (1)

member1665 (Survivor (2 - 5 years)) - 01 / 11 / 2012

I didn't have a double mastectomy, rather a single, but maybe my answer to a different question will help you think this over a little more:

I had a unilateral (single breast ) mastectomy with implant reconstruction 3 years ago. For the past two years I have had back numbness (like when your foot falls asleep) and muscle spasms over the implant, which come and go and are annoying but not painful. I have read that this is sometimes more common with unilaterals than bi-laterals, but I have talked to some women with bi-laterals who have this issue also. If you have never watched a mastectomy video, even an animated one, you will realize that it is a pretty invasive violent surgery and many nerves are cut. The exapansion phase contorts muscles in your body that were never intended to move in that way. The impna tunder the muscle is also not something our bodies were designed to accomodate. To go unscathed after such a procedure is unrealistic.

But for me personally, by far, the greatest thing to accept is the loss of feeling and the loss of nipple in my breast that was removed. The reconstructed breast looks awkward and unatural. I have no feeling there. It is stretched tight and looks shiny. It doesn't feel like "me". This may be because of the large areola/nipple that was removed and then stretching it to "match" the size of my other breast, I don't know, but in any case I believe it would still be numb and still be missing a nipple and this has left me with feelings of tremendous anxiety over intimacy with my husband and lack of desire. I still feel very sad about what I went through. There is no time line of grieving the loss of a breast(s)when you should be "over it". It is a loss and some women never get "over it", but maybe come to "terms" with it? I didn't expect these feelings but if my surgeon gave me one piece of advice I am grateful for it was that women underestimate this loss and for that I am glad I kept at least one "funcitoning" breast. They have always been my "on" button, sexualy speaking, so that is where it has caused me the most emotional pain.

I didn't have a double mastectomy, rather a single, but maybe my answer to a different question will help you think this over a little more:

I had a unilateral (single breast ) mastectomy with implant reconstruction 3 years ago. For the past two years I have had back numbness (like when your foot falls asleep) and muscle spasms over the implant, which come and go and are annoying but not painful. I have read that this is sometimes more common with unilaterals than bi-laterals, but I have talked to some women with bi-laterals who have this issue also. If you have never watched a mastectomy video, even an animated one, you will realize that it is a pretty invasive violent surgery and many nerves are cut. The exapansion phase contorts muscles in your body that were never intended to move in that way. The impna tunder the muscle is also not something our bodies were designed to accomodate. To go unscathed after such a procedure is unrealistic.

But for me personally, by far, the greatest thing to accept is the loss of feeling and the loss of nipple in my breast that was removed. The reconstructed breast looks awkward and unatural. I have no feeling there. It is stretched tight and looks shiny. It doesn't feel like "me". This may be because of the large areola/nipple that was removed and then stretching it to "match" the size of my other breast, I don't know, but in any case I believe it would still be numb and still be missing a nipple and this has left me with feelings of tremendous anxiety over intimacy with my husband and lack of desire. I still feel very sad about what I went through. There is no time line of grieving the loss of a breast(s)when you should be "over it". It is a loss and some women never get "over it", but maybe come to "terms" with it? I didn't expect these feelings but if my surgeon gave me one piece of advice I am grateful for it was that women underestimate this loss and for that I am glad I kept at least one "funcitoning" breast. They have always been my "on" button, sexualy speaking, so that is where it has caused me the most emotional pain.

Cancel

Note: Usernames have been made anonymous and profile images are not shown to protect the privacy of our members.

Note: All content on this site is informational and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with questions regarding your health.

Flag Content

Please expain why you are flagging this content. Thank you.

Cancel

Thank you for flagging this content. We will look into it right away.

Give a 'Thank you' to

Cancel

Add Answer

Question:

Optional: What context or background information is relevant to this request?

Notes:
The more clear and thorough your request, the more likely you will receive support.
Many of our members are learning from this information or english might not be their first language. Please use standard english and spell out all words. For example, use 'you' instead of 'u'.

Submit

Thank you for sharing your question.

We will notify other members of your question. Responses will be sent to your email account as well as viewable at the following link:

We are finding other members now to join the chat.

Click here to start the chat.

Cancer questions and answers.

Personalized, helpful, and accurate health answers.

Join Via Facebook

Join Via Twitter

Question Statistics

Latest Activity: 12 / 27 / 2011
Views: 245
Followed By: 2 members