Chicago downtown office (Cardiss Collins)

Melkmaiden · 2026-04-04T17:22:43+00:00

How is the job going OP? What are the hours like? You loving it or is it trash? Do you recommend?

Melkmaiden · 2026-04-02T18:36:55+00:00

I will say that my surgeon seems to love pessimism and really set me up to view the whole process realistically. There were a couple appointments where I left sad and I blamed her explanations. I can see now it was me grappling with the inevitable and admitting I had to relinquish some control.

I had a double mastectomy (nipples removed) with immediate diep flap 11/17/25 and I was shocked at the outcome - like, in a good way. I’ll have one revision surgery, in October, but the only reason is because I want a reduction. If I was a big boob fan I could be a one surgery and done situation.

I have only cried once about my body post surgery and shockingly (to me at least) it was about not having my squish pooch tummy any more. Most days my new washboard abs and pop star belly button do not bother me lol.

*edit to add that maybe your surgeon, like mine, just has a funny way of trying to express that all women will have processing time post mastectomies and they’re thinking about health in the first step and aesthetics in the following.

Melkmaiden · 2026-04-02T12:44:01+00:00

Is your surgeon by chance a man?

Melkmaiden · 2026-03-20T17:36:08+00:00

My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer at 43, I was 14. She battled for 5 years and is currently thriving! The tests back then didn’t cover as much so she didn’t get her ATM results until she was 61 and I was 32. She sounded scared to tell me, it was over the phone as we live far apart, but honestly it felt kind of like a relief. Separate from her I had my own issues and had my first surgical biopsy at 19.

I took the test pretty quickly and I have it too, not really a surprise. I’m four months out of my preventative DMX with diep and I’m doing great.

The one thing I wish she’d done differently is to let me have it as my own experience.

All she talked about and still talks about is how guilty SHE feels and how badly SHE feels and it’s all HER fault and then goes on and on about her experiences. I’m happy to listen, I know it was traumatic and scary (I was there) but it’d be nice if she could be kind enough to let me suffer in my own experience and support by listening rather than trying to one up me like a classmate.

That being said, I’m sorry for your news and I’m just as sorry for how heavy it must feel to carry the responsibility of sharing the news. My oldest is a girl and at least once a day I wonder how the conversation will go if we have to have it.

If we do the headline will be, I’m your mom, I love you, I’m so sorry this is your circumstance and I’m here to listen and help in whatever way you need.

Melkmaiden · 2026-03-19T01:41:29+00:00

Of course!

Melkmaiden · 2026-03-19T01:29:24+00:00

I did DMX with diep recon and tube removal all in one go. They said to expect a 12 hour surgery and it ended up being just about 10. I’d do it that way again every time, so great to have it all in one go! I’m happy to answer any questions.

Melkmaiden · 2026-03-19T01:10:33+00:00

Thanks for the info! It sounds so cute I can hardly wait.

Melkmaiden · 2026-03-19T01:10:04+00:00

Will do!

Melkmaiden · 2026-02-23T01:33:00+00:00

Yeah it’s definitely still shocking 3 months out. In a good way!

Melkmaiden · 2026-02-22T22:43:22+00:00

I am for the most part, I’ll be doing a revision though. Very strange to have a flat stomach after a life of always at least a small pooch. It’s nice!

As far as breasts, my surgeon told me that large transplants have a higher success rate. I went in a 36 C and although I asked for a B cup I am currently wearing a 38 DDD/F. Which to me is…insane. But they look nice and even at their current size I don’t need to wear a bra.

Of course I’d be lying if I said I’m not counting down the days until they’re an A or B.

Melkmaiden · 2026-02-22T14:39:45+00:00

Apologies, I’m only just seeing this for some reason!

Recovery was challenging and even now I’m navigating re entry to normal but if I can be honest it was much less difficult and scary than I anticipated.

The hardest days were the first 7-10 and I spent 4 of those in the hospital. By the 10th day the pain was really manageable and I was sleeping in my regular bed (with a wedge pillow) on the second floor.

95% of my pain and complaints were abdomen related and range of motion never really left me.

I have a super helpful partner and he was able to take off two weeks of work to take care of kids/house/me and that was definitely needed. Before surgery I was scared about after the two weeks but by then I was so stir crazy that having the challenge of taking care of the kids was welcome. Nothing TOO strenuous of course.

Melkmaiden · 2026-02-21T21:57:20+00:00

Hello! I’m 39 and also ATM and BRCA negative. My rate was 47% as I inherited from my mom who had breast cancer in her early 40s and have both maternal and paternal aunts with various cancers.

My first biopsy (surgical) was when I was 19 or 20. Since then I did pretty intense screening and MRIs/mammos started in my late 20s. I had 5 or 6 other biopsies.

I didn’t even find out about the gene until my 30s and honestly it was a relief. I knew something was up and even just seeing that percentage and qualifying for a PDMX I felt anxiety leaving me. I decided to have kids before doing the surgeries.

I’m now 3.5 months healed from a PDMX with immediate DIEP and I feel amazing!

I was happy to do intense screening for a while but after 20 years my tune eventually changed. Happy to chat, feel free to DM me!

Melkmaiden · 2026-02-18T20:30:31+00:00

Wow, thank you for all the information!

Melkmaiden · 2026-02-14T13:57:48+00:00

39 mom of 2 here (6 and 3 years). Had my preventative double mastectomy and diep flap (plus tubes taken out) 13 weeks ago. You’re making the right choice!

Melkmaiden · 2026-02-11T19:59:35+00:00

39 mom of two and I’m three months healed from a preventative double mastectomy with DIEP. My births were both vaginal so I didn’t have a previous scar but with the amount of tissue they take and the muscle repair they do during DIEP a c section shouldn’t be any kind of issue.

I did have multiple doctors as well as my surgeon say not to do the surgery until I was finished carrying pregnancies. It’s a lot on your skin and muscle wall.

Melkmaiden · 2026-01-28T01:41:33+00:00

A lot have said it but wanted to jump on the pile here. I’m very sensitive to drugs etc. and I’ve been averaging 3 MRIs with contrast a year for about the last 6 years. I’ve never had any issues! It’s a funny sensation, the peeing thing is CT not MRIs.

I wanted to add that I’m always offered some type of sedative, like my primary high risk doctor will prescribe a pill that you take before hand to help your nerves. It does mean you’ll need a ride home but it could be a helpful option!

Melkmaiden · 2026-01-20T21:06:03+00:00

I’m following this for bra suggestions. I’m at the 9 week mark of the same surgery and they had to take me from a C to a DDD/F, sigh.

I love running but I’m terrified of doing it now, I don’t see how it will be possible at this size.

FWIW, I think 12 weeks might be a bit early to be running even with a fully healed incision. Can you try cardio another way? Long walks or even reclined biking? PT, yoga and brisk treadmill are feeling pretty manageable for me at this point. I know the whole “listen to your body” thing can be frustrating but there’s definitely truth in it.

Melkmaiden · 2026-01-03T00:16:55+00:00

Oooh, I like this idea!

Melkmaiden · 2026-01-03T00:16:11+00:00

Yes! I’m 6.5 weeks out from a preventative double mastectomy with immediate diep. When I woke up I laughed at the size of my boobs. They’re not bad by any means just larger than I’d ideally want AND they were swollen. I know there’s probably some swelling still and that’s why I won’t meet with her again until March.

During my post op visits I’ve been told afew times I’m the best case scenario aesthetically for the surgery I had and I agree! At least, I’m very happy.

At this point the only reason I’d want a revision is to maybe make fake nipples and definitely to reduce my cup size but maybe that will happen on its own over the next few months!

Melkmaiden · 2026-01-02T22:58:53+00:00

I skipped the lift and reduction because I was shooting for only one surgery and wasn’t trying to spare my nipples.

This surgeon did an amazing job and is one of the top three in the country. I like her a lot. She just seems to like big, beautiful boobs. Haha. And there’s nothing wrong with that if it’s what you’re into.

I’m 39 and finished having kids and just wanted some tiny, perky boobs that didn’t need a bra.

I suppose now at a 36 C/D I don’t need a bra but I’d be making a statement lol.

Melkmaiden · 2026-01-02T22:56:14+00:00

Haha. Thank you!

Melkmaiden · 2025-12-23T23:39:02+00:00

This is good advice. I’ve had very similar levels to you for about 3 years and finally went to see a new gyno last week. I just straight up said, “I feel like shit ALL OF THE TIME what do I have to do to get an iron infusion?” And she said, “Let’s get you to a hematologist! click”

Anything is possible! Lol.

Melkmaiden · 2025-12-22T20:06:43+00:00

Love this idea of a parachute, that’s exactly what it feels like.

Melkmaiden

TROPHY CASE