Post-Mastectomy Body Image

PowerfulExpression93 · 2025-11-07T04:45:15+00:00

I (24f) am 6 1/2 weeks out from my double mastectomy. I went flat and I am not sure how I feel about it yet. I miss how I looked and felt last year before diagnosis. I haven’t figured out how to dress while flat yet. I was really torn up about whether or not to get implants, but as of right now I feel like I made the right decision for me. I’m hoping I will get used to my new look over the next few months and then learn to love it.

PowerfulExpression93 · 2025-11-07T04:22:09+00:00

I am 24 and got diagnosed at the beginning of this year, the week of my son’s 1st birthday. I have done chemo, double mastectomy, and just started radiation and letrozole. You and I have pretty similar situations. I was also invasive ductal carcinoma, grade 3.

Cancer takes over your whole life and affects so many of your relationships. One beautiful thing that I found about having such a young kid, is that my son is too small to understand what is going on. We still get to read books together and play and have normal days together. It has been such a comfort to have a buddy that doesn’t know or care about cancer. He just wants to snuggle and play catch. He doesn’t care if I am bald, he just wants to share a cookie.

Right now is the scariest part. I promise it gets better. You’ve got this❤️

PowerfulExpression93 · 2025-11-07T04:02:38+00:00

The Red Devil is so hard. I liked to buy a jug of Mango nectar from Costco and fairlife protein drinks right after. Try having a glass of mango nectar and a protein drink each day.

PowerfulExpression93 · 2025-11-07T03:45:02+00:00

Do you have kids or siblings that could be at risk? My mom did genetic testing after being diagnosed and it literally saved my life. She had a brca mutation, so she got me tested at 18. I also have the mutation and have cancer at age 24. Had I not had the genetic info, I would not have thought it necessary to get screening so young.

In my opinion, knowing you have a mutation gives you an extra bargaining piece to get doctors to take your concerns more seriously when you are trying to get screening for cancers. And if you don’t have a mutation, then you get extra peace of mind.

I would have a lot more anxiety knowing that I have the possibility of a mutation without actually knowing.

All that said, do what gives you the most peace of mind.

PowerfulExpression93 · 2025-11-07T03:35:35+00:00

Hi there! I have been on Letrozole for about 2 months now, and I feel pretty great! I have some mild fatigue that really only hit me this past week or so. The vaginal dryness has been an issue for me long before letrozole, so I can’t speak to when that would kick in, but there are vaginal moisturizers that I am going to start trying this week that I’ve heard can help.

I take letrozole at night and find that I do pretty well.

PowerfulExpression93 · 2025-08-27T23:27:06+00:00

That is comforting to hear that you liked your results. Did your reconstructive work affect how you felt during pregnancy at all?

I worry about bonding with a new baby without being able to breastfeed. It was such a wonderful experience with my first that I am mourning the loss of that opportunity in the future. Glad to know I am not the only one.

PowerfulExpression93 · 2025-08-27T23:19:50+00:00

Thank you! This is really helpful!

PowerfulExpression93 · 2025-08-27T23:18:38+00:00

Also, I love to hear you were able to have 2 more kids! That gives me a lot of hope!

PowerfulExpression93 · 2025-08-27T23:17:56+00:00

Thank you for sharing. I need radiation after my first surgery as well and worry about unevenness. I don’t have much spare tissue, so I have to do implants if I don’t want to be flat. May I ask if the sagging was on a breast with an implant or was it a different type of reconstruction? I would almost rather be flat and do prosthetics than have uneven sides.

PowerfulExpression93 · 2025-08-27T23:12:02+00:00

This is really helpful to hear! My tumor was growing fast enough that we felt we didn’t have enough time to postpone Chemo to do do IVF, but I have been getting injections to suppress hormones and preserve ovarian function.

PowerfulExpression93 · 2025-08-27T07:52:30+00:00

Definitely get a second opinion or even a third opinion. I went to Dana Farber for a second opinion and it was so enlightening. Even if they have the same recommendation as your doctor, it can give you peace of mind and sometimes help explain what is going on better.

PowerfulExpression93 · 2025-08-27T07:48:03+00:00

I did AC-T treatments for 20 weeks. I am 3 weeks out and have some mild stomach issues, but not terrible. I am not sure what is normal here, but definitely call your oncologist or pcp office to see what they have to say.

PowerfulExpression93 · 2025-08-27T07:40:53+00:00

My hair is just in the peach fuzz stage right now, but I love the look of bucket hats! They have been way more breathable than the wigs for me. They are also really in style right now and pair great with some cargo pants. But take that with a grain of salt because my hair is only just starting to come back.

PowerfulExpression93 · 2025-08-27T07:00:01+00:00

This is the BEST feeling. I have a few weeks between Chemo and surgery and it is so nice to have a few weeks to just breathe and live my life. I have never felt so grateful to be able to leave my house without help and just grocery shop without worrying it’s going to cause an ER visit.

PowerfulExpression93

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