Now, this is an interesting blog, from one of our lovely BRCA Buds. She shares with us about her pregnancy post-mastectomy, and how her foobs changed in ways she did not expect. Take it away BB.
“Its hard to believe that its been just over 6 years since my surgery… due to my size at the time my only real option was implants, which were put under the muscle. I followed my surgeon’s advice on all things suggested and I have been lucky that my recovery was pretty good, and I am happy with the results.
I had found out I had the BRCA 2 mutated gene a year previously when I was 27, and after watching my mum go through breast cancer twice it was a very easy decision. I am one of three sisters and unfortunately all three of us suffered the same fate, although to date I am the only one who’s had the surgery.
Watching a loved one go through cancer isn’t something I wanted my two daughters to have to go through, and I am forever grateful for my mum fighting to get the genetic testing, she has given her daughters the wonderful gift of choice and control.
My surgery went well, and while the drains weren’t something I would want to do every week (the thought of taking them out still makes me squirm) I would do it all again tomorrow and don’t regret my decision.
I decided to keep my nipples, which I have been told can be removed when I am older and more at risk, they have their own little game of some days being super sensitive and other days nothing at all, I don’t tend to wear a bra anymore and my nipples are visible through most things as they aren’t soft (think Rachel Green in Friends).
I still have some denting and have noticed when I am run down the additional liquid build up can sometimes play havoc with the shape of my boobs (was confirmed by my surgeon this is a thing – who knew!)
I have been pregnant since the operation and for very obvious reasons I wasn’t able to breast feed, however I did feel all the other things in that area that I did with my first two pregnancies (pre op) like sensitivity & growth, they have settled into a really natural shape and probably slightly better!
I was back in the gym 4 months after (light weights and taking it easy) but was back to lifting heavy 1 -18 months post op, which was mainly down to nervousness rather than ability…. maybe due to them being under the muscle it felt weird to tense my chest (a rather neat party trick is my boobs nearly disappear when I tense my chest!)
I have met and joined a wonderful community of women who will share the highs and lows or their journey and willing to show their results so people at the beginning or their journey know what to expect.
I started a page dedicated to my experience from finding out the result of the test through to surgery and having a baby, for anyone who wants more information. I appreciate and am forever grateful that my experience has been pretty positive, and my page reflects that, I know that isn’t always the case for everyone, but I wanted people to know you can still feel you and dare I say sexy after this surgery!
The next stage will be the removal of my ovaries due to the increased risk of ovarian cancer, I am not looking to have the surgery for a few more years yet, but there is some really positive movement in this space so I am hoping more research into alternative tests etc will continue before I commit”.
Super dooper thanks to N for sharing 🙂 We really appreciate it. Please share and comment below!
