I agree with all the posts so far.

This is a big and very personal decision. I got a BMX because of my family history (3 women dead of cancer, all had recurrances in the other breast). If not for that history, I'm not sure if I would've just gone for a lumpectomy or not. But in the end, YOU are the only one that can make that choice.

Things to ask your doctor.
1. Discuss recovery time for all your options - BMX, single MX, lumpectomy.

2. Discuss reconstruction options (implants vs surgeries that use your own tissue) and what he feels comfortable doing. Not all doctors feel comfortable with Flap surgeries (that use your own tissue) and some people are not good candidates.

3. Ask if you can see photos of results. Not all PS will show you photos (mine wouldn't), but many do. Go into this having an idea of what you will see in the mirrow when it is all over.

In terms of psychological acceptance of your surgery, it isn't the easiest thing in the world. As Mama said, you are choosing to amputate your breasts. They will never look or feel the same again. It can take some time to come to terms with that loss. But it is possible. Personally, my foobs are now a part of me, as much so as my original breasts were. No, they don't have any feeling, and they don't serve all the same functions (I can't breastfeed), but they still excite my husband, fill out my clothes (and bathing suits) quite well, and provide a place for my child to snuggle when he needs a hug. I've accepted them for what they are and love my body because it is healthy and strong and cancer free.

To me, the peace of mind that came with knowing my chances of recurrance are much more limited was worth the sacrifice of my breasts.

Good luck with your decision.

It's a very personal decision. I was happy with my breasts before, but do not miss them now. I'm smaller chested than I was, but that isn't an issue for me. For me, removing as much breast tissue as possible to reduce the risk of a second breast cancer was more important. Explore your reconstruction options and see what you think. If you are going the implant route, the tissue expander phase can be uncomfortable but it gets better. I thought I would never sleep on my side as longa as the TEs were in, but at about 4 months, I can sleep on my side again.

One thing I didn't realize until I spoke with a plastic surgeon is how hard it is to achieve symmetry with a unilateral mastectomy; so they may recommend a procedure on the uninvolved side.

Take a look at this website: www.breastreconstruction.org. My PS told me about this so I could make an educated decision. My first choice was the tram flap, which I was initially led to believe there was a tummy tuck involved. Yippee! Sign me up! However, the website educated me on the details, and my PS told me further details, none of which appealed to me.

My husband was instrumental in my decision to go with implants. His thought was that my recovery would be less painful since I wouldn't have to recover from 2 surgical sites. The same would be true with the LD flap.

I'm wearing the inflater implants, which honestly are really uncomfortable, but bearable. By the time I have my reconstructive surgery, I will have had the inflater implants in for close to 7 months. Not fun! But several women have told me that there is tremendous relief when the inflater implants are removed and the permanent implants are inserted.

When you read the information on the website, keep paper and pen handy so you can write down questions as they arise. Ask your PS about all your concerns. I love all of the information provided here by all of you. Take it all into account and make the decision that is right for you.

Oh. Also ask your PS how big you can go with reconstruction. I can't tell from your picture if you are currently well endowed or not, but each surgery has some limitations in terms of size. Discuss cup size and what you'd want to be and see if that is a possibility.

I would ask how they plan to do the reconstruction. There are several ways this can be accomplished. My implants are in pockets of my chest muscle and then I had nipple reconstruction and fat transfers at a later date. Psychologically its depends how you feel about yourself. For me I hated my natural breasts, but I love my reconstructed breasted. Its all in how you identify yourself as a woman. The end result should be to be cancer-free not if you lost your identity as a woman because you no longer have your natural breasts.