I have had a prosthetic for the last 9 years. I'm very used to it now and it doesn't feel hot or heavy to me. I have no plans to have reconstruction because I dont want to go through another surgery and recovery.

I had reconstruction same day as my bilateral mastectomies and I had no problems whatsoever! Expanders were of course placed immediately and fills started about 6 weeks later. I barely experienced 'discomfort' with my fills- worst of it for me was that I couldn't sleep on my stomach. A year later and I'm done with it all. Sooo glad I had the immediate reconstruction- with all the chemo and Dr. appointments, etc., it gave me a future 'happy goal' to set my sights on and look forward to.

I started with prosthesis after the first radical mastectomy. I was larger breasted so to match the other side it was too heavy and it was hot. After a year I had a mastectomy on the other side, and at that time had expanders put in. The radiated side would not cooperate, so after 10 months I looked into other options. My pc said I would need to try the diep recon with tummy tissue because taking the tissue from my back would exacerbate my lymphedema. I had stretch marks on my stomach so now they are up on my breast, which I knew going in. The surgery was a bear! The mastectomy was a piece of cake in comparison, but we are strong women made stronger going through all this.

I had a bilateral mastectomy with direct implants and kept my nipples. Outcome was amazing and I woke up with no scars and very little pain. I asked for scars to be at the bottom of my breast folds instead of by my nipples. I had to search for doctor that specialized in it. Doctors only tell you about what they do so make sure you get a second opinion or search around. I went smaller and never smoked which is necessary for direct implants but I avoided a second surgery and being uncomfortable with tissue expanders.

Without reconstruction, You can decide daily what size boobs or whether to have boobs at all 😃