Yes I agree with TeTo except for me the scar’s were hard for me to look at the first month. I opted for reconstruction which was done the same time as my mastectomies. The plastic surgeon closed me up and put spacers in. Now 6 months later the scars are barely visible. It was a big relief after surgery that the breasts are gone and so was the cancer. You’re going to be fine I promise. Always remember you’re stronger than cancer. 💕

All I can say is that “it feels fine.” Just right after, you might feel the nerve endings that have been cut off fire away some signals that feel a bit like a zipper-sliding sensation. It’s not horrible by any means.
Later-on, I think the phantom effect is more in me having the “habit” of having breasts as opposed to real phantom effect ad is often described. But it wasn’t super noticeable or uncomfortable. It does take a bit of getting used to seeing the scars and having a flat chest (DMX for me) but again, it wasn’t traumatic in any way. I think key is to go in with a positive attitude and accept that that’s the way it will be. Then you won’t be too surprised about the outcome.
The main thing after a mastectomy you need to worry about is just pretty heavy fatigue and avoiding infection, emptying the drains. The results you don’t need to worry until much later, like a month. It’s more important to get the right amount of rest, care and help if possible. The rest will come later. Do not worry. It’s really not that bad.

I was diagnosed with ER/PR positive, HER 2 negative invasive ductal cancer in November of last year. I received a lot of information in a short amount of time. Thankfully I had a few weeks to digest what was most important at the time and make informed decisions. After consulting with my general surgeon, I made the informed decision to have a bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction performed by a plastic surgeon who was very up front about the duration of the reconstruction journey. I went into the 6+ hour surgery in January with one objective -- get rid of the tumor and cancer. The tissue expander "immediate" reconstruction flap surgery was a bonus. In addition my plastic surgeon did a non-typical "j" stitch which resulted in immediate cleavage!! The scars didn't/don't bother me at all. The first two weeks of recovery were challenging. The keys for me was taking one day at a time, pain management, and rest. I get some phantom pain now and then which is very manageable.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy during surgery revealed cancer cells so the nearest seven lymph nodes were also removed. Thankfully no cancer cells in them. Side effect has been numbness in left underarm and on the left side of my chest. Weird at first, but you get use to it.

Best advice I can offer is to do your best to focus on what you can control and leave the rest up to the experts. As virginiavalley said, "attitude is everything". 🩷

For me, with flat closure, the whole area was very numb at first, but that is a blessing! It was uncomfortable- but I could manage with just Tylenol even though I had a prescription med. I tried both, and since I could not tell the difference, I just stuck with Tylenol. Gradually, the area of numbness started shrinking. There are limits as you begin healing with reaching and picking up heavier things, but that does not last that long. Like Ilene, the biggest thing I felt immediately, was relief!! Knowing that the tumor was out, and unable to cause additional trouble! Reach out anytime, Gentle hugs!

I agree totally. When I have my prosthetic in I don't feel it. It also makes me look even. Just one more thing for everyone to keep in mind. between chemo and radiation I got kidney disease. I also just found out that I have some damage to my lungs and heart. My cancer was on the left side. Everyone please pay attention to any new symptoms. I've had a rough hard painful cough for months and nobody listened to me. When my chest felt like it was on fire they finally listened. Good luck everyone.