Our ParTay Called Breast Cancer: BOOBLESS- My Surgery Recovery: (with Pictures)

This post is dedicated to living BOOBLESS! LOL

It's been six months since my surgery to remove both my breasts. I have hesitated to include this post due to it's graphic and possible offensive nature BUT this is the reality of breast cancer with a bilateral mastectomy. And afterall the reality of My Breast Cancer Adventure is why I am keeping this record.
I have mentioned it before but another reality of Breast Cancer is that time passes, the shock and worry for those around you fades and everyone "moves on" from the craziness surrounding your diagnosis. But MY reality is that it will never go back to normal. Whatever NORMAL is, right? Taking a shower will never revert back to cleaning a body with a female chest for me. Getting dressed each morning and having to make the decision whether to wear "boobs" or not will always be a part of my life. Not that it hugely matters but it is a daily reminder that Breast Cancer has changed me forever.
My decision to NOT do reconstruction was a personal one. One that seemed natural and less complicated for me. It was one less long-drawn-out-process to avoid. Before I started this adventure I was unaware that reconstruction takes a minimum of 4-6 months depending on the size you want. And then an extra surgery! um....No thanks!
Another logical reason for me was due to the fact that foobs don't last forever. What? I guess nothing really does, right? The doctors informed me that because I was young I would need to have them replaced once maybe twice in my lifetime. That was not an appealing option for me. Besides, I am an "options" girl and how fun is it that I have so many choices of breast sizes now that I gave myself a flat canvas to work with. ;) Shopping for new breasts was way more fun that I thought it would be! And bonus- I technically could get a new pair of perfectly perky boobs every year for the rest of my life. How many women can say that? LOL
One thing that I did NOT expect was the fact of how often I would choose to not wear anything. Now that I am a worker-outer, it is way more convenient to be boobless. "Boob sweat" is a thing of the past for me, my friend! Besides running on the treadmill and bouncing in Zumba- piece of cake for me now! ;)

One thing that has been a little disappointing was the fact that I had in my head that after my surgery, I would have a perfectly flat chest. The harsh fact of scars never even crossed my mind. Stupid, I know. But it wasn't something I was expecting. Before my surgery I had came across this elegant black & white picture of this woman that had a bilateral mastectomy She's beautiful and flat chested-- flawless. That's what I was looking for. Well, at least at first glance and to an untrained (a non-mastectomy participant) eye that's what she seemed to me. Now six months down the road and with a more-than-I-ever-wanted-to-know knowledge, I can see her scars and the fact that her arms stretched up and it being printed without color gives a false impression of perfection. Interesting how we only see what we have the ability to comprehend. {Back in July, I even thought about taking the picture to my surgeon so he knew what I was expecting. I never was brave enough to take it in to him. Maybe I should have??? Oh well! Too late now. Bummer!}
Anywho-- regardless of my pre-amputation expectations, flawless & flat chested is NOT my reality. I had two different surgeons on my big day. Not sure if that added to my certain outcome but in my opinion, one took off too much and the other left too much. Over time and a little beefing up some muscle (LOL), I hope that they will even out a bit. However, regardless of time, two 5 inch scars (and two tiny poke holes from my drains) are now permanent features of my front side. Like I said--- Breast Cancer has changed me forever!
As I talk to (or read) others, it seems everyone has a different opinion about the importance of breasts and whether to reconstruct some resemblance of a former life. Some women (and some husbands:) actually have very strong opinions about breasts. Imagine that! ;) I guess I can understand how people would feel somewhat "attached" to them. LOL But for me, boobless is an ok option!