Undergoing mastectomy surgery is one of the most devastating processes women can go through. It can leave us feeling like we have lost a part of our femininity in our battle through to recovery and that can have a powerful effect on our confidence. There are many things that we can do, however, to start building that confidence back up, and here are some tips to help you get back to your confident self. One step at a time.
Listen To Your Feelings
There is no right or wrong way to feel about yourself and your body after a mastectomy operation. As fighters of breast cancer it is easy to feel that to grieve the loss of a breast is shallow. However, the most important thing that we can do is give ourselves the necessary time to go through this process by accepting our feelings, both positive and negative. It is normal to feel sad and we must be kind to ourselves in accepting all our emotions as they come.
Every woman’s journey is different and unique, so listening to your feelings and emotions is an integral part of the healing process and important things to do in order to move forwards. Talking to other women who have had the same experience or talking to family and friends about how you are feeling will help you to process the life-changing event and will help you move forwards into this new chapter of your life feeling loved and supported.
Mastectomy Apparel
An important step in the post-mastectomy recovery process is finding clothes that help us to feel feminine and confident again. There is now a huge range of bras, sports apparel, vests, swimsuits, and pajamas that you can feel comfortable in. Look online at a dedicated website like, www.WomansPersonalHealth.com, which creates beautiful ranges of clothes specifically designed for women who have undergone a mastectomy.
Rebuilding Your Life
After going through such a challenging time in your life, it is now time to focus on yourself and take time to rebuild yourself and your confidence. It is easy for some women to want to shy away from certain activities that they used to do, however moving forwards with a positive attitude is the best way that you can start working on getting your life back and enjoying yourself again.
Surround yourself with those who you trust and love the most and get out and about and get active again. Rebuilding your life after a difficult chapter is essential to begin feeling like yourself again, but be careful to not push yourself too far, too soon.
Listen to yourself and take it slow. Build yourself back to physical and emotional strength with the help and love of those around you. It is a process to close a difficult chapter in life and move forward with the lessons learned from it.
Know Your Options
Speaking regularly with your doctor after a mastectomy is really important in order to talk through your feelings, receive solid advice and understand your options. Every woman has a different relationship with their bodies so there is no one-size-fits-all approach. So listening to your doctor can open up many different options available to you, that will help you to move forwards positively, optimistically, and confidently.
I’ve read way more about this topic than I care too. I definitely hope I will be able to have a lumpectomy as opposed to a mastectomy. Even then, I’ll still end up being some manner of deformed. In any case, I’m thankful I was a candidate to do chemo first as it’s given me a lot more time to wrap my head around what lies ahead.
And we appreciate your courage in sharing your journey so openly with us, Jeri xx
Christy you’re doing such a wonderful job with these articles of inspiration and encouragement, so empowering!!!! I’m adding this one to my Flipboard – health magazine as well as other places. :) <3
Oh thanks Deb! I appreciate your posts too ~ We’re sharing, caring and smiling :) Happy Saturday, sweet friend
Yes we are! :) <3
<3 It's lovely weather here so I hope to go for a walk soon. I'm wishing you a fabulous Sunday xx
Thanks Christy dear. Enjoy! <3 We actually have sun here today too! :)
I have a friend who had a mastectomy about ten years before I met her. She still goes to the same support group she entered just after her surgery. When we are together it is a matter-of-fact part of her that she has accepted. She must have received the same wise advice you write about.
Ohhhh it sounds like she has a good approach to life, and I’m sure your being in her circle of friends is invaluable to her ♥ Hugs
Thank you, Christy, for sharing such an important topic. I’ve had some good friends and a niece who have gone through this. It has been a difficult journey for them, but their will to go on and to live life as normally as they can has been an inspiration for me.
It really is such a life-changing incident.. I’m sure your support for your friends and niece is helping them get through it.. And returning to come sense of normalcy afterword is indeed inspirational
thank you for writing about this! ( Cancer survivor)
((Hugs)) from me to you!
A very important topic that is not talked about enough. Thank you for sharing :) The time before and after a masectomy can be rough. I’ve never dealt with these issues before, but somehow I felt I could relate to this piece. I’ve always had scoliosis in my upper body since I was a teen, and this caused my chest to be asymmetrical. So, my breasts are asymmetrical – it is pretty obvious when I wear tight clothing and bra shopping was always and still is a nuisance. I’ve been teased for the way I looked when I was younger, and talking about body image was not out in the open where I was then.
These days I’ve come to accept the way my body is and realised there are much more challenging things to deal with in the world such as battling health and personal issues. Hats off to these people who live their life to the fullest despite everything that has happened :)
Mabel, thank you firstly for sharing your own experience with body issues. Perhaps the discussion of body issues and culture could be an upcoming post at your blog? You wouldn’t have to mention your scoliosis if you don’t want to, instead it would be a general post on cultural differences in talking about body issues. Just a thought I had as I read your comment here! You are such a caring woman and I see that throughout your comments – I’m blessed to know you!
Actually that is a very good idea. I’ve written about fashion and mental illness and being skinny but not specifically about body image on my blog :) If I’m not mistaken, scoliosis is quite prevalent in Asia :/ So it would be a great topic and thank you so much for the suggestion :) <3
Thank you for writing on topics that we need to hear more about. Always a pleasure stopping by x
I’m so pleased that you will take me up on that topic suggestion for your site, Mabel. Like I say, only share what you are comfortable with in the post. I didn’t realize scoliosis is relatively common in Asia. That in itself could be a post, in addition to the one about body image (or a sub-topic in it). Many hugs!!
Our family was devastated when we learned my sister-in-law had to have a double mastectomy, but she went through it with such grace and faith, she inspired us all. Even when she lost her hair after chemo, wig-shopping with her was an event. My brother was by her side all the way. Proud of him too.
What I’m not proud of is how women undergoing any type of breast surgery are rushed out of the hospital within days of surgery… and I mean “days” as in TWO. It’s outrageous for a woman dealing with cancer, drastic changes to her body and a wellspring of emotions to be expected to handle her own home care two days after a major surgical procedure. Insurance companies need to be held accountable.
Sorry. Hopped right up on the soapbox! LOL!
Great, informative post! ;)
Felicia, thank you for sharing your experience. Your sister-in-law sounds like a she-ro indeed ♥ I agree too that the support of your brother is commendable. It reminds me that we are not alone and the support of others can help pull us through even the toughest times. As for the hospital stay, sigh, too short indeed xx
I know a woman who had a double mastectomy, and she handled it so well. But I always thought that she was so brave for embracing life afterwards! She never missed a beat. Great post!
That IS being brave, I agree ♥
Thank you for the share, Michael :)
This is a super series you are running just now Christy. The topics are far reaching ones. Ones many women will identify with, and you talk such sense xxxx
Thank you for noting my deviation from the norm, Shey, and for taking time to read the posts. I know we’re all so busy.. Don’t feel you have to comment every day. Please know I adore you ♥
Well, there’s certain folks whose posts I don’t miss and I love to comment on. Christy Birmingham anyone?? I think it is great you have deviated from the norm just for a wee change. You are still talking about us ladies xxxx
Awww getting your feedback has made my day! May your weekend be amazing, Shey! Hope the projects we chatted about privately are going well xx
They are. Looks like I might even be back on stage in 4 weeks xx
Oh wow! Please let me know how it goes. It’s all so exciting!
I may even blog it xxxxxxxxx
Yes! You could incorporate your experiences into blog posts – the hamstahs would like that ;)
They will probably moan non stop.
Ohhhh they do whine ;) Haha xxx
Whine? They do it nonstop x
I can only begin to imagine how it feels.
My mom had a mastectomy. She lived another 35 years after that. Therefore, what I do know is one can survive, and go on, happily.
Kind of crazy, but some men, although rare, get breast cancer and undergo mastectomies.
In terms of image and self worth, I’m 100% sure it is way harder for women. As a caring woman, I send love to all who go through this horrid ordeal.
Thank you for sharing your experience with your mom and also sending caring words to those women going through the ordeal right now, Resa. Your heart is beautiful xx
Beautiful post. I used to run a support group for women dealing with scars. Though not limited to mastectomy, you can be sure there were plenty of those in the circle. I don’t think there was any one way to deal with it, and you have to come to the right thing for you and not let anyone else dictate your experience.
That support group sounds invaluable. I read a post earlier today about cancer scars and I commented on the post that I thought it was a symbol of strength and beauty. Everyone is unique, as you say… I just want us all to be content xx Thanks Jay