Having been through making this same decision, I sympathize with you.  It seemed like a radical move to go ahead with the bilateral when I only had cancer in my left, and nothing wrong in my right.  I decided, with cancer history in other body parts, that it was in my best interest to go ahead and remove both breasts.  I figured, if I am going to go through yet another surgery, let it be this time and not yet another time when the right breast must go - with my luck, it would happen. Why subject yourself to more worry, more future surgeries, more tests, etc.  Also, with being large breasted, it will be so hard to wear a prostisis to match your left breast, and I have heard so  many women complain how heavy and uncomfortable they are.  Yes, a huge choice to make, but I think you will be happier to chose the bilateral - BUT we are all different and the decision has to be yours in the end.  I am 60, so close in years, and that being said, I wondered if I really cared if I had boobs or not.  I then made the choice to go ahead with the reconstruction, expanders being put in at time of surgery.  I had my implants put in in June and I am very happy - VERY happy - that I made these choices.  It is amazing, to say the least, to have perkey boobs at my age, and wearing a bathing suit is great.  I think it is one positive thing that has come out of the horrors of cancer, for sure.  All the best to you with your decision and let us know what you decide.

Connie J. 

Having faced this same dilema back in June I can say it is a tough one. I had disease only in my right but have a significant family history and decided with difficulty to have bilateral mastectomies July 1st with reconstruction. Iam glad I did.There were precancerous cells in the left that were not seen on mammogram. I won't lie the first 7-10 days post op were hard esp. dealing with the side effects of the pain meds and trying to get comfortable sleeping on my side.I am now starting my chemo and have already had one Herceptin dose. It has also been hard to decide anything since it seems even those with very similiar diagnosis can receive different treatments.      I know first hand how much information is coming at you in such a short amount of time. We really do have to go with intuition. Hard as that sounds. My thoughts and prayers are with you.