California woman who underwent a double mastectomy at 32 after being diagnosed with breast cancer reveals the things doctors DON’T tell you about boob reconstruction surgery

A woman who underwent a double mastectomy after being diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer at age 32 has revealed everything doctors don’t tell you about breast reconstruction surgery.

When personal trainer Amanda Butler noticed a small lump in her right breast in July 2022, she didn’t take it seriously.

‘It felt small, like a cyst. I asked friends to check and they assured me it was probably nothing,” recalled the now 34-year-old, who lives in California.

‘I was about to go on business trips twice, which made it difficult to find a gynecologist for a check-up. I had never had a mammogram before. I wasn’t sure where to start.’

California-based personal trainer Amanda Butler, 34, has documented her battle with breast cancer on her social media

Amanda was first diagnosed in 2022, a few months after finding a lump in her breast. The photo shows Amanda after the operation

Amanda explained that she tried to get an appointment after returning from her work trip, but was met with a long wait everywhere. And because she was completely absorbed in her work, she kept putting it off.

“I was at a friend’s wedding and, in an unlikely twist, a gynecologist performed an impromptu breast exam on me in the bathroom,” Amanda blushed.

“When I returned to Los Angeles, a friend recommended Valley Breast Care, which offered free mammograms and ultrasounds, especially for those without insurance.

‘The technician noticed something unusual during the examination and called in the radiologist, who recommended a biopsy.’

A few days later, at age 32, Amanda received a call to come in for her results and was told she had breast cancer.

“I was at the top of my life,” says Butler, who works as a digital fitness trainer for several brands.

‘I was fit and healthy. I worked out all the time and stayed away from processed foods, alcohol and sugar. I had no family history of cancer. The news came as a complete shock. I couldn’t understand why this was happening to me.’

In addition to the glaring health implications of her diagnosis, she was also overwhelmed by what it would mean for her career and how she presented herself to the world.

She ultimately underwent a double mastectomy in May 2023. The photo shows Amanda before the operation

After her double mastectomy, Amanda went through the process of reconstruction surgery and shared what doctors might not let their patients know about the procedure

‘It terrified me to think that I would lose not only my breasts, but my physical strength and everything I had built up over the years. It felt like the rug was being pulled out from under me,” she admitted.

Amanda was initially diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ, meaning the cancer was encapsulated and had not spread beyond the cells.

‘I was given the option of a mastectomy [removal of both breasts] or a lumpectomy [removal of the cancerous mass].

‘After I discovered I had the BRCA2 gene, which increases susceptibility to breast and ovarian cancer, the advice changed to a mastectomy.’

Mentally, Butler couldn’t even process the idea of ​​a mastectomy. She was still trying to come to terms with the fact that she had cancer.

‘I had a PET scan and an MRI, and my lymph nodes lit up on those scans. The cancer had spread, raising my diagnosis to stage 2, which meant chemotherapy and a longer treatment plan,” she explained.

Amanda underwent surgery before going to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles to freeze her eggs.

Six rounds of chemotherapy, a double mastectomy, 25 radiation treatments and reconstructive surgery followed.

“After my reconstructive surgery, I learned four things that doctors often don’t say about breast cancer reconstruction,” she explained.

‘For me, the emotional side of recovery was a huge challenge. Being confined to bed all day, unable to leave the house, exercise or socialize was driving me crazy.

“The depression became very real and I eventually started taking antidepressants to deal with it,” she admitted.

‘What I also learned is that nerve impulses in your chest, arms and armpits can be worse than the surgical pain itself. Imagine the tingling you get when you lick a D battery, but all over your chest.

“I have been on nerve blockers for weeks to control this discomfort,” she added.

‘Finally, I never thought I would end up liking my new breasts more than my old ones. I have always had large breasts, which was a challenge for my active lifestyle. As a fitness trainer, having smaller, more manageable breasts was a silver lining,” she described.

Also the American Cancer Society offers extensive resources intended to guide patients through the reconstruction process, outlining different options – such as implants versus a ‘flap procedure’ – and what to expect in the weeks following.

Wanting to be a resource for other women battling cancer, Amanda decided to start the virtual support group Cancer Baddies

Through it all, Butler remained committed to maintaining a positive attitude and documented her journey on social media.

‘My online community grew and someone suggested I start holding meetings.

‘This led to the creation of a virtual group called Cancer Baddies. Women from all over the world come together to talk about cancer, treatment and recovery.

‘The flow of stories encouraged me to keep sharing. I receive messages every week from girls aged 23 and over with a breast cancer diagnosis. There aren’t a lot of resources for younger women, so I wanted to provide a safe space for them.”

In addition to creating supportive communities through her groups, Butler also shares tips and advice.

‘When you get cancer, doctors give you as much information as possible, but usually that is not enough. What you need to know about your treatment is often learned from other cancer patients or through trial and error,” she explained.

To bridge this gap, she recently released her book Remember When I Had Cancer?: Your Complete Guidebook to Chemotherapy.

“I wanted to say it in the past tense: ‘Remember when I had cancer?’ so that every time a cancer patient reads it, he or she talks about their past cancer,” she said.

The book includes sections on chemotherapy, egg conservation and hair conservation, as well as practical advice on what to pack, eat and drink during treatment.

While Butler continues to undergo low-dose chemotherapy, she considers this a chapter in her journey — a long chapter, but one that she hopes will help others put cancer in the past.

‘Although cancer is the hardest thing I have ever experienced, it has also taught me so much. I have learned the importance of mental strength and the power of community.

‘If you are going through something similar, remember to stay strong and reach out for support. Distraction can help, and documenting your journey can provide comfort and assistance to others in the future,” Butler concluded.