After a lumpectomy on my left boob in Aug 2007 the boob has a huge dent/crease in it now and the overall size of my boob is at least 2-3 sizes smaller than my other boob. The 7cm Incision was above the nipple/aureole and 2.5cm Stage 1 lump removed. The aureole is now very elongated, so the nipple when erect points upwards, my other breast has the nipple pointing at a downwards angle at least 2 or 3 inches lower. A bit like looking at a clock at 10 to 4. Trying to get a bra where I can get the nipples level has proved impossible.
I didn’t think too much about it to begin with, but since the cold weather I am getting more and more aware/paranoid about it and find I am not wearing any nice clothes because of it, just loose ones that can disguise it. I am dreading the summer and wearing skimpy tops.
I’ve been thinking along the lines about asking about having breast reduction on my right boob, rather than reconstruction.
Has anybody else gone through this? Who do I approach about it?
I had a breast reduction nearly 2 years ago and before I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I went to my GP who referred me to a specialist and I had it done on the NHS. The results were fab and I was so happy. Not so happy now as you can imagine that I had to have a mastectomy just when I was feeling so good about myself! I don’t see why you can’t speak to your consultant about having a reduction especially seeing as you have such a difference in size now.
Let me know if you want to know anything else.
Good luck.
I’m due to have a left breast reduction next week as after my recon the right side is about a cup size smaller than the left and I have to wear a partial prosthesis to even out the sides otherwise it is very noticeable.
I’m having mine done privately, but with my nhs consultant p.s. if that makes sense. He did my recon on the nhs but the last bit to complete the op kept being delayed.
Have you asked your breastcare nurse about reduction? There may be a waiting list in your area but they should be able to get you referred to a consultant plastic surgeon.
I have an appointment to see the surgeon who did the op next month, I will enquire then about it. I expect it’ll probably have shrunk some more by then too LOL.
I imagine breast reduction is far less painful than reconstruction - yes?
Hmm. No idea…
I had a mastectomy in July, the other side is a DD size (or E, but who’s counting). As I am a slim woman, the difference is VERY noticeable, I wear a prosthesis but it is ugly and uncomfortable. It feels like a cold chicken cutlet in one’s bra… yuk.
so, rather than a full recon, I am considering a drastic reduction, and a small recon on the mastectomy’s side (probably just a small implant, the surgeon left enough skin in place).
I am also quite curious about the reduction pain/impact… At the mastectomy time, it wasn’t very painful… I was worried and tired, but physically that wasn’t too bad, I would expect the redux to be similar?
I had a chat with my consultant last week about a reduction as after lumpectomy, i reckon mine are 2-3sizes different now.
He was very willing for me to consider it altho was very down to earth and advised that I took time to think about it, as this time I have achoice, when it was cancer I had not! He said it would be fine to have the reduction on NHS (and Leeds dont have much of a waiting list at mo) but that i wouldn’t be a straight forward op as tyhe nipple and a section below it containing nerves etc would have to be relocated and that there could possibly be a T shape scarring and potential loss of sensation in the nipple. Also having had radiotherapy on my right boob, that one will now be ‘stuck in time’, whilst even after reduction, over time with the effect of age and gravity, the left one will still end up ‘sagging’! Also due to radiotherapy, healing may take a little longer than the last one.
Basically I think he was telling me worse case scenario, so I wouldn’t rush in to a non-necessary operation - its not just free cosmetic surgery!
People say the difference insn’t noticable but to me it is - clothes all pull to one side etc and Im sure over time, as I grow older the difference will be more obvious - I’m 39 so hopefully have quite a few years left! Anyway - I’ve decided to go ahead and have made another appointment to see him again to get booked in.
Hope yours seems as willing if that’s what you want.
When I had my tumour removed from my right breast, the surgeon suggested that I also had it reduced as it would help with radiotherapy. He also lifted the breast as well. It has probably reduced to a C cup from an F. At present I am uneven but after radiotherapy I will go back to see him to get my left breast reduced and I do have to wear a prosthesis to make them even. I have always wanted a reduction on my breasts so I am happy that he is able to do this- just sorry that BC was the reason.
I have been told that having a reduction will not be as painful as my original operation which was 5 hrs long.
I had my reduction done last week but have not seen it yet as it’s all wrapped up. Not too painful at all. Just a bit uncomfortable to sleep as I’ve been recommended to sleep propped up, it’s better for the swelling and bruising apparently.
It’s probably too early to tell but it still seems there’s a difference in size, hopefully when dressings are off and swelling goes down it will be ok.
I had a Therapeutic Mammoplasty combined with my WLE on my right breast, redution on my left and lift to both. Due to the position of the BC and the size and shape of my breast,my consultant didn’t think I would be left with a good cosmetic result if I had a Lumpectomy. I didn’t have large breasts 36B, (Trinny and Susannah would probably say different) but as I like to wear a bikini i thought this op would be best for me.I didn’t want to be left with a dent and lopsided. I have been so pleased with how everything has gone, my op took place on 4th Jan drains out 5th home on 6th. I was a little stiff on the first day but had full movement of my arms back from the 2nd. The scars are healing really well, they are like an upside down T, then around the nipple. I can’t thank my surgeon enough, I feel confident and happy with what he has done for me.
My surgeon advised me to only have the op on my right breast to get rid of the cancer first. He did not want me to have them both reduced in the same op in case I got an infection in my left breast which could delay the cancer treatment. As is happens I got cellulitis in my right breast and was on flucoxicillin for 6 wks which did delay chemo by 1 wk.
What stage of the treatment are you on? I have just started radiotherapy, done 5 out of 25 after 5 cycles of FEC chemo. The last one was cancelled due to a serious infection on my Hickman line and blood cultures- staph aureus septicemia. Will have a year of herceptin and tamoxifen. Roll on 2009!!!
HI
It is 6 years since my treatment finished, I am on Arimidex and 6 monthly appts. On my last visit my oncologist, asked if I was interested in having a breast reduction on the non affected side, my reply was yes, I had wanted it doing but would never have asked, as I think things could be worse. I had an appointment within 2 weeks to see the plastic surgeon and surgery was booked for 10th January, it went very well only used paracetamol for pain relief. I will be back at work in 1 week and feel great. To have a well fitting bra instead of one side hanging out and the other disappearing is great, and like you say nipples in different places. I’m very glad he made the offer and more glad I accepted.
Good luck
Ann
Thanks for your message of support. Only just worked out what NED means!!! Brain has turned to mush thanks to BC. Think I need a holiday after radiotherapy and in between Herceptin doses.
Great to hear you are doing well and that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
After seeing my Onc last week and being told that I still have some swelling on the underside of my boob, I am definitely going to push for a reduction operation. The difference in sizes and the angle of the nipples at the moment are so noticeable and will be even more so when the swelling goes down. He did tell me it was better to wait 6 months before asking about it… well that’s only 3 weeks away.
almas, it’s nice to hear of the quickness you had getting reduction done and how well it is now. I hope I can receive the same treatment. I want this sorted before summer comes.
Hi Ladies,
When I first had surgery last September I really thought I would not WANT anything else done.
BUT.
I’m in exactly the same frame of mind as you Spooks - my right breast is at least two cup sizes smaller than the left and the nipples face in opposite directions. The scar above my right nipple has also sunk - most noticeable when I lean forward or when lying on my back - not particularly attractive for those more ‘seductive moments’ which still occur in my life!
I have totally had to alter the type of clothing I wear as the position of the nipples is very noticeable. I’m 55 and not yet ready to resort to wearing a burka - I enjoy topless sunbathing and am aware that this year I will probably have to cover up rather more than I would like to avoid those curious stares.
My surgeon did originally say that he could ‘tweak’ my right breast to make it look better when things have settled down from the rads but I have an appointment on April 7th with a view to ‘restructuring’ my left breast - hope they offer the ‘tweak’ as well but if not I’ll accept the battle scar and definitely go for the reduction. As we go on holiday in June I feel it’s probably better if they can operate after we come back ie. during the school holidays when I don’t need to work - I’ve lost enough money already by not being able to work !
Looking forward to looking better soon
Good Luck with your quest
Maddy xx
I had an appt with the surgeon who did the surgery on my boob today. He actually offered me reconstruction on my boob as the scar above the nipple is like a crater now, without me bringing the subject up. I have to have another mammogram in 5 months time, then an appt with him a month later to disuss reconstruction. He wasn’t interested when I mentioned having reduction done on my good boob. But hey, at least I know something will be done now, sadly not for the summer though.
Hi Spooks,
sorry to hear that your surgeon wasn’t responsive about a reduction - my surgeon told me that I could consider it even before he did any surgery - at the first consultation when he advised of the two cup size difference. It was after my second op that he suggested, without prompting, a ‘tweak’ of my right breast " We can do better than that" were his first words on seeing the damage.
Sorry also that you won’t get anything done until after the summer - I think it’s probably wise not to rush into the surgery but know exactly how you feel.
Hope we both get what we feel we need before the end of the year.
Best wishes
Maddy xxxxx
I think my surgeon was being a little bit conservative, probably because of the slight swelling I still have under my bad boob. I suppose he wants to wait for that to go down so he can see the final size the boob ends up as.
The more I think about it, he is probably right about having reconstruction done on the boob that I had the lumpectomy done on… it’s not a pretty sight at the moment, a 7cm scar like a crater and a long misshapen aureola… I wasn’t aware before my op that removing a 2.5cm lump would leave such an indent.
I haven’t a clue what ‘method’ will be used to reconstruct it, I haven’t really read up on breast reconstruction at all, so if anyone would like to explain types to me… it would be greatly appreciated.