Breast shape post WLE
Breast shape post WLE Hi,
I was recently diagnosed with DCIS and had WLE on 25/5. The surgeon removed an area of tissue which, including margins, had a diameter of 6cm. This was deep within the breast, close to the chest wall.
I have healed well so far, but now my breast is beginning to change shape - to pucker and dip in places. It seems to be affected by the weight of the breast pulling down (I am quite well-endowed) even though I am wearing a good bra day and night.
I’m looking for information about what I can expect in terms of breast shape as I heal more - will things stay misshapen or get any better? Is there anything obvious that I should be doing to help the shape stay as normal as possible?
Would anyone else be prepared to post their experiences of breast-shape-change following WLE, especially if you are a few months ahead of me? I would be very grateful.
Thank you
Heather
dented bosom I’d say that you are likely to have a dent for ever, judging by my experience. I thought I was a 36A, I now discover I am actually a 34B but anyway I have ended up with a dent in one bosom, the left one where I had DCIS and a tumour removed. I was told there would be no change to the contour of my bosom but having read Backup’s booklet Understanding Cancer of the Breast I had already been informed that it would be less full in the area of surgery i.e. dented. It has also been hiked up a bit on one side (under the armpit) where the tumour was, and my nipple has moved towards my armpit in the direction of the scar.
Radiotherapy made the dent more obvious as my bosom swelled to about twice its normal size. This has gone down a lot since and in fact the long term effect of radiotherapy can be to shrink the breast.
I can’t wait.
I’m not happy with the outcome but I have been told the only way I can improve the shape is to have plastic surgery involving a skin graft from my back and an LD flap of muscle from my back. This will make the skin look different from the rest so I can’t see it will improve on the mediocrity I have now.
Mole
Breast Shape Hi
I am 2 years post WLE and radiotherapy. Tissue removed was 7cm x 4cm x4cm + shavings. I wasn’t very big to start with.
Left breast is now considerably smaller with a slight dent and mishapen. I have had quite a bit of pain, some caused by the ‘pulling down’. Despite this I think there is only me that is aware of it.
The radiotherapy did cause swelling that gradually improved.
About 6 months ago I was fitted with a partial prothesis. Pain was reduced and now I look balanced. The prosthesis is very comfortable, light weight and I hardly know it is there! I wished I had gone much sooner.
Regards
Enid
Breast Shape Hi
I am 2 years post WLE and radiotherapy. Tissue removed was 7cm x 4cm x4cm + shavings. I wasn’t very big to start with.
Left breast is now considerably smaller with a slight dent and mishapen. I have had quite a bit of pain, some caused by the ‘pulling down’. Despite this I think there is only me that is aware of it.
The radiotherapy did cause swelling that gradually improved.
About 6 months ago I was fitted with a partial prothesis. Pain was reduced and now I look balanced. The prosthesis is very comfortable, light weight and I hardly know it is there! I wished I had gone much sooner.
Regards
Enid
Thanks Lots of thanks for your replies. I will wait and see how things turn out!