I feel really overwhelmed and would really value hearing your experiences. I been offered two options
Mammoplasty: keep my natural breast and hopefully nipple, but go from 30F to around A–B cup, followed by radiotherapy and symmetry surgery about a year later.
Mastectomy: lose my natural breast but have immediate reconstruction, and possibly avoid radiotherapy depending on final pathology.
I have one fairly large lump 38mm Grade 2, ER/PR+, HER2− invasive breast cancer, fairly close to the nipple at 7 o’clock.
What did you choose, and what do you wish you’d known beforehand? Did you feel like yourself?
Hi lovely, welcome to this great forum, I had Er+Pr+Her2- 4 years ago and was offered lumpectomy, 5 days of radiation and 5 years of hormonal treatment and to be honest it went very smooth. And even though my lump ended up larger than was expected (DCIS 35mm+ 4 IDC which one was 9mm) the recovery was very quick and easy and also the radiation went quite smooth.
I am now going through a new primary tnbc rare type and had to go through Mastectomy and reconstruction with a flap.
The recovery is very long and not easy but I’m happy with my decision because I don’t want to have implants so I’m okay with the longer recovery time.
In the end it’s not an easy decision and I know that my case is extremely rare but no matter what decision you make it will be the right one for you, sending love
Hi @pinksky. I’m 37 (36 at diagnosis, invasive lobular cancer, HER2 and oestrogen positive) and pre surgery I was wearing a 32F bra. Ironically, the cancer was in my right boob, which was already smaller by about a half cup size, meaning the surgeon had much less to work with. I opted for a mammoplasty and radio, with balancing surgery due next year. I had my surgery end of July and am doing my radiotherapy at the moment.
While I was waiting to see the surgeon after chemo, I didn’t know whether I would be a candidate for the mammoplasty surgery. I had to weigh up both options, like you. I was able to rationalise the mastectomy plus flap reconstructive surgery as my next best option, but I didn’t relish the longer recovery. I was very relieved when the surgeon explained my scans showed the chemo has reduced the cancer so much that I could have the oncoplastic reduction and lift instead.
I’ve found the surgery very straightforward to recover from and the results look very good. I feel lighter on that side which is a nice hint at what it might feel like when my balancing surgery is done. I do look lopsided but I found a very good bra which helps provide support without an underwire and some how reduces the visible difference, for now.
Hi, it’s a horrible decision to have to make isn’t it. I had to decide between lumpectomy or mastectomy a few weeks ago and didn’t know where to start.
Obviously your 1st choice is not to have cancer! But with that not being an option, I did a list of what I thought were the pros and cons for each operation. I’ll share these with you below in case you find them useful. I had an equal score for both options so, in the end I decided on a lumpectomy because the thought of a mastectomy made me more sad than the thought of a lumpectomy.
I had the op just under 2 weeks ago. My recovery so far has been ok. The discomfort and soreness hasn’t been too bad (although there’s plenty of bruising) and I’m able to do the post op exercises without too much difficulty. The operated breast is obviously smaller but is a good shape.
My list of pros & cons:
Operation duration/complexity
Operation recovery time
Post op drains needed
Potential further surgery needed
Radiotherapy needed
Total treatment time
Total recovery time
Likelihood of local recurrence
Head versus heart decision
So helpful to hear your experience. I am the same, my left breast is smaller so the surgeon will have less to work with. And the lump is where the most tissue is, which apparently makes it harder. But mammoplasty is still but my own tissue and smaller operation so I am learning towards that. I feel very new in this realm and it’s such a big decision.
That is such a good list. Thank you so much! @joy3 I tried to make one but was overthinking it too much. It’s such a big decision at a scary time. Glad you could have a lumpectomy. I thought first I could my lump is too big and I would have an odd dent.
@felineoptimist
I forgot to ask. Have you been offered a symmetry breast reconstruction a year after? I read some women choose to have it at the same time.strong text
Yes, I was offered it afterwards as I’m having radiotherapy and the plastic surgeons need you to wait 12 months after your radiotherapy for the breast to settle. I probably could have asked for the balancing to be done at the same time but my breast surgeon’s strong recommendation was to wait, partly due to the fact that it would lower my risk of infection etc to just do one breast first, quite apart from the potential for there to be different outcomes for the two breasts after radiotherapy. That was maybe more relevant for me as I’d had chemo so my infection risk was already higher. She also said that if needed, at the time of the balancing surgery the plastic surgeon could do additional work to tidy up the cancer boob if there was any need, eg. fat transfer to even out the shape etc.
I had lumpectomy which didn’t have clear margins so then had mastectomy. Bra size was 38F and now 38C. I was offered breast reduction on good breast at same time as mastectomy. I’m pleased I did, right decision for me as I’m not sure I would have had a reduction a year later.
Thank you @jues
Helpful to know If I don’t clear margins I will need a mastectomy also. If it happens, I now know to ask about symmetry surgery (reduction / mammoplasty) at the same time.
If you ask and its another option to consider. I just thought if I have both done together then its not 2 anaesthetic and 2 recoveries. I hope everything goes well for you x
If I don’t clear margins I will need a mastectomy also. If it happens, I now know to ask about symmetry surgery (reduction / mammoplasty) at the same time.