Hi, I was diagnosed with Her2 negative breast cancer in June I found out today I have a lump in each. I’ve got surgery booked. I am looking for advice about ladies who have had a lumpectomy or therapeutic Mammoplasty because I have no clue what to think or do. Thank you for any help. X
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Hi mumtoboys. I had the same decision to make a month ago and decided to have the therapeutic mammoplasty- surgery was end July. Decided to go for that because they were removing a little invasive cancer but more DCIS (plus a little gap in between) and it would have made a difference to how my breast looked. I’d had a lumpectomy on the other side 10 years ago, so I was already a bit smaller on that side. The operation is more complicated but it was ok. I was out the same day and I’m healing well so far. Celebrating today because my dressings are off and I can shower!
I just read all the info they provided and went with my gut feeling - they did give me a week to think about it because I was a bit overwhelmed with all the info - about my results and these procedures- at the time.
None of this is easy, is it?
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Thank you so much for the reply. It really isn’t easy and the doctors just have so much information it’s hard to get your head around. Is the pain afterwards manageable? If you have any other tips or information that would be great. I’m so glad you are celebrating 
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I’ve not really had real pain, though it’s been sore and tender at times, which I managed with paracetamol after the first few days. I was surprised that initially especially I was sore at the top of my breast ( where the removed tissue had been) and up to my armpit ( I had sentinel node biopsy) rather than where the scar was. I’ve followed the advice they gave me and it’s been ok.
I found the advice and experience of others on this website really helpful- good to know you’re not alone when you’re having to make difficult decisions and that others have been through it too.
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It’s really good to know I’m not on my own so thank you.
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Hi mumtoboys
My lumpectomy was 2 years ago for a 22mm DCIS. Post op I was advised that the surgeon found a 55mm DCIS plus 2 x tiny invasive tumours which were removed. The surgeon decided to do mammoplasty to retain some shape to my breast (I had said from day1 that I didn’t want my breast removed). I have to say I’m delighted with my surgery, although there is definitely a difference in my breasts left to right, the difference is at the side of my left breast, not at the front.
I had not heard of mammoplasty until I read it in the report afterwards, but it works for me. I still have occasional pain in my breast but I’m told that’s likely from the radiotherapy rather than surgery.
I wish you all well in your treatments xx
Hiya, I was slightly different and had 80mm dcis so it was either lumpectomy or mastectomy with rebuild due to size and placement.
Although different I think the journey is similar and it’s key that you make the decision on what’s best for you.
Understanding the recovery time of each and knowing the support you will need and have at home if you have a partner etc. your work position and how you will be supported, what’s the time off and the after care and upkeep.
At the end of the day, take the time to think about it and you will decide what’s right for you. I went from day 1 with mastectomy and rebuild as I wanted to know it was all gone and no chemo or radio after. But that came with a much bigger surgery.
Chat to your friends and family as well. They will come up with pros and cons you’ve not thought of.
Wishing you all the best in your journey xxx
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Hi
I had bilateral mammoplastie bit over 3 years ago . I found the recovery pretty straight forward and it was only uncomfortable not painful . I was out walking gently the next day and cycling indoors at 10 days . Again gently. I have a really good cosmetic outcome . Hope all goes well
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Hi, I had a therapeutic mammoplasty in 2022 - it was recommended by my consultant as I had a large tumour in a small breast. I just nodded along with what he said, somewhat in a daze to be honest! But I’m pleased I did - the result is excellent and there’s actually not too much difference between my breasts, size- or shape-wise. Certainly when I’m dressed there’s nothing to notice 
and that was important as I came through the other side of treatment.
I know none of us have quite the same stories, but I hope this is helpful - and good luck to you going through all this x
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Thank you xx
Hi I was diagnosed stage 2 HER2+ breast cancer in March. I had a round block mammoplasty in April and am delighted with the results. I had no real pain or discomfort in my breast post op but I did have more issues with the lymph node scar. My tumour sat directly behind the nipple and they excised the nipple, removed a 12mm tumour and replaced the nipple (glued) and now you would be hard pushed to see where the scar is. As has been said the decision you make must be right for you personally. Good luck with whichever way you decide to go x
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Hi there,
I had bilateral therapeutic mammoplasty a year ago last week.
Cancer in the right breast, but very deep and in a bottom quadrant. Nothing in the left breast.
I think my surgeon prefers mammoplasty to lumpectomy anyway, but v strongly suggested mammoplasty due to the position of the cancer. She said that I would be a very strange shape if I just had a lumpectomy, and that mammoplasty would also mean she’d be able to take more margins. So, I said yes to that on the right breast, but initially declined the therapeutic mammoplasty on the left as I don’t believe in unnecessary surgery.
After a few days thought, I changed my mind and said “yes, please do both breasts”. With the benefit of hindsight, given that I had to have one done, having them both done at the same time was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
Apparently, having slightly pendulous breasts meant that was a good reason for having the mammoplasty. (Afterwards, I did have the boobs of a 16yo for a while!). My scars are the anchor-shaped ones - I’d draw a diagram if I could. It wasn’t painful at all really. I went down a full cup size, if not 1.5 cup sizes.
If you’ve any questions, feel free to ask
I’ve got cancer in both shitty titties and have definitely decided to have the new boob surgery. What was your recovery time?
Poor you with cancer in both boobs…
Re recovery time, I wouldn’t know what to say really…
If you mean return to work, I don’t know as I was made redundant on the day of my diagnosis - it was a totally unrelated redundancy due to my funding coming to an end, but the timing was rubbish…. I only mention it here, as I don’t know when I’d have gone back to work. I know I was glad not to have that to think about, but that was more to do with how my boss would’ve handled it, rather than how I felt. I think it would depend on the type of job, and how one got there (I didn’t try to drive for nearly 3 weeks due to not wanting to see what happened if I had to do an emergency stop).
Household tasks were odd for a few weeks - lifting kettles, pans, getting stuff out of the oven etc - so I chopped veg/salad, washed up, loaded the dishwasher, whilst my husband did the cooking. I was really good at doing all my exercises, but found that my muscles pulled for at least a month with things like opening/closing the up-and-over garage door.
I have an allotment with heavy soil, and didn’t dig for 3 months to be on the safe side (hospital said 2 months).
Other than that, I continued to do my daily walks from the day after the op. Some other things, I didn’t really stop at all, but it did take me a while to carry shopping bags, maybe 4-6 weeks. I play Taiko Drums, and I went back to that after 4 weeks but scaled back on some of the more active arm actions for another 4 weeks.
Hope that helps - sorry it’s long and rambling
This is so helpful thank you. Xx
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No probs - every best wish for your operation
I had bilateral mammoplastie and found the surgery quite straight forward to get over . I’m a keen cyclist and was back gently on my indoor bike after 10 days and back cycling outside after 6 weeks . Walked everyday after surgery and sorted on gentle weights about 4 weeks . I didn’t go back to work till after my radiotherapy but that was because more because of the emotional aspect of my job than anything physical . My cosmetic result from surgery is great Hope all goes well