Hi, not sure if this is covered somewhere else. I am keen to look normal again and am looking into surgery but wonder how will this affect check ups ? I had my lumpectomy a year ago . Is it too soon ?
I had 2 WLE and the second one was quite dramatic to my appearance. If anyone has gone through similar I would been keen to hear your experiences.
love cally x
Hi Cally
Your experience sounds similar to mine. The initial lumpectomy was ok, though I never got to see the scar it left - cos cancer was found and I had to go back in within 2 weeks for a WLE…and it was wide (to me). The scar is right across upper part of my breast and had left a big dent. Initially I was happy enough to be ‘cancer free’ but after a while it bothered me…having to put clothes back on the shelf cos they were a bit too near the scar, not able to get a fitting bra… etc.
I assume you are posting under reconstructive surgery because you are looking at options?
Have you spoken to your doc, or consultant about reconstruction, and if so, what did they recommend?
I am about to finish off reconstuction next week with lipofill. If you need any info its on this site, or I will answer anything I can.
Al x
Hi recon hasnt been mentioned to me at all . I sort of assumed I would have to be proactive about it . As you say I am sort of ok with it but bras dont fit and I pad my bra out if I am wearing something vaguely clingy. I just wanted to see what my options were before asking them . I know it sounds like the opposite way around but I want to make sure I am knowledgeable and dont get fobbed off !
What is Lipofill by the way
Cally
Lipofill is the way to go, well, depending on what kind of reconstruction you need.
It is a fairly new procedure in the UK and I am fortunate enough to live in the Glasgow area where it was introduced. The idea is that, instead of using implants to fill the space left where the breast tissue was removed, your own body fat is used.
I have just returned home from hospital yesterday from the second (and last) surgery. The surgeon, Ms Mithoff, took fat from my thighs and recycled it, and injected it into my right breast. It means there is no fear of rejection or reaction, because its your own fat/tissue thats being used. The side benefits are obvious - slimmer thighs / tummies / hips - wherever you decide you have excess.
There is actually a trial ongoing at the mo in Glasgow which they hope will mean that the whole procedure can be done in one op, rather than two. This is because they are able to extract stem cells as well as the fat, and once the stem cells are injected into the breast they will support growth of new blood cells etc.
I know, reading different postings here, that lipofill is becoming more widely available. There are a couple of older postings here you can trawl through for info - or just ask your doc. I am delighted with my op so far - cant wait for the dressings to come off next week to see how it looks - it def feels bigger than it was! Also, cant wait for the bruising to go down on my legs to see what the difference is there…was size 11/12 - maybe now a 10/11.hehe
Al x
Hi
Im also thinking about asking for something ( not sure what!!) i also have had lumpectomy and then wle in sept 07 and now look quite lopsided
very interested to read your post Alimo3 it sounds great and just what i need i see my breast consultant in dec and will ask about it can i ask what about your other boob , mine looks very droopy ( im originally a D cup so its very noticable to me ) do you know if it is possible to have a lift of some kind on a good boob as well as the
lipofill. like you i find buying tops quite depressing now and have started buying bigger sizes to disguise my boobs
Mizzy xxx
Hi, finished treatment in march, had a lumpectomy on my left breast underneath. It didnt bother me but they didnt get the clearance that they needed so had to go back in. The scar is really bad and the remainder of the breast turns in, my surgion has said that we should start from scratch and have a mastectomy,has anyone else had this? I know I am very happy to be alive.
Hi , thanks for the info on lipofill. By the way does anyone know is reconstruction part of the treatment plan for bc ?
I had my op and chemo privately but dont know if reconstruction is covered or if I can get i done on the NHS ? Maybe thats an obvious question but because it hasnt been mentioned to me at all wasnt sure.
Cally xx
Hi Cally
My reconstruction surgery was NHS, although I know Ms Mithoff also has a private practice. I spoke to 2 others having same treatment (recon with lipo) one was NHS, the other had been private for chemo and op, but was in NHS hosp for the lipo (?). I brought up the subject of recon to my GP and she referred me through NHS surgeon who did my initial ops. I would assume from this that yes, any recon is offered through NHS. There are so many options though, I was given a video to watch, explaining the different ones.
I cannot fault any treatment I had on the NHS reconstruction, possibly only the length of time it takes from referral to final op. I know Ms Mithoff is highly recommended and patients come from all over to be treated by her.
Al x
jillj
i think i would get a second opinion…a mastectomy sounds so drastic, did your surgeon go through any other options with you?
Make sure you have all the info you need to make an informed decision before you go ahead with anything, all the best
Al
Mizzy
My prob was that the cancer had affected the smaller breast, and by the time it had all been cut out, it was half the size of its partner. I felt like buying 2 bras - a C cup and an A cup, cutting them in half, then sewing a bra with a C and an A cup. I usually compromised and wore a B cup- overspilling one and not filling the other.aaargh. So, when I saw ps she asked about volume and shape and where the nipple sat etc but all i could think was… I’m going to be able to buy a proper fitting bra at last’. She did mention about reducing the ‘good’ breast but she didnt think it was a good idea for me - as im not that big anyway. Im not sure about the lift - but, hey, if you dont ask you wont know.
Once this swelling goes down, (and the bruises have gone from my thighs) i am off to treat myself (and hubby) to some great new FITTING bras - at last.
Have you met with a ps yet? If not, get all the info you can so you will be prepared - if you have met him/her ask them about getting the two breasts done - and all the best, let us know what you decide
Al x
Hi Al,
My original lumpectomy was just over 12 months ago and the wound hasnt stoped weaping since, looks very similar to a dried out prune (how lovely) tempted to let things be, I’m hardly gonna run down the high street doing a godiva.
Didnt think that I would be the other side of this,must admit the time has passed pretty quick.
Jiilj
Hi Alimo,
How have you got on now with the lipfill. I’m a 32a cup and had a lumpectomy but as you can imagine being so small busted i have also been left with an variance in breast size. I spoke to the ps last week and he suggested lipofill or implants in both - really don’t know what to do?
I would love a b cup but would also love a flat tummy? also frightened of the side effects?
I’m really interesting in lipofill as it seems the most natural with less side effects
i would really love to hear from you?
sukes
Hi!
Do any of you have the contact details for her private clinic?
Hi Sukes
many apologies for not getting back to you before now - I dont come on to the site nearly as much as I used to -another effect of putting all this behind me, so, sorry…
The lipofill…I am still delighted with the results from my op. I go back in Feb to Ms Mithoff to check if there has been any noticeable change in volume etc.
I think there has been a little ‘natural wastage’, some of the fat cells are reabsorbed back into the body, the bulk of them stays in the breast. I have tiny scars on my legs from the surgery, no further scars on the breast. I just feel so lucky to have been offered the chance of this surgery, its been a win/win for me. No side effects from the op at all(…just usual anaesthetic/general hospital stuff). It was an overnight stopover, no major disruption, a week or so off real bruising - on thighs, tum etc but no major wounds.
Op was in September - I’m now playing badminton 3 times a week and in League competitions since October - no lasting damage.lol
Norgegirl
If you google Ms Mithoff you should get a link to her private practise…comes up as Ross Hall Hospital 0800 051 2300
All the best you guys.
Al x
Bump too!
Lxxx