Reconstruction after lumpectomy

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Hi, I’m a newbie here and would welcome any feedback or pointing in the right direction! I had a lumpectomy in the summer of last year, the lump was removed from the cleavage side of my breast. I recently saw the plastic surgeon who works for the breast care unit at my hospital. Her suggestion were… 1) Have the rest of the breast removed and total reconstruction or 2) Just have the right breast reduced to more closely match the left one. I’ve had a course of radiotherapy which, I’m informed will have compromised the condition of the skin too much for a smaller “filling in proceedure” to be carried out.

I have been told by a couple of friends and my Dad that they saw a news report regarding a Belgian surgeon who used the patients own body fat to fill in the space left by lumpectomy surgery. I’ve tried, but cannot find any reference to anyone carrying out this proceedure in the UK. Does anyone have any info? i know that following this “infill” type of proceedure that Mammograms need to be performed by someone who can recognise the ‘granulation’ created by this, anyone know anything about this also?

Any pointers in the right direction will be much appreciated, as the idea of having my entire breast removed, is not something I can contemplate, and trying to live with my breast the way it looks, with a new partner (whom I should add, has never seen it!) is getting very difficult.

I don’t need to look perfect, I wasn’t before surgery and don’t expect to know, I do however want to feel confident about my body again!!

Thanks. x

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Hi undertheduvet

Welcome to the forums. I am posting a link to a BCC publication about breast reconstruction which you may find helpful to read whilst you await replies from your fellow forum users, you can read it via the following link:

breastcancercare.org.uk/docs/breast_reconstruction_dec06_web_0.pdf

You are also welcome to call our confidential helpline for further support and information on 0808 800 6000, it’s open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm and Sat 9am-2pm.

Best wishes
Lucy

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Hi

There are one or two surgeons in the UK who are skilled in lipomodelling, one works at Canniesburn in Glasgow. I believe her name is Eva Weiler-Mithoff and she was the first UK surgeon to be trained (in France) in the technique.

I suggest you post a thread LIPOMODELLING and you’ll get a broader response.

Best of luck
D

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Thank you so much for the responses Lucy and Dahlia! I will re-post, did not know the technical term for the treatment, Lipomodelling sounds so much better!

Warm Wishes,

Sara.