I’d really like to hear from anyone who has had reconstruction after a lumpectomy. I had surgery in August but wasn’t offered reconstruction, the surgeon said he thought I would get a good cosmetic result. In the event he had to remove more tissue than hoped and now that the swelling has subsided and radiotherapy had done its bit my right breast is about half the size of the left and my right nipple is about two inches higher. I am waiting for a partial prosthesis to arrive and that will probably make me look ok dressed. However I am wondering about asking for reconstruction. Before I do so I feel I need to know more about what I might be offered and get some advice from others who have been in my position.
Hi Joan
I am currently on the waiting list for reconstruction after wle so I can’t tell you really what to expect but there is no harm in you getting an appointment with a plastic surgeon to find out what your options are. One thing they might say is that you need to wait longer after rads before having surgery. I was told anything from six months to a year before they would consider surgery. I believe this is because the rads can affect recovery.
If you know of a good ps then get a letter of referral from your gp to them by name. I didn’t know you could do this and wasted lots of time trying to get an appointment arranged through the bc clinic. I find it frustrating that there is such a long wait if you end up needing reconstruction after treatment for cancer is over.
Take care.
Mary
Mary, thanks for this info. I didn’t realise there would need to be such a long wait. Have you been given any info about the different types of reconstruction available/ have you done any research yourself? Joan