Hi, hoping for some advise on what to expect from having total duct excision surgery?
I have had ongoing issues for the last 2 years. I was actually on here a couple of years ago when I first started having issues. I’m under a new username now but I was told by the gp there was a strong possibility I had breast cancer. I then went back and forth to the hospital, having been told I didn’t but was an abscess which I had drained several times and then had surgery as it wasn’t clearing. Then in the end they said I had a benign breast disease.
Anyway long story short I’ve been getting severe discharge from the nipple but also from the old surgery scar for the last 9 months. I finally got told 2 days before lockdown that I needed a total duct excision and obviously Covid happened.
I am due for my pre op on the 21st and was just wondering what to expect from the surgery? Does it take long to recover from?
Hi Becs, I had a major duct excision along with a lumpectomy last year. Like you I had a lot of non malignant issues with my breast but unfortunately, I also had a malignancy, hence the lumpectomy.
I can’t tell you exactly what the duct excision would be like without the lumpectomy but I’ll do my best. An incision was made about 3/4 of the way around the base of my nipple which was then lifted to access the ducts that are directly behind. The nipple was extremely sore for a few weeks but gradually improved. For a while, it wouldn’t go erect but that eventually sorted itself. Also, I have lost some of the sensation in the nipple as a result of the surgery - I’d estimate about 30% loss but it depends on the day. Some days, I can hardly feel anything, some days it’s closer to the pre-surgery norm.
In terms of recovery, the sore nipple was problematic for a while (it was hard to wear a bra or have anything touching it - clothing, hugs, bedclothes etc) but, like I said, I had a pretty extensive lumpectomy at the same time, so your recovery might well be quicker
Good luck with the surgery and let me know if you have any questions x
Hello! I found your story surprisingly similar to mine except I had only one duct removed about 6 months ago and the issue has recurred sounds like you and I had similar symptoms. How are you feeling after your surgery? Would love updates, as this is a rare thing to be able to talk to others about.