Hi all
I am newly diagnosed with Stage 1 (very small tumour of 2cm but removing 4cm all round). The surgeon has given me 2 options for surgery and I am finding it really difficult to make a decision. Anyone out there been in the same situation or has had one of these ops and could let me know how they got on would be good.
I had therapeutic mammoplasty but wasn’t really given much of a choice over it since I was told that with a 2cm tumour (which turned out to be 3cm) that if I had a lumpectomy I would be left with a very misshapen breast with a nipple pointing at the sky. My tumour was in the upper, inner quadrant of my breast so the most difficult location to try to hide the result of surgery.
The mammoplasty worked well but I was shocked at how much tissue had been removed and how small my breast ended up. It was so much smaller than the healthy one that I insisted on having the other side done to match ASAP, I was so upset by the asymmetry.
I then spent a year trying to convince myself that I was happy with such small breasts. They are much more convenient than the big floppy ones I was used to but they’re not me! I’ve also found it very difficult to get clothes to fit since overall I’m a size 18 or 20, but then find that there is space at the front where my breasts should be. So I’ve finally given up trying to persuade myself that I’m happy and I’m having further reconstruction (lipofill) in a few weeks time to make them a bit bigger.
I think the main thing is to make sure you know exactly what the surgeon is planning to remove, and what it’s likely to look like afterwards, so you don’t get any nasty surprises.
In my case, with the benefit of hindsight, would I have had the mammoplasty again? I don’t know. But I wish I’d been better informed of possible alternatives, like could I have had the lumpectomy then later had that filled in with lipofill? And the mammoplasty scars are a lot bigger and take much longer to heal than a lumpectomy scar, partly because they run along the fold under your breast and under your bra line, so wearing a bra is very uncomfortable for a long time afterwards.
Hi,
I’m having a therapeutic mammoplasty/sentinel node biopsy on 15th March. I have grade 2 lobular cancer. Initially I was having a lumpectomy as the area was about 2cm, but then on the MRI they found a second area of cancer close to the 1st which makes the total area 4.4cm, and a lumpectomy was no longer an option. I had to decide to have a mastectomy or opt for the TM. I’m a 38DD and the surgeon has said my breast size post op will be 38C. At some point in the future when my treatment has finished, they will reduce the other breast to match. It has been a really difficult decision to make, but after doing some research, I opted for the TM.I don’t think there’s a wrong/right decision - you’ve got to do whatever feels right for you. The surgeon will only still be giving you options if the outcome is the same for either.
Absolutely terrified of having the surgery.
Good luck with your decision.
Carrie
Hi
My cancer was discovered in november. i was a large busted lady (38G). My surgeon recommended that I had the cancer removed with clear margins and that at the same time i had my’good’ side reduced by the same amount as there was enough spare! Less traumatic for me. yes there was a lot of scaring, but this has all healed well. Im now 38D.
As was said before i dont think there’s a right/wrong decision.
good luck
Gill x
Hi
My cancer was discovered in november. i was a large busted lady (38G). My surgeon recommended that I had the cancer removed with clear margins and that at the same time i had my’good’ side reduced by the same amount as there was enough spare! Less traumatic for me. yes there was a lot of scaring, but this has all healed well. Im now 38D.
As was said before i dont think there’s a right/wrong decision.
good luck
Gill x
for some reason posted twice!! Chemo brain
Just popping in to say I was a 36B/C and had TM to remove 1.9mm grade 3 in Sept 2010. I have a tiny almost invisible scar around the areola and a wobbly line underneath but no incision along the bra line. Everything had to be done twice as didn’t get clear margin the first time. All healed up well and not a lot smaller…but loads neater! Could have the other done to match if I wanted but to be honest there is not a lot of difference in size and all my underware fits well…in face echocardiogram lady was gobsmacked at how good it was! I am very pleased as it would have meant very disfigured with WLE
Good luck!
bumping up for Linda.
Hi everyone, am so pleased to find this thread (thanks Elinda) as have been looking for any info or advice from anyone who has had mammoplasty, ive just been re DX yesterday in my opposite breast (new Primary) and have been given the option of another WLE/SNB or Mammoplasty/SNB and have to make a decision quite soon ,i dont know very much about mammoplasty as is new to me ,so your posts have been very helpfull, Can you tell me if the reduction on the opposite breast is done at a later stage? or can it be done in the one Op?, im not realy sure id want to go back for further surgery at a later stage, though i understand mammoplasty is a good option for the location of my tumour .
Im swaying one way to the other at the moment, if you have anymore advice or thoughts you can give me on your expierences i would be very greatfull, as there doesnt seem to be very many ladies on the forum that i can find that has had this procedure, just wish sometimes our med teams would tell us what to do ,though oviously choices are a good thing too! trouble is with BC you have to make pretty fast decisions tut.
Linda xx