do i do a preventative mastectomy

Tinkerbell99

i love to hear from all of u who have chosen to have a preventive mastecomy...have u had it yet..what kind have u had & did u do the nipple sparing?  as much i would love to do the nipple sparing if my ps does this, i am too nervous b/c of cancer. 

this is just my feeling though. 

Mykidsmom

Shoshi - My oncologist did not recommend nipple sparing w/ LCIS. Best wishes.

kreativek

Shoshi:

I was about a D size cup and now I'm a full B or small C.  My implants are 400cc and I feel they fit my frame well (5'8" and 150lbs).  I feel I still have plenty of "breasts" and I can fit into clothing much easier now.

I did have nipple sparing and it is wonderful.  My incisions are in the crease under the breast.  It is a new technique but a lot more doctors are starting to do it.  Most doctors feel that for a preventive mastectomy it is safe. 

ShellyJo

Get rid of them. Why keep a potential problem? I did lumpectomy. Had complete response still couldnt deal with the annual mammogram. Went back for a complete double mx and implants. took some getting used to, But I am loving my perky new foobs

  

Tinkerbell99

shelly jo, i couldn't agree more with u..tired of going for all the mamos & biopises & lumpnectomies...one day i will learn how to spell that stupid word..LOL...u also look so young to have b/c....but it looks like u  have been dealing with this for a while too...

did u get reconstruction & if i may ask what kind..1 step..TE....did u wait until after the masectomy or do it right then & tehre?  i know so many questions..sorry!!! :-)

Hugs

Tinkerbell99

Hi Kreativek,

thx for the info i will ask my PS abt it on fri..that would be cool to have it there & not where so many women get it....i dont think i am gonna go the route of nipple sparing even though that does sound nice..to nervous abt cancer....did u have TE or the 1 step?

Thanks!!

KittyGirl

Shoshi, what is your risk with the Gail Model, or are you BRCA 1/2 positive?  The Gail model says my lifetime risk for BC is over 25% but does not include breast density, and mine are dense (which I'm told and I've read also increases BC risk).

Tinkerbell99

kitty girl i am unfamilair with Gail Model.  since i was 40 i have had "abnormal" mamos & biopsies & lumptenoctmies..i cannot del with the worry any more. I was told i have LCIS (in different terms yrs ago) & i have very dense breasts, microcalifications.....i have patholgy reports of mine & i googled all the different terms & it appears all the things they have found are very high risk for invasive cancer.  I cannot deal with this anymore.  I do not want to wake up 1 day & find out i have stage 2 cancer or whatever..i do not want to go for rads or chemo if i can prevent t.  I am 47 yrs old & do not know family history b/c i am adopted.  For me this is my best choice.  It will keep me sane.  Just a few moths ago i found a lump (a small one) but only felt lying down..i had a mamo & US & was told it is the tthing that was biposied 6 months ago,,so it is "fine", now i feel it even if i am NOT lying down..i cannot handle this anymore..the waiting...i have had a hysterctomy b/c of cancer cells & have been told i have pre-cancer cells in my breast (yrs ago) when i had a reduction, i wanted this done, but they would NOt do this 4 yrs ago ..now thankfully they will.  Last yr i had 3 biopsies..that hurts!!!

hope i have helped u w/ my decision... 

Tinkerbell99

 OK LADIES...here r a list of questions i am planning on asking my ps 2morrow would luv ur input if u have any..thx!! My appt is in the morning..i'll try & sign on here thru my BB in the afternoon to let everyone know what he said!!

 1-What kind of implants will be used?

2- Will u also use Alloderm?

3- How do u exactly do all this? Step by step ...

where will the  stitches be ? I have read that surgeons are cutting under the crease of the breast now to help w/ scarring especially with preventative Mastectomies..is this something u r familiar with?

5- What kind of bandages will I have right after the surgery? Fow how long? (NO STERI_STRIPS).

6- Will I wear a special bra or cami?  My insurance covers all this for medically necessary garments.

7- How many drains will I have on each side & for approx how long? What is the fluid level that it can come out?

8- Can u make sure u order beforehand the On Q pump & have it inserted into me during surgery?

8A- How much will the On-Q pump numbing agent be expected to take the place of pain medicine?  Will the nurses be familiar with the difference between the numbing pump and the pain medicine?

9-What pain meds will I be given in the hospital & at home? I take Percoset 10/325 & 1 does zilch..i need 2 for it to help. How abt sleeping meds in the hospital? Can u have them ordered for me b4hand so the nurses don't have to call u up? Will I be in a lot of pain after surgery?

9A-  If the pain becomes severe during the night, will orders have been left for something stonger, or should the nurse call you directly?  I will be asked to rate my pain on a scale of 1-10

..what level on that scale do you expect my pain medicine should place me ideally...and what level do you feel warrants a phone call? If the pain becomes severe during the night, will orders have been left for something stronger, or should the nurse call you directly?  I will be asked to rate my pain on a scale of 1-10...what level on that scale do you expect my pain medicine should place me ideally...and what level do you feel warrants a phone call?

9B- I have two surgeons--you and my Breast surgeon-First Dr Bahl does her thing & then u.  Are u in the operating room or do they call you when she is done?  Which one of you will be leaving the medication orders after surgery?  Have you communicated with each other about what the reconstructive surgery entails and how much that may contribute to post-op pain?

10- Muscle Relaxers..What kind & strength & FOR HOW LONG..WHAT OTHER MEDICATIONS WILL I BE TAKING BESIDES PAIN WHEN I COME HOME?

11- How much help will I need when I come home?  Will I be able to get out of bed or recliner without help?

   12- What type of supplies will I need when I get home?  Can I sleep on my side once the drains are out if I am comfortable?

  13-What will the surgery, and my stay in the hospital, be like?

    14- How long will the surgery last?

  15- How soon will I be getting up and moving around

16- What will my wound be like? How do I take care of it? When may I shower or bathe?

  17-When can I start using my arm? Are there exercises I should do?

  18-When will I be able to drive?

  19-When will I be able to return to work?

  20-Can you show me pictures of other reconstructions you have done?

   21- How often have you done this type of surgery?

  22-In your experience, how often do complications occur?

  23-Which complications are most common?

   24- if we plan on the 1 step do u bring into the ER several different kinds just in case 1 doesn't fit as well?  Will u also have TE just in case if the 1 step wont work for me?

25- What r ur thoughts about Nipple sparing?

  

  

KittyGirl

Hi Shoshi, how did your appt go? 

Issymom

Thank you for this forum.  I was diagnosed 2 weeks ago and how quickly my life has changed.  It small (dr can't feel it).  Found it on an mammogram and had it biopsied.  Though it is small it TN and the doctors say "it wants to be big".  2 days ago I found out I am BRAC1 positive.  I didn't consider myself in a high risk group since I thought it was only my paternal grandmother.  Now know my paternal great grandma and 2 great aunts died from ovarian cancer.  My dad has brothers so it was missed.  I am strongly considering bi-lateral mx but just can't imagine removing my breasts.  I would do reconstruction and have great doctors lined up.  I am finding it such a hard decision esp since it is all happening so quickly.  It is comforting knowing I am not alone in this decision.

Mykidsmom

Issymom - Hugs are going out to you. We all understand!!!

kreativek

for those BRCA+ ladies and those with a strong family history -

in case you are not familiar with the site, be sure to check out:

www.facingourrisk.org

There is a lot of great information regarding hereditary breast cancer and BRCA+