the reduction+lumpectomy thread

mimi1964

I have no idea but good luck Janny and the same to you Connie.  I am praying that I have no probs with my insurance company approving my surgery either.  I know that they are suppose to because it's the law, however, we all know how insurance companies are. 

Renee

keddamae

After being diagnosed with DCIS in the left breast, I also decided on having a bilateral reduction and lift.  I really struggled with the decision as to the type of surgery since none of the choices are wrong, it just depends on what feels right for you.  After having muliple biopsies over the years and surgery on both breasts I leaned toward a bilateral mast, but when it came down to making the decision I just wasn't ready for that yet....  My surgery is scheduled for April 21st, going in today for the pre-admission testing.

mimi1964

Congrats keddamae!  keep us posted on how it goes and your recovery.

hellome

Someone earlier mentioned inserts to fill a bra to help with symmetry. I found some very inexepensive ones at Joann Fabrics - I want to say maybe $5.99 for a pair. In my case I am maybe a D to DD on one side and B to small C on the other. So while one insert doesn't make me completely matchy, it does help. Also I found wearing a soft formed cup bra helps too. Basically I've been buying the size in between, a C. The larger breast gets a slittle smooshed but the other fills in a little better. And the soft formed cup helps smooth out all the lumps, bumps, and gaps lol. I have a hard time with underwire (even though it's been 9 years since surgery and radiation) but I did recently find one without underwire at Walmart.

hellome

PS - It says on the package each insert is supposed to increas a cup size. They have the silicone type as well for a little more money, but I liked the fabric covered foam ones as they are much more lightweight, and cheaper. If you have a bra with a pocket, great. But if not what I do is put a little safety pin on the outside underneath where it won't show through the clothing to keep it in place. It helps. 

I'm actually getting a mastectomy to that smaller breast (with reconstruction/implant) next week and a reduction to the larger one so pretty soon I'm going to be a B girl again lol. That is going to be so strange. But hopefully much easier in the long run.  

cookiegal

good luck keddamae

mimi1964

hellome - hoping your mastectomy and recon goes well as well as your reduction and lift to the healthy side.  Keep us posted on your progress.  :=) 

Seabee

I had a lumpectomy in October of 2008, with reexcision in December, and finished rads in March of 2009. At present the right breast, which was always larger, looks about twice the size of the left breast. The PS I've consulted about a reduction to correct asymmetry would prefer to do a bilateral, but she's not keen on attempting the left breast yet, because there are still some effects of radiation present (very thick skin in spots, and some fluid retention).

I'm wondering if I shouldn't urge her to do the right breast only, because its heaviier weight is affecting my posture even more than it did before the lumpectomy. My rad onc says it my be as long as two years before the effects of radiation wear off, if they ever do, and I can't see waiting another year to find out if a bilateral reduction is possible.

 Has anyone here had a similar experience?

cookiegal

hmmmm....if your healthy breast is a lot larger than your cancer breast, I don't see what the harm would be in reducing it. Most likely the radiated breast will shrink a bit. Hope someone can give you more help.

Seabee

The PS thinks the left breast would also benefit from reduction as long as it's in good operable condition, and she's probably thinking sh e could improve its appearance, though it doesn't look all that bad. It has shrunk since the operation, and may shrink more. Maybe it's easier for her to get a good match if she does both.

Anonymous

Seabee - I had a bilateral reduction last summer - for clear margins.  I had radiation afterwards, so can't really help you with post radiation surgery info, but I agree with cookiegal - why not do the right side so at least they are closer in size and it is more comfortable.  You can always have the left side done down the road if you are really unhappy - but I have a feeling  you will be happy after the right side is reduced.

Good luck with this!

cookiegal

It's probably a shape issue. They can't shape your larger breast to be exactly like you smaller breast, so she probably is worried that the difference in shape might bother you.

The funny thing is my breast are still pretty big, but they are much more lifted.

Seabee

Thanks aprilgirl and cokkiegal.  I think I will push the idea of doing only the right side. I'll let you know how it goes.

mimi1964

This thread is very quite and no one has written on it in a long time.  I am finally having my breast reduction and lift on the good breast on 12/20/10.  It has been a long time coming... I've been waiting months, since Feb. to be exact.  I had to wait for the rads breast to calm down and "see" if it were going to soften up or continue to contract and have to have a mast, which is what my plastic surgeon wanted to do.  The rads breast has finally softened up and the only signs of rads now is some pigmentation changes.  Woo Hoo!! I will post again after my surgery. 

Renee

cookiegal

Good Luck Renee.

I am still surprised there are not more people out there who had the surgery.

On the other hand I have had some complications.

mimi1964

Thanks Cookiegal!  I am very sorry you have had complications.  I did read that on another thread.  Take care of yourself.  {{{{Hugs}}}}

Renee

lane4

Hey, Renee,

Thank you for resurrecting this thread -- I hope your surgery goes well!  I, too, opted to have my healthy breast reduced and lifted to match the radiated side.  I am scheduled for Dec. 23rd.  After hearing about possible complications when surgery is attempted on a radiated breast, I decided it would be best to leave that side alone.  So, I am hoping I will be happy as a B cup and thinking that it will just be good to be even again.  Take care and best wishes!

mimi1964

Thanks Lane4 and good luck with your surgery as well. It looks like we will both be down with the same surgery during Christmas.  I am so looking forward to having it over with.  I will keep you posted if you will let me know how you are doing with yours. 

Renee

kadeeb

Lane4,

I had a lumpectomy in Oct of 2007. Didn't get clear margins so we did another in Dec, 6 weeks later. Began radiation on Jan 2 of 2008.  My surgery was actually referred to as a partial mastectomy.  I am 59 years old and was a D cup before surgery. Gravity had already taken it's toll so after removal of about 1/4 of my left breast it was a pretty sad site. My surgeon referred me to a plastic surgeon this March for a consultation.  He suggested a reduction to the good boob and would use the tissue to fill in the hole in the other (and would put them back up on my chest while he was at it).  Well lo and behold--I'm going to have one of the best looking sets when I get to the nursing home. Getting them both even is the Dr's concern.  He/she wants you to be satisfied.  

mimi1964

kadeeb sounds like you have a great doctor.  I live in the back woods of Alabama.  The doctors here seem to be so far behind in everything.  I really wish I lived somewhere that I could have an advanced surgical outcome, I really want implants and a lift.  I do not want to be a B cup. I haven't been that since I was in highschool but what's a girl to do?  The plastic surgeon refuses to do it and the ones I have talked to refuse to do it.  All they will do is a reduction and a lift on the good breast because of the risk of encapsular contracture on the rads side.  (roll my eyes) Guess I just have to settle, although I did ask my rad onco about it yesterday and he seem to think that I really didn't that he knew some plastic surgeons that were a little more aggressive and would do the implants but he didn't offer their names.  Now my surgery date is set and I'm excited to get it done but also concerned about being small.  I'm not thin like I was in high school, matter of fact I'm about 30 lbs heavier which may make my B cup breast look "strange" on my body and out of proportion, which really worries me.

Renee

kadeeb

Well lady, I live in the northwoods of Alabama. Fort Payne but I went to UAB Kirkland Clinic. I have been pleased with the team approach of a teaching hospital and they are on the cutting edge of research and treatment. Radiation takes a toll on breast tissue, it shrinks. We are sometimes at the mercy of those who have the experience. 

lane4

Hey, kadeeb -- I hope you're right about the plastic surgeon wanting me to be satisfied!  My surgery was also a partial mastectomy (I thought that was just the surgeon's fancy term for lumpectomy). When I saw the pathology report, I was shocked by the amount of tissue that was removed. And that was from the breast that was a little smaller to begin with.

 Renee -- I can totally relate to your concerns about a smaller breast looking out of proportion; I am also worried about that. The plastic surgeon I chose to use (I saw two) said that if I am really unhappy being smaller, he would feel better about doing an implant when I'm a couple of years out. My primary care physician tells me that she thinks the reduction/lift is the best choice and then proceeded to tell me about the problems another patient of hers experienced with an implant in radiated tissue (ruptured implant then wound healing issues). So, for now, I'm just hoping I'll be happy to be "balanced" again. I think none of us really come through this unscathed.

mimi1964

kadeeb - I used UAB when I had Hodgkins Disease and was really pleased with them and the care they gave me.  Unfortunately this time around United Health Care is not accepted by them due to some kind of disagreement (from what I understand) and I could not use them again.  So, yes I was at the mercy of the "team" treating me and it is what it is but I have been pleased over all. 

Lane - I have resigned myself to be happy with what GOD has given me the opportunity to have and if being "smaller" is the case then that is o.k. with me.  I am simply thankful to be alive to celebrate his birth another year and enjoy Christmas with my family.  Just a week from tomorrow till my surgery... can't wait. 

lane4

Best wishes with your surgery -- hoping you'll have a speedy recovery and a wonderful result!  Please post again to let us know how you're doing.

mimi1964

lane4, I found out when I went for my pre-ops and markings for my surgery yesterday that not only will I be getting a reduction and a lift on the good breast but I now will be able to get a slight lift and corrective skin structuring on the rads/partial mastectomy breast.  The skin has healed so well now and has stopped shrinking and constricting till the plastic surgeon said he would be able to do some work  on it also as long as he didn't get into the actual breast tissue itself.  I was very pleased with his decision.  Looking forward to Monday... not the surgery itself, but the end results.   I will keep everyone posted when I get home as to how it went. 

Take Care

Renee

cookiegal

Good luck!!!

lane4

Renee,

That is great to hear!!!  Do let us know how you're doing after your surgery. Wishing you the very best!

mimi1964

lane4 and cookie girl, I'm home!  Surgery went great... it wasn't as painful as I expected it to be.  When I woke up my pain level was an 8 and my breasts were burning, after 2 doses of morphine I was better and they moved me up to my room for the night.  They gave me one more dose of antibiotic IV and then stopped my IV fluids.  I had no nausea or vomiting which was great since I was put under general anesthesia and intubated, I did have a sore throat and a cough, but that is better now.  I actually ate a McDonald's hamburger and fries for dinner last night.  When the doctor came in to take some of the bandages off this morning I got a look at them for the first time and my breasts actually look pretty good considering being cut on, having stitches and ster-strips.  They are swollen and sore but that is to be expected. 

I will keep you updated as I heal...

Renee

lane4

Renee,

I am thrilled to hear you are home and everything went well!  Sending love and prayers your way for a speedy, uneventful recovery!

kadeeb

Well Culman girl, it's good to hear that those worries you had weren't quite as bad as you had feared. You'll be sore for a while but I put on my bra from hell and went to gulf shores with 2 of my friends the next week. You'll be surprised how young and perky those girls look after a couple of weeks.  In all seriousness, congratulations, another step behind you. The road ahead is not without bumps but it sure is a lot shorter.