imaging after mastectomy

annie7216

Hi everyone

I am 7 months out from my mastectomy and have completed my exchange surgery and nipple and areola reconstruction. My pathology report after mastectomy actually showed a much smaller area of DCIS than originally suggested by the MRI. I had a follow-up visit with my breast surgeon today and while everything went fine, she said that she would like to do once a year (flap) skin imaging with a sonogram starting next April. I know it's a good thing to be vigilant, but I've never heard of this before. Has anyone else had this kind of after care?

Leah_S

I had a unimast, no recon yet. For followup I had a mammo and U/S on the noncancer side, just U/S on the mast side. I'm going to be having another mast on the noncancer side with DIEP recon and was told I'll have followups with U/S after that.

Leah

Leah_S

I had a unimast, no recon yet. For followup I had a mammo and U/S on the noncancer side, just U/S on the mast side. I'm going to be having another mast on the noncancer side with DIEP recon and was told I'll have followups with U/S after that.

Leah

sunnyhou

I had expanders and then implants and was told imaging, just a breast exam every 6 months for two years. I wish someone would do an ultrasound on me every six months. I think that would alleviate the fear that something is still there. I am not sure if women who have had the flap done have a different protocol. Perhaps one of these ladies will respond. Sometimes this board can be rather slow.

annie7216

Sunnyhou

My BS called it "flaps" but I have implants. When I asked her, she said she just means "skin". And I will be having US imaging only 1X per yr, with breast exams every 6 mos. I guess I was a little thrown for a loop bc I thought I was done with imaging of any kind now that I didn't have breasts anymore. I know it's better to be vigilant, but I'd like to feel "done." I guess no one is ever truely done

Leah

Thanks for responding. I didn't realize this was part of the regular follow-up.