Diagnosed today- have a question!

dlgmom1

So I've been stalking this site just in case, as the radiologist was pretty clear as to what the diagnosis of the biopsy would be, so thanks in advance to all the wonderful info posted and the FAQ section that answered tons of questions already. My only question is regarding an observation on many of your "tags" listing diagnosis and treatment. I see that on several there are multiple lumpectomies listed, some within weeks or months of each other. I know everyone is different, but is this due to reoccurrence or not getting it all the first time? If this is the case do they re image you soon after or is it based on the path results from surgery? Just curious...my surgeon visit is not until next Wednesday due to the short holiday week, so I thought I would check in with the folks who have the MOST knowledge while I wait. Thanks so much already just for all the posted info!

MelissaDallas

Dig, if they are all around the same time they are probably reexcisions trying to get clean margins.

dlgmom1

Gotcha. Thanks for the reply- that makes perfect sense!

ballet12

Hi Digmom, that was my story. I had one lumpectomy done in the first hospital (no clean margins), then went to a second hospital (because I switched surgeons) and had to have two more surgeries to get clean and wide margins. It's very common to have two lumpectomies. Three is less common, but still does occur. Anyway, one step at a time. Good luck on your upcoming visit, and sorry you have to go through it, but we're available for any more questions you might have. Read the threads written by our "resident" expert, Beesie, all about DCIS and treatment decisions.

To answer your other question, the decision to do re-excisions is based on pathology reports; however, imaging is also often done to help clarify the extent of disease. I had an MRI done and mammo repeated between surgery #1 and #2. Neither were enlightening in my case, but they can be for others.

Mommyathome

Does anyone know how and when you get nipple tattoos done after a bilateral masectomy? Meet with plastic surgeon on dec 10 to discuss surgery etc. info on that and ANYTHING else you think will be helpful please post!!!! I don't know where to begin!!!

Jelson

Mommyathome -

the breast reconstruction board is where you are going to find info on tattoos - to zero in, you can use the search function on the left of the main discussion page - I just tried "nipple tattoos" and found many entries.

Mommyathome

Thanks Jelson I'll try it.

lori703

Mommyathome, I just had my tissue expanders exchanged for implants on 11/22.  My PS said I will have my nipple reconstruction done at the end of Dec. We will wait 4 to 6 weeks for them to heal then have the tattoin

Mommyathome

Lori703,

What was the time frame from masectomy - did u have unilateral or bilateral? And fills etc? I have bilateral masectomy scheduled for January 29. I'm curious as to when I can say, ok I am done with surgery, fills etc and just have my 6 month follows.... Thoughts? I know it's different for everyone but are we talking 3 months? 6 months? 9 months? More??

Beesie

Mommyathome, the amount of time it takes to get through the reconstruction process depends on how large a breast you want to have, how much saline the PS is able to inject into the tissue expander at the time of the surgery, how well you are healing and based on that, how large each fill is and how often you get the fills, it's even a question of how much pain you are willing to endure (larger and more frequent fills tend to be more painful than going more slowly with small fills). Some people get through their fills in 2 months, some people take 6 months or longer.

What you need to do is talk to your PS and get an estimate of the timeline for your reconstruction from him or her. If you go by what happened to someone else, you could be very misled.