Reconstruction after lumpectomy?

Keyla

Hello ladies

I was just diagnosed July 23 and have surgeon appt later today, so don't know a lot yet.

I have a million questions, but am guessing /hoping I will only need a lumpectomy and am wondering if reconstruction is usually needed after. I know it will depend on the size of the mass, which I don't know yet, but am wondering if there is a magic number that makes the decision between needing reconstruction or not.

I really don't want to have one significantly smaller than the other, but then again, if reconstruction is necessary, I don't want one "new" one and one that is 55 yrs old.

I feel like I am rambling, I hope that made sense.

CAMommy

a lot has to do with the size of your breast vs the size of the lumpectomy vs the skill of your surgeon. I had a rather large amount removed (6cmx5cmx3cm) and I can't even tell. But my girls are big. My lumpectomy breast feels a little bit smaller but visually you can't tell.

Now he has to go back in because of a close margin and I'm faced with re excision vs mx, but not because of cosmetics, I could handle more being taken out , it's more of an issue of how widespread my DCIS is

Moderators

Hi Keyla,

You'll certainly learn a lot more after your appointment today, and especially after the surgery itself. If you do end up having a lumpectomy, there's some great info on the main Breastcancer.org site's page on Reconstruction After Lumpectomy. If you end up having a mastectomy, the larger Breast Reconstruction section can explain the types of reconstruction there are, what to expect, how to find a qualified reconstruction surgeon, and more!

Please let us know how your appointment goes, and what you find out.

We hope this helps!

--The Mods