Devestated- lupectomy & reduction =double partial mastectomy

breast2beast

Help...i need a new team.Yesterday, I was to have a lupectomy on left breast with cancer and a reduction lift on right one. To be followed by nipple reconstruction on left with tattoo and lipofill. Lipofill after radiation.

I am usually a large D sized cup so both surgeons agreed to go to a C sized cup...as I am 5ft 2....

Also had sentinel node (which was actually along my side) and had 3 lymph nodes removed.

I was outpatient. Finally looked under bandages as I could feel they were wet. this was blood and drainage. Looked at boobs to find that I am a Small B cup possibly an A cup...I could feel the weight difference...and like like a man wrestler....with square type "pectoral" pects...muscles...

I measured my boobs and went down 4 inches across. I mean, reduction to me is leaving more than you take.

I am devestated. This looks to me Iike a double partial mastectomy which is not what I we discussed.

NEITHER surgeon came in to talk with me after... had to have wires at last minute because their seed supplier stopped supplying... (the breast center- across st to hospital told e they adnt done a it in 5 years...I had 2 sticking out of me.) plus the doctors wouldn't call in pain med beforehand so had to wait in pain at pharmacy after surgery in pain. Im up and not sleeping right niw as the med aren't helping. This is hydroconoe- 5 and acetaminophen (325). Once pill every 4 hours. I ever had pain meds it this is like a aby aspirin.

Anyhow I see the plastic surgeon today ...I have to call 4 a time. I don't even want him touching me. I am butchered. Where are my C cup boobs?

JUST very unhappy. . With what little tissue is left I would have had a mastectomy as both my aunts had b.c.

Any advice appreciated.

How do I approach plastic surgeon nicely before I start going it's and using the malpractice word?

***UPDATE*** SO I PHONED plastic surgeons at 8 am when opened. no one answering...left message. Phoned 4 more times...finally got someone. Today was to see the nurse and get the bra. P.s. is going out of town and won't be in. I told her I am ery disappointed. the hospital said to all and see him today. I'm in pain... well e s seeing you few ere at 8 am (meaning m y hold will miss bus...) okay fine. what about these pain meds. Well u are taking 2 pills once very 4 hours...no One it states one. Are you sure. YES!!!!! I'm sure. We'll et me try and track him down and call back.

Just now called to ell me take 2nd and will need o phone in NARCAN in case I overdose. WTF?? Why m I ring treated like an addict?

Then I phoned the genetic testing company. My results were sent to my surgeon (woman) on Tuesday. So , call and all there. Laura receptionist states my doctor has been out all week sick and won't be in today or tomorrow. REALLY I JUST AW HER YESTERDAY AND SHE PERFORMEED SURGERY ON ME. So she trues o read the results to me and thinks its fine. WHAT IS GOING ON. HOW DO YOU FIND NEW DOCTORS. BAWLING RIGHT NOW. So disappointed... Got 3 hours sleep last night. How do i find new doctors??? please help.

WC3

breast2breast:

Sorry you are unhappy with the results of your surgery. They often give amnesia inducing medications along with or as part of sedation or anesthesia with surgery so they may have come in to talk to you and you may have no memory of it, or they may have declined to talk to you afterwards for the reason that you would not remember. Last time I was in the hospital I was given some of that stuff and I complained to my mother in the morning than no one had been in to check on me all night, to which she replied "Honey, they have been in and out of here all night..." Hopefully you will get some answers at your follow up.

JoniB

I understand your pain and disappointment. After my lumpectomy I was surprised by the size difference between my good breast and BC breast. It did not look like the doctor said it would and I was severely depressed. The difference with mine is that a good bra and clothes cover the difference. You need to listen to why your doctor made you smaller than he did.. Maybe he needed to take more than he wanted for clear margins or maybe his idea of a C does not match yoiurs. As much as you do not want another surgery you may opt for a mastectomy and reconstruction to get to the size you wanted. Please let us know how you are doing.

Lula73

it’s entirely possible that they got in there and there was more extensive diseased tissue than originally thought. It happens a lot. Your whole body is also still swollen from the inflammation and all the fluids they pump into you so seeing the actual end result, size, shape will take a bit. I’d try to be very calm and after he inspects incisions, gives you pathology report and the rundown of how the cancervpartbof the surgery went, tell him calmly that you feel like you’ve been reduced 2 cup sizes not the 1 that was agreed upon and see what he says. Ask about the shape as well. If all else fails, revision with another PS or mx with/without recon are still on the table as options. Make sure to tell him your pain is NOT controlled on the pain meds he prescribed and ask for a different prescription. If hydrocodone isn’t doing it, he may need to switch to oxycodone or he may just increase the dose. I’d also ask why he didn’t have a prescription for pain meds ready to go and included in your discharge orders. Also make sure you are clear on the incision care instructions and any lifting/activity restrictions before he leaves the room.

NotVeryBrave

I'm sorry that you had such a stressful experience. It sounds like lots of things could have been handled differently. Keep in mind that it's a very emotional time as well. That makes everything harder.

I had a very different surgery, but I was also super disappointed with the initial results. I said the exact same thing - I looked like I had a man's chest! But ... a lot of that (all?) is swelling from the surgery itself and will improve with healing over time.

As far as how to approach the PS? Honestly. Remind them of what the planned surgery was and what you were expecting the results to be. Express your rightful concerns about the change in localizing procedure (seed vs wire). Explain that it would be much more helpful to have pain medications filled before surgery.

I hope that they will have a lot of empathy and understanding. And I also hope that they will be able to encourage you that things will improve.