How long do I continue with breast surgeon?

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jbau
jbau Member Posts: 54
edited June 2014 in Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy

Do you ladies with bilateral mx, no reconstruction, continue to see the breast surgeon yearly forever? Mine suggests that I do that, and of course, I continue with the oncologist every 6 months for 5 years, then annually, but I've wondered if everybody continues to go to the breast surgeon. I guess years down the road if something came up, you might not get in to see them?

Thanks,

Jennifer 

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  • Erica3681
    Erica3681 Member Posts: 1,916
    edited July 2009

    I go once a year, think that will go on indefinitely. I like being examined by a breast expert once a year so don't mind continuing. I had very early stage cancer (T1a) six years ago (and DCIS in the other breast almost three years ago) and I now see my oncologist once a year. I don't take any medications at this point, but seeing my onc annually is fine with me as she also examines my chest.

    I'm sure you could get back in to see your doctors if something came up, no matter what. For me, since it's not inconvenient and is covered by insurance, I'm happy to continue this annual monitoring.

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  • NancyD
    NancyD Member Posts: 3,562
    edited July 2009

    I plan to continue to see mine at least until my port is removed. He did the placement surgery, so I expect him to do the removal sometime in the early Fall. After that, I don't really see a need to continue if I decide not to have recon.  My onc could always refer me back if he sees a problem developing.

    But since I'm leaning towards traveling for recon (still unsure), I may keep the relationship going in case I need a local surgeon to do follow ups. That would be the only reason I see to continue the appointments.

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  • hollyann
    hollyann Member Posts: 2,992
    edited July 2009

    Mine is also a breast specialist so I see her every year now for a check up and mammogram......Yes I still do those with a TRAM......Seems you can get cancer in the fat...Great!......But highly unlikely which is good..............Good luck to all you beautiful ladies..........

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  • nelia48
    nelia48 Member Posts: 539
    edited July 2009

    After he pulled out the drains, I never went back again to see the surgeon.  I was being followed by my oncologist, going through radiation by that time and seeing the radiologist, and seeing my primary care physician,  so I figured if there was anything wrong with the surgical site, they would send me back to the guy.  I couldn't think of any reason to add one more dr. to the list of who I had to see.

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  • caaclark
    caaclark Member Posts: 936
    edited July 2009

    I stopped seeing mine 2 years ago.  I am currently 3 1/2 years post diagnosis.  She was a fantastic surgeon but her bedside manner was horrible.  The thought of going to see her and having to actually interact with her was way too stressful.  BUT...I do continue to see my med. onc. every 4 months and my rad. onc.every 4-5 months.

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  • gladtobehere
    gladtobehere Member Posts: 3
    edited December 2009

    i was down to once a year aftere a rt lumpectomy; just about 1  year out of double mx now; never had drugs or chemo, so when i asked to see the team onc after recovery, nobody quite knew why.  info he gave me was to keep see gyn and be sure to get 5 yr colonoscopies.  not sure what the BS is going to say.  He's no longer on my fav doc list after the second surgery scars and dismissive attitude towards pain - I was early stage the first time as well, but the DCIS this past year (first was 2/98) was in the same breast.  thanks for your post.  company is a good thing :)

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  • Sher
    Sher Member Posts: 540
    edited December 2009

    I fired my breast surgeon (got tired of telling her how unhappy I was with the results of my bilaterals) and didn't keep the 1 year appointment.  After that, I received a note that if I didn't want to follow up with the same surgeon, I should make an appointment with a different surgeon.  But since I'm bilateral and have appointments with oncologist every 4 months, really didn't see the need.

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  • Erica3681
    Erica3681 Member Posts: 1,916
    edited December 2009

    Since I posted here last July, I had my annual appointment with my oncologist. I asked her if she felt I still needed to see the breast surgeon and she agreed it wasn't necessary. She felt I should still see her annually for at least a few more years, though since I'm no longer on hormonals it's not strictly necessary. I actually think she does the best breast/chest and node exam of any of my docs, so I'll continue the annuals for that alone.

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