Exploratory Surgery?

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Anonymous
Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
edited June 2014 in High Risk for Breast Cancer

So I've had mammo's, US, benign biopsy, all on the left breast. I had an MRI done a few weeks ago. At the same time my nipple has been retracting and I'm having thick creamy discharge from it. I've had a ductogram done on it with the findings non-conclusive. Now my radiologist wants me to see a breast surgeon who can do some exploratory surgery to see why I'm having the inversion and discharge.

Has anyone else had exploratory surgery? How did it go? Did they find anything?

And the BS highly recommended to me doesn't take my insurance and I was given a referral to someone else. When I Googled him he had a bunch of bad posts about him. Ugh. So I spent several hours on the phone with various people, googled a bunch of doctors and finally narrowed it down to two surgeons who hopefully take my insurance. Frustrating! Now it's after five so I'll have to call my PCP on Monday to get a new referral. I'm going to go deep breathe now....

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  • SarahsMom
    SarahsMom Member Posts: 1,779
    edited August 2011

    Hi - bumping your thread.  I skipped the exploratory part and had them remove the ducts from my bad breast. There were two papillomas (one we could feel before the surgery, the other we couldn't), abnormal fluid and tissue.  I figured if they were going to knock me out and cut me open, just take the problem away. My surgery was "free" (military) but you'll be paying something, I am sure?

    Also, I had spontaneous discharge that was blood tinged and would stain my sheets at night - it was wreaking psychological hell on my after 4 months.  So I also had the ducts pulled for my own peace of mind.  Just a thought!  I was done having kids.  But even if you had a baby, you could still breast feed from the other side.

    Sending you a hug! 

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  • Rennasus
    Rennasus Member Posts: 1,267
    edited August 2011

    GreenSeaTurtle, I'm sorry you are dealing with all this.I don't know where in CA you are, but send whippetmom a PM (private message) and ask her if she knows the 2 surgeons you have narrowed your search down to, and if she has any other referrals for you in your area.

    Also important to note: Some doctors who may not be in your insurance plan may be willing to work with you anyway, at a reduced rate. You have to ask. Also, you may still be able to bill your insurance company directly (rather than the doc billing them). But hopefully you can find a great surgeon in your plan!

    Good luck, keep breathing!


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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2011

    Ladies, thank you for responding! And for the hug!

    Carpe- I wouldn't mind them taking the ducts. I'm done having kids-I've already had a hysterectomy so the factory is very closedWink  None of the tests have narrowed down which ducts could have the problem. They did the ductogram on one which was unconclusive. I had some side effects during the procedure so I'd really rather not go through that again. Did they remove all the ducts? How was your recovery? How much did it change the shape of your breast?

    Rennusus- Thanks for letting me know about whippetmom. I will send her a PM today. I am in Southern California. My insurance won't let me bill them directly. That was an hour long phone call on Fri (and the guy on the phone acted like I was wasting his time and should just go with the dork they referred me to and stop questioning everything). I see the need for insurance but man, are they a pain in the keister to deal with! I like the idea of the reduced rate though. I will call her office today and see what they say.

    Again, thanks for responding. It's so nice to 'talk' and get advice with others who've gone through the same things.

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